IPA Annual Paralegal Awards

The Indiana Paralegal Association, (“IPA”) gives annual awards to honor its members. Awards are given in the following categories: Paralegal of the Year, New Member Paralegal of the Year, Outstanding Board Member of the Year, and from time to time, a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The Paralegal of the Year Award has traditionally been IPA’s most distinguished award, because it is given to a member of IPA who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty and commitment to the betterment of IPA, and is recognized as being the most valued, the most respected and the most deserving of IPA members to earn this sterling reputation. 

The New Member Paralegal of the Year Award is given to an outstanding new member of IPA. Although a member less than three years, the recipient of this award quickly rises to the top of leadership and commitment to IPA.

The Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award is given to recognize an outstanding member of IPA’s Board of Directors. Board members work tirelessly in their already hectic schedules to serve the needs of its paralegal members, to educate the public and promote the paralegal profession. This award is nominated and chosen by the IPA’s Board of Directors.

The IPA Board decided that there were a few paralegals that have truly pioneered the paralegal profession and stayed through it evolution for many years. To recognize the achievements of such an individual, the Board decided that from time to time when appropriate they would award a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

IPA Award Recipients

2011
Angela White, Paralegal of the Year
Pamela S. Retherford, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Teri Tegeler, Outstanding New Member of the Year
Monica D. Dabio, Lifetime Achievement Award

2010
Heather Schuyler, Outstanding New Member of the Year
Debbie Davis, RP, Outstanding Board Member
Lauren Jones, RP, Paralegal of the Year

2009
Anita Haworth, RP, Paralegal of the Year
Monica D. Dabio, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Jillian Szalankiewicz, Outstanding New Member of the Year

2008
Courtney David Mills, Paralegal of the Year
Brenda Johnson, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Kari Lukasik, Outstanding New Member of the Year
Barbara White, Lifetime Achievement Award

2007
Diana B. Miller, Paralegal of the Year
Courtney David Mills, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Pamela S. Retherford, Outstanding New Member of the Year

2006
Kathryn J. Kurzweil, Paralegal of the Year
Cathy D. Canny, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Susan Heisler, Outstanding New Member of the Year

2005
Janet Logan, CP, Paralegal of the Year
Melissa Hopper, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Diane Brow, Outstanding New Member of the Year
Jo Acker, RP, Lifetime Achievement Award

2004
Vivianne Sventeck, Paralegal of the Year
Vivianne Sventeck, Outstanding Board Member of the Year

2003
Nicole Bieker, Paralegal of the Year
John Myers, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Nicole Bieker, Outstanding New Member of the Year

2002
Tracy Reinholt, Paralegal of the Year
Cynthia Kirchhofer, RP, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Nicole Bieker, Outstanding New Member of the Year
Edna Wallace, RP, Lifetime Achievement Award

2001
Anita Haworth, RP, Paralegal of the Year
Anita Haworth, RP, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Beth Wendling, Outstanding New Member of the Year

2000
Julie Burgess, Paralegal of the Year
Lesley Cox, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Tona Wiger, Outstanding New Member of the Year
Kathy Much Thurston , Lifetime Achievement Award (1st recipient of this award)

1999
Angela Fruchey Standifer, Paralegal of the Year
Gwendyln Stokes, Outstanding New Member of the Year

1998
Linda Howard, Paralegal of the Year
Mary Myers, Outstanding New Member of the Year

1997
Shelly Sutton, Paralegal of the Year

1996
Deborah F. Pook, Paralegal of the Year
Jennifer G. Cunningham, Outstanding New Member of the Year

1995
Kathy Much Thurston, Paralegal of the Year
Holly Brown, Outstanding New Member of the Year (formerly the Para-Potential Award)
Angela Fruchey Standifer, Paralegal of the Year (Ft. Wayne Chapter)

1994
Amy Retz, Paralegal of the Year
Elmer J. Borders, Para-Potential Award

1993
Barbara Williams, Paralegal of the Year
Janet Faulkenberg, Para-Potential Award

1991
Kathy Much Thurston, Para-Potential Award

1990
Kathleen Clark, Paralegal of the Year
Beth Linder, Para-Potential Award
Donna Fischer, President's Award

1988
Cathy Rochford, Paralegal of the Year
Vicki Fried, Para-Potential Award

1987
B. Marie Shea, Paralegal of the Year
Beth J. Kantner, Para-Potential Award