Editor’s note: Stephanie R. Sterling, the 2018-2019 president of the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division, issued the following message today for Texas Paralegal Day.
Today marks the 37th anniversary of the founding of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas on October 23, 1981.
It was the first such action by any state bar in the entire United States. The Paralegal Division was instrumental in having October 23 declared Texas Paralegal Day beginning many years before; however, it wasn’t until 2009 that it became official permanently.
It was on January 9, 2009, that the State of Texas with the help of Senator Kirk Watson made Texas Paralegal Day permanent, with Senate Proclamation No. 1144.
Proclamation No. 1144 states, in part,
“Paralegals are vital resources to their firms, performing valuable services for and under the direction of an attorney, and their work requires a thorough knowledge of legal concepts and facts… Through their exceptional talents and expertise, paralegals provide valuable services that contribute significantly to the efficient functioning of the judicial system in the Lone Star State and they are indeed worthy of special recognition.”
I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to each of you who have tirelessly given their time and talents to grow this profession by setting set high standards through education and ethics, voluntary certification, and volunteerism.
I am thankful for my career and for all of my colleagues—past, present, and future. It is truly all your hard work and dedication to this profession that has made it what it is today and is the reason that we are recognized on this day.
Happy Texas Paralegal Day and thank you for being a PD member!
Stephanie R. Sterling, TBLS-BCP
President 2018-2019
Stephanie R. Sterling is a paralegal with the law firm of DuBois, Bryant & Campbell, LLP in Austin and is board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Sterling is the current Paralegal Division president and is a past president of Capital Area Paralegal Association (CAPA).