May Volunteer Spotlight – Lucinda Calhoun

NALA Volunteer Spotlight – May 2023
Lucinda Calhoun

Lucinda Calhoun works as the Lead Paralegal for the Shelby County Government in Tennessee. In 2020, the Memphis Business Journal named her a Best of the Bar finalist as one of the top paralegals in Memphis. Lucinda has been a paralegal for over 20 years. She began her service with NALA on the Ethics Committee in 2019. She has been on the Continuing Education Council (CEC) since 2020.

“I wanted to volunteer for NALA because I wanted the opportunity to bring my skills to the organization, assist in the development and delivery of services offered by NALA, and help serve the members. In addition, I enjoy networking with other paralegals during this process. I am very passionate about the paralegal field, and it is an honor to see the work that my fellow constituents and I contributed to NALA come into fruition. It is just amazing to see all of the work that goes on behind the scenes that makes this organization wonderful. I love volunteering with NALA.”

She says she has learned a lot while working with NALA.

“My favorite part about volunteering for NALA is being able to brainstorm ideas with some of the most awesome committee members. Everybody is very friendly and excited about contributing their ideas and working together for a good cause. I absolutely do not have one negative thing to say about NALA.”

Her favorite aspect of paralegal work is research and learning about the law. She has written over 18 articles for Facts & Findings. She recorded the Criminal
Procedure video for NALA’s CP Review webinar intro video series.

On her way to becoming certified with NALA, Lucinda understands the importance of certification.

“I believe a person should become a Certified Paralegal (CP) through NALA because it provides the paralegal with the opportunity for growth and advancement, whether it is a promotion to a supervisory or management position or an increase in salary. It also shows the employer that the paralegal is sincere about being passionate about the profession and willing to go the extra mile to be the best.”

In more than two decades of working as a paralegal, Lucinda has learned a thing or two that she wants to share with fellow and upcoming paralegals.

“My advice for paralegals is to stay focused, stay the course, and continue to be the best paralegal that you can be. No matter how long you have been in the field, always ask questions. There is no such thing as a silly question. You are going to hit some bumps in the road sometimes, but just continue to remain positive.”

Apart from working, Lucinda is very close with her family. She is an avid traveler. She loves photographing nature, bowling, and going to the movies.

“One particular movie that is related to the legal field that I have always loved is ‘Lincoln Lawyer’ with Matthew McConaughey. I also enjoy watching ‘Law & Order’ and the ‘9-1-1’ series.”

If she could meet anyone, Lucinda would like to meet Martin Luther King, Jr. because of what he stands for as an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement. He has been one of her prominent inspirations.