Building Connections for Career Success

Professional success in the legal field is not built on job skills alone. It is also built on relationships, visibility, and a strong professional network. One of the most powerful ways to grow those connections is through involvement in legal professional associations.

This session explores the many benefits of joining and actively participating in paralegal and legal professional organizations, including career development, leadership opportunities, mentorship, continuing education, and expanded professional credibility. Participants will learn practical ways to get involved, even with a busy schedule, and how to move from simply being a member to becoming an engaged contributor.

The program will also highlight how professional association involvement often opens doors beyond the workplace, leading to meaningful community engagement, volunteer opportunities, and the chance to make a lasting impact in both the profession and the local community. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped with concrete steps for building a stronger professional presence and creating a career path rooted in connection, growth, and purpose.

Course Format

This is an on demand seminar – you’ll receive immediate access to the on demand recording, a copy of the slides, the handouts and a certificate of attendance/CLE. You have lifetime access to this program, so once it’s in your account, you can return to complete it whenever it is convenient for you.

Video length: 56 Minutes.

Continuing Legal Education Credit (CLE)

NALA CP or ACP: This program meets the requirements of the NALA Certifying Board for continuing legal education credit required to maintain the CP/ACP credential. This program is pre-approved by NALA for 1.0 hour of Non-Substantive CLE.

Florida Bar FRP: As approved by NALA, this seminar meets the requirements under Rule 20-6.1 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar for continuing legal education credit required to maintain the FRP credential.

Meet your Speakers

Caroline C. Wilkerson, ACP, FRP has worked in the legal field for twenty-four years. She has been at the law firm of Rissman, Barrett, Hurt, Donahue, McLain & Mangan, P.A. in Orlando, Florida for 9 years and is a workers’ compensation defense paralegal. She has served as a committee member of NALA’s Continuing Education Council (CEC), as Ethics Chair, and as a member of its Professional Development Committee (PDC). She is a member of the Central Florida Paralegal Association and served in various capacities including President, Vice-President, Membership Chair and NALA Liaison. She is also on the board of the Orange County Bar Association’s Paralegal Section. In her spare time she loves to travel, read, and spoil her two granddaughters.

Jill I. Francisco, Advanced Certified Paralegal, is employed as a senior paralegal with Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, in their Huntington, WV office. She previously worked as a paralegal at Huddleston Bolen LLP, prior to their merger with Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. She graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Legal Studies from Marshall University. She holds Advanced Paralegal Certifications in E-Discovery and Trial Practice. She has been working as a paralegal since 1997.

Jill is very active in local and national professional associations within her profession. She was Charter President of the Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia. She began her NALA service as a member of the NALA Professional Development Committee; and over the years has served as NALA Affiliated Associations Secretary and Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Second Vice President, Vice President, and was the President of NALA 2018-2020.

She has served on the paralegal program advisory board for Mount West Community & Technical College in Huntington, WV, and as an adjunct professor in their Paralegal Studies Program. She served on the ABA Approval Commission 2021-2023.  She is also host of The Paralegal Voice podcast on the Legal Talk Network. She resides in Kenova, West Virginia with her husband, Shawn and their son, John David.