Marley was born in Tucson, Arizona. She has two younger brothers and was raised in a military family. Marley enjoys a wide variety of foods and cultural cuisines; she is very proud that her son, Miciah Beard, was Iron Chief of Tucson in 2010. Although she doesn't have a favorite author, Marley reads a variety of authors and admires writings by Mahatma Gandhi.
When she isn't working, Marley enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and almost any activity that will keep her outdoors. Her favorite local place to hike is in the Catalina Mountains, located north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona. She has traveled to Europe and South America and plans on traveling to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the Far East. Marley roots for her two grandsons when she attends their football and baseball games.
Marley's Successful Business and Tips for Legal Staff Members
When Marley was asked, “How was the paralegal field in 1978?,” she replied, “They didn't have many paralegal programs at the time, those types of programs were in their infancy and developed over the years.”
Why and when did Marley decide to become a legal staff member? She said, “The law always interested me, and in 1978 I had the opportunity to work with an attorney. He trained me and became my mentor, giving me direction in specific fields of law.”
Marley explained that she did not transition into law from another field. The paralegal stated, “My career has grown and broaden, but I always worked in the legal arena. The work has just specialized over the years.” Marley has thirty-four years experience in the field, but has been working on her own for the past twenty-five years. She spent ten years working in law firms and then started her own business.
The businesswoman discussed the best parts about her job being: “All of the people I meet and the wide variety of matters I get involved with are motivating. Every case or project is different. Resolving disputes in mediation is a wonderful accomplishment for everybody.” As for the downside, Marley noted, “That you can't control the deadlines and work flow all the time. It can be pressure orientated from time to time.”
Marley also talked about what she is known for professionally. “I am very detailed oriented and professional. Clients like my work product; good results keep me in business.”
Marley gave her opinion on the current assessment of the paralegal market. She stated, “It's a growing and widening field for paralegals. Attorneys utilize their services more and more to make legal service more economical for clients.”
The businesswoman also gave her opinion about the legal field. “It's a growing and changing field. Litigating conflict in the courts is expensive both financially and emotionally. The more people become aware of alternative methods to resolve conflict, the more the court system will change, and the courts themselves are encouraging resolution of disputes through mediation and arbitration. I think that will grow.”
Since Marley has thirty-four years experience as a legal professional, many readers may want to know what her advice is to new and recent legal staff members. She said, “The most important thing about being a paralegal is the ability to focus on the work you are doing, to know your field of work well, the state laws, local laws, court rules that affect your particular area.” Marley added, “Meeting continuing education requirements in a continually changing legal system, that's really important; you have to keep up with the changes that impact your field of work.”
If continuing education requirements is really important, what would Marley tell students who are contemplating becoming a paralegal? She advised, “If they are interested in law, it's an intriguing field to work in and they have a lot of choices about what area of the law they want to go into.” Marley suggested that students should specialize in a couple of areas instead of general practice.
Where does Marley see herself in five years? She stated, “I will still be working as in the legal field, perhaps more involved with mediation than paralegal services. I will broaden the mediation services.” The businesswoman is also interested in providing interactive web-based services to the public.
If Marley wasn't a legal professional, what would she be doing? She simply said, “Probably writing.”
Marley admitted that she is motivated everyday because she enjoys helping people maneuver their way through the legal system. “It's gratifying to help people manage various court processes and meet procedural requirements so they can accomplish their goals.” Whether it's through court or their estate or business planning, Marley likes to assist individuals in achieving their goals. She also is motivated to work for herself. “I like being responsible for my own livelihood, and I can make decisions on how my business will grow and change.”
Marley's Mentor, Volunteer Activities, Organizations She Admires and Greatest Achievement
Marley's mentor was William Gordon, an attorney who practiced law for over sixty years. Although Mr. Gordon passed away, Marley said he mentored her for over twenty years. She is now a mentor for her grandkids and occasionally other paralegals that are learning.
The businesswoman is a member of Toastmasters, an international non-profit organization established in 1924 to develop public speaking and leadership skills through practice and feedback in local clubs. Marley has been serving as an officer of Toastmasters for a couple of years. She does public volunteer work from time to time.
Another organization she promotes is Kiva, a micro lender and non-profit organization that helps people set up or expand existing businesses in third world countries. Marley supports Kiva financially. She also contributes to her local community food bank.
When asked, “What's her greatest Achievement?,” Marley replied, “I don't see one thing as a greatest achievement. One thing is built on the other. My hope is to become a more proficient mediator.”
