Kathy Thompson with three other Women's Achievement Award winners: Rebecca Joyner, Melanie Dubis, and Catharine Biggs Arrowood
Raleigh, NC – Kathy Thompson is this year's recipient of Parker Poe's Catharine Biggs Arrowood Women's Achievement Award. Kathy began her career at the firm almost 40 years ago as a courier. In the years since, her role has morphed into a paralegal who has played an essential part in landmark litigation victories, a network administrator who maintained federal court information systems, a judicial assistant to U.S. Magistrate Judge David W. Daniel, and a mentor who has supported and trained countless young lawyers and business professionals.
Parker Poe created its Women's Achievement Award in 2021 to recognize the achievements of women in the legal profession. Catharine Biggs Arrowood – the first female partner at Parker Poe and one of the first female chairs of an executive committee at a major law firm in the Southeast – was its inaugural recipient. The award is now named after her. Kathy is the first non-attorney to receive it.
"Kathy, you've always been worth about five lawyers," Catharine said as part of this year's celebration that brought together the entire firm in person or virtually. "It's a testament to her, not just her dedication and her commitment to the job, but her smarts and instincts. I can't begin to tell you in how many cases she has found something, deep in the documents or buried in a deposition that we missed, that was really important for the case."
Catharine and Kathy have a long history of working together. When Kathy was asked about the first thing that came to mind after winning the award, she said, with tears welling up, "Because it has Catharine's name on it, it is extra special."
Kathy explained what it means to her to be the first non-attorney recipient.
"It speaks volumes to how the firm sees us as a team," she said. "I always tell people in the mailroom, it doesn't matter how smart our attorneys are — if their brief doesn't get where it belongs, it can't impress the judge. Everybody who touches our work product along the way is important to the process. I think the firm is committed to that."
She shared stories about the teams and cases she has been part of, including driving to a trial in Canada with 21 boxes of exhibits, a laptop, and a colleague's wedding dress. (Everyone agreed the dress was the most important item in the car.) She also explained how the role of a paralegal has evolved over her career.
"The job went from more clerical to more specialized and technical, particularly as the attorneys changed," she said. "It used to be one size fits all for litigation, and now we have so many different practice groups that specialize in whatever field of litigation they're in, and the paralegals have gone that same way."
Myriad clients have benefited from Kathy's contributions, in ways large and small. Another Arrowood Award winner, Melanie Dubis, offered this takeaway to newer attorneys at the firm:
"If you have ever worked with me, you have heard me say you will learn more about practicing law from Kathy Thompson than you will from some partners," Melanie said. "Remember that our professionals, our paralegals, and our LPAs who have been doing this a long time are a resource to you."
Kathy discussed how Melanie makes her laugh every day. Many of Kathy's stories — and the stories about her during the celebration and from her nominations — centered on the deep, personal connections she has built. Working moms explained how Kathy lifts them up, provides a safety net, and even cares for their children. Partners emphasized how Kathy's moral code helps everyone stay on track. Managing partner Tom Griffin summed it up this way:
"I can say with great confidence that you represent the best things about Parker Poe," Tom said. "When we talk about the Parker Poe community and family, you are who we're talking about. Thank you for all you've done for us and our clients."
Kathy emphasized, "I've had so many people pour their life and knowledge into my career, and for that I'm grateful."
"I would tell anybody starting out in your career, find the people that you can support and who support you, and stick with them," she said. "We all need each other, and I think it's everybody's job to make this place a better place."
In addition to Kathy, Catharine, and Melanie, the recipients of Parker Poe's Women's Achievement Award have been: