The Paralegal Press Delivering E-News You Can Use

(Newsletter of the Paralegal Section)

Quarterly, July 2010 Volume 1, Issue 1

President’s Message By Carla Dennis, Paralegal, Jones Day

Welcome to the first edition of The Paralegal Press, the quarterly e-newsletter of the J. L. Turner Legal Association - Paralegal Section. I am so excited to be launching our first e-newsletter to keep you informed of what’s going on in the Paralegal Section. This newsletter is designed to give you a closer look at the meetings and members, activities, and upcoming events sponsored by the Paralegal Section. We will bring you interesting and informative articles written by our members and other

interested parties, about the paralegal profession, various legal issues and the legal field in general. When I started my term as the 2010 Paralegal Section President this year, I set several personal goals that I would like to see the Paralegal Section accomplish this year, which I shared with the members in my first President’s Message in early March. My number one goal is to empower the members so that we can work together to bring about positive changes in the association. I can see and feel the positive changes that are already taking place this year, which makes me very happy and excited about what the future holds for the Paralegal Section. There has

been overwhelming support from the membership this year through attendance at the meetings, participation in the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (“DVAP”) legal aid clinics and the increase in our membership. My hope for the Paralegal Section is that we will continue to grow in number and expand our membership base, become more visible in the legal community through our involvement in various activities, interact more with other paralegal associations such as NALA and DAPA, and plan events that will keep you motivated and get you more involved in working towards making this another successful year. Continued on Page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

President’s Message 2

Best Wishes Graduates 2

JLTA Paralegal Section 3

Featured Paralegal and Student of Quarter 4

Dallas County’s Digital Courtroom Project 5

Upcoming Events 6

El Centro’s Paralegal Career Fair 7

Welcome New Members 8

What Firms Really Want in a Paralegal 9

Chief Justice Carolyn Wright Honorary Membership Presentation 10

Paralegal Section Happy Hour/Scholarship Events 11

Our Facebook Page 13

Paralegal Section Officers and Committee Members 14

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President’s Message Continued

Congratulations and best wishes for a successful

future to

Tannell Davis Lesley Coffey

for completing the paralegal program at

El Centro College.

We have been really busy this year, starting with our first meeting. JLTLA President, Karen McCloud, was our first speaker of the year. In February, Frederick Lewis, arbitrator and mediator, spoke to us about the mediation and arbitration process. At the March meeting, our 2010 Vice President Tangela Jackson and Lamont Aldridge, licensed process servers in the State of Texas, gave presentations regarding process serving in Texas. The month of April was a busy month, beginning with our monthly meeting where John Warren, Dallas County Clerk, and Gary Fitzsimmons, Dallas County District Clerk, gave a presentation to the members on E-Fling in Dallas County. Immediately following the April meeting, members of the Paralegal Section traveled to El Centro College to participate in their Paralegal Fair. On April 20th, we

participated in a Law Day event at the Belo with DAPA. On the social front, several members participated in a Nite Out with Poetry and Jazz at the Black Academy of Arts & Letters, and we held our first happy hour of the year at the Catalina Room. As you can see, we have a lot of fun, exciting and informative continuing legal education programs and other events planned for this year. The Paralegal Section Officers and I are constantly looking for new ways to improve the section and are making changes that we feel will benefit the membership the most. We hope that as many members as possible will take more of an active role and get involved in helping us accomplish the goals we have set for the Section this year. We would appreciate you sending us any

ideas or comments as to what you think we can do to get you more involved and increasing our membership. Your opinion is very important to us, and the Section will only be successful if we are all dedicated, committed and work together to bring about the positive changes I know we all, as African-American paralegals, want to see for the association. Please feel free to contact me at cydennis@jonesday.com, or any of the officers, if there is something you would like to discuss or see happen within the Paralegal Section. I hope to see you at the next meeting!

