Accent Paralegal Services

Personal Life


LaTonya Williams owns and manages Accent Paralegal Services, located in downtown Oklahoma City, OK. She is an Advanced Certified Paralegal who specializes in estate planning, wills and trust and no fault divorces. LaTonya is planning on adding social security disability representation to her list of specialties later this year. Prior to opening her company, she worked at Turner, Turner, Braun&Goralewicz. LaTonya served as a legal assistant for Standard Life &Accident Insurance Company and for the Oklahoma State Insurance Fund (now called Compsource Oklahoma). She also was the Legacy and Trusts Manager for The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Divisional Headquarters. LaTonya has twenty-five years experience as a legal staff member, and seven of those years have been devoted to contract work. She established her business in the great state of Oklahoma in January 2012.

LaTonya was born and raised in Pine Bluff, AR. She received her paralegal degree and will earn her bachelors from the University of Central Oklahoma this fall.

When the paralegal isn’t working, she enjoys playing tennis and writing spiritual music. LaTonya’s non-traditional Christian music, such as her favorite song, “My Eternity,” can be purchased on Amazon and iTunes. The Southerner also enjoys listening to jazz, rock and country music. LaTonya is a frequent visitor of Carican Flavors, a Caribbean American restaurant based in Oklahoma City, OK. She said, “The food is wonderful and the service is great.” LaTonya also loves eating at Sushi Neko and Coney Island, two restaurants also located in her area.

She is an avid sports fan. LaTonya roots for the Oklahoma City Thunder and for the Baltimore Ravens. She also cheers for Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Serena and Venus Williams. One of LaTonya’s favorite books is Malcolm Gladwell’sBlink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking.

LaTonya’s Successful Business and Tips for Legal Staff Members

When did LaTonya decide to become a legal staff member?“After securing my first position at a law firm as a ‘runner.’” LaTonya said Turner, Turner, Braun &Goralewiczwas her first introduction to working at a law firm. She explained that a “runner” is a courier who drops off documents to various courts. The paralegal also noted that a runner could pick up medical documents as well as lunch for attorneys and staff members working at the firm.

When asked when she transitioned into law, LaTonya claimed, “Within a year after I began working at the firm, I knew I’d be working in some aspect of the legal field for the duration of my career.”

The businesswoman discussed the best part about her job. “Assuaging fears. My job is as diverse as the people I get the opportunity to serve.” LaTonya continued to say that if you are “not in this industry to help people, then you shouldn’t be in this. You have to do the best for your client.”

LaTonya also discussed what she is known for professionally. “On the personal front - I have the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of people. Developing a trust is key in this industry. Where ‘work’ is concerned - I’m able to key in on important details and information.”

Since LaTonya used to work at a law firm and was a legal assistant, what top attribute did she appreciate about her employer? “I would say I gleaned a wealth of knowledge from each of my former employers.”

So why does the paralegal like working for herself? “Because I understand what the expectations are. I like the freedom because it allows me to do additional things. I enjoy the freedom of having time to be there for my family and to take a day off.”

LaTonya gave her opinion about the paralegal field. She asserted:

“The ABA has recognized the value of paralegals in the legal arena. In some respects, there still exists an air of ambiguity surrounding their potential value to the legal profession (as a whole) and the general public. There is a growing chasm separating those who can afford legal assistance for non-complex matters and those who cannot. I’ve no doubt that this void will be filled by experienced, capable paralegal professionals. These are exciting times for the paralegal professional.”

What’s her current assessment of the legal market? “Depending on your view, it could be either precarious or promising. Law school graduates are suing law schools for misrepresenting the market - this could be construed to believe the legal sector has become disenchanted with the law or it indicate a potential boom in sole practitioner and partnerships.”

Since LaTonya has twenty-five 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 advised, “Enjoy what you are doing; Learn from your mistakes; celebrate your accomplishments; Never give up.”

What advice would LaTonya give to students who are contemplating becoming a paralegal? Her advice is sensible and straightforward: “If you are in college, try to get an internship and start as a runner. If you like your position, see what areas you would like to specialize in. Do your homework and see where you want to work. Contact the Bar Association and meet people face to face, so you can see if it is a good fit for you.”

Where does the businesswoman see herself in five years? LaTonya jokingly said, “Having another interview with you about ‘my accomplishments since this interview.’ Seriously, I have no idea. My hope is that APS grows to positively change lives of the client and employees.”

How does LaTonya plan on expanding her business to positively change the lives of her employees? “I see my business as a transition place for paralegals who recently earned their degree. They will gain valuable training and knowledge with my business before they secure a position with a midsized firm or a practitioner.” She pointed out that there is a difference between book training and practical training.

If LaTonya wasn’t a legal staff member, what would she be doing? “It would have to be something creative - perhaps a writer.”

So why is LaTonya motivated everyday to do her job? She stated, “For truth, justice and humanity. It sounds like something Captain Marvel would say, but we have to champion these causes.”

LaTonya’s Volunteer Activities and What’s Impossible for Her to Give Up

LaTonya speaks to the YWCA, a non-profit organization geared to the advancing of women and racial justice through DV programs, childcare, legal advocacy and other services. It is the largest and oldest women’s organization in the United States.

LaTonya was asked what would be hard for her to give up. She answered that “Dark Coffee, Dark Chocolate and Music” would be the hardest things for her personally.

A Rewarding Position and Goals

Why does LaTonya find her position rewarding? “I get to help people. I also enjoy the challenges. The law is always evolving.”

Is there a downside to your position? “Long hours. Maybe you are the go to person for everything, which is a good and bad thing. You just have to get things done.”

Does the Arkansan have goals? “Personally, I want to learn how to play the guitar. I know a few chords, but I want to be ready when the Eagles come to town. I also want to understand soccer and want to speak Spanish fluently. As for professionally, I want to expand my business and change the lives of my employees for the better.”

***LaTonya Williams is not an attorney and can't give legal advice. ***