Meet CenterPoint’s Natalie Kirk...

... Senior Staff Attorney for Florida Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Bell

 

“You never see television shows about my job,” Natalie says. It requires a penchant for research and legal writing and a strong command of complex legal code. When cases reach Justice Bell’s desk, Natalie’s job is to analyze how the legal decisions were made, investigate other cases, and review claims. Then, the real work begins. After Natalie writes a brief for the court to be used in the oral argument, she assists in writing the opinions. The process refines the way the law is interpreted for the state. Basically, Natalie is the guy behind the guy behind the guy, and she loves it. Natalie approaches this role with her characteristic humility and graciousness.

 

Because of this, few realize that Natalie is at least a quadruple threat of talent. She sings, dances, writes, and cooks. Her undergraduate degree in literature and philosophy is from Palm Beach Atlantic. She took some time off before studying law at Regent University and then moving back to Florida. She enjoys reading Emerson, Thoreau, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis – especially Lewis. Her dream is to teach a literature course focused on Lewis and Tolkien. She’s interested in apologetics, but calls herself a “lazy intellectual.” Something tells me there is little that’s lazy about Natalie Kirk.

 

Natalie moved to Tallahassee from Tampa in 2005 after a particularly hard time in her life. She had just ended an engagement, and she needed a change. The clerkship opened up in Tallahassee, and she began praying that she would find a good friend. That’s when she met Heather DeJesus through a coworker who was in a Bible Study with Heather.  Natalie began attending CenterPoint regularly in 2005, and she officially became a member in 2006.

“What I like so much about CenterPoint is the idea of everyone being in covenant relationship with each other, living honestly with each other, and showing each other grace. I feel like it fosters real relationships, like we really are growing together.”

She attends CenterPoint’s 22-35 group, volunteers in the nursery and as a greeter, sings on the praise and worship team led by Vance Watt, and actively participates in the women’s ministry. If she’s not at church, chances are she’s off visiting her new nephew. She is a proud aunt.  

Natalie grew up in the church, with her father at the pulpit. She feels that having a biblical worldview and understanding of justice and mercy has been fundamental to her understanding of law – especially with decisions of jurisdiction, of hierarchy and order, and of due deference to the proper authorities. There are times when Natalie finds herself praying over difficult cases. The practice of law is naturally competitive, and it can be easy to get caught up in wanting to be noticed. Natalie tries to be different by always encouraging others.

Two years after her move to Tallahassee, Natalie is in a time of transition again because her clerkship is ending. Most attorneys go to large law firms after this type of position, but not Natalie. As of June 15, Natalie will be Senior Assistant Attorney at the Attorney General’s Office, Division of Criminal Appeals.

“I am very excited about it because I really enjoy appellate practice and public service, and it will be exciting to be on the other side of the bench now.”

One of her roommates is Heather DeJesus, one of her first friends when she moved to Tallahassee. They are getting ready to start a Bible Study for young women who are still in college or recent graduates. In many ways, Natalie’s newest chapter seems to be starting on the other side of the bench.

 

Meet Other CenterPoint Members: [Click on picture to read]

 

 

 

 

 

      Mandy Fletcher                     Bryan Murray                    Bryan Loney