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What Is the JL Turner Paralegal Section The J.L. Turner Legal Association Paralegal Section (“JLTLA Paralegal Section” or “Paralegal Section”) is a committee of the J.L. Turner Legal Association (“JLTLA”). Founded in 1952, the J.L. Turner Legal Association is the African-American Bar Association in Dallas, Texas. JLTLA is an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life in our community through education, service and scholarship. The Paralegal Section is a voluntary non-profit organization composed of paralegals/legal assistants working in all areas of the law who are interested in furthering their professional development and dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession. The Paralegal Section is devoted to the training and professional development of paralegals and students who aspire to one day become paralegals. It is dedicated to promoting the professional objectives and goals of paralegals, and encourages and conducts programs of continuing legal education and professional development to assist in enhancing the paralegal’s career as a whole. The purpose of the JLTLA Paralegal Section is to promote and encourage professional development in all areas of law and to ensure equal justice in the community through education, scholarship and service. The Paralegal Section’s main goal is to foster an environment of professional growth for African-American paralegals by conducting and administering programs to enhance overall knowledge and understanding of the law, legal procedures and codes of conduct, and to advance the legal and paralegal profession through strategic alliances between the private and public sectors.

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. Please submit information regarding the paralegal profession, notices of upcoming events, meetings, or other materials that you would like included in the quarterly newsletter to the Editor, Andréa Clark, Editor, at andrea@paralegalace.com no later than the 25th of each month. Monthly submissions will be added in the next quarterly edition. An email will be sent as a reminder when article submissions are due. To produce the newsletter to reach our membership in a timely manner, the above deadline must be adhered to, and any material not received within 5 days of the email requesting articles, will not be featured in the quarterly edition. Your cooperation, understanding and appreciation in meeting our deadline will be greatly appreciated. Pictures must be submitted in jpeg format. The Editor and Newsletter Committee reserve the right to edit articles submitted for grammar, clarity and space.

The Paralegal Press

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Meet Our Featured Paralegal Sandra Key

Sandra Key

Meet Student of the Quarter Denisha “Niki” Adams

Denisha “Niki” Adams

Our featured member this quarter is Sandra Key. Sandra has been a member of the Paralegal Section since 2008, is currently the 2010 Secretary, and is the Co-Chair of the Bylaws Committee. She is a NALA certified paralegal and received her TBLS certification in civil trial law from the State Board of Legal

Specialization in December 2009. She is currently a litigation paralegal for the law firm of Bellinger & DeWolf and has been a paralegal for the past 15 years. She graduated from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and received her paralegal certificate from Southeastern Paralegal Institute.

She has one daughter, enjoys traveling, reading, shopping and spending time with family and friends.

Our featured student this quarter is Denisha "Niki" Adams. Denisha is currently enrolled in the paralegal program at El Centro College and is expected to

graduate in December 2010. Denisha has been a member of the Paralegal Section since 2009 and is the 2010 Chair of the Events/Fundraising Committee. She is one of the student liaisons for the Paralegal Section and has recruited many students who are now members. She has planned “Nite Out” at the Black Academy

of Arts & Letters, and the first happy hour of the year at the Catalina Room. She is an ADR Mediator and honor student at El Centro College. She is married with three children and enjoys traveling, social events, volunteer work, and being with family and friends. She became a paralegal as a career change and found that it was a great way to help others. She has turned a career change into a passion that she loves.

Save the Date The August Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Urban League of Greater Dallas.

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John Warren and Gary Fitzsimmons’ E-Filing Presentation: The 21st Century is Here! The Clerk’s Digital Courts Project

Article written by Toya Walker, Litigation Paralegal (Allen Stewart, P.C.)

