About

_{“To be Inspired is Great ~
to Inspire is Incredible!”
                         ~Anonymous}

My name is April Hatcher, the founder and sole principal of Assisting You Paralegal Services, LLC, a freelance/virtual paralegal company. I am a highly skilled certified paralegal specializing in family law matters, including, but not limited to, divorce and legal separation, paternity, custody and parenting time issues, domestic violence actions, and post modification proceedings relating to support, custody and parenting time. Working from my office, I use the latest technologies to receive and deliver work projects. Although I have worked in many different areas of the law over the past 30+ years, my passion lies in family law.

I have spent most of my career working in the family law arena providing substantive legal work under the supervision of highly experienced family law attorneys. In addition, I have achieved and continue to maintain a high level of competence through education, training, work experience and continuing education.

I enjoy working with family law clients because it gives me the opportunity to make a positive difference in their lives during stressful and difficult times.

Education & Certifications

National Academy for Paralegal Studies, Inc. (1992), an ABA approved program, earning a Certified Paralegal (CP) credential.

National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA) (1995) earning a Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) credential. NALA is the leading paralegal association in the United States, and the CLA/CP designation is considered the “gold standard” of paralegal expertise. To maintain this credential, I must attend at least 50 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) programs over a five year period. http://nala.org/

Northwest Christian University (2008), earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

Oregon Notary Public

Organizations

• Active member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
• Active Affiliate Member of the Lane County Bar Association (LCBA)
• Attend many CLE programs offered through the Oregon State Bar Family Law Section and through the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS)
• Annually attend the Oregon State Bar Family Law Conference

Past Employers/Mentors

Along my journey, I have worked for exceptional family law attorneys who were my mentors.  These attorneys helped me excel as a family law paralegal and assisted me in reaching my career goals. I give credit for my success to the following Lane County family law attorneys who I admire and respect:

• Charles S. Spinner & Marjorie A. Schmechel (retired) – 20 years’ experience
• Murray S. Petitt, Thorp Purdy Jewett Urness & Wilkinson – 1.2 years’ experience
• E. Bradley Litchfield, Hutchinson Cox – 5 years’ experience