Tulare County Employee Named Paralegal of the Year

The California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) named Kari Martin-Higgins as the 2017 Paralegal of the Year at their annual conference held in June at the Wyndham Hotel Visalia. Martin-Higgins was honored by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors for her prestigious designation during this week’s board meeting.  

Martin-Higgins has worked as a paralegal for 17 years and has served the County of Tulare as a paralegal for four years in the Tulare County Counsel Office. She is a Certified Paralegal with an Advanced Certified Paralegal Credential through the National Association of Legal Assistants, and a California Advanced Specialist in Discovery from the Commission for Certification for California Paralegals.

“Tulare County is fortunate to have wonderful employees that have an impact beyond their normal job duties,” stated Chairman of the Board, Pete Vander Poel during Tuesday’s Board meeting. “Kari is a shining star in her paralegal field and Tulare County Counsel is a stronger office because of her skill set and others like her.”

Each year the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations identifies one person they believe exemplifies the role of a paralegal in California. Each CAPA member association from throughout the state submit nominations for this prestigious award, and Martin-Higgins of Tulare County rose to the top of the list.  

Martin-Higgins provides invaluable assistance to Tulare County’s Counsel Office in handling complex and delicate litigation on behalf of the County; also in identifying and implementing economic ways of fulfilling its complex, and often burdensome, discovery obligations.

“Kari is a great asset to the paralegal profession,” stated Tulare County Counsel, Deanne Peterson. “She continually seeks to broaden her skills and the skills of other paralegals statewide. Kari works very hard to improve the quality of legal work in our community.”

She remains active in the community creating training opportunities and supporting efforts to improve the standing and skills of professional paralegals throughout Tulare County. Martin-Higgins is also active in the Sequoia Paralegal Association, holding various offices, and has been a member of the Board of CAPA for the past three years. 

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors recognized Martin-Higgins with a proclamation at their August 1 board meeting in Visalia.