On Saturday, April 10, 2010, John Warren, Dallas County Clerk and Gary Fitzsimmons, Dallas County District Clerk were the featured speakers at the monthly meeting. Mr. Warren and Mr. Fitzsimmons delivered an outstanding PowerPoint presentation entitled: The 21st Century is Here! The Clerk’s Digital Courts Project. John and Gary are no strangers to the Dallas County legal community. Since taking office in 2007, both John and Gary have worked diligently to move the courts records management system into the 21st Century. Their presentation gave an accurate depiction of how court documents/records were stored in the past, how they are kept currently, and the vision for efficient records management and retrieval in the future. The digital courts project will put Dallas County on the leading edge of technological innovation. Here are a few of the pros to the new Digital Courts Project listed below:

• On Base fully replaces the old paper file in an efficient, easy to manage digital format

• Will provide attorneys remote access to the electronic case

record from their offices. Pilot testing is currently underway and full implementation in May 2010

Continued on Page 6

LEGAL CLINICS ARE A GREAT WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

If you are interested in obtaining information about volunteering at the legal clinics held by the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (“DVAP”), please contact Tangela Jackson, Community Service Chair at luvasapprocess@yahoo.com Upcoming Clinics Tuesday August 3, 2010 at 6:00 pm

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• WiFi access in the courtroom will be developed to

allow the Bar to access court records digitally without bringing paper files to the courthouse.

• Provides the public and media with fast access to court records. Access to paper records greater than 45 minutes; and

• to electronic records, less than 5 minutes.

What to Expect

• The clerks will image all incoming documents to their court and attach to the

electronic case file.

• OnBase document management system will integrate with the Sheriff’s AIS system for seamless digital process.

How will this benefit you?

• No more waiting around while the clerk tries to find your file

• No more waiting around in the Records department when you need conformed copies.

• No more missing or misplaced documents and delays

• Remote off-site access of case records will allow attorneys to research cases from their offices.

The cons to the new digital courts system is that the system is still underway but with the help of attorneys, paralegals, and the public who utilize the courts every day, the new digital era will be here to stay!

Gary Fitzsimmons, Carla Dennis and John Warren

Up Coming

Events

July 23rd Texas Rangers Game with DAPA July 30th Happy Hour at Jokes and Jazz August 14th General Membership Meeting

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El Centro College’s Paralegal Fair

April 10, 2010 The J.L. Turner Legal Association and the Paralegal Section were invited to participate at El Centro College’s Paralegal Fair held on April 10, 2010. The Paralegal Section set up a table that was manned by Paralegal Section Events/Fundraising Chair and Student Liaison, Denisha Adams, along with Monique Scott, Student Liaison for the Membership Committee. Karen McCloud, JLTLA President also attended the Paralegal Fair on behalf of the J.L. Turner Legal Association and in support of the Paralegal Section. Carla Dennis, JLTLA Paralegal Section President; Vivian Duren, Paralegal Section Membership Chair; and Sandra Key, Paralegal Section Secretary also made an appearance at the Paralegal Fair after attending the Paralegal Section’s monthly meeting held at the Urban League of Greater Dallas. Denisha Adams did a fabulous job in setting up the table in a festive manner that attracted many students who showed an interest in joining the Paralegal Section. Membership applications and brochures with information about the Paralegal Section were made available to those interested in becoming members. See pictures below from the event.

Carla Dennis and Monique Scott

Debra Thomas, Denisha Adams

Carla Dennis and Monique Scott

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Are you a paralegal that enjoys writing or sharing experiences? Starting a blog is an excellent way to get started.

Here is a paralegal who not only submits articles, but has a blog.

Lynne DeVenny - Practical Paralegalism (I read her blog often, highly recommended) http://www.practicalparalegalism.com Vicki Voisin - The Paralegal Mentor http://www.paralegalmentorblog.com/

Welcome New Members

Angela Johnson Bethzaida Carrillo Shantel Jackson Jane Wallace Letitia Dyer Taisha Haynes

Leslie Coffey Teresa Moreno LaTisha Ward Sharon Brown

Cassandia Thomas

Paralegal Section’s Vendor Sponsor for the Month of May

Court Reporting Record Retrieval

Legal Placement & Staffing

Thanks to Tara Lovings with U.S. Legal Support for sponsoring our May 15th Attorney Panel Seminar

on “What Firms Really Want in a Paralegal?”

