Casey Evans: The Work You Don’t See, But Always Feel

We’re an interconnected nationwide team, but we each have our own reasons for being passionate about the work we do. This month, get to know Casey Evans, a Contracts and Business Insurance Assistant working remotely in North Carolina.

What’s your background and how did you end up at Kittelson?

I worked for several years as an Executive Assistant for a commercial leasing and development company, here in Asheville, NC. When Covid hit, I decided to take online classes for Paralegal Studies to further my growth at the company. However, once everyone returned to “normal life” and the office, commercial leasing didn’t bounce back. The work I had been a part of for years in this area took a backseat, and I decided it was time for a change. That’s when I was fortunate enough to find my current position with Kittelson almost 4 years ago now. 

Can you briefly describe your role and how it supports the firm’s work with clients and partners?

Absolutely! I offer support for the contract review process by managing and acting as a triage for the Contracts inbox. I also handle ordering and renewing all Certificates of Insurance for projects and office leases and Docusign needs for agreements. Another aspect of my role is processing Infosys Notices, which are updates in Kittelson’s internal project management system that keep client information and project details current when a Project Manager opens or updates a project. Outside of Contracts, I lend a helping hand with several accounting reports. I like that my role allows me to wear many hats!

How does your work help keep projects moving smoothly or reduce risk for the firm?

My top priority is to make sure that all contracts and documents have been reviewed before executing. This includes a risk and rates review to cover any items that may leave Kittelson in an unfavorable situation.  This is also why we review all insurance requirements within the agreement to minimize any overreaching per the project’s scope of work.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I like that every day can be something different. The process might be the same, but the agreements are different, and what I can take away from that is sometimes new. There’s always an opportunity to learn and broaden my reach.

What skills or experiences have been most helpful in your position?

Honestly, the people I work with have been one of the most valuable resources in my role. Everyone brings their own bank of knowledge, which creates constant opportunities to learn and discover better, more efficient ways to complete tasks. I especially enjoy brainstorming sessions, where sharing ideas and different approaches often leads to stronger outcomes. In addition, my paralegal studies and previous work experience provided a strong foundation for the work I do now.

In a prior role, I worked with commercial lease agreements and letters of intent, and my paralegal studies helped me understand the terminology, processes, and the importance of various clauses within those documents. While I’m not directly reviewing agreements at Kittelson, that experience gives me a clear understanding of what is required for each agreement and why. This helps me follow up effectively, ensure all necessary components are accounted for, and support the process leading up to execution. 

What do you enjoy outside of work?

My life outside of work centers around spending quality time with my two dogs (my babies) and my husband. We stay busy with house projects, gardening, hiking, camping, and seeing friends and family. We’re also avid travelers and love picking new destinations to explore. You’ll almost always find me outside, listening to music, and probably with a snack in hand.