2 minute read
‘A Total Wow Moment’
A Publication of North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
JANUARY 2023
Yenli Gaytan, left, and Terri Coker confer in a conference room. Photo/Provided Terri Coker, right, receives her NALS mentorship award. Photo/Provided
South Carolina Paralegal Terri Coker re ects on receiving NALS mentorship award
■ BY TERI SAYLOR
Terri Coker was overcome with emotion when she realized she was receiving a national mentorship award from NALS – the National Association of Legal Support Sta at its annual conference last fall in Charlotte.
She remembers the windup leading to the big announcement during a luncheon, taking notice as the announcer began describing all the award-winner’s achievements. And it slowly started sinking in.
“By the time she listed the winner’s fourth achievement, I allowed myself to believe it was me, and I immediately turned to mush,” Coker said, laughing at the memory during a recent Zoom interview. “I didn’t even know NALS had that award.”
Coker is a litigation paralegal at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey of Greenville, a job she has held for a decade. She started her career in corporate law, and to say she loves being a paralegal is an understatement.
“A er I started the litigation job, I have not looked back. Not one single second. I love what I do,” she said.
She also loves her boss, Bill Bannister, the rm’s co-founder, going strong at 83.
“Mr. Bannister still practices full-time, and is just as sharp as ever,” she said. “He has two sons who are also attorneys at the rm – James W. Bannister and Bruce W. Bannister who is in the South Carolina House of Representatives.”
Bannister & Wyatt is a rm of 10 attorneys, and Coker appreciates that her boss shares her devotion to education and service to the legal profession, including mentoring young paralegals and students.
Her passion for paying it forward goes all the way back to her childhood.
Coker, 58, is warm and folksy. A few minutes of chatting is all it takes to become her friend.
She was born in Alabama and grew up in Greenville, as an impressionable youngster who was in uenced by musicals like Hello Dolly. She wanted to grow up to be a singer and an actress.
But by the time she reached high school, more practical dreams took root.
She had watched two of her teachers move on to lo y positions in law and gov-
“Receiving that award was a total wow moment because I believe that when you’re doing something you’re passionate about, that by itself is your reward. I feel like I have come full circle, and it’s pretty awesome.”
- Terri Coker