Membership Dues Reminder

So that you don’t miss out on receiving e-mail announcements about the exciting things the Paralegal Section has planned for this year, please turn in your membership application and dues as soon as possible to maintain your membership status. You can give your application to the JLTLA ParalegalSection Treasurer, Toya Walker at the next general membership meeting.

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Paralegal Section Seminar “What Firms Really Want in a Paralegal?”

May 15, 2010 Urban League of Greater Dallas

On May 15, 2010, the Paralegal Section hosted its annual seminar on “What Firms Really Want in aParalegal?” The attorneys who participated on the panel this year were Frederick Barrow, LittlerMendelson, PC; Eric Blue, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP; Robin Gant, Kane Russell Coleman andLogan PC; Karen McCloud, Rawlins McCloud, PC; and Audrey Moorehead, Law Offices of Audrey Moorehead. The attorneys provided valuable information regarding the qualities they look for in a goodparalegal and at the end of the panel discussion participated in a question and answer session. See pictures from the seminar below.

Distinguished Panel of Attorneys

Participants attentively listening Raffling Off Door Prizes

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2010 Honorary Membership Presented to Chief Justice Carolyn Wright at Paralegal Section Meeting

June 12, 2010

Urban League of Greater Dallas At the June 12, 2010 general membership meeting, the Paralegal Section presented an honorarymembership to Chief Justice Carolyn Wright of the Fifth District Court of Appeals in honor of her continued support of the Paralegal Section and the advancement of the paralegal profession. Thehonorary membership included a plaque and certificate from the Paralegal Section and was presentedto Chief Justice Wright by Tangela Jackson, Paralegal Section Vice President. The honorary membershipfee was paid for by Tara Lovings with U.S. Legal Support. Justice Wright graciously accepted herhonorary membership into the Paralegal Section for 2010, and expressed how honored she was to be recognized by the Section. Before Justice Wright accepted her honorary membership, Vicki Blanton, Senior Benefits Counsel forAmerican Airlines, Inc., and 2007 JLTLA President, spoke to the Paralegal Section about her role andresponsibilities as an attorney practicing ERISA, employee benefits and executive compensation for American Airlines. She also expressed her excitement at how much the Paralegal Section has grownand progressed since her presidency in 2007, acknowledged Loren Gilbert-Smith for her vision in 2007 to reorganize the Section and for the current leadership of Carla Dennis to keep the Section movingforward. Ms. Blanton concluded her presentation with an enlightening and heartfelt introduction ofJustice Wright, in which she talked about her professional as well as personal experiences with JusticeWright. Also present as a special “surprise” guest at the meeting, was Appellate Court Coordinator, BarbaraRosenberg, a long-time friend and colleague of Chief Justice Wright. Imagine Justice Wright’s surprise when her colleague arrived at the meeting to support her in her acceptance of this special presentationby the Paralegal Section! See pictures from the meeting below.

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Happy Hour at The Catalina Room April 16, 2010

On April 16th, the Paralegal Section had their first happy hour at the Catalina Room. The event wasplanned by Events/Fundraising Chair, Denisha Adams. Several members, students and guests attendedthe event, along with JLTLA attorneys Audrey Moorehead and Robin Gant. Also in attendance wereTara Lovings from U.S. Legal Support and Celia Gerchario from Legal Network.

Some Legal Humor (From Kierkegarrd Lives Blog)

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Paralegal Section Celebrates Law Day with DAPA

April 20, 2010 Belo Mansion

On April 20th, the Paralegal Section celebrated Law Day with the Dallas Area Paralegal Association at the Belo. The guest speaker for Law Day was Chief Justice Linda B. Thomas (Ret.). Several JLTLA Paralegal Section members won door prizes at the luncheon.

