PERSONNEL FILE: Jackson Kelly's Nichols is Paralegal of the Year

CHARLESTON – Jackson Kelly paralegal Karen Nichols recently received a major recognition in her field.

On June 7, Nichols was named Paralegal of the Year by the Legal Assistant/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia organization (LAPSWV). The award is presented each year to a member of LAPSWV in recognition of outstanding contributions and dedication to the advancement of the paralegal profession. Nichols will also receive the National Association of Legal Assistants Affiliate Award at the NALA annual convention on July 12 in Portland, Ore.

Nichols is an advanced certified paralegal with over 30 years of legal experience – the majority of which have been in litigation. She has been with Jackson Kelly since 2003 and assists attorneys in the firm’s commercial litigation group.

Nichols is also active in the firm’s Paralegal Liaison Committee and has been a member of the NALA since 2004. She received her Certified Paralegal (CP) certification in 2006 and Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) certification in 2008. Nichols currently serves as the president of the LAPSWV and was recently elected to serve as the LAPSWV 2013-2014 NALA Liaison. She also teaches paralegal classes at the Kanawha Valley Community & Technical College where she is an active member of the Advisory Board for the Paralegal Studies Program.

LAPSWV is a West Virginia non-profit organization established to promote high standards in the legal assistant profession, establish networking resources for legal assistants/paralegals and to provide integrity in the legal community. LAPSWV strives to raise professional standards in the legal assistant/paralegal profession by providing opportunities for personal growth and development through educational experiences and the networking with other professionals.

Jackson Kelly PLLC is a national law firm representing leading global corporations, national companies, entrepreneurs and individuals in areas of law such as environmental, business, labor and employment, federal and state workers’ compensation, civil litigation and occupational safety and health. The firm has offices in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.