Post on 29-Aug-2020
Fourth Quarter, 2002 October, 2002
IN THIS
ISSUE
CLAYTON
COLLEGE &STATE
UNIVERSITY
PARALEGAL
STUDIES
PROGRAM
•SPOTLIGHT ON
GAPMEMBERS
•ANIMAL LAW
CLE SEMINAR
•REPORT FROM
NFPA’S FALL
CONVENTION
•NEW
MEMBERS
WELCOMED
•GAP
CORPORATE
SPONSORS
•CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
Why We Matter To This World - When you distillto the fundamentals of this statement, one can arriveat very few things that really matter. Goodness,compassion, and generosity are experiences thatassure us that our lives have mattered.
There is always time to give to those in need. Weall tend to take for granted many things, that manypeople struggle with on a daily basis. Health andsafety, food and water, friends and family, places togo and people to see in times of need are just a fewbasic things that come to my mind. I know all ofyou can think of many others. Community serviceis an excellent way to do good and feel good.Whether by volunteering your time or donatingitems that others may be able to use – I guaranteeyou will feel like you have made a difference in atleast one life.
The Genesis Shelter is a residential shelterfor homeless newborns and their families.Services for shelter residents include:childcare, parenting education, abuse/neglectprevention, individual/family counseling, jobtraining and placement, drug abusecounseling, GED and literacy, life skillstraining and housing counseling.
Volunteers are encouraged to help withvarious fun activities for children ages 2-12while parents attend educational sessions.Donations are always needed andappreciated. Both women’s and children’sclothing items, pillows, diapers, wipes, towelsare all good items to bring to the shelter.
Please call The Genesis Shelter to volunteeror for details and directions: 404.879.2775
GAP Community Service ProjectCorporate Sponsor Joe Phillips, Legal Eagle
Joe Phillips of Legal Eagle gives donationto the Genesis Shelter
The Toddler Room
GAP COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT:THE GENESIS SHELTER
�������������Newsletter of the Georgia Association of Paralegals
Charter Member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations
President
Jennifer K. Kirklandjennkirkgap@aol.com
Sr. VP/NFPA Secondary
Marcus C. Limarcusli@bellsouth.net
VP - CLE
Debra K. Mulderdmulder@gidc.state.ga.us
VP Membership
Russ P. Stayanoffrusslaw2000@yahoo.com
Secretary
Linda S. Sloopelsloope@wcsr.com
Treasurer
Tracey M. Tuckerttratuck@aol.com
NFPA Primary
Gina S. Farleygsfarley@weatherlylaw.com
Newsletter Editor/Director
Denise H. McSpaddendmcspadden@kslaw.com
Job Referral Service
Sherry A. Rosengapjobs@mindspring.com
Pro Bono Co -Chair
James C. Westjwest@cpmas.com
Lex Wellsawells@gambrell.com
Past President/Board Advisor
Kim Hollomonkhollomon@georgiafamilylaw.com
Executive Administrator
Norene Quinngaparalegal@mindspring.com
2002 GAP Boardof Directors
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Jennifer K. Kirkland2002 GAP President
GAP BOARD NEWS
The GAP Board of Directors met atPresident Jennifer Kirkland’s office for theirJuly Board meeting. Topics discussed were:possibility of submitting articles to localbar newsletters and journals; discussion ofthe new Job Board now online at the GAPwebsite; discussion of the SeptemberAnimal Rights CLE; a discussion of theupcoming Probate CLE in October, andanother CLE to be held in November.
The GAP Board of Directors met at Pro BonoCo-Director Lex Wells’ office for theirSeptember Board meeting. Topics discussedwere: The online career center is up andrunning and being used; discussion of thesuccessful Animal Rights CLE in September;discussion of agenda topics for the ClevelandNFPA Convention at the end of September;dicussion of the 2003 Slate of Officers /interest; and a discussion of activities for 2003in honor of GAP’s 30th birthday.
This year has gone by fast. I have just returnedfrom the National Federation of ParalegalAssociations convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Itseems like just yesterday I was attending the SpringNFPA convention. Next year NFPA will only haveone convention. Our delegates, Gina Farley andMarcus Li represented our association very well.
