President‟s Messagethe Paralegal Section on a job well done last year and expects great things...
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Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011 Page - 1 In This Issue January General Membership Recap * Page 2 Meet David Small of Texas Black Film Festival * Page 3 May 6, 2011 Diversity University * Page 4-5 Ezekiel “Zeke” Tyson delivers a Knockout Presentation * Page 6 ToyaWalker's Blog * Page 7 Editors Note * Page 7 NALA Annual Convention * Page 8 JLTLAPS Year Calendar * Page 9 President‟s Message By Tangela Amos Greetings JL Turner Legal Association Paralegal Section, As I consider the associations‟ 2011 goals, objectives, and accomplishments, I am constantly reminded of JL Turner‟s rich history. Decades before now great lawyers and community leaders including C.W. Asberry, L.A. Bedford, Jr., C.B. Bunkley, Jr., W.J. Durham, Kenneth F. Holbert, D.B. Mason, Robert Rice, L. Clayton River, U. Simpson Tate, J.L. Turner, Jr. and Romeo Williams mounted together to form a relentless supporting bond. They formed a relentless bond that would see them through many obstacles and help them to overcome many barriers. It is their ideals that motivate me as the 2011 Paralegal Section President to keep the mission and the purpose of the association actively moving and engaging in affairs that matter. Let us keep the legacy alive and continue to push towards a renewed spirit of success. This year we have many opportunities to involve and to busy ourselves in community and career development efforts. Let us do so with great pride and commitment. I look forward to and I am gratified by the support of our current members and am enchanted by the new members who will share the goals and vision of the association. May we continue to have a blessed year of service. Tangela Amos The Paralegal Press Delivering E-News You Can Use (Newsletter of the Paralegal Section)
Transcript of President‟s Messagethe Paralegal Section on a job well done last year and expects great things...
Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
Page - 1
In This Issue
January General Membership Recap
* Page 2
Meet David Small of Texas Black
Film Festival * Page 3
May 6, 2011 Diversity University
* Page 4-5
Ezekiel “Zeke” Tyson delivers a
Knockout Presentation * Page 6
ToyaWalker's Blog * Page 7
Editors Note * Page 7
NALA Annual Convention * Page 8
JLTLAPS Year Calendar * Page 9
President‟s Message By Tangela Amos
Greetings JL Turner Legal
Association Paralegal Section,
As I consider the associations‟
2011 goals, objectives, and
accomplishments, I am
constantly reminded of JL
Turner‟s rich history. Decades
before now great lawyers and
community leaders including
C.W. Asberry, L.A. Bedford,
Jr., C.B. Bunkley, Jr., W.J.
Durham, Kenneth F. Holbert,
D.B. Mason, Robert Rice, L.
Clayton River, U. Simpson
Tate, J.L. Turner, Jr. and
Romeo Williams mounted
together to form a relentless
supporting bond.
They formed a relentless bond
that would see them through
many obstacles and help them
to overcome many barriers.
It is their ideals that motivate
me as the 2011 Paralegal
Section President to keep the
mission and the purpose of the
association actively moving
and engaging in affairs that
matter. Let us keep the legacy
alive and continue to push
towards a renewed spirit of
success.
This year we have many
opportunities to involve and to
busy ourselves in community
and career development
efforts. Let us do so with great
pride and commitment.
I look forward to and I am
gratified by the support of our
current members and am
enchanted by the new
members who will share the
goals and vision of the
association. May we continue
to have a blessed year of
service.
Tangela Amos
The Paralegal Press Delivering E-News You Can Use
(Newsletter of the Paralegal Section)
Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
Page - 2
January General Membership Meeting
January 15, 2011
By: Carla Dennis, Tax Paralegal, Jones Day
At the first meeting of the 2011 membership year,
the newly elected officers were introduced to the
membership by President Tangela Amos who
discussed her goals for the year, events the
Paralegal Section would be involved in, and asked
members to commit to participate in or chair
certain events during the year. Each member was
asked to complete a Member‟s Personal and
Professional Goal Questionnaire to be used to
compile a database that will include information
related to the member‟s current area of
expertise/area of law, interests, hobbies,
professional goals and to find out how the JLTLA
PS can help each member accomplish his or her
professional goals. Members were also asked to
complete the End of the Year Survey in order for
the officers to obtain feedback about the 2010
membership year and what improvements can be
made in 2011.
President Amos asked each member to make a
commitment to participate in at least two legal
clinics held by the Dallas Volunteer Attorney
Program (“DVAP”). Monique Scott, a member
and paralegal with DVAP gave a brief overview of
the legal clinics and discussed the great need for
volunteers at each clinic located in different areas
in the community.
