Name: Paola Parra Harris
Age: Ageless
Family: My family consists of three precious boys: Lucas, 4, Marcus, 1 1/2, and the one I married, Robert.
Pets: One frisky (boy) cat - Dash O’Pepper
Education: University of Florida - Proud Gator - English Literature major with a minor in Secondary Education and Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law.
Admitted to Bar: Georgia in 1996 and Florida in 1998
Employed by: Harris Guidi Rosner Dunlap & Rudolph since April 1998
Field of practice: Family law litigation
Professional organizations: Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association President, 2003-04; President-Elect, 2002-03; Vice-President of Membership and Events, 2001-02, Jacksonville Bar Association, Immigration and Naturalization Committee, 2005-present, Professionalism Committee, 2001-07; Judicial Relations, 2002-07; Hispanic Bar Association of Northeast Florida Founder and President, 2003, President-Elect 2009-10, Catholic Lawyers Guild member, 1997-present, Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) Member, 2003-present, Guardian ad Litem volunteer, 1998-2002, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Pro Bono Attorney, 1998-present.
Community involvement:
Rotary Club of San Jose member, 2004-present, Youth Services Chair 2006-07, Rotaract of Florida’s First Coast (Rotary International) President, 2002-03; Secretary, 2001-02; Annual Charity Gala Chair 2003, Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2003; Selections Committee 2003-present, Youth Selections Committee 2010-present, Junior League of Jacksonville Sustainer; Board Member, Parliamentarian 2007-08; Transfer Chair, 2006-07; Membership Outreach and Admissions Chair, 2005-06; CRPD (Community Research and Project Development) Vice-Chair, 2003-04; Provisional Advisor, 2002-03, San Jose Catholic Church Catechist, 1997-2003, Southside United Methodist Church, Fundraising Committee for Preschool, 2007-present.
How did you get involved?
Someone asked for my help and I said “yes.”
How can someone else get involved?
Find your area of interest and go to a meeting. Every group is in need of motivated, passionate and active volunteers. The best reward for giving of your time and talent is the satisfaction of doing something good for others.
What have your learned/achieved through the experience?
Everyone has a passion and their own ideas for making things happen. Let them!
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch and “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss