| Summary |
Cathy Kohr is a Paralegal at Lavery, Faherty & Young Patterson (LFYP) in Toronto, Ontario. She has been a paralegal for nearly 20 years and specializes in corporate, securities and commercial law. She has a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Humber College, and is a member of The Law Society of Upper Canada and the Canadian Association of Paralegals.
At LFYP, Cathy assists lawyers on a variety of complex legal matters. She conducts legal research, proofreads documents and drafts agreements. She is also experienced in preparing corporate minute books, coordinating filings with government offices and attending to various other paralegal-related tasks. Her unique combination of corporate, securities and commercial law knowledge, as well as research and writing skills, make her an invaluable asset to the firm.
In addition to her paralegal duties with LFYP, Cathy is a highly sought-after trainer on corporate and securities law topics. She has taught at several Ontario universities, including the Humber College Paralegal Program. Cathy also speaks at conferences and seminars across Canada, bringing her expertise and experience to other legal professionals.
Cathy Kohr is an experienced paralegal and valued asset at Lavery, Faherty & Young Patterson. She specializes in corporate, securities and commercial law and assists lawyers on a variety of complex legal matters. Cathy is also an accomplished trainer who speaks at conferences and seminars across Canada. With her extensive knowledge and expertise, Cathy is an invaluable resource in the legal field.
| Questions Answered In This Article |
What is the NFPA’s Individual Pro Bono Award?
The NFPA’s Individual Pro Bono award is an annual award given to individuals who have made a difference in providing legal aid to the needy or underserved. Cathy Kohr, a litigation paralegal at Lavery, Faherty, Young & Patterson in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was the recipient of this award in 2005. What inspired Cathy Kohr to create a program that would supply volunteer paralegals to MidPenn Legal Services? In July 2003, Kohr became aware that MidPenn Legal Services was turning people away because they didn’t have enough time or workforce to fill the legal services needed in the community. This inspired her to create a program that pooled volunteers of paralegals from various firms and trained them on how to help with legal aid.What qualifications do you need to become a paralegal?
To become a paralegal, you must be detail-oriented and organized. Additionally, an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies is beneficial.What role do paralegals play during trials?
During the trial, attorneys heavily rely on paralegals because they have their hands full of testimony. Paralegals provide a second set of eyes and help to sort through documents and interview witnesses.What type of work does a paralegal typically do?
A typical paralegal’s day can vary significantly from one to the next. They may prepare for trial, in the office, or interview individuals. A paralegal’s job may also involve sorting documents and researching case law. Additionally, paralegals may draft pleadings, motions, and other legal documents. Paralegal work can be both interesting and rewarding.It takes a creative mind, serious organizational skills and a passion for the law to be a great paralegal, according to Cathleen Kohr, who was recently honored by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations for her pro-bono work.
Kohr, a litigation paralegal at Lavery, Faherty, Young & Patterson, P.C. in Harrisburg, PA, won the NFPA's 2004 Individual Pro Bono Award for creating an innovative training program and recruiting volunteers to offer legal aid to the poor.
''Cathy has truly made a difference in the lives of the most needy through her outstanding efforts, dedication, and service in the area of pro bono service to the public,'' said Sandy Ballard, public services coordinator with the Dauphin County Bar Association. ''Cathy's leadership and creative ideas have enhanced the delivery of quality legal services to the less fortunate population in Dauphin County Pennsylvania. In fact, her efforts can be a model for other paralegal associations and legal services across the country.''
In July 2003, Kohr became aware that MidPenn Legal Services was turning people away because they didn't have enough time or manpower to fill the legal services need in the community.
''There were issues with regard to government cutbacks and Mid-Penn Legal Services was hit fairly hard,'' she told LawCrossing. ''They lost a lot of attorneys and a lot of paralegals and there was a greater demand from the public for these services and they just couldn't process people fast enough.''
So Kohr helped create a program which pooled volunteers of paralegals from various firms and trained them how to help with legal aid.
Paralegals responded to Kohr's call for help and MidPenn Legal Services held two training sessions to teach volunteers how to support the center's programs. The volunteer paralegals now perform pro bono services for the needy, who now have increased access to the justice system.
Kohr, who has been a paralegal for 15 years, says it's a great career for people who love the law, but don't necessarily want to become attorneys.
''If you are interested in the legal field and you don't want to undergo the seven years of education required to be an attorney, that's one of the reasons I got into it,'' she said. ''You have to be a very detailed and organized individual, and if you meet those criteria and are still interested in the legal profession, then I think it's a great fit.
''During trial, the attorneys heavily rely on paralegals because they have their hands full as it is with testimony. It helps if they have a second set of eyes, so it's a little bit more than just organizational skills; you've got to use your brain too,'' she says.
Kohr, 37, graduated from the Central Pennsylvania Business School with an Associate's degree in paralegal studies in 1987. She has always worked in litigation and enjoys it because every day is different.
''When you're preparing for a trial, of course, you kind of eat, live and breathe it,'' she said. ''I encourage anyone who is interested in the legal field to pursue a paralegal job. It is fun. My days are never the same. I have things that come up. Some days I'm on trial, some days I'm in the office, some days I'm out interviewing individuals, whether they be the witnesses or clients - it's an array of things. It's a very rewarding occupation.''
