A Roanoke Rapids native celebrated the opening of her new business with a ribbon-cutting held by the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa Sykes told family and friends gathered for the event last week at her business at 200 Becker Drive — Paralegal, Administration & Ledger Services — the grand opening was “the culmination of an idea that began over 15 years ago right here in my hometown — Roanoke Rapids.”

Said Sykes: “My passion for the law and legal proceedings drove me to strive for excellence as a paralegal and continue to get educated in the ever-changing local rules of our counties.”

She has more than 25 years of paralegal, administration and bookkeeping experience along with a team of virtual paralegals, each with at least 15 years of paralegal experience.

“The legal industry has changed radically over the past decade,” she said. “Being able to complete work as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible is a key characteristic of today’s firms.”

Doing work on time and within budget is also increasingly important. “Seasoned paralegals, paralegals with over 15 and 25 years of experience are able to accomplish this without supervision from attorneys. We are familiar with every element of case file management — from administratively setting up the files, reviewing documents and retrieving important information — to preparing exhibits and getting the file ready for trial.”

• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
•  

Sykes said with this resource network, which is continually broadened, “We are able to provide assistance to many firms. We practice the same ethical standards as firms to ensure confidentiality and prevent conflicting cases.”

The company also consists of a team of bookkeepers. “I worked for one law firm for 13 years and became office manager, bookkeeper along with paralegal.”

From that experience she learned to manage operating and trust accounts and began taking QuickBooks courses. “Along my journey, I became friends with others who were bookkeepers and decided to offer those services to other businesses other than law firms.”

The team of bookkeepers can handle accounts receivable and payable, reconciliations, monthly income and expenses and payroll.

The company will assist individuals representing themselves with preparing documents for filing in court. “Most times these are low income individuals who cannot afford counsel and have already been advised by legal aid or persons who have retrieved forms from the court.”

She stressed, however, “We do not provide legal advice to anyone.”

Sykes has been appreciative of the support she has received. “I am so thankful for the support of my family and friends.”

She also thanked her virtual team of Tamara Anderson, Lisa Mann, Antonia Williams and Frank Henderson.

The company’s website can be viewed at this link.