May 2026 Volunteer Spotlight: Nancy L. Jordahl, ACP, FRP, FCP

Nancy L. Jordahl, ACP, FRP, FCP, has spent years helping shape the paralegal profession through leadership, education, and service. As a member of NALA’s Professional Development Committee (PDC) and ACP^® Special Committee, she continues a long history of volunteering that reflects her commitment to NALA and her passion for supporting fellow paralegals.

Based in Orlando, Florida, Nancy works as a paralegal at Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial. Outside of NALA, she also serves as CLE Chair for the Central Florida Paralegal Association (CFPA) and as a member of the Orange County Bar Association Paralegal Section and the Stetson University Alumni Board.

Her professional accomplishments include a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University and graduating with honors from the Rollins College Paralegal Studies Program. She holds multiple credentials, including an Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP^®) in Trial Practice, as well as a Florida Registered Paralegal and Florida Certified Paralegal. Over the years, she has also received several honors, such as the 2022 NALA President’s Award and three accolades from CFPA: the 2010 Paralegal of the Year Award, 2017 Affiliate Award, and 2022 Board of Directors Award.

Nancy’s volunteer service with NALA spans more than a decade. She decided to get involved because of her paralegal pride and her desire to support NALA while contributing to the profession. After graduating from NALA’s Leadership Enhancement and Preparation (LEAP) Program, she was appointed to the Continuing Education Council in 2012, where she served until 2017, including as Chair from 2014-2016. Other roles she has held within NALA are Certified Paralegal Practice Exam Question Writer, Board Liaison, Area 1 Director, Nominations & Elections Chair, and Essay Grader.

“My favorite part of volunteering for NALA is collaborating with other paralegals,” Nancy shared. “I love getting other people’s perspectives on the profession and on issues facing paralegals. It energizes me to be around a group of people volunteering their time and effort to make the world a better place.”

Much of Nancy’s work for NALA has happened behind the scenes, but her impact has been undeniable. She contributed to the Torts and Clarity of Expression chapters in The Paralegal’s Companion: Fundamentals for Legal Practitioners and Those Preparing for the CP^® Exam and helped prepare updates to the NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants and its instructors’ guide. She has written numerous articles for Facts & Findings and presented sessions at the NALA Conference & Expo.

Her current role on the PDC came about when she requested the appointment to expand her service into a new area. She emphasized the importance of the work the PDC does in maintaining the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and the Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals, compiling articles for Facts & Findings, overseeing the research and publication of the National Utilization & Compensation Report, and creating professional development and leadership courses.

“I think our most important role is to keep up to date on activities affecting the paralegal profession and then figure out how NALA can best help all paralegals respond,” Nancy revealed.

Nancy’s path to becoming a paralegal was not a straight line. After graduating from college, she worked in retail management for a few years before realizing she wanted a career change. She took an aptitude test that suggested she would make a good paralegal, which led her to enroll in a post-baccalaureate paralegal program in the evenings while working days as a law firm receptionist to gain legal experience. A friend in the program decided to take NALA’s Certified Legal Assistant Exam (now the Certified Paralegal Exam) and talked Nancy into it.

As a member of NALA since 1995, what she loves most is the passion and kindness of fellow members. “It is great to spend time with people who really care about the profession and want to improve things,” she reflected. “I have met many of my friends through NALA.”

Her advice to members is to get involved by joining a local affiliated association, writing an article for Facts & Findings, or serving on a committee. She also reminds them not to take things too personally along the way.

“The more you put into your membership, the more you get out of it,” she professed.

While she has attended many NALA conferences, a memory that stands out to her is when a group of paralegals from across the country met up before the conference to do some sightseeing in Portland, Oregon.

When she is not actively advancing the paralegal profession, Nancy enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her dogs and her longtime boyfriend. She is currently focused on exercising and getting outside more. In response to where she would like to live for a year, the first place she thought of was Italy.

Nancy’s dedication to supporting paralegals and NALA makes her a powerful asset to those she serves. May her example inspire us all to advocate for the people and causes we care about most.