Meet Smokeball’s Top Paralegal!

We’re celebrating Tracey Young’s
decades-long commitment to the profession. 

While Tracey L. Young, RP^®, NYSCP, had been a paralegal for two decades when George LaMarche asked her to join him in forming a new firm, the move reminded her of an earlier time.  

“I was very excited to work with him and form a new firm. He’s like the Energizer Bunny, so it’s tough to keep up with him,” Young said of her boss, who nominated her for Smokeball’s 2021 Paralegal Contest. “It was kind of like going back 20 years in my career. You have to kind of do everything — be a jack of all trades.” 

Today, Young has helped build LaMarche Safranko Law PLLC from a solo practice to a team of five lawyers and a growing staff in Albany, N.Y. Her passion for the profession, including her dedication to various associations and mentorship of younger paralegals, earned Young the title of Smokeball’s 2021 Top Paralegal.  

“One of the best decisions I ever made was hiring Tracey Young,” La Marche told us in his contest submission. “From the first day of the opening of my law firm, Tracey has been someone I’ve relied on, to not only assist me with the handling of personal injury and criminal matters, but also to run the day-to-day operations of the office.”  

After earning degrees from the University of Virginia and Columbia University, Young began her paralegal career and has worked in various areas of law for more than 30 years. She has worked with paralegal associations for more than 25 years, including service as: 

• President of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. for the 2010-2012 term 
• NFPA board advisor for the 2012-2014 term 
• NFPA vice president and director of Positions and Issues 
• NFPA Director of Region V 
• NFPA Regulation Review Coordinator 
• Six years as delegate to NFPA. 
• Two terms as president, vice president and treasurer of the Capital District Paralegal Association  

Her work with these associations has offered Young the opportunity to learn from and network with fellow paralegals around the country. And the leadership skills she’s developed have translated to a greater ability to lead within her own office.  

“Paralegals are capable of doing a lot of the same things attorneys do in terms of document prep, interacting with clients, etc.,” she said. “We don’t go to court, represent people or make final decisions on matters. But we play a big role on the legal team. And I think we’re good decisionmakers in choosing programs like Smokeball. We’re the ones using it to its full potential.” 

LaMarche Safranko has used Smokeball for about five years, and Young appreciates how tools like Leads Management and Billing have grown ever-more sophisticated.  

“Even the attorneys can figure out how to add a lead and get it going right away,” she joked. 

Congratulations to Tracey Young and all our Paralegal Contest finalists!