Meet Taquasia Holmes | Independent Paralegal

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taquasia Holmes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taquasia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I created TMH Para Support Services, my entire thought process behind the Idea was creating a black owned legal support business in a field dominated by men, race or age. Owning and operating this business as a black millennial female was very important to me. Millenials don’t get as much credit and respect as we should especially in fields such as Law, Politics, and Education. The last five years, millenials have been changing the game for society as a whole. Covid, believe it or not, gave me the chance I needed because it changed the entire dynamic of business operations. Legal Practices/Law Firms especially were changing. Offices began to close and attorneys were now operating and practicing virtually; again another opportunity to step forward into creating this business.

Being a paralegal, in its own has a stereotype of being a profession held by older women. Women who without a shadow of a doubt, has held the position for years, created a longterm relationship in the firm and with the attorney and who can complete the job with their eyes closed. Those were big shoes to fill compared to being a young profession fresh out of college with a work history too short to take seriously. Throughout my entire working career, I remember always feeling out of place being a black women in a predominately caucasian work place surrounded by veterans paralegals or legal secretaries who frowned and shunned young professionals. No one ever wanted to help the new paralegals, and every day you could feel how unwelcome you were. It was intimidating because I have alway been the youngest of all my colleagues, and let’s be honest as a young black female professional we are always overlooked, underpaid, and un-prioritized within any company. Not to mention the unspoken stereotype forced upon us. I can’t even count how many companies turned me down, it was so discouraging. No matter how good you, are you’re invisible. No matter how great of a work ethic you have, what degree you hold, what school you attend, you’re the minority. Even if we are most productive and most efficient, we’re always the last chosen for the promotions, the career opportunities, and the advancements that we deserve. TMH Para Support Services was my way of competing in this industry by being authentic to myself, my culture, and my age bracket. I’ll be 29 years old and everything I know and learned as a paralegal are from other black female paralegals. My first freelancing position was with Davenport Legal Support, LLC which is owned and operated by Raven Davenport, a young black professional. That was the first opportunity I ever received to further my career and my dreams in being a paralegal. Then I was presented with the opportunity to study under Sharonique Layton of the Paralegal Charm School, another black female owned business thats founding principals are to build paralegal. My class was completely filed with other women like myself; black millennials. And everything from that point on fell into place, and I found a community that was was made especially for me. I know thats a mouth full but all of those experiences created TMH Para Support Services. Ive never been happier with my decision. My business was created to embody what I and other young paralegals never was presented being in this profession.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
TMH Para Support Service is a multi-dynamic legal support busienss offering paralegal/legal secretary services, business, administrative and notary signing services. TMH Para Support Services caters to small firms, solo practitioner attorneys , and small business owners in need of support for their law firm and/or businesses. The vision of our services is to be authentic yet personal and always professional in the fullest capacity for all of our clients; disregarding size, industry or legal practice. We believe at TMH Para Support Services that conforming to the needs of our clients can only be achieved by tailoring the services we provide to our clients by personalizing our a service plan keeping client’s professional and personal expectation at the top of our priorities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ponce City Market has the absolute best vibes in Atlanta. You have food, shopping, and fun it’s definitely a place to visit if your ever in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dominique Jones: Creative Director and owner of Kaneish Collection. dominiquedjones@gmail.com

Sharonique Layton: Owner of Paralegal Charm School: sqlayton@gmail.com

Website: https://tmhparasupptservic.wixsite.com/home

Instagram: @Tmhparasupportservices