Angel’s Mobile Notary and Paralegal Services

Personal Life

Angel Kavanaugh owns and manages Angel's Mobile Notary and Paralegal Services, located in Beaverton, Oregon. She specializes in contracts with title companies and handles many divorce cases each year. Prior to opening her company, Angel worked for the Department of Assigned Counsel in Tacoma, Washington. She used to work for a defense attorney in Aberdeen, Washington and was a social worker for the state of Washington who testified in court on the behalf of children. Angel has twenty-two years experience as a legal staff member and fifteen of those years have been devoted to successfully running her business.


Angel was born and raised in Buckley, Washington, a small town of approximately two thousand residents. She is the oldest of three children. While growing up, Angel loved reading Susan Eloise Hinton's The Outsiders, Nancy Drew Mystery Stories and The Hardy Boys. She attended Central Washington University, where she graduated with a B.A. in Law and Justice and minored in Sociology. Angel has four children and two grandchildren.

When she isn't working, Angel enjoys karaoking, dancing, scrapbooking, and traveling. For the past four years, she has made an annual trip to Napa Valley, where she appreciates wine tasting. Angel has traveled to Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Canada and has been to thirty five states. When asked, “What state would you like to live in?,” she replied, “Washington will always be my home.”

The legal staff member also enjoys eating at Red Lobster and Outback Steakhouse. She roots for the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints. Angel admitted she is a big Drew Brees fan and will continue to support the quarterback as long as he doesn't play for the Pittsburgh Steelers because she hates that team.

Angel's Successful Business and Tips for Legal Staff Members

Why and when did Angel decide to become a legal staff member? Angel explained that since she was little, she wanted to be a lawyer, but she got married at a young age and started a family. Angel pointed out that she has been a paralegal since 1995.

Did Angel transition into law? She said, “I always been in the legal field in one aspect or another.”

The businesswoman discussed the best part about her job as well as the downside of her position. She stated, “I am a people person. I like meeting people and helping them.” Angel also enjoys working for herself. “I like being my own boss and like the fact that I can take my own day off.” As for the downside, Angel acknowledge, “It's hectic trying to squeeze everyone for appointments. I can have appointments until 10:00 at night.”

Angel also talked about what she is known for professionally. She noted that her clients complement her, saying, “You know you stuff, thanks for your help.” The legal staff member mentioned that she gets referrals from her clients and individuals who consult with Angel recognize she is wonderful and knows how to explain everything in detail. Angel makes the process easy for her clients, especially her divorce clients who are going through a difficult time in their life.

The paralegal was asked, “What is the number one reason why people get divorced?,” she answered, “Financial reasons. Individuals lose their jobs and homes and move back home with the in-laws.” Angel thought extra marital affairs would be the number one cause for a divorce, but she said marriages dissolves due to financial reasons.

Angel gave her opinion on the current assessment of the paralegal market. She claimed, “There is a lot of competition, but not a lot of job openings for legal staff members. Most paralegals stay for the long-term, it's not a high turnover job.”

Angel also gave her opinion about the legal field. The legal staff member declared, “It's harder for new people to get into. You really have to keep up with the law. It's a lot harder than it was ten or fifteen years ago.” Angel explained that the legal field is harder today because the laws changed. She used to specialize in bankruptcy seven years ago, but stopped practicing this area because the laws changed drastically over time. Angel added, “You have to keep up with the law to inform your clients because they are not in the legal field.”

Since Angel has twenty-two years experience as a legal staff member, many readers may want to know what her advice is to new and recent legal staff members. She proclaimed, “It's an ongoing learning experience. You will never know everything because things in the legal field is always changing; so be patient.” The candid legal staff member added, “I have been doing this for twenty two years and I don't know everything.”

What would Angel tell students who are contemplating becoming a paralegal? Her advice is pragmatic and straightforward: “Pay attention in class and take advantage of learning opportunities because the more you learn, the better you will be at your job.”

Where does Angel see herself in five years? She simply stated, “Still working.”

If Angel wasn't a legal staff member, what would she be doing? She acknowledged that she would be teaching because a lot of her volunteer service with the Red Cross and exchange students had to do with teaching.

Angel's greatest personal accomplishment has been being the best mother and grandmother she can be. The businesswoman's greatest professional accomplishment has been being the best business owner and the best boss so other individuals would work for her.

Angel admitted that she is motivated everyday by her kids and helping other people. She finds her job very rewarding since she has the opportunity to assist many individuals. Angel stated, “I am not a sit behind the desk and do the same thing person.”

Volunteer Experience and Mentoring Individuals

Angel used to be a Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout leader. She was also involved as a CPR and First Aide Instructor for the Red Cross for 15 yrs. Angel devoted her time to Domestic Awareness Women's Network (DAWN), where she assisted women in filing restraining orders and helped them with their divorces. For fourteen years, Angel assisted foreign exchange students, hosted exchange students and found homes for exchange students.

The legal staff member revealed she did not have a mentor. Angel learned everything she knows from her job, personal experience and education. She proudly mentors her seven staff members and plans on hiring two to three more individuals. Angel said, “I mentor all of my staff members. None of them have worked in the legal field or notary.”