I’m not the paralegal, I’m counsel.

Melissa Paulk.

As a young, black woman attorney, when I walked into a room, often I was assumed to be the paralegal or some other administrative role. Even now, over a decade into my legal career, I will join a call and be asked if Counsel will be joining, because legal decisions will need to be made. I still react inside, but outside, I simply answer their question and move on with my day.