Susan has significant experience working on plaintiff personal injury and medical malpractice claims. She previously worked as a legal assistant with Legal Aid of the Bluegrass in Ashland, KY. She graduated from Mountwest Community & Technical College in 2016 with an AAS in Paralegal Studies, where she also received certificates in legal studies and technical support, and was an active member in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In April 2022, she will graduate from Marshall University with a Regent’s Bachelor of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. She also serves on the paralegal advisory board for Mountwest Community & Technical College in Huntington, WV. She has been a member of LAPSWV since 2018.
Susan Black, CP.
Secretary
Cynthia “Cindy” J. Spreacker
Treasurer
Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia
With over 26 years of legal experience, Cindy is currently employed as office a litigation paralegal with the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC in its Huntington office. Cindy focuses her legal skills primarily on Railroad Litigation involving diesel, solvent and asbestos issues along with personal injury matters. She has been an active member of LAPSWV since its inception in 2004 and has served on its various committees and as Second Vice President in 2012-2013. She was honored with the LAPSWV Shining Star Award in 2016-2017. Cindy attended Marshall University and Huntington Junior College with emphasis on legal specialization. She is a paralegal member of the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia and volunteers her time with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and CASA.
Cindy Kline, CP.
NALA Liasion
Jill I. Francisco, Advanced Certified Paralegal, is employed as a paralegal with Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, in their Huntington, WV office. She previously worked as a paralegal at Huddleston Bolen LLP, prior to their merger with Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. She graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Legal Studies from Marshall University. She holds Advanced Paralegal Certifications in E-Discovery, and Trial Practice. She has been working as a paralegal since 1997. Jill is very active in local and national professional associations within her profession. She was Charter President of the Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia. She began her NALA service as a member of the NALA Professional Development Committee; and over the years has served as NALA Affiliated Associations Secretary and Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Second Vice President, Vice President, and was the President of NALA 2018-2020. She serves on the paralegal program advisory board for Mount West Community & Technical College in Huntington, WV, and is also an adjunct professor for the Paralegal Studies Program. She is also a host of The Paralegal Voice podcast on the Legal Talk Network. She resides in Kenova, West Virginia with her husband, Shawn and their son, John David.
Tonya Skeens
Vice President
LAPSWV 2023 - 2024 Executive Committee
Jill I. Francisco, ACP
President .