Join Our Facebook Page Andréa Clark, Editor, Co-Chair

andrea@paralegalace.com Exciting News…. we have a Facebook Page (“FBPage”). The FBPage is a tool for sharing information with other paralegals, checking out events and networking with other paralegals. It may also be used to discuss legal news and learning new information. My goal is to implement a weekly discussion where all members can participate. The discussion will stay up four days. If you already have a personal FB account, then you may search under JL Turner Paralegal Association to become a fan. If you do not have a personal FB account, stay tuned to our September newsletter edition. I will have a feature story on the use of FB in the legal profession, how to use if professionally and as a resource tool.

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Scholarship Fundraiser Happy Hour at Palomino Restaurant

June 11, 2010

On Friday, June 11th, the Paralegal Section hosted a scholarship fundraiser at Palomino Restaurant to raise funds to assist two (2) paralegal student members with college expenses for the fall 2010 semester. Among the guests in attendance at the happy hour were Vicki Blanton, 2007 JLTLA President, Emanuel Obi, 2010 JLTLA Vice President, and John Warren, Dallas County Clerk. Vivian Duren, the Paralegal Section Membership Chair, coordinated the fundraiser happy hour. The scholarship contest runs from June 11 to August 2, 2010. Please contact Carla Dennis at cydennis@jonesday.com with questions and how to obtain an Application/Qualification Sheet. The scholarships will be awarded to Paralegal Section members only. Participants will be required to submit a Qualification Sheet, proof of enrollment in a college, university or paralegal school/certificate program, along with a 2 to 3 page essay.

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2010 Paralegal Section Officers/Board of Directors

Carla Dennis, President and Chair cydennis@jonesday.com Tangela Jackson, Vice President luvasapprocess@yahoo.com Sandra Key, Secretary skey@bd-law.com Toya Walker, Treasurer twalker@allenstewart.com Loren Gilbert-Smith, Parliamentarian lorengs@yahoo.com Linder McIntosh, Historian linder.mcintosh@alston.com Vivian Duren, Membership vduren@krcl.com Denisha Adams, Events Planning/Fundraising nikiadams7@aol.com Terri Ford, Member-at-Large terri.ford@dallascityhall.com Georgette Collins, Immediate Past President wifecollins1@prodigy.net

2010 Committees Chair & Co-Chair

Bylaws Committee Terri Ford, Chair terri.ford@dallascityhall.com Sandra Key, Co-Chair skey@bd-law.com CLE Committee Carla Dennis, Chair cydennis@jonesday.com

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 Carla Dennis cydennis@jonesday.com Visit our website at www.jlta.org JL Turner Legal Association President Karen McCloud Rawlins McCloud, P.C. 3102 Maple Avenue, Suite 400 Dallas, Texas 75201 (214)800-2397 kmccloud@karenmccloud.com President Elect Eric Blue Akin Gump Straus Hauer & Feld, LLP 1700 Pacific, Suite 4100 Dallas, TX 75201 214-969-4692 214-969-4343 FAX eblue@akingump.com Director (Immediate Past-President) Art E. Anthony Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell ,LLP 2200 Ross Ave, Suite 2200 Dallas, TX 75201 214-740-8407 214-756-8407 FAX aanthony@lockelord.com

Community Service Committee Tangela Jackson, Chair luvasapprocess@yahoo.com Co-Chair - Vacant Employment/Job Committee Wandra James, Chair wjames2@dot.state.tx.us Events Planning/Fundraising Committee Denisha Adams, Chair nikiadams7@aol.com Phyllis Cephas, Co-Chair phylliscephas@hotmail.com Membership Committee Vivian Duren, Chair vduren@krcl.com Terri Ford, Co-Chair terri.ford@dallascityhall.com Newsletter/Website Committee Carla Dennis, Chair cydennis@jonesday.com Andréa Clark, Editor, Co-Chair andrea@paralegalace.com