December 10, 2024
Introducing Diana Acosta! Diana has been with the firm for over 10 years and has grown with the firm, holding several different positions on the paralegal team. She outlines her incredible journey at the firm — read below to learn more about Diana Acosta!
- How long have you been at the firm?
10 and a half years. - What is your current role?
I am the Immigration and Process Trainer at the firm. I primarily collaborate with colleagues, who, in many ways, are my clients. My role centers on onboarding and training new employees, as well as conducting ongoing training for existing team members — especially when government policy changes impact our work. Additionally, I lead and collaborate in firmwide initiatives to create and improve processes, ensuring we operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. - How has your job changed over the years?
When I started as a junior paralegal, my role looked completely different. I joined Klasko with no prior knowledge of business immigration, and now I’m the one training new paralegals on the subject! I’ve also served as a Senior Paralegal and Supervisor Paralegal, before moving into a training role. Over the past decade, my responsibilities have shifted from casework to onboarding, training, and process optimization.
Another major change is my work environment. Ten years ago, I worked in the Philadelphia office five days a week, back when the firm was largely paper-based. Today, I work fully remote from my home office in Denver, CO, with a workflow that’s entirely digital—I can go days without touching a single piece of paper!
The transition to a remote, paperless setup speaks to how much the firm has evolved, leveraging technology to improve flexibility and efficiency. My current role and work arrangement would’ve been unimaginable to me when I first started, but it’s exciting to see how much both the firm and I have grown together. - What is your favorite memory from your early days at the firm?
Some of my favorite memories from my early days at the firm revolve around the amazing friendships I built. We had so much fun spending time together in the office, during lunch breaks, and at after-work hangouts.
My absolute favorite memory is from September 2015, when a group of us paralegals—many of us sharing September birthdays—organized an all-day “mega birthday party.” We even made invitations with bios and official photos of the honorees and mapped out a party plan that took us all across the city. The day kicked off with brunch at one paralegal’s house, followed by a hike in the Wissahickon. In the afternoon, another paralegal and I rushed to my house to cook for a party of about 15, hosting dinner there before heading to game night at another colleague’s home. The grand finale was a night of dancing at the Barbary in Fishtown.
It was an unforgettable day, filled with laughter and camaraderie, and it solidified the incredible friendships I’ve been so lucky to have at the firm. - What do you value most about working at KILP?
My colleagues! I’m fortunate to work with such knowledgeable, talented, kind, respectful, and genuinely funny people. The work we do is incredibly meaningful, helping our clients and their foreign national employees navigate life-changing opportunities. But getting to do that work alongside such an amazing team makes it all the more rewarding. - What has been one of the more challenging times?
Like many of my colleagues, I’d point to October 2020 as one of the most challenging times. That month brought the biggest work rush I’ve ever experienced—hundreds of foreign nationals suddenly became eligible to file their green cards. For many of them, this was a moment they had waited years, some even over a decade, to reach. The stakes were incredibly high, and we knew we had to deliver.
We worked around the clock—literally—with moments where it felt like the work might never end. But through teamwork, determination, and sheer grit, we got through it. In hindsight, while it was one of the hardest months of my career, it was also one of the most fulfilling, knowing how much we accomplished and what it meant to so many people. - Anything else you want to share?
My time at KILP has been a rewarding journey, from starting as a junior paralegal to becoming the firm trainer. I’ve grown so much professionally while building strong friendships and tackling challenges like October 2020. It’s been exciting to contribute to meaningful work alongside such talented colleagues.
Stay tuned to our 20th Anniversary page for more updates and staff features!
