Site Coordinators
Site Coordinators are the backbone of the Regional competitions in early February. Both prior to, and during, the day of the event, they oversee and organize the behind-the-scenes logistics of the competition. Their service includes recruiting and directing the site volunteers, arranging refreshments for volunteers, setting up the courthouse, registering teams, assisting the tabulation staff, dealing with issues that arise, and much more. Site Coordinators are vital partners with the Regional Coordinators in every aspect of the day, ensuring that our students and observers have a fun and memorable experience.
We deeply appreciate the investment of these volunteers, for without their efforts, the program would not be possible. Thank you!
Fayetteville
Tanja Shurling. Tanja is a paralegal at Britton Law.
Gastonia
Jacqueline M. Thurman, ACP. Jacqueline is an Advanced Certified Paralegal with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), and she has worked in the legal field for over 20 years. Jacqueline is a workers’ compensation and criminal department manager at Ken Harris and Associates PA. Jacqueline’s areas of expertise are workers’ compensation, personal injury, criminal defense, medical malpractice and civil litigation. Jacqueline graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Political Science and from the University of Phoenix with a master’s degree in business administration. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Paralegal and Workers’ Compensation Divisions and the North Carolina Paralegal Association where she serves on the Board as the District V Director. She is also a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants and a 2011-2012 graduate of NALA’s LEAP leadership program. She is a member of the Beta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys traveling, reading, and playing tennis.
Greenville
Additional information is coming soon.
Hendersonville
Melanie Miller. Melanie is a litigation paralegal at The Van Winkle Law Firm. She is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal. She has been a volunteer for the NCMTP for over 10 years.
Hickory
Additional information is coming soon.
High Point
Grace Lay. Grace Lay graduated from Clemson University in 2015 with a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. In December 2018 she obtained her law degree from Elon University School of Law. Learn more at https://cordellcordell.com/attorneys/grace-lay/
Hillsborough
Patti Clapper. Patti is the sole paralegal for family law cases at Poyner Spruill, LLP. She obtained her Certified Paralegal designation from NALA with a specialty in Civil Litigation and has also obtained her NC Certified Paralegal designation through the NC State Bar. She has served as NCMTP Site Coordinator for over 15 years.
Raleigh
Michelle Keely. Michelle is a NC Certified Paralegal with the North Carolina Department of Justice. She earned her Paralegal Studies degree from Meredith College. Michelle has volunteered with the NCMTP for over 10 years, both as Raleigh Site Coordinator and at the annual State Finals Competition. In 2015 she helped with the National Competition in Raleigh.
Amanda Miller. Amanda has been working as a paralegal in North Carolina since 2001. She has a bachelors degree in Business from East Carolina University and a Paralegal Program Certificate from Meredith College. She also volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem that helps with youths in the Johnston County DSS system. She has volunteered for the mock trial program in the Raleigh region since 2012.
Salisbury
Connie Cassatt. Connie is Victim Services Coordinator at the District Attorney’s Office in Davidson County. She previously worked as a paralegal at Crumley Roberts for 20 years. She worked in the firm’s litigation department and served as the firm’s mock trial coordinator. She also served as Administrative Assistant to the CEO/President. She is a Certified North Carolina paralegal. This is her first year as Salisbury Site Coordinator.
Alicia Coggins. Alicia has an MBA from Liberty University and completed the paralegal program at Greensboro College. She is preparing to take the NC Paralegal Certification Exam in October. This is her first year as Salisbury Site Coordinator.
Wilmington
Catherine Holland. Catherine is a litigation paralegal at Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP. She graduated from Carteret Community College in 2015 with her Associate Degree of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology. Prior to that, Catherine attended Rutgers University and played college volleyball. She has worked as a paralegal in several different areas of law but enjoys trial work the most. She has served as NCMTP Site Coordinator for 3 years.