JLTLA President Eric Blue spoke to the
membership and stated that he would like to see
more members get involved with the association
and work more in the community. He commended
the Paralegal Section on a job well done last year
and expects great things again in 2011.
Toya Walker, JLTLA PS Vice President/President-
Elect, spoke briefly on each of the events
scheduled for the year and asked members to
consider signing up to help out at one of the events
as the chair, co-chair or as a participant. More
information on all of the upcoming events will be
discussed at future meetings and listed in each
newsletter.
At the first meeting of the 2011 membership year, the newly elected officers were introduced to the
membership by President Tangela Jackson who discussed her goals for the year, events the Paralegal Section
would be involved in, and asked members to commit to participate in or chair certain events during the year.
Each member was asked to complete a Member‟s Personal and Professional Goal Questionnaire to be used to
compile a database that will include information related to the member‟s current area of expertise/area of law,
interests, hobbies, professional goals and to find out how the JLTLA PS can help each member accomplish his
or her professional goals. Members were also asked to complete the End of the Year Survey in order for the
officers to obtain feedback about the 2010 membership year and what improvements can be made in 2011.
President Jackson asked each member to make a commitment to participate in at least two legal clinics held by
the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (“DVAP”). Monique Scott, a member and paralegal with DVAP gave
a brief overview of the legal clinics and discussed the great need for volunteers at each clinic located in
different areas in the community.
JLTLA President Eric Blue spoke to the membership and stated that he would like to see more members get
involved with the association and work more in the community. He commended the Paralegal Section on a job
well done last year and expects great things again in 2011.
Toya Walker, JLTLA PS Vice President/President-Elect, spoke briefly on each of the events scheduled for the
year and asked members to consider signing up to help out at one of the events as the chair, co-chair or as a
participant. More information on all of the upcoming events will be discussed at future meetings and listed in
each newsletter.
JLTLAPS President Tangela Amos and
JLTLA President Eric Blue
Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
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February General Membership Meeting
February 12, 2011
By: Carla Dennis, Tax Paralegal, Jones Day
On February 12, 2011, David Small, a sports and
entertainment attorney and founder of the Texas
Black Film Festival, spoke to the members
regarding the paralegal's role and opportunities
with respect to sports and entertainment law. He
also discussed the Texas legislation that was
passed with respect to Black filmmakers.
Mr. Small asked members of the Paralegal Section
to get involved in the community by volunteering
to assist with the Texas Black Film Festival that
was held in Dallas from February 23-27, 2011 at
the Studio Movie Grill. Several members
volunteered at the film festival, along with
President Tangela Amos, who is also one of the
co-founders of the film festival.
JLTLAPS V.P. Toya Walker and Attorney David
Small
Attorney David Small and JLTLAPS New
Member Maxine Shephard
Attorney David Small addressing the
meeting attendees.
Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
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UPCOMING EVENT - DIVERSITY UNIVERSITY
Friday, May 6, 2011
WILL YOU BE THERE?
Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
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Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
Page - 6
What a knockout!
Attorney Ezekiel “Zeke” Tyson,
Jr. gave a knockout presentation
to the JLTLA Paralegals during
our March monthly meeting
where he talked about What
Paralegals Should Know about
Criminal Law from a Criminal
Defense Lawyer‟s Perspective.
Since being admitted to the
Texas Bar in 2002 and then
establishing the Tyson Law Firm
in 2004, Mr. Tyson has tried
over 100 State, Federal, and civil
trials to verdict. He has achieved
not guilty verdicts on various
cases including murder, felony
assault, and driving while
intoxicated (DWI) cases.
Mr. Tyson has been honored by
the Dallas Bar Association of
Young Lawyers as „One to
Watch‟ and he is Definitely one
to watch because he has been
featured or mentioned by The
Dallas Morning News, The Fort
Worth Star Telegram, Fox 4,
NBC 5, and recently featured on
an episode of the hit A&E
television show: The First 48!
(http://bcove.me/k1d84ov3)
Mr. Tyson shared his knowledge
of criminal cases beginning with
probable cause, then obtaining a
bonding company, the different
types of criminal cases
misdemeanors and felonies, the
two types of probation, and
convictions.
He commended our District
Attorney Craig Watkins for
doing a great job with moving
Dallas forward 40 years
overnight. He also commended
the Dallas County Clerk and
Dallas District Clerk for
implementing the online process
at the criminal courts. He noted
that the online process is painful
in the beginning but it is
ultimately, where we [Dallas
County] need to be.
After giving an illustrious
demonstration of some of the
cases that he previously tried, the
audience was truly engaged and
amazed, at the types of cases that
Mr. Tyson took on, that rendered
favorable jury verdicts for his
clients.
