Kathy Surber Moore: Paralegal with Butler, Vines and Babb, Knoxville, TN
By Kenneth Davis
Kathy Surber Moore said that she was motivated to become a paralegal because she wanted a career that was both challenging and personally rewarding. She added that she also wanted a career that was connected to the law in some way.
"I have always had an interest in the law and felt that working as a paralegal would provide me with those opportunities," she said. "I hold very strong beliefs when it comes to justice and fairness. I don't like to see anyone getting taken advantage of simply because of someone else's negligence or greed. I wanted to be part of something that provides a remedy or solution to help others and serve the greater good of the community in which I live."
Moore has been a paralegal with the law firm Butler, Vines and Babb, which is based in Knoxville, TN, for more than seven years. She said she has been assigned to work primarily with two attorneys at the firm: Edward U. Babb and John W. Butler. Moore added that she works chiefly in the areas of insurance defense, workers' compensation, and personal injury; she also works on some product liability matters.
Moore said her tasks as a paralegal are so numerous and varied that it's difficult to give an accurate description of the details of her job.
"So much depends on the type of case I am working on," she explained. "However, most of my responsibilities are centered around the discovery phase of a lawsuit, although I am generally involved from beginning to end in all matters."
Moore said she spends a great deal of time collecting and reviewing various documents, such as medical records, employment records, social security files, criminal records, accident reports, and so on. And once she has reviewed and analyzed those documents to locate any relevant findings necessary to the case at hand, she prepares summaries and/or chronologies (timelines) based on this information for the attorney to review. She added that she also spends a significant amount of time doing research that is both legal and non-legal in nature.
"Again, the type of research is often determined by the type of case that I'm working on," Moore said. "One day, I might be trying to locate information on city or county building codes, and the next I may be trying to locate a potential witness who is serving time in a federal prison. In addition, I contact clients, witnesses, police officers, and treating physicians to gather information relative to the facts of the case and/or their opinions. Oftentimes, I feel as though I play more of an investigative type of role because it's my job to not only find information but figure out how to get access to it, as well. I draft discovery responses and various memoranda, as needed. I also assist my attorneys at depositions and trials when needed."
Before becoming a paralegal, Moore was a marketing coordinator for a major cable television company. During that time, she attended Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN; she received her A.S. in Paralegal Studies from the school in May of 1999. From there, she continued her education at Tusculum College in Greeneville, TN, where she earned her B.S. in Organizational Studies in 2002. Moore graduated from both colleges with honors. She said that she's particularly proud of this accomplishment because she had to work full-time and attend school at night to earn both degrees.
Moore joined Butler Vines in June of 1999. She said one of her professors in the paralegal program recommended her to the firm.
Moore discussed what she enjoys most about her job:
"I enjoy the feelings of accomplishment that I get when I know I've done a good job and have helped our client's position," she said. "I feel my work has purpose and that my thoughts and opinions are valued by my attorneys that I work with."
She said the most difficult challenge of her job is keeping up with her workload.
"This is definitely not a career for someone who likes to leave the office every day with a clean desk," she commented. "Oftentimes, it can get very stressful trying to keep up with the huge caseloads that most attorneys carry."
Moore is a member of the Smoky Mountain Paralegal Association (SMPA) and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the leading national paralegal association.
"Being part of a paralegal association is a wonderful opportunity to network with other paralegals, to share information and ideas, and to be a support system for one another in dealing with various problems or concerns that may arise within the legal field or on the job," she said. "Associations also help us to keep focused on improving our skills and knowledge so that we can be better at what we do and encourage those around us to do the same."
In 2004, Moore passed the National Association of Legal Assistants' comprehensive examination, making her a Certified Legal Assistant (or Certified Paralegal) and granting her the designation "CP." In addition, Moore is currently an adjunct faculty member at her alma mater, Walters State Community College. There, she teaches a course entitled "Introduction to Paralegal Practices, Legal Ethics, and Law Office Management." She's also a member of the school's advisory committee for the paralegal studies program.
Moore explained what she likes most about teaching:
"It is very rewarding for me personally to be able to share the things that I have learned and experienced while working in the field with new paralegal students," she said. "I feel that this is my opportunity to give back something in appreciation for all of the good things that I have received and experienced in my life and career."
Moore had the following advice for paralegal students:
"I like to encourage the students that I teach to be willing to work hard and apply themselves diligently in their classes, to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done (so long as it's honest and ethical), and to love what they do," she said. "Every career will have its highs and lows, but if you truly love what you do, the lows won't seem nearly as daunting when you encounter them. I also encourage students to honor their ethical guidelines, even if they see other legal professionals doing otherwise. It is important to always try to do the right thing and be the example for others to follow."
Moore said one of the highlights of her career was receiving her professional designation as a Certified Paralegal through the National Association of Legal Assistants.
"At the time of my certification, there were only 236 paralegals in the whole state of Tennessee who had accomplished this task," she said. "In order to become a certified paralegal, one has to sit for a two-day extensive legal exam (much like the bar exam for attorneys), which tests your knowledge in 11 different areas of law, from legal research to civil litigation to criminal law. There is a 70% fail rate on first attempts at taking the exam; however, I passed in all 11 sections on my first attempt. Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I received my congratulatory letter from NALA."
Moore said she believes frivolous lawsuits are one of the most important issues facing the legal community today.
"I feel that frivolous lawsuits are becoming a major black eye to the legal system here in America," she said. "At one time, the law was considered to be an honorable profession. However, in today's society, people are becoming so 'lawsuit-happy' that the courts are inundated with senseless and unnecessary lawsuits. People aren't interested in justice or fairness anymore; they are only interested in how much money they can get from someone. And, sadly, we all pay the price for such conduct. There needs to be a 'common sense' rule written back into the laws these days, so that people cannot continue to get away with filing these senseless and unsubstantiated lawsuits."
When she's not working, Moore likes to spend time with her husband, Kelly. They have been married for six years and recently finished building a new house.
"We sort of live in the country and love being outdoors when we can," she said. "My husband is a huge bass fisherman, and I occasionally accompany him to the lake, although I spend more of my time enjoying the peaceful solitude and reading a good book versus catching bass."
Moore added that she's also a huge animal lover.
"My husband says that is why we had to move to the country—so that we would have room for all of the homeless or neglected animals that I tend to take in and give much-needed love and affection," she said.
Moore said she also loves flowers and gardening, spending time with family and friends, and shopping.
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