As I was sitting in the policy meeting at 8:30 a.m.Saturday morning listening to the presentation ofawards, I was mentally preparing for the discussionthat was about to ensue followed by thepresentation of agenda topics. I was not preparedfor what happened next. Sharon Jurec, DivisionDirector for The Affiliates’ Cleveland office calledthe Georgia Association of Paralegals as therecipient of the Association Pro Bono Award, whichis sponsored by the Affiliates. I was so overwhelmedthat I could hardly move. Gina Farley went up toaccept the award and I sat in my seat grinning fromear to ear like a proud parent watching their childaccept the student of the year award.
I began thinking about all the hard work it tookour association to reach this point. In 1999 whenKaren Belcher was the President of GAP she askedme to serve as the GAP Pro Bono Chair when GAPhad no chair and no pro bono program. I lookedat Karen, the NFPA Vice President of ProfessionalDevelopment. We exchanged smiles. It was thatsame year at the NFPA paralegal convention inAtlanta that I met Laurie Mansell, NFPA Pro-BonoChair who is now the NFPA President. Sheencouraged me to start a pro bono committee,which I did. Laurie was standing at the podiumand I looked to her as to say, “thank you for yourguidance.”
When I formed the pro bono committee I hadseveral paralegals join. One of the first was WendyBrewer. Wendy completed GAP’s nomination forthe Association Pro Bono award in 2000. Wendy
is now with the Rochester Paralegal Association. Shewas attending the convention as Rochester’s Primary.She came up to me at the break and shared myexcitement. At the very first meeting of the GAP probono committee I met James West. I later met AlexiaWells who became the committee’s secretary. She laterwon GAP’s Pro Bono of the Year award for herdedication to pro bono service. James and Alexia joinedthe GAP Board of Directors in 2002 as Pro Bono Co-Chairs. I am so proud of the chairs and the hard workof their committee.
It is the culmination of many people that made thisaward possible. However, we would not have receivedthe award without the current pro bono Co-Chairs andtheir committee’s continued contribution to providingquality legal services to that part of the population thatotherwise could not afford it. I congratulate them. Itis truly an honor to be the President of this association.I encourage each of you to get involved with yourassociation in 2003 whether it be through pro bono orsome other means. I can’t wait to see what 2003 has instore!
2
REPORT FROM NFPA’S 2002 FALL CONVENTIONThe National Federation of ParalegalAssociations (NFPA) held its FallConvention in Cleveland, Ohio fromSeptember 26-29, 2002. This will be thelast Fall Convention scheduled, as NFPAdelegates voted at the Spring Conventionearlier this year to go back to holding oneconvention per year beginning in 2003.Many of the NFPA Regions are electing tohave Region Meetings to replace the FallConvention next year, including our RegionIII.
As GAP Primary, I represented ourmembership at the policy meetings alongwith Marcus Li, GAP Secondary. Usingthe information that we obtained via theemail survey that was sent to the GAPmembership in August, we made GAP’swishes known as agenda topics werebrought to the floor.
The results of the discussion and voting onthe five agenda topics that were outlined inour survey are as follows:
1. The resolution for NFPA to adopt andhave available general job descriptionsthat allow for a tiered career pathaccording to experience wasresubmitted by Fay Wilson-Gorring,NFPA’s Roles and ResponsibilitiesCoordinator. This same topic wasdiscussed at the Spring Convention,extensively discussed on the NFPAleaders’ list serve during the summer,and once again discussed on the floorof the Fall Convention. This time theresolution was defeated. It wassuggested by many that although theydid not want the General JobDefinition, Description and Levels tobe adopted as NFPA policy, it wouldbe appropriate to include thedescriptions in NFPA’s ParalegalResponsibilities publication, so that itwould be available for anyone wholooks to NFPA for guidance on theissue;
2. The resolution for amending NFPApolicy to define or further explain“expanding the role of paralegals” wasreferred back to committee for re-working;
3. A resolution for the formation of anInternational Paralegal Association wassubmitted by the NFPA board, for
discussion only. No vote was taken.Some points that were brought outon the subject during discussionwere: it is a great dream for thefuture, but not right now; it couldbe better addressed through a non-voting international membershipcategory of NFPA; the timing iswrong and NFPA’s focus should beon in-reach to maintain currentmembers and local associations;
4. A resolution was passed to amendNFPA’s Model Code of Ethics andProfessional Responsibility andGuidelines of Enforcement to removethe restriction for reporting onlyclinical pro bono hours so that creditwould also be given for administrativehours that further the developmentand implementation of pro bonoservices;
5. The proposed resolution for increasingthe mandatory hours for maintaininga Registered Paralegal credential wasnot brought to the floor at convention.
