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Catherine McKenzie began her legal career as a legal secretary in 1972, at the age of 20, for a Federal non-profit law services committee on Long Island, New York. In her capacity as legal secretary she was part of the team that propelled a case to the United States Supreme Court. She then was employed by many and varied law departments and firms in New York City, San Francisco, Augusta (GA), Tallahassee, and, finally, in her present residence, Vero Beach, Florida. All of these opportunities trained her in areas such as tax litigation, union/labor law, estate planning, probate, real estate, family and criminal law.

In 1993, Catherine accepted the job of Legal Secretary I with the City Attorney?s Office of the City of Vero Beach. She then progressed quickly to Legal Secretary II, and, after being trained, mentored and supervised by a member of the Florida Bar, in 2001 she met the requirements necessary to obtain the title of Paralegal. In 2006, Catherine was promoted to the position of Senior Paralegal.

As a municipal paralegal, Catherine had to learn many new facets of law, including Florida?s stringent Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, that requires all state, county, local government, and other state agencies to conduct business ?in the sunshine,? and to maintain and produce to the public all non-exempt documents and records upon request. Balancing the statutes that comprise these requirements is extremely challenging when practicing a fundamentally-confidential exercise such as the law. In addition, Catherine works with the City?s public works, planning, engineering, water and sewer, power plant, finance, police, recreation, purchasing, and human resources departments, among others, and also with its municipal airport and marina. While the wide range of services provided to all these departments was initially a challenge for Catherine, she quickly adapted and grew to love the many opportunities that came her way.

A unique aspect of her employment is her role as sole liaison with outside counsel when specialized assistance is needed. Currently the City employs outside counsel on major personal injury cases, and in employment matters. It is her responsibility to assist outside counsel and to work with attorneys for the City in representing the City?s interests. This involves ensuring that both the City and its outside counsel work in tandem. Catherine must attend all interviews, depositions, hearings, trials, mediations, strategy sessions and other meetings on a frequent basis, and keep the City abreast of all developments. In addition, she provides to the City?s auditors and to the City Council a yearly summary of all threatened and pending litigation against the City.

Catherine was instrumental in choosing and implementing the current legal software utilized in the Vero Beach City Attorney?s Office.

Catherine enjoys horseback riding, motorcycling, snorkeling, reading, and travel, and, definitely not least, her son, J.D., who in 2009 was commissioned as a Naval officer and accepted into the U.S. Navy Flight School, in Pensacola, Florida.

Proudly display Catherine and all the 2010 Paralegal Superstars with ParalegalGateway's 2010 Paralegal Superstar Calendar!!!

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