Mary Accardi of Campbell Law School has been recognized as an "Unsung Hero" by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. A paralegal and office manager, Accardi's dedication at the Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic has been instrumental since its inception in August 2021. "This award is very warranted and deserved," said Clinic Director Richard Waugaman III, an evaluation mirrored by the legal community.
Describing her path to becoming a paralegal as divine intervention, Accardi, a graduate of Meredith College, continued her education by obtaining a paralegal certificate before joining Campbell Law School. "I love having the opportunity to work with students and with Richard Waugaman … no day is ever the same," Accardi told Campbell News. Her greatest pride comes not from accolades but from the lasting impact she has on the students she mentors, a sentiment that weights both truth and humility behind it.
N.C. Lawyers Weekly also honored Jessica Dry, a Campbell University alumna and a paralegal at Young Moore's Trusts, Estates, and Wealth Preservation practice. Recognized for her dedication and compassion in client engagement, Dry exemplifies the professional tenacity appreciated by those within and outside her firm. According to the original announcement, Dry's fulfillment comes from helping clients navigate complex issues—another testament to the often-unsung work that legal support professionals undertake.
The Unsung Legal Heroes award by N.C. Lawyers Weekly celebrates legal support professionals across eight categories including paralegal, legal secretary, and firm administration, among others. These individuals are the often unheralded backbone of legal firms, providing indispensable services that keep the wheels of justice turning smoothly. Campbell Law School, recognized for its Professionalism Program by the American Bar Association and for its Trial Advocacy Program by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers, continues to nurture a legacy of service through its alumni and staff like Accardi and Dry.