In addition, the following BylawAmendments were adopted at thisconvention:
1. Adoption of a newprocedure forspecial election ofRegion Directorsin the event avacancy is createdduring the term;
2. Adoption of arevised budget
3. An amendmentthat clarifies theprocedure to befollowed if theboard advisorresigns;
Thank you for theopportunity torepresent GAP as yourdelegate to thisconvention. Theperpetual sharing ofideas with otherparalegal delegatesfrom all over thecountry, as well as
sharing our desire for shaping the future ofour profession, are the things that I valuemost about my convention experience. Manytimes during those few days I found theopportunity to ask for ideas and advice, andeach time I was overwhelmed by thewillingness and eagerness of everyone to listenand learn from each other. I hope that youwill also take the opportunity to tap into thereservoir of ideas and experience that NFPAoffers to us as members.
Gina S. Farley, CLAGAP Primary
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3
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Welcome new CorporateSponsor Members!
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The AffiliatesAlexander Gallo & Associates
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4
WELCOME TO NEW GAP MEMBERSNancy A. GribbleKandace K.HarrisRobin K. Mastley
Bird & Mabrey P.C.Denise D. LanierBeth Underwood
Carter & AnsleyEva Herr
Coca-Cola EnterprisesSharon Wade Cook
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Daticon, Inc.Laurie N. Ivy, JD
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United Parcel ServiceAnna M. Zola
SPOTLIGHT ON
GAP MEMBERSThis month we spotlight member Crystal Brown
Kelly. Crystal has been a paralegal with Finnegan,Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Duner, LLP
in their Atlanta office for two and a halfyears. Her responsibilities include variousaspects of litigation, including updatingcase files, docket control, distribution ofcorrespondence and pleadings, preparingdocuments and trial notebooks, witnesspulls, assiting with appeals, and checking
case cites. Crystal says she “fell into” this area of law, however shehas discovered that she enjoys the scientific side of products thatwe use everyday and the constant variety of litigation. She receiveda BA in Art from Berry College and her paralegal certificate fromNCPT. She has been a GAP member for the past year and a half.She considers her hometown to be Covington. Crystal has beenmarried to her husband, Bill, for two years and they have twodogs together.
Sherry Rosen wins two bottles of Merlot. Sherry wasresponsible for the most New Sponsor Members in
2002 and the most directory ads
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5
DOOR PRIZES GALORE!
Special Counselrepresentative Ann Lynchpresents a Spa Sydell giftpackage to Gina Farley
Leighton Deming receives portrait as a giftfrom GAP
Beverly Odom of Lexis Nexis presented aStack of Treats from Harry & David
6
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The Pro Bono Committee haswound down its affairs for 2002 andwill start again fresh in January 2003with the appointment of a newdirector of pro bono for GAP. It hasbeen an honor for Lex Wells andmyself to serve as co-directors thisyear.
Lex has encouraged many GAPmembers to work on domesticviolence issues such as participationin the Dekalb County CourtwatchProgram and in programs to obtaintemporary restraining orders withthe Atlanta Volunteers LawyersFoundation.
Lex and myself coordinated theCommittee’s involvement withseveral projects including willdrafting for both Georgia LegalServices and Atlanta VolunteersLawyers Foundation. Another
by James C. West
PRO BONO NEWS
important AVLF project was Willsfor Firemen with which a numberof GAP members assisted.
