Biography
Jill I. Francisco, Advanced Certified Paralegal, is employed as a 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; 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 also serves on the paralegal program advisory board for Mount West Community & Technical College in Huntington, WV. She is also a 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.
Statement
I became involved with the Approval Commission though its relationship with NALA. NALA has provided a representative for the Approval Commission for many, many years. Upon the completion of my term as NALA President (2018-2020), I was asked by NALA's current President to serve as its representative on the Approval Commission. I am very thrilled and excited for the opportunity to serve on the Approval Commission. I feel that the ABA Approved Paralegal Programs set the standard for high-quality paralegal educational programs. It is my experience that ABA Approved Paralegal Programs do a great job of preparing paralegals to have successful careers.