Paralegal Profile: Debbie Oaks

Job Title:  Paralegal

Employer: NGP Energy Capital Management, LLC, Irving, Texas

Years of Paralegal Experience: 20

Education/Degrees: Attended North Central Texas College and University of North Texas

Specialty Areas:  Corporate/Transactional

Career Highlights:  I have two:  June 26, 2009, the day I was honored with the Paralegal Division’s Award of Excellence, and June 11, 2010, the day I was sworn in as the President of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas.

Future Goals You’re Working Toward:  To serve as an Ambassador for the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas.

Paralegal Practice Tip:  Support your attorneys by meticulously managing deadlines and assignments. When making decisions, whether it be switching vendors to save money, or selecting a less expensive CLE seminar, act with the mindset that you are a partner in your firm. Carefully and thoughtfully consider how your decisions may affect the bottom line profitability of your firm. Think like a profit participant and perhaps one day, you will be.

Favorite Internet Resource: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, http://www.sec.gov/

Favorite Legal Software: Directors Desk, http://www.directorsdesk.com/

I am on LinkedIn and Twitter. The Paralegal Division has a Group page on Facebook.

Fun Fact:  I love to travel. The Paralegal Division organizes a trip abroad each year, and this April, we will be traveling to Germany and Austria. During our trip, we have been granted special permission to tour the Palace of Justice in Nuremburg, Germany, where the Nazi trials were held after World War II.

Favorite Book: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff

Cat or Dog Person:  Dog person all the way! I am in love with my 8-month old Welsh Corgi puppy, Oliver.

I’m in love with Oliver, too.

Recipe Your Family Begs You to Cook:  Unfortunately, my family begs me NOT to cook! Cooking is not my forte!

One Gadget You Can’t Live Without:  My Blackberry

Favorite Quote: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Paralegal/Legal Association Memberships: Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas; Dallas Area Paralegal Association; National Federation of Paralegal Associations

Professional Links:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/debbie-oaks-guerra/1/b8a/248
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Raise your hand if you’re trying to figure out how to get an out-of-state membership in the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas so you can travel with these guys!