Animal law pro bono became aparticular interest of mine this yearand that interest culminated in asuccessful GAP CLE seminar whichthe Committee conducted onSeptember 21. A sincere thanks toall those who attended and whohelped plan the seminar.
GAP’s Pro Bono Committeecoordinates two community serviceprojects each year and this year’sevents were among the mostsuccessful. April’s event benefitedSecond Chance Animal Rescues andAdoptions and October’s eventbenefited the Genesis Shelter. GAPmembers and sponsorsdemonstrated their remarkablegenerosity by donating hundreds ofitems, and sizeable cash donations,for each event.
GAP 2002Pro Bono Co-Chair
jeswt@lefkoff-duncan.com
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The number of GAP memberswanting to perform pro bonoservices was impressive this year andcontributed to a strong Committeeand the members of the Pro BonoCommittee will be recognized at aspecial dinner in their honor inNovember.
THE
PARTNERS
8
GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD
T r a c e yTucker isending herfirst termas GAPTreasurer,and willback toserve againin 2003.She has
worked in the areas of Labor andEmployment and Corporate. Traceyattended Tennessee State University whereher major was Physics. She later receivedher paralegal certificate through the GeorgiaState/Fulton County Board of EducationParalegal Studies Program.
She considers her hometown to be Dayton,Ohio. Tracey has two sons, Andre age 13,and Ferrod age 5.
Debra Mulderhas servedGAP for thepast year and ahalf as VicePresident ofCLE. She isthe actingdirector of theProfessionalEducation Division of the Georgia IndigentDefense Counsel, and has been with GIDCfor 8 1/2 years. Her focus has been oncriminal and indigent work. She says thata strong belief in the constitution, bill ofrights, and equal justice for all drew her toher position. Debra received a BS degreein Public and Social Services fromKennesaw State University with a minor inCriminal Justice.
She has served on the Advisory Boards forGeorgia Advocacy Office, Clayton StateUniversity Paralegal Program, and NationalCenter for Paralegal Training. She considersAtlanta her hometown. Debra has beenmarried for 22 years to her husband, Les.
She has three dogs, a coy and goldfish pond,and bird feeders and bird baths all over heryard.
This has been Russ Stayanoff’s first termand VicePresident ofMembership.
Russ has beenwith APAC,Inc., which is adivision ofAshland Oil,for 7 years. Hisfocus is on general libility, corporate defense,and accident investigation. He says he chosethis area of law because it is challenging andnever boring. He received a BS degree fromIndiana University, an AS degree fromVincennes University, and his paralegalcertificate from NCPT.
Russ has also served as the President of theHampton Way Condominiom Association.He considers his hometown to be Naples,Florida. Russ and his wife, Sandy, have twocats and enjoy ballroom dancing. Russ isalso a private pilot.
9
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CLAYTON COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY PARALEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM:A Quality Paralegal Education – Tuition Free!
Mara Burgar, J.D.Assistant Professor and Coordinator
CCSU Paralegal Studies Program(770) 960-2094 – Information Line
Program web site:http://www.tech.clayton.edu/paralegal
On behalf of Clayton College & StateUniversity (“CCSU”), I am pleased topresent our Paralegal Studies Program.CCSU is a SACS-accredited, four-yearuniversity located in Morrow, Georgia, 15minutes south of downtown Atlanta. Ourcampus consists of 160 wooded acres andis often referred to as the best-kept secret ofthe Southern Crescent. In this article, Ihope to reveal that secret.