We can see how Mr. Tyson
delivers a knockout not only in
the courtroom, but also at our
meeting. With this type of
energy in the ring, he will
continue to have a winning
record for his firm!
Attorney Ezekiel “Zeke” Tyson delivers a Knockout Presentation
to JLTLA Paralegals
By: Toya Walker, Litigation Paralegal (Allen Stewart, P.C.)
Tyson Legal Center
342 W. Montana Ave
Dallas, Texas 75224
(214)942-9000
www.thetysonlawcenter.com
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EX EA COMMODO CONSEQUAT DUIS. UT WISI ENIM AD
Who Am I: I am Toya Walker,
your 2011-2012 Vice
President/President-Elect. I‟m
the proud mother of our mascot,
Korbin, and I‟m also a Litigation
Paralegal with a little over 9
years of experience. I am a
proud Alumni of Southern
University-Baton Rouge
campus. Go JAGS! I am also a
member of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc. Last but
definitely not least, I am the
newly elected District 2
Director for the State Bar of
Texas Paralegal Division!
What I love about Life: One of
the greatest things that I love
about life is a challenge. I love a
challenge because it brings me to
new levels.
Favorite quote: My favorite
new quote is "Faith is taking the
first step even when you don't
see the whole staircase"-Author
Unknown
Two things that I like most: Positive people and positive
outcomes.
Two things that I like least: Negativity and Pessimists.
What I understand about the
things I like most and the
things I like least: I have to live
with them both but how I
respond to each is what makes
all the difference in the world.
We Want to Feature
You in the Fall Edition.
The PPress would like to
feature you in the fall edition. Do
you or someone you know fit in
one of these categories? If so,
please email Andrea at
* Paralegals who work in
criminal law, family law, probate
law or intellectual property?
* Trial paralegals who would
like to share helpful trial tips
and/or interesting stories.
Toya Walker's Blog 2011-2011 Vice-President/President-Elect
Litigation Paralegal (Allen Stewart, P.C.)
EDITORS NOTE
As I reflect on the first quarter of 2011, what stands out the most is the vast amount of knowledge and tips I have
come across as a member of certain paralegal groups on LinkedIn. Many people feel LinkedIn is for job hunters or
people boasting a career promotion. For me, it is a tremendous resource. If you are on LinkedIn, take the time to
join the following groups:
DAPA * Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas * Paralegal Gateway * Paralegal Network
Topics of interest this month: * 5 Tips for Securely Destroying Data
* Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar (TAPS) 2011 - Pearls of Wisdom -
Celebrating 30 years; October 5-7, 2011 at the DFW Marriott
* Results from the 2010 Paralegal Survey Results
Andréa
Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
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Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
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Spring Quarterly Newsletter April 30, 2011
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About the Paralegal Press
The Paralegal Press is
published quarterly by the J.L.
Turner Legal Association
Paralegal Section as a means of
sharing information and news
about the organization and its
members. Any opinions
expressed in the newsletter are
strictly those of the writer and
are not necessarily those of the
JLTLA Paralegal Section.
Publication of any articles or
other items in the newsletter does
not imply endorsement.
The Editor and Newsletter
Committee reserve the right to
edit articles submitted for
grammar, clarity and space.
Andréa Clark, Editor
Carla Dennis, Chair [email protected]
JL Turner Legal Association meets the
2nd
Thursday of the Month. Paralegal
members are encouraged to attend.
JL Turner Paralegal Section meets the
2nd Saturday of the month.
For more information, Contact Tangela
Amos [email protected]
Visit Our Website at
www.jltla.org
JL Turner Legal Association
President Eric Blue
Akin Gump Straus Hauer & Feld, LLP
1700 Pacific, Suite 4100
Dallas, TX 75201
214-969-4692
214-969-4343 FAX
President-Elect
Lori Brooks Hayward
Law Office of L.J. Hayward
835 E. Lamar Ave. Suite 258
Arlington, TX 76011
972-786-2027
Director (Immediate Past-President) Karen McCloud
Law Office of Karen D. McCloud, PC
3102 Maple Avenue
Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75201
214-651-6700
214-651-6701 FAX
2011 Paralegal Section
Officers/Board of Directors
Tangela Amos,
President/Chair
Toya Walker,
Vice President/President Elect
Sandra Key, Secretary
Phyllis Cephus, Treasurer
Loren Gilbert-Smith, Parliamentarian
Vivian Duren, Membership
Denisha Adams, Events
Planning/Fundraising
Terri Ford, Member-at-Large
Carla Dennis, Director/NALA Liason
