NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS (NFPA®) ANNOUNCES WILLIAM R. ROBIE LEADERSHIP AWARD


Edmonds, WA - April 30, 2013 - The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. ("NFPA") is pleased to announce that Edna M. Wallace, RP of Indianapolis, IN has been selected as the recipient of the William R. Robie Leadership Award.

Edna is an active voting member of the Indiana Paralegal Association and has been actively involved in the paralegal profession for over 30 years. In 1997, Edna became a pioneer in the paralegal landscape as the first NFPA PACE registered paralegal in Indiana and was also named to the "Who's Who in American Law" list that same year. She is also the current author of the Bankruptcy Section for the latest NFPA PACE Study Manual. Her passion and dedication to expanding the delivery of legal service is demonstrated in so many different outlets including her work on proposed Rule 2.2 -Registration of Paralegals for the State of Indiana.

NFPA is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 9,000 paralegals and is headquartered in Edmonds, WA. NFPA's core purpose is the advancement of the paralegal profession. NFPA promotes a global presence for the paralegal profession and leadership in the legal community.

NFPA - The Leader of the Paralegal Profession®
www.paralegals.org

NFPA, NFPA - The Leader of the Paralegal Profession, PACE and RP are registered trademarks of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.

NFPA is proud to announce the essay topic for the 2013 NFPA/Thomson Reuters scholarships is now available at http://www.paralegals.org/uploads/TR_Scholarship_app_2013.pdf  with the Application form.  There are two scholarships available: first place is $3,000 and second place is $2,000.

This scholarship opportunity is open to both member and non-member students of NFPA.  The deadline for submission of completed applications and accompanying documents is July 1, 2013.  Winners will be provided a travel stipend to attend the NFPA Annual Convention in Hartford, CT in October and will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, October 5.  Notification will be provided to the winners on or about August 26, 2013.

Please share this information with any students you may know and with paralegal programs in your area.

Theresa A. Prater, RP, Vice President & Director of Profession Development
NFPA

April: The speaker for Indiana Paralegal Association's April 17, 2013 Monthly Meeting is LaShonda Dillard, NFPA Region III Director. Please stay tuned for additional information. Thank you.

May: Indiana Paralegal Association's May 15, 2013 monthly meeting speaker will be Wesley Zirkle, EVP and General Counsel at Just Marketing International. Mr. Zirkle serves as Just Marketing International’s in-house counsel and primary legal advisor. Mr. Zirkle is an expert in the field of motorsports marketing and has negotiated some of the largest and most complex contracts in NASCAR, Formula One, Grand-Am, NHRA, ALMS, World Rally and other major series. His previous experience as an attorney includes nearly five years at CMG Worldwide (a leading intellectual property management and marketing agency representing such licensed icons as James Dean, George Patton, Marilyn Monroe and I [heart] NY®); where among other clients he represented Evernham Motorsports, a NASCAR team. Mr. Zirkle is a member of various associations and boards, including the Indianapolis Bar Association, having served as its Chairman of the Sports and Entertainment Executive Committee. He is a frequent speaker at law schools and at legal seminars regarding the issues surrounding motor racing and sponsorship. Specialties: Sports & Entertainment law, sponsorship, marketing law, intellectual property (with a specialty in the Rights of Publicity and Privacy), contract drafting and negotiation, and employment law. Please stay tuned for more details.

We have some informative and entertaining monthly meetings coming up in 2013. Speakers will include Attorney/Author Marianne Halbert in February; Tom Richardson of Stewart Richardson Reporting in March; and Wes Zirkle, Sports Attorney in May. Another potential speaker is LaDonna Wattley of Child Advocates to speak in April or June. If there are specific topics or speakers you would like to hear, please contact me at monthlymeetings@indianaparalegals.org.

2012-2013 PACE STUDY GROUP FORMING

November 27, 2012-January 15, 2013

One of many ways that you can study for PACE is to consider participating in a Study Group.  This method of study certainly has many advantages, the primary advantage being that you can learn from one another, especially regarding areas of the law in which you need more study.  You can glean the knowledge of other experienced paralegals in areas in which you have less experience ~ turn your weaknesses into strengths in a fun and positive environment ~ and they can learn from you.  Everyone benefits ~ helping each other in achieving their goal ~ to pass PACE.

Not only can members learn together, marshal resources, and motivate one another, but they may be able to reinforce discipline and help the members stay focused.  Group study can be more interesting than studying alone, and it allows the members to share their  learning experiences.  The group can be a sounding board in proof that "two heads are better than one.”  They bring to the table each individual member's professional and personal knowledge and experience.  Moreover, the group can utilize various media formats that may be unavailable in individual study.  Finally, the group is there for support before, during, and after the exam.

The 2012-2013 PACE Study Group Schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, November 27^th            11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 4^th               11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 11^th            11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 18^th            11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 25^th         CHRISTMAS – NO STUDY GROUP

Tuesday, January 1^st                NEW YEAR’S DAY – NO STUDY GROUP

Tuesday, January 8^th                    11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 15^th                  11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The study group will convene at Krieg DeVault LLP, One Indiana Square, Suite 2700, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 in conference room C-3.  Drinks will be provided.  Since this study group meets around lunch time, please feel free to bring your own lunch.  Please notify Angela Woodlee at awoodlee@kdlegal.com by November 21, 2012, if you plan to attend.

Several paralegals have also signed up to take the November 26^th PACE Online Review Course offered by NFPA through API (Advanced Paralegal Institute).  The cost for the online course is $395.00 for a 7-week course.  The study manual for the course (and the PACE Study Group) is $82.20 (plus s&h).    

To purchase the study manual for the course (and the study group), follow this link:

http://vig.pearsoned.com/store/product/1,1207,store-19160_isbn-0132864339,00.html. 

The Next NFPA/API PACE Online Review Course begins November 26^th.  To sign up for the online review course, follow this link:http://www.paralegals.org/default.asp?page=92

Registered Paralegals (RPs), in the past, have HIGHLY recommended that PACE candidates take the online review course to better prepare them to take the PACE Exam; however, this is your decision.  Participating in the online course is not mandatory to take the PACE Exam. 

Additional information regarding preparing and sitting for PACE can be found at: http://www.paralegals.org/default.asp?page=89. 

Please consider being part of a Study Group and congratulate yourself on taking a BIG step in developing your professional career and the  entire paralegal profession by becoming credentialed!  IPA Cares about Credentialing!  We’ll help you get there!

Debi Binkley, RP

 IPA Paralegal Credentialing Ambassador

dbinkley@boselaw.com

2012-2013 PACE ONLINE REVIEW

COURSE DATES:

Nov. 26, 2012

Jan. 14, 2013

Feb 25, 2013

April 8, 2013

May 20, 2013

July 15, 2013

Sept 3, 2013

Oct 7, 2013

Nov 11, 2013

For more information, please contact Renee Sova, Director of The Advