Influential Woman · Legal
Stephanie Clark
Senior Paralegal, --
Baltimore, MD
Her Story
About Stephanie
Stephanie Clark serves as a Senior Paralegal at Moronick Law in Baltimore, Maryland. With nearly 20 years of experience in the legal field, she focuses mainly on criminal law, managing discovery review, deadlines, and supporting attorneys on serious cases such as rape and murder. She joined her current firm four years ago after working at the Law Office of James Crawford, drawn by the desire to move beyond office politics. Clark began her career as a receptionist at a law firm and advanced through on-the-job learning, completing some college but prioritizing practical experience over formal degrees. She is known for her ability to anticipate needs, ensure compliance, and mentor baby attorneys and new professionals. Clark attributes her professional success to her accumulated experience, outspokenness, and solid knowledge base, which have made it easier to navigate the field as a woman. She values honesty, loyalty, and sharing knowledge to help others advance. Clark advises young women entering the industry to learn everything possible, never let others talk down to them, and back up their skills with confidence. She notes challenges in the saturated market where firms seek lower-paid staff, emphasizing the need to justify experience-based compensation. Outside of work, Clark engages in community work with her family.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Stephanie
01What do you attribute your success to?
Definitely my experience. I am very good at my job, I know that. I don't think I'm cocky about it, but it is what it is. I know what I'm doing, and I can back it up. I'm not afraid to... I think in this business, especially as a woman, and it comes with time. When I was younger, it was definitely a lot harder... but now with all my experience and the fact that I've become more outspoken, and I'm more solid in my knowledge, and confident in what I can do, it's much easier.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Learn as much as possible. I think especially there's a lot of people in every type of business... Women always have to prove themselves more than anyone. So, learn as much as possible, and be able to back it up. That's always extremely important. No matter what, no matter the littlest, most job that you think is meaningless, learn it all. Learn everything, so you can step in and take over if need be.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
A lot of the same advice that I was given. You know, never let anybody tell you you can't do it. Never let people talk down to you... never put somebody down that can help you... Learn as much as possible.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The laws are always changing. I don't think I really face obstacles as much as I used to... The business itself is becoming more and more saturated, and a lot of companies want to hire... the person they can pay the least amount of money to. That makes things difficult... you always have to justify why you want something that you know you're worthy of.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Mainly just being honest. I think it's important to teach the people that are coming up... Definitely honesty, and sharing knowledge, and loyalty, and anything that can help somebody advance helps everyone.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.