Kitay Law Offices’ Certified Paralegals Elected to CPPA Board of Directors

Kitay Law Offices is pleased to announce that two of its certified paralegals, Stacey Shirk and Yesenia Alvarado, have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association (CPPA). This achievement reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to professional excellence and active participation in the regional legal community.

Strengthening the Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Community

The CPPA has served the Central Pennsylvania region since 1984, providing continuing education, networking opportunities, and professional development resources to paralegals throughout the area. The organization’s membership averages between 75 and 85 members, including paralegals, paralegal educators, and students.

As an affiliate of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), the CPPA promotes the advancement of the paralegal profession while supporting the use of the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE). Through monthly educational programs, newsletters, and job banks, the association connects paralegals with resources that support their professional growth.

Stacey Shirk: Member-at-Large and Certified Paralegal

Stacey Shirk will serve as Member-at-Large on the CPPA Board. She is a Certified Paralegal and holds the Pa.C.P. designation, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining high professional standards.

Born and raised in Berks County, Stacey has deep roots in the community. Her educational background includes graduation from a Practical Nursing program in 2007, an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Business – Paralegal from Berks Technical Institute in 2013, and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Central Penn College in 2015.

At Kitay Law Offices, Stacey provides comprehensive support to attorneys and clients in both criminal and civil litigation matters. Known for her compassion, professionalism, and attention to detail, Stacey has built a strong reputation for dependable case management and excellent client communication.

Stacey maintains active memberships in the Legal Support Staff Association of Berks County (LSSA), the Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association (CPPA), and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). Her involvement in these organizations reflects her dedication to professional development and engagement within the legal community.

Yesenia Alvarado: Secretary and Advanced Certified Paralegal

Yesenia Alvarado will serve as Secretary on the CPPA Board. She brings extensive credentials and experience to this leadership role.

Yesenia holds multiple certifications, including the Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) credential from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal (Pa.C.P.) designation from the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Specialized Business, Paralegal Studies from Berks Technical Institute in 2015.

Her legal career began after serving in the United States Army Reserves from 2004 to 2012. Since transitioning to the legal field, Yesenia has developed expertise in Social Security Disability, Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Workers’ Compensation. She is an active member of NALA, NFPA, and CPPA, demonstrating her commitment to ongoing professional engagement.

Recently, Yesenia achieved a significant milestone by earning her ACP credential in Personal Injury from NALA. This advanced certification requires completion of a rigorous curriculum-based program with approximately 20 hours of intensive study in specialized legal topics. The ACP designation is available only to current Certified Paralegals and represents a mastery of complex legal concepts that extends beyond general paralegal knowledge.

The Importance of Professional Certification

Professional certification plays a vital role at Kitay Law Offices. The firm recognizes that maintaining credentials such as Pa.C.P. and ACP ensures that its paralegal team remains current with legal trends, changes in legislation, and best practices.

The Pa.C.P. credential, regulated by the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations, sets rigorous education and employment standards for paralegals working within Pennsylvania. While voluntary, this certification demonstrates a paralegal’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of professionalism and competence in legal services.

Similarly, the ACP credential from NALA represents an advanced level of expertise in specialized areas of law. These certifications require ongoing continuing education, ensuring that certified paralegals stay ahead of industry developments and maintain their professional edge.

For clients of Kitay Law Offices, working with certified paralegals means receiving support from professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge, skills, and commitment to ethical standards through third-party validation.

Alignment with Firm Values

These leadership appointments align directly with Kitay Law Offices’ core values. The firm emphasizes being “Committed to Excellence” and providing a “5-Star Client Experience.” By supporting team members in pursuing advanced certifications and leadership roles, Kitay Law Offices ensures that clients benefit from a highly qualified professional team.

The firm’s culture encourages continuous learning and professional development. When staff members like Yesenia and Stacey pursue advanced credentials and take on leadership positions in professional organizations, it elevates the quality of service the firm can provide to its clients.

Kenneth Kitay, founder of Kitay Law Offices, has long emphasized the importance of investing in the professional growth of the firm’s staff. This investment translates directly into better case management, more efficient legal processes, and improved outcomes for clients.

Contributing to the Legal Profession

Serving on the CPPA Board allows Yesenia and Stacey to contribute to the broader paralegal profession in Central Pennsylvania. Board members help shape continuing education programs, support scholarship opportunities, and foster communication among paralegals throughout the region.

The CPPA hosts monthly “lunch/learn” sessions where local attorneys or public officials share their expertise on law-related topics. Each October, the association holds its annual “Take an Attorney to Lunch” program, featuring distinguished guest speakers. Board members play a key role in organizing these events and ensuring they provide value to the paralegal community.

By taking on these leadership roles, Yesenia and Stacey will help advance the CPPA’s mission to promote, protect, and advance the paralegal profession while fostering creative expansion of paralegal roles within appropriate professional boundaries.

Looking Ahead

As Stacey Shirk and Yesenia Alvarado begin their terms on the CPPA Board of Directors, Kitay Law Offices continues to demonstrate its commitment to professional excellence and community engagement. The firm’s support for staff development ensures that clients receive services from a team that meets the highest professional standards.

These appointments reflect the ongoing evolution of the paralegal profession and the important role that certified paralegals play in delivering quality legal services throughout Pennsylvania. Kitay Law Offices remains dedicated to maintaining a team of professionals who are not only skilled in their work but also actively engaged in advancing their profession.