Assistant Vice President and Litigation Paralegal Karri Yurkovich at Bank of America Discusses Her Rewarding Career and Sexiest Case

Professional Overview

Karri Alecia Yurkovich serves as an assistant vice president, operations team manager, and litigation paralegal for Bank of America in Plano, Texas. She specializes in corporate, real estate/contracts, banking, bankruptcy, collections, title, oil and gas, trademarks & patents, mergers & acquisitions, compliance, and litigation entailing both federal and state courts. Ms. Yurkovich manages Default Investigations Group (DIG) and Non Default teams with persistent flexibility of moving to other departments to supervise the Homeowner's Association (HOA), Default and Service Release teams. She is also responsible for project management for specialty projects and teams and she leads other managers and associates in resolving problems quickly, carrying out transactions within precise operations involving frequent and immediate commitment with minimal risk to the bank.

As a litigation paralegal, Ms. Yurkovich researches and reviews litigated cases and legal documents and she determines responsive action. She appears at hearings, depositions, trials or other sworn court proceedings as an expert witness for the bank. Ms. Yurkovich attends arbitrations, settlement conferences, mediations, or ADRs as an official representative for the bank or its investors. She reviews outside counsel or in-house legal opinions and prepares summaries to executive or senior management for evaluation and decision. Ms. Yurkovich presents settlement proposals and case information to key executives or senior management. She also performs the highest level of practical legal or factual research as needed.

I asked Ms. Yurkovich what is the biggest case she worked on? "The biggest case was my oil and gas arbitration case. There were over 1000 exhibits and millions of pages of paper."

What makes her stand out as a litigation paralegal in her field? "I truly love what I do. My background in a multitude of legal areas provides me with information to know a little about everything and expand on that knowledge."

What is the sexiest case Ms. Yurkovich worked on? She explained:

"My late boss, Ernest Laun, had a case with a client that loaned $100K. Unknown to our client, those funds were used to start up a gentlemen's club. Bankruptcy was filed, leading to our client filing an adversary action for recovery. The best part was writing the complaint to describe the allegations. The Judge actually couldn't contain herself laughing at our discreet way of stating the obvious of sexual impropriety."

Prior to working at Bank of America, Ms. Yurkovich served as a paralegal for Glast, Phillips, & Murray, P.C., Spigner & Thompson, PLLC, and the Law Office of Ernest A. Laun. She also served as a paralegal for Williamson & Associates P.C., The Andersons, and Loughmiller & DePlaza, P.C. Additionally; Ms. Yurkovich served as an office manager for Allstate Insurance Company.

Ms. Yurkovich was born and raised in McKinney, Texas. She received her Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies from Collin County Community College in December 2001 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from University of Oklahoma in May 2004. Ms. Yurkovich also earned her Master of Administrative Leadership in Liberal Studies from University of Oklahoma in May 2012.

When she isn't working, she volunteers her time with the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Ms. Yurkovich is also a member of NALA. During her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling.

Ms. Yurkovich's Successful Career

Why did Ms. Yurkovich decide to specialize in corporate law, collections, bankruptcy, real estate, contracts and litigation? "I have always been involved heavily in commercial litigation and only recently more involved in consumer litigation. I love the fast paced, ever changing environment of this type of litigation."

Why did she decide to become a paralegal? "Because I love the law, application and all the excitement that comes with it."

What advice would Ms. Yurkovich give to someone who's brand-new to her position? "You need the experience more than you can be taught by any book."

What does she think are the keys to becoming a successful paralegal? "Strong ethics and prominent sense of self."

What's one of the things that Ms. Yurkovich finds most challenging about her job? "Admitting when you are wrong."

What would she say is the most important thing she learned as a paralegal? "Researching/finding people."

What is the best part of Ms. Yurkovich's job? "Winning a case you have slaved away on."

What is she known for professionally? "Reading people. I can communicate with anyone."

What does Ms. Yurkovich think about the paralegal field in Texas today? What would she change about her field? "I would eliminate the politics of our field."

If she were not in this profession, what would she most probably be doing? "Planting flowers or charity work."

Where does Ms. Yurkovich see herself in five years' time? "I see myself in a leadership role with no limitations on where I land."

What motivates her to be a paralegal every day? "It is deeply ingrained in my brain at this point. Every aspect of life I see as a paralegal. I still believe in justice."

Being A Mentor, People Who Inspired Ms. Yurkovich and Her Goals

Does Ms. Yurkovich consider herself a mentor? "Absolutely. Everyone is a mentor whether in an active role or not. You pick up things daily from people you surround yourself with and hopefully those things are translated into positive action."

Who inspires her? "Plato and my daughter. Plato opened up doors in my mind that I never knew I had when I was 19. I find reading his books over and over still reveals new meaning over time. My daughter has type 1 Diabetes and she is the bravest 3 year old I know."

Ms. Yurkovich has accomplished a lot in her career. What's next for her? "I enjoy influencing people and being a mentor. If I could intertwine the law and mentorship, that would be my goal for the future."

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