Kala Arevalo, Class of 2009
Associate Attorney at Cruz Law Group, PC
“I was 18-19 years old and knew I wanted to work in the legal field. I began taking classes and then decided I wanted to work in the legal field while I was taking classes. I wanted some experience before I committed to the timely and expensive process that is law school. My professor took the time outside of class to teach additional information and tools I needed to land a job. Thanks to her (Damara Watkins, former NC Paralegal Studies Program Coordinator), I was able to get a job starting as a legal assistant at a Law Office in Dallas, Texas. I continued my coursework through Navarro and graduated from the paralegal program. I was able to become a paralegal and secure my job for over ten years, all while completing undergraduate, then law school, and working at the same time.
I am currently a lawyer with Cruz Law Group, P.C. in downtown Dallas, although I practice all over the metroplex (including Navarro and Ellis counties.)
I regularly keep in contact with the coordinator of the paralegal department from when I attended, Damara Watkins, as well as another professor, Susan Hale. Their advice and mentorship has been invaluable. I also keep in contact with a few of my classmates.
As a young college student, everyone experiences hardships. The affordability of Navarro combined with the quality education I received afforded me the opportunity to change my financial circumstances and become independent at a young age.”
Kala graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and continued her journey in the legal profession by applying to law school. She attended Texas A&M University School of Law in the night program so that she could continue to work simultaneously. During her last year of law school, she obtained a provisional license that allowed her to practice law under supervision. She handled various cases from temporary orders hearings, divorce final trials, custody trials, and protective order hearings during this time frame. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M.
Kala became a licensed attorney in the State of Texas in 2018. She has continued to work in family law, assisting families with divorce, visitation, child support, termination, and adoption. In addition to her work as a paralegal, law clerk, and now an attorney, she is also a qualified mediator. She completed the required courses for civil mediation, family mediation, and CPS mediation in 2010. She has mediated several cases involving various family law issues.
Page Updated: July 2023
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