Jeannette Burda is a native of San Diego. While attending college in 1975, she started working for attorney Patrick McCormick as a legal file clerk and then advanced to be his calendar clerk in his rapidly growing insurance defense firm. She learned a great deal in her nine years with McCormick.

In 1984, Burda attended the Paralegal Program at the University of San Diego and graduated with honors in 1985. She started her paralegal career working for attorney Jack Winter, who built on her USD education and trained her as a civil litigation paralegal.

In 1990, seeking more varied legal work, she joined the law firm of Lorber, Grady, where she worked directly for partner Tom Grady. She learned the detail-oriented tasks necessary to become a competent trial paralegal. She attended several trials with Grady, assisting him with evidence and exhibits. During the five years she worked with the firm, Burda derived a great deal of professional pride and fulfillment from working with the firm’s clients, co-workers and Grady.

In 1986, she married Mark Lancaster, and in 1995 they were blessed with their son Ryan.

In 1996 she continued her paralegal career and went to work for Allstate Insurance Co.’s In-House Counsel for eight years. Among other paralegal tasks, she worked with Allstate’s insurers and assisted them with their small claims hearings. In 2004, she assisted in handling of 16 small claims hearings with demand of $60,000 and payouts, via judgments, of $13,000.

In 2005 Burda joined the law firm of Koeller, Nebeker, Carlson & Haluck, and is currently working with partner Robert Harrison and his team handling the complex issues that arise defending physicians, chiropractors, dentists and attorneys.

The paralegal profession has been a very rewarding career for Burda. Throughout the years she has formed and maintained great friendships with attorneys, paralegals and secretaries.