Sharon Ellis, Paralegal

I am Marilyn York’s personal paralegal and I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a capable and caring staff of legal professionals. I started my own legal career working as a clerk for a Justice of the Peace in a small southwestern town in Arizona. It was there that I realized I had a future in the legal world but it would still be some years later before I would experience my paralegal epiphany.

In 1992, I accepted a position as a paralegal in the Pinal County Attorney’s Office Child Support Division in Florence, Arizona. This was an eye opening experience for me. Besides the many individual cases I managed, I was responsible for managing the many cases filed on behalf of the State of Arizona. As you might imagine, there were thousands of families in need of financial support for their children and I had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of at least some of them. I learned quickly the challenges associated with the establishment and enforcement of child support orders and I saw first hand that there were “deadbeat dads” and “deadbeat moms.” No longer did this term for the absent parent just apply to men. It became painfully obviously to me that mothers were walking away from familial responsibilities too, leaving fathers in need of financial assistance to care for their children. Another important part of my job was to assist mothers and fathers with the establishment of paternity for their children. Paternity establishment is a very complicated but necessary process. I know first hand the emotional side of divorce, child custody and support issues and like many of the clients I work with, I know the importance of establishing and maintaining the bond between a parent and a child. I bring this valuable family law knowledge and experience with me to Marilyn’s firm and hopefully, I bring understanding and compassion to our clients.

As I continued my work with the Pinal County Attorney’s office, I decided to also continue my education and in 1993, I earned my Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from American Institute in Phoenix. This was an important and memorable milestone in my life. In 1995, I returned to private practice to work for a firm specializing in family law. I was again working with families in the midst of painful divorces, custody battles and child support issues. Family law is not for everyone. It is intense, volatile, complicated and very emotional for everyone involved and at one point, I left family law to expand and enhance my legal knowledge working in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, ERISA disability and civil litigation for established law firms in Arizona, Nevada and Tennessee. I have asked myself if it is irony or fate that has brought me full circle and back to family law. Honestly, if you are a person who believes in justice and equality for both women and men, and you are passionate about helping the children who all too often become pawns in the chess game of divorce, it just seems natural that it also be your job. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with Marilyn and her dedicated and caring staff and I look forward to working with you.