Katie Riddle Honored as 2023 Distinguished Paralegal Award Recipient
Autumn recalls the fragrance of bright leaves, the start of a new school semester, and the first page in a new chapter. For Katie Riddle, a dedicated member and volunteer with the Paralegal Division, this August ushered in new beginnings.
Riddle, who is a full-time paralegal, is also a J.D. candidate at North Carolina Central University School of Law. In early August, she began her fall semester in her second year of law school. Riddle approaches the semester with anticipation, too, for all that it holds: she plans to become more involved with her law school this year and to find new paths for service.
Beyond new beginnings, the fall season denotes a time to harvest what one has planted. Riddle has reaped rewards from volunteering both within the division and in her community. The rewards are abundant: friendship, a broadened perspective, and gratitude.
Riddle’s efforts were recognized this June when she was named the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Paralegal Award. She was honored on June 23 at the NCBA Annual Meeting in Wilmington. Lakisha Chichester presented the award on behalf of the NCBA Paralegal Division during the Awards Dinner and Presidential Installation. In 2022, Riddle was selected as the Outstanding Pro Bono Paralegal Award recipient. She was inducted into the Paralegal Honor Society in 2021.
Katie Riddle displays Distinguished Paralegal Award, joined by Executive Director Jason Hensley, left, and President Clayton Morgan.
Receiving the Distinguished Paralegal Award was an opportunity to reflect on her membership in the division, which has propelled her professional growth and service.
“It’s a great acknowledgment of the work that I’ve done, and, also, means so much to me that it came from my boss, that my attorney took the time out of his day to acknowledge me and that, to me, speaks volumes. Having that recognition is just amazing.
“You can be busy and have a lot going on, but you can still achieve the things that you want to achieve, and people will recognize that, and things that you want to do are not impossible. I hope that my achieving this will help inspire others.”
Riddle has eight years of experience as a paralegal, and she has worked with Lincoln Financial Group since 2019, the year that she joined the NCBA. Riddle knows firsthand what it is like to have a full schedule, yet it has not stopped her by any means. In fact, her various roles have helped her to identify paths for greater involvement in the division and in her community.
One year ago, she realized she was interested in expanding her horizons during a conversation she had with a mentor at Lincoln Financial. When she spoke of her goals – that she wanted to grow in the profession in a new way – her mentor encouraged her with an unexpected suggestion.
“You should go to law school,” he said.
Riddle applied to North Carolina Central University School of Law and began her law school journey in the fall 2022. She plans to graduate from the program in 2025 and to become an attorney for her present company, where she currently handles matters related to life insurance. Beyond her full-time role as a paralegal and part-time role as a law student, she is a volunteer with the Paralegal Division and in her community.
One might wonder how she is able to balance her various responsibilities, and, even further, to find time to volunteer. How does she do it? Riddle draws energy from her passion for each role and the individuals in her life who cheer her on in these endeavors. As a division member, she has experienced professional relationships bloom over time.
When asked what she values the most about the division, forming new connections is one of the most important gifts.
“Networking with others, like Yazmeen Gadalla, Rachel Royal and S.M. Kernodle-Hodges – meeting them wouldn’t have happened if it were not for the Paralegal Division, and they turned into great friends.
“Having that ability to network with other paralegals that you would not have met is so important. You’re learning and you’re experiencing things that you would not have experienced without them, like pro bono opportunities. That has been the main thing, the networking. Then, with that, you get their support because they become lifelong friends.”
Friendships have fueled her interest in serving her community. Even further, her friendships have helped her to become aware of new ways to help others.
“I am motivated because I constantly see others who are doing new and exciting things. They are giving me fresh ideas. I heard of others becoming Guardians ad Litem, so I thought, ‘I would love to do that,’ and I did. I’m hearing not only what others are doing but also how I can do that in my own area. It is very inspiring when I hear another paralegal doing something new. It makes me think, I can do that, too.”
What are other significant benefits to her division involvement?
“It is not just networking with paralegals: you are meeting with other attorneys, too, and getting out of your comfort zone.”
Connecting with others energizes her as a spark kindles a flame. With each new volunteer role, Riddle’s commitment to lending a hand has become more pronounced because serving others is a core part of what it means to be in the legal profession, and ultimately, what it means to be a citizen in her community.
“I’m very fortunate in so many ways. I know that that’s not the same for everyone, and it’s certainly not the same for every paralegal. Being able to share my experiences, learn from others’ experiences, help and provide that additional perspective, motivate me and drive me to stay involved. I feel like as a legal professional, you have an obligation to help others.
“For me, it’s so important to be able to say I gave back to someone or something. That I did something meaningful. You get a lot of that in the Paralegal Division and doing pro bono work. It is important to stay involved in the division and to do things outside it.”
Enthusiastic and driven, Riddle holds a track record of service within the Paralegal Division. Riddle serves as communications co-chair for the division with Gadalla, a role Riddle has held since 2022. She has written a blog post on the topic of learning to say no and co-authored a piece on making a career transition to an in-house role. She has volunteered with Lawyer on the Line and the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center as part of their Driver’s License Restoration Clinics and Expunction Clinics.
Her volunteer experience extends beyond the division, too. She served as a Guardian ad Litem for three years. Within her firm, she chairs an activity committee and has participated in service events with nonprofits like Community Housing Solutions. Only a few months ago, she worked with a team to make improvements on a community member’s home. She has volunteered with the Triangle Beagle Rescue.
What words of encouragement does Riddle have for paralegals who are entering the field?
Her advice is twofold.
“Don’t be intimidated. It can be really scary and intimidating when you’re getting into this field. As a paralegal, you are constantly busy, but don’t be intimidated. You’re in this field because you know you want to do it, and you want to succeed.
“Many of the paralegals who start out tend to be nervous about things, like, ‘I made this mistake’ or ‘I’m worried about this being too much for me.’ Express yourself, know you have chosen this path for a reason, but make sure you meet other paralegals. You need other paralegals for support.”
Drawing on one’s own strength and the strength of others can make a tremendous impact on one’s professional journey. It often leads to a newfound sense of insight: one made possible through the power of community. To develop these relationships, she has focused her efforts, so that community, service, inclusion, and growth are priorities.
“That’s the main thing: be respectful with each other. In the Paralegal Division, we do that. We support each other, we ask questions, and we are interested in each other’s lives because you get the benefit of another person’s perspective.”
Throughout her different roles – paralegal, law student, volunteer, and, in the not-too-distant future, attorney – Riddle hopes to encourage others to make the most of all the division and association have to offer.
Over time, one will reap the bountiful rewards of a life of service.
Jessica Junqueira is communications manager for the North Carolina Bar Association.