LEGAL STAFF PROFILE
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Kalisha Reed: Paralegal, Omaha, NE [By Judith Earley] Curiosity and intrigue are the forces that drew Kalisha Reed into the legal field.
Reed juggles an incredibly full schedule as a
field. “I don’t think there is much promoting of
“I never imagined I’d be working in the legal
paralegal at Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Omaha
minorities to enter the legal field,” said Reed.
field. Learning the law is very interesting, and it is always good to know your rights,” said
office, working full-time for one attorney and splitting the rest of her time between two
Over the course of her career as a paralegal,
Reed. “I always thought I would be a teacher.
others. “I work in the areas of family law and
Reed said, she has seen more firms seeking
A lot of my life and work experience was
Social Security. Also, under the supervision
paralegals with higher levels of training,
geared towards such work. While at College
of another attorney and in conjunction with
such as those with certificates, bachelor’s,
of Saint Mary (CSM), I took a family law class,
another paralegal, I assist in running the Pro
or associate’s degrees. “It seems the bigger
and during this class, we were required to
Se Divorce Clinic. In this clinic, individuals
firms are moving toward this more and
participate in a service learning project.”
who have an uncontested divorce with
moving away from having only experience,”
children are allowed to represent themselves,
said Reed.
“I volunteered at the victim/witness unit. It was a wonderful learning experience. This
and we assist them with completing the In Reed’s opinion, the value that a paralegal
experience in itself was an amazing hands-on
association adds depends on how much
[opportunity to volunteer]. The experience
According to Reed, the most enjoyable
the paralegal utilizes the association. “The
allowed me to get a firsthand look at the
aspects of her job are working with people
association can be very beneficial with providing
judicial process and understand the different
from very diverse backgrounds, being an
the tools necessary to continue your legal
court rules and procedures. It also allowed
advocate, and encouraging clients. The most
education by providing classes and seminars.
me to work directly with victims of domestic
difficult challenge is not feeling sorry for
It is also good to know that paralegals are
violence and other crimes, as well as
clients but, rather, trying to understand them
recognized nationally with the assistance of
witnesses. We were able to help people every
and the courage it has taken them to get to
these types of organizations,” she said.
day overcome fears of testifying or seeing the
paperwork,” she said.
accused in the courtroom. And although I did
the points they are at in their lives. Reed said that there are many important issues facing the legal community today. “Working at Legal Aid of Nebraska, there are still many people who are unsure of their legal rights. For this reason, I would say equal and fair access throughout the judicial and/or administrative process. It is very important for people to know that they have the right to be represented,” she said. The greatest issue that she sees facing minority paralegals today is the fact that there are not enough minorities in the paralegal
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Q. What CD was most recently in your CD player? A. Mary J. Blige! Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. TV Guide every week. Q. What is your favorite TV show? A. Hands down, Grey’s Anatomy…everyone should get into Grey’s! Q. Who is your role model? A. My sister, Marcie. She is the smartest person I know. Every question I ask her, she always has the answer.
not know it at the time, it would help me land my first full-time paralegal position.” Reed only had positive experiences to share with regard to being an African-American woman in the paralegal profession. “Because of my ethnicity, I was able to attend a four-week prelaw undergraduate scholar program offered by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. It was designed to get more minorities interested in pursuing a career in law. This experience was wonderful and gave me a firsthand look at law school and pursuing a law degree,” said Reed.
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LEGAL STAFF PROFILE
According to Reed, if she had it to do all over again, she would have prepared herself in high school for a career in the legal field and tracked down a mentor. As for the people who have influenced her most in her life, Reed said her children have motivated her. “I wanted to be able to provide for my children. I want my children to be able to look at an educated woman/mother,” she said. Reed’s advice for students who are preparing to become paralegals is to “keep your grades
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up!” She said, “You will always find subjects
“I like to shop, and usually you can find me
that are difficult or areas that you flat-out
relaxing, catching up on my shows,” said
don’t like, but keep positive and work hard.
Reed. “I learned how to play golf at the age
Start preparing for law school now. So many
of 14 and was featured in a golf magazine
paralegals begin and have an idea that they
when I was 16. I played for my high school
want to go ahead and go to law school, but
for a couple of years. For fun, you will most
just the preparation of law school is tough.
likely find me hanging out with my best friend,
There are many things that you can do as a
Monique-catch a movie or go out dancing.”
freshman and sophomore to prepare for law school, so stay on top of that. Volunteer! Any
ON THE NET
chance you get-at a law office, as a runnerget experience before your internship; that way, you already have your foot in the door!” Reed is the youngest of four children. She has one sister and two brothers. Her two children are eight-year-old Dajhia, who is in third grade, and Xzavier, who is five and is preparing to enter kindergarten this fall.
Legal Aid of Nebraska www.nebls.com College of Saint Mary www.csm.edu University of Nebraska-Lincoln www.unl.edu