The support staff of Walker & DiVenere is comprised of Certified Paralegals, each specializing in their particular area of responsibility.
What is a paralegal?
As defined by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, a Paralegal is a person, qualified through education, training or work experience, to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work. Substantive shall mean work requiring recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.
Kelly T. Bowlsbey, NCCP
Ms. Bowlsbey has been the lead litigation paralegal for Mr. Walker since July, 2003. Her responsibilities include all aspects of the litigation file: contacting clients; obtaining records; scheduling depositions; trial preparation, etc. She has all the skills required to handle the most complex of cases with the attorneys.
Ms. Bowlsbey graduated in 2002 from Appalachian State University earning a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Spanish. She maintains the designation North Carolina Certified Paralegal (NCCP) from the North Carolina State Bar. In addition, Ms. Bowlsbey is a member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers - Legal Assistants Division and regularly attends seminars and meetings offered by the organization.
Kelly was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in Boone, North Carolina. She has been married to Jason Bowlsbey since 2004 and they have one son, Ayden.
Contact Kelly with any questions you may have at kbowlsbey@jjwpa.com
Allison E. Sias, CPRE
Allison has worked with Walker & DiVenere in Boone, North Carolina, since June, 2005. At that time, she relocated to Watauga County, North Carolina, from Salisbury, North Carolina.
Allison earned her paralegal training at Davidson Community College in Salisbury and is a Certified Paralegal in the real estate field. Now a licensed title agent in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia and Kentucky, Allison is responsible for servicing our multi-state clients whenever and wherever needed. Her expertise includes complex exchange transactions, she has extensive knowledge in working with lenders from throughout the United States, and she has coordinated many residential and commercial transactions in the High Country over the last several years.
Allison's thorough understanding of the real estate closing process is readily apparent. Our clients feel immediately confident in her presence and the comfort level she establishes with all parties to various transactions proves a pleasant and successful experience.
Contact Allison with any questions you may have at asias@jjwpa.com.
Amanda B. Grimes, NCCP
Amanda came to Walker & DiVenere from Caldwell Community College where she earned academic scholarships from Lenoir Business Women's Scholarship Fund and the Golden Leaf Scholarship Fund. At Caldwell, she was a member of the Paralegal Club, Business Club and Phi Beta Lambda, and graduated with Honors.
Her professionalism and excellent customer service has been a great asset to the firm over the past few years. Amanda's responsibilities include the practice areas of Family Law, Litigation and Real Estate.
Contact Amanda with any questions you may have at agrimes@jjwpa.com.
Lisa S. Gwyn, Title Abstractor
Lisa has been working with attorney Jeff Walker since 2002 in his Boone, North Carolina office. Her fifteen years of experience in the legal field have proved to be invaluable. Lisa has a thorough understanding of the Court procedures and records departments throughout the High Country, including North Carolina and Tennessee. She has traveled out of state on numerous occasions as our multi-state clients requirements have dictated. The excellent working relationship Lisa has established with the Registers of Deeds and County Clerks is a direct result of her hard work and the respect she has earned is well deserved.
Lisa is a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Georgia School of Art & Design in Atlanta. She now lives in Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina, with her husband, Ron and children, Jessica and Lucas.
Contact Lisa with any questions, concerns or comments at ljsg@skybest.com.
Donna M. Walker, General Manager
Donna and Jeff have been married since 1982. She has managed all business aspects of his law offices since 1988. Donna oversees all administrative matters for Walker & DiVenere in Boone, North Carolina; Jeffrey J. Walker, P. A., in Mountain City, Tennessee; and all multi-state title agent operations from Walker Title, LLC, in Mountain City, Tennessee.
Contact Donna with any questions, concerns or comments at dwalker@jjwpa.com.
