var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); });
device = device.default;
//this function refreshes [adhesion] ad slot every 60 second and makes prebid bid on it every 60 seconds // Set timer to refresh slot every 60 seconds function setIntervalMobile() { if (!device.mobile()) return if (adhesion) setInterval(function(){ googletag.pubads().refresh([adhesion]); }, 60000); } if(device.desktop()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.tablet()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.mobile()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } googletag.cmd.push(function() { // Enable lazy loading with... googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ // Fetch slots within 5 viewports. // fetchMarginPercent: 500, fetchMarginPercent: 100, // Render slots within 2 viewports. // renderMarginPercent: 200, renderMarginPercent: 100, // Double the above values on mobile, where viewports are smaller // and users tend to scroll faster. mobileScaling: 2.0 }); });
Download App | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
 Upload Your Resume   Employers / Post Jobs 

Well-known Paralegal Diane L. Thompson Reflects on a Long and Rewarding Career

published December 23, 2013

By Follow Me on
Published By
( 37 votes, average: 3.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Professional Overview

Well-known Paralegal Diane L. Thompson Reflects on a Long and Rewarding Career
Diane L. Thompson, CP, RP serves as a corporate and complex litigation paralegal with Markowitz, Herbold, Glade & Mehlhaf in Portland, OR. She has more than thirty years of legal experience. Ms. Thompson is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the Oregon Paralegal Association (OPA). She has chaired and participated in continuing legal education committees. Ms. Thompson has also held leadership roles, which includes serving as the president and board advisor for OPA. Additionally, she has served the Institute for Paralegal Education (IPE), the Oregon Law Institute, and on the faculty and as the speaker for many OPA educational events.

Ms. Thompson has been instrumental in achieving her goal of bringing American Bar Association (ABA)-approved paralegal education programs to Oregon. She serves on the advisory board of two paralegal colleges. Ms. Thompson also serves as a mentor to people working or those who are interested in working in the paralegal profession. She frequently makes presentations to paralegal colleges and participates in Law Day presentations to middle and high school students.

Ms. Thompson's articles have been featured in OPA's Paragram newsletter and the Hearsay newsletter, which is published by the Pacific Northwest Paralegal Association. The NFPA selected her for the 2010 William R. Robie Award. Ms. Thompson has also received recognition from the OPA as Outstanding Paralegal of the Year in 2012 and 2003, and was the recipient of the President's Award in 2003 and 1996.

She was born and raised in Tualatin, OR. Ms. Thompson graduated from high school in three years, so she was able to start her career early. She attended a vocational school to earn an executive secretary certificate, and most of her legal education was learned on-the-job, and through self-study and continuing legal education opportunities. In 1999, Ms. Thompson earned the certified paralegal designation from the National Association of Legal Assistants, and in 2000 she earned the registered paralegal designation from the NFPA.

When the paralegal isn't working, Ms. Thompson enjoys traveling, cooking, reading and socializing with family and friends. She also enjoys cooking for family and friends, but when she eats out she typically chooses a prime rib entrée and has several venues that satisfy her palate. When asked about her favorite author Ms. Thompson stated, "Phillip Margolin is an Oregon criminal defense attorney and best-selling author. I have met him on several occasions and he is a frequent speaker at OPA events. I have read all of his books, and enjoy the fact that he winds into his novels scenes in familiar Portland or Oregon locations."

Ms. Thompson's Successful Career

Why did Ms. Thompson decide to become a paralegal? She asserted:
"I enjoy multi-tasking and like having a full calendar and task list. I made good money working as an executive secretary, but did not find the position challenging or rewarding. I took a cut in pay to change vocations, but the monetary sacrifice I made in the 1970's has been recouped both with job satisfaction, professionalism and the salary and perks that come with working as a senior paralegal in a successful law firm."
Ms. Thompson is a corporate and complex litigation paralegal. What made her specialize in this field? She explained:
"I have a diverse legal background. I have worked in the legal field for 30 years, first as a secretary, eventually working my way up the ladder as paralegal, and a law office administrator. Initially I was hired for my real estate, business and complex litigation experience. Within a few months I was given the opportunity to take over as the corporate paralegal and was tasked with finding a balance between the corporate maintenance work, drafting of contracts and agreements that relate to employment, mergers, sales and acquisitions, and the business litigation project assignments. Although at times the balance is challenging, I also find it rewarding and I like the variety."
What is the best part of her job? "The varied project assignments, developing good working relationships with the corporate clients and their accounting professionals, and changing hats to working on the collection of discovery and the drafting and working through the associated legal pleadings in the litigation arena."

