Kristi Byrnes, a paralegal in Mallor Grodner’s business services division, has not only accomplished a long-term goal in 2023, but has also begun working on accomplishing new goals. Kristi says, “What I started in early 2006—with several breaks—I finally achieved in 2023 and received my Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies.” Not one to waste any time, Kristi has already begun working toward her next goal by enrolling in Ivy Tech’s Human Resource Management program to complete coursework to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in HR Management in the 2023 fall semester.
Kristi has been in the legal field since 2008, working for both law firms and the courts. She began her legal career as a judicial assistant in the Clay Superior Court. From there, she went to a law firm in Terre Haute, Indiana, where she worked in family law, medical malpractice defense, Title IX, bankruptcy, and civil litigation for five years. Kristi then returned to the Clay Circuit Court, where she worked seven years as the Official Court Reporter. In this position, she gained knowledge of criminal, juvenile delinquency, and Child in Need of Services (CHINS) proceedings, as well as probate administration, and grand and petit juries. She joined Mallor Grodner in March of 2021.
Kristi also recently joined the faculty of Marian University’s Adult Programs (MAP), which is now part of the College of Graduate and Online Programs at Marian University. This is Kristi’s first year teaching, and she is excited about this new experience. MAP was founded in 1999-2000 and started as a face-to-face, nights and weekend program for working adults, who returned to school to finish their degrees and for students who did not choose to go straight to college after high school. Much has changed in “adult” education, and the program is now 100% online and 100% accelerated, offering courses in 5- and 8-week sessions. To learn more about Marian University’s adult education programs, visit the following: Marian’s-Adult-Programs.
Kristi and her husband, Eric, reside in Bloomington and combined, they have seven children. She enjoys anything outside, including hiking, canoeing, boating, paddleboarding, and in her free time, reading a good book in a hammock.