You know the saying, (blank) never meets a stranger? Well, that statement rings true for Whitehurst, Blackburn & Warren legal assistant Krista Shiver. If you’ve ever spoken to Krista on the phone or met her in person, you immediately feel as if you are talking to a friend.
Shiver is the legal assistant to attorneys Bill Blackburn and Drew Tuggle at WBW's 809 Broad Street office. Even though she may be a relatively new face – starting her role as temporary receptionist in July of 2020 – Krista has found her home at WBW.
“I didn’t know what I was walking into when I agreed to that three to five day temp job,” she begins. “But they invited me back the following Monday. I kept returning each week, and they hired me full time a couple months later.”
Originally from Dalton, Georgia, the carpet capital, Krista knew she would not work in a carpet mill.
“I hate to be hot!” she says emphatically. “I decided as a young child I would never work in carpet. I actually wanted to be a lawyer when I was in the third grade.”
Krista’s father always wanted to live in a small town. He traveled through Thomasville to visit family in Quincy, Florida, and after returning from Iraq, he applied for a job with the Thomasville Police Department. When he got the job, Krista’s father, mother and sister moved to Thomasville. She followed with short-term intentions.
“I relocated to be around family for what I thought would be six months. Now I’ve been here 12 years, and Thomasville has become home,” she says warmly.
Prior to her roles at the law firm, Krista worked in a daycare as well as with the Thomas County Sherriff’s Office as a detention officer. She says that her background working with children, families, and law enforcement helps her relate to people in all situations.
“It took me a while to find my place, but that made me well-rounded. My connections with law enforcement help me find out information more easily because I know what to ask. I can help move things along more quickly,” she says.
During her first six months with the WBW team, Krista was responsible for greeting clients and
answering the phones. By the end of 2020, she had transitioned from the receptionist at the front
desk to helping draft documents, scheduling client appointments, and assisting with family and general litigation.
Krista loves being around all people, especially her family, and spending time with them keeps her motivated. She has two sons, Kaleb (14) and Kayden (10), as well as a niece and two nephews who all live in Thomasville. Krista’s sons also have a rescue pit bull, Bailey Lucinda, who they adopted from the Humane Society.
When asked about the most rewarding part of her job, Krista replies “I’ve been in similar shoes as most clients. I know what it is like to go through a divorce, and it's life altering. I know the initial panic when your entire world is turned upside down and you feel like there is no hope.”
On the other hand, Krista offers, “I also know the feeling of resolution, when your life shifts back into place and you have everything they need. You finally get your footing and move forward. I love being able to see that and help.”
If you are looking for a legal advocate who can truly say "I've been there," contact Krista and the legal team at Whitehurst, Blackburn & Warren to schedule a no-obligation consultation at 229-226-2161.
Comments