What is she known for professionally? What does Ms. Thompson have a knack for? "Professionally, at least in my affiliation with OPA, I am known as a go-to person who will get the job done. The opportunities that have been given to me throughout my legal career have surfaced because of my knack for finding and organizing facts, developing and implementing the necessary steps to address the needs, and working through the solutions."

What does she think about paralegals who specialize in corporate and complex litigation today? Ms. Thompson admitted:
"My work experience is unique. Most paralegals who work in the corporate practice area do not also work in the litigation field. I have heard many corporate paralegals say they do not worry about discovery and drafting pleadings because they do not have the knowledge or the need to know how to handle the litigation practice. I have strived to learn as much as I can about all areas of law because I know that at some point the knowledge will help me do a better job for my employer and the client."
What is Ms. Thompson's advice to new and recent legal staff members who specialize in corporate and complex litigation? "Successful paralegals, regardless of the practice area, need to be willing to adjust to change and to keep up on current trends and rules. Active participation with OPA and the national paralegal associations provide valuable resources for CLE opportunities, as well as updates on local and national rules and trends."

If she were not in this profession, what would she most probably be doing? "Something that requires thought provoking and challenging tasks. I have always enjoyed working with people and event planning, and suspect I would enjoy working in a corporate environment that utilized those skills."

Where does Ms. Thompson see herself in five years time? "Working in a legal environment that utilizes my skills, meets my financial needs, and satisfies my desire to have interaction with people."

Ms. Thompson's Mentoring, Assisting with Bringing ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs to Oregon, and Writing and Speaking Engagements

Ms. Thompson serves as a mentor to those working or interested in working in the paralegal profession, frequently making presentations to paralegal colleges, and to middle and high school students. Does she consider herself a role model to those working or interested in working in the paralegal field? "I enjoy sharing with adults and middle and high school students the opportunities and benefits of working in the legal field. I am proud of my vocation and enjoy fielding the questions presented by the students."

Does she have a mentor? "I have two mentors who I routinely call upon. My former employer, Arden Shenker, taught me many personal and professional lessons, and my paralegal mentor is Beth King, RP, of Vestas-American Wind Technology."

Ms. Thompson serves on the advisory board of two paralegal colleges. How has she been instrumental in accomplishing her goal of bringing ABA-approved paralegal educational programs to Oregon? She replied:
"After several years of diligently working with other board members at Pioneer Pacific College (PPC), we were able to get the PPC paralegal program ABA approved. PPC was the second college in Oregon to earn ABA approval. Clark College in Vancouver, Washington is in the process of working through the ABA approval process. The ABA accreditation is important because it is used as a guideline requirement for the national certification exams, as well as certain non-lawyer licensing opportunities."
Ms. Thompson's articles have been published. Will she continue her writing engagements? She stated:
"I write articles to share information with the paralegal community, especially now that there are issues involving the potential licensing of non-lawyer professionals to handle specific tasks, and other issues involving the award of paralegal fees. I am hopeful that my articles will spark an interest in the readers and encourage them to take an active role in the continued development of issues that can impact the paralegal profession."
She has chaired and participated in continuing legal education committees and held leadership roles. Will Ms. Thompson continue her leadership positions as well as her speaking engagements? She acknowledged:
"A former employer shared with me the importance of giving back to the community. He told me that since I had achieved my goals and successfully passed the national certification exams, that it was time for me to take an active leadership role and share the educational knowledge and tips that I have learned to help others achieve personal and professional satisfaction.

I enjoy working with students and my peers. I strive to pass along the importance and satisfaction achieved by giving back to the community. I am participating as a speaker in January on ethics and time keeping. The Oregon State Bar is looking at the feasibility of implementing a non-lawyer limited practice scenario, and I am assisting with a forum discussion on the issue to see what other stakeholders from the legal community think about the opportunity."
Winning The 2010 William R. Robie Award and Ms. Thompson's Volunteer Activities

NFPA selected Ms. Thompson as the recipient of the organization's 2010 William R. Robie Award. What does this mean to her? "I was shocked and honored first that I was nominated by OPA, and second to be chosen on a national basis as the qualified recipient recognized for having made significant contributions to the paralegal profession."

Is she involved with any volunteer activities? "Yes, I have worked as a mentor for the Portland Chapter of Minds Matter, an organization which works with high achieving low income high school students to help them achieve their dream of attending a 4-year college, and I enjoy participating in pro bono legal projects like Wills for Heroes."

published December 23, 2013

By Follow Me on
( 37 votes, average: 3.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.