A dual citizen born and raised in the US, Kirtlye still retains certain “Americanisms” – most notably, her direct communication style and tendency to cut to the chase. Having spent the past 30+ years living in the Okanagan, however, she is resolutely Canadian. She has a B.A. in Psychology and Math, an extensive background in research and drafting, over 10 years of experience as a legal assistant, and a Paralegal Certificate in Litigation.
When it comes to legal communication, Kirtlye values plain language: If she can’t say something simply, it’s likely that she doesn’t understand what she’s saying. Her ability to gather, organize and simplify complicated information is the result of years of hard work and training by excellent mentors. While she has enjoyed all aspects of her legal career – providing support on family law, personal injury and general civil matters – employment law is a particularly good fit for Kirtlye’s values and interests. She finds the work engaging and feels compassion for those struggling with the end of their employment.
A member of the BC Paralegal Association since 2012, Kirtlye continually advances her professional development with Continuing Legal Education courses and file-related research. She identifies two career highlights: The first is her work with lawyer David Mardiros, with whom she joined Kent Employment Law. The second was assisting heritage restoration specialist Harold Kalman, author of several books on the history of Canadian architecture. Organizing data about local historical buildings and crafting proposals for prospective clients, Kirtlye not only acquired deep knowledge about our country, she also learned about professional publishing.
With an increasing concern for preserving the environment and life forms, Kirtlye supports the firm’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Away from the office, she is an avid tennis player and enjoys hiking the Okanagan’s many incredible trails.