The CCSU Paralegal Program takes apractical, hands-on approach to preparingour students for the job market. Somefeatures of the CCSU Paralegal Program are:
· Resume Writing Workshops· Alumni Network· Paralegal Job Notebook· Comprehensive core curriculum:
Ethics, Contracts, Torts, BusinessOrganizations, Real Estate, CivilLitigation, Criminal Law, LegalResearch and Writing
· Wide selection of electives: Health CareLaw, Intellectual Property Law,Employment Law, Family Law,Bankruptcy Law, Administrative Law,Wills/Trusts/Probate Law
· Technology Focus on Legal Softwareand Computer Applications, such asWestlaw
· Drafting assignments and other hands-on training exercises
· Section of campus library devoted toparalegal program and law books
And, now for the best part — Most studentsattend the CCSU Paralegal Programtuition-free under the Georgia HOPEGrant. The HOPE Grant (not the HOPEScholarship) is available to Georgia residentswith or without advanced degrees.Qualifications for HOPE Grant areminimal, and most of our students takeadvantage of this incredible opportunity.
All of the CCSU paralegal classes meetonce/week starting at 6 pm. We also offercertain core courses in the afternoons. Aparalegal certificate can be earned in 3semesters if a student already has a degree, orin 4-6 semesters if a student does not alreadyhave a degree. Spring semester starts inJanuary, Summer semester starts in May, andFall semester starts in mid-August. CCSU paralegal alumni are successful in large
and small law firms, multi-nationalcorporations, government agencies, andsmall companies.
A continuing legal education seminar on thetopic of animal law was conducted by GAP’sPro Bono Committee, working closely withthe CLE Committee, on Saturday,September 21. The event was very successfuland drew approximately forty-five attendeesfrom the GAP membership and the generalpublic. Six dynamic speakers, some of whomtraveled from as far away as Dallas, Texasand Tallahassee, Florida spoke on a varietyof animal law issues. Representatives of anumber of animal and humane-orientedorganizations were in attendance, with theseminar providing a good forum to bringtogether individuals from a cross-section ofthe community who handle animal issues,or who care about the humane treatment ofanimals and laws relating thereto.
Christy Lawrence of the Dallas AreaParalegal Association was the first speaker ofthe day and spoke to her experiences with
establishing an animal law section withinher association. Ms. Lawrence is also veryinvolved with the Texas State Bar’s animallaw section and spoke to that involvementas well.
Don Feare, a Texas attorney who hasextensive and impressive experiencelitigating on behalf of animals, and who isalso an instrumental member of both of theabove-mentioned sections, spoke to hisexperiences with suing governmentalentities. Mr. Feare delineated some of thecases on which he has worked and how hehas made a difference in exposing andcorrecting some of the more egregiousexamples whereby municipalities interferewith the rights of animals.
Craig Hardesty of the National Center forParalegal Training presented the linkbetween cruelty to animals and violence tohumans. The important take-away is thatanimal cruelty, unacceptable in and of itself,
ANIMAL RIGHTS CLEhas ramifications which reach beyond theabuse of the animal, impacting heavily ondomestic violence.
Andrea Lane educated the audience on therole of political action committees withinthe animal protection movement. Ms. Lanerepresents Humane USA, PAC in Georgiaand spoke of her experiences with lobbyingfor Humane, USA. The organizationdisseminates information on the record ofGeorgia politicians on animal matters.
Laura Bevan and Carolyn Danese, of theHumane Society of the United States andHumane Association of Georgia, made a jointpresentation which featured a PowerPointoverview of anti-cruelty laws in Georgia andthe southeast, with an emphasis on anti-animal fighting laws and activities.
James C. WestGAP 2002 Pro Bono Co-Chair
jeswt@lefkoff-duncan.com
11
Georgia Association of Paralegals, Inc.1199 Euclid Avenue, N.E.Atlanta, GA 30307-1509404-522-1457 • Fax: 404-522-0132email: gaparalegal@mindspring.com
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
US PostagePAID
First Class PresortPermit No 30
Dahlonega, GA
Deadline for January Issue: December 1, 2002
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Anthony’s Restaurant • 3109 Piedmont Rd5:00 Cocktails • 6:00 Dinner
Dec. 10, 2002 4th Annual GAP HolidayParty at Anthony’s
Sponsors: Document TechnologiesSelect Staffing
Feb. 4, 2003 GAP Membership DinnerMeeting
Sponsors: Paramount StaffingDocuForce
April 8, 2003 GAP Membership DinnerMeeting
Sponsor: CoCounselLEX Business Solutions