Firm Paralegal
About Courtney Poss
Courtney is often referred to as the “Shining Goddess” of our office. She is our rockstar paralegal who fills two fundamental roles on our team. First, she is the primary contact point for our clients and their loved ones. She provides updates to clients on their cases, makes sure clients have all the information they need on their cases, checks in with clients, and answers their questions. Second, she provides a high level of support to our attorneys by obtaining information they need from courts, prosecutors, law enforcement and other agencies, helping ensure files are prepared and organized for court, and generally making sure all the lawyers are on top of everything they need to be (or as we call it in the office – “Attorney Wrangling”). She is the best person for clients to contact with questions, concerns, and updates because she uses our firm’s processes to make sure that our clients get a timely and accurate response to their questions and concerns. She also loves people and wants to make sure all our clients are successful. We are fortunate to have someone like her on our team.
What drew you to want to focus on helping teens and young adults accused of a crime?
I was initially drawn to working with young adults because of my past experience with law enforcement when I was younger. In my experience working within the criminal justice system, I’ve seen people get misinformation that can come back to hurt them down the line – it’s very important to me that I can help people by ensuring they get what they need and leave in a better place than they came to us.
What’s your favorite criminal defense success story? What successes have you seen in your work that keep you inspired?
A client came to us with a long past history of drug and alcohol problems. They also had a few serious criminal issues from their past related to their drug and alcohol problems. Our team was very committed to helping this client see things through. Through their hard work and completing their treatment, they were in a much better place. By the time our client’s case was resolved, they were clean and sober, they were sustaining their regular treatment and were taking responsibility for their life and what they needed to do to move forward successfully. It was a proud moment for them but for us as well.
What background and experience do you bring to the table that helps you in your work with the firm?
Although I am an experienced paralegal and have been in the legal profession for over 15 years, I think my greatest experience comes from being a parent to a teenage daughter who has had behavioral issues. I understand what parents are going through when they call our office and I know what the young people whom we represent are going through.
Given your prior experience in the criminal law field, what do you think makes the teen and young adult firm unique?
Most of our clients have never experienced the criminal justice system before they come to us so I think we take the desk work out of the process. We try to make sure they feel comfortable and fully understand what is going on in their process. I think this is important because it helps relieve them of their anxiety. I also think our firm is geared towards the success of our clients and making sure that they’re in a better place when they leave us than when they came to us.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I like to spend time with my husband and two daughters at home. My daughters are very important to me and involved in sports, like wrestling, so we are always at sports events and matches for them.
Courtney’s Credentials:
Paralegal since 2006
Reinhardt College, Waleska, Georgia
- Bachelor’s of Science
- Major: Sociology Concentration: Criminology, Social Work
- Minor: Psychology
- Member of Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society
- Scholarships and Deans List:
- Full academic scholarship, Reinhardt College 2003-2007
- Reinhardt College Deans List: 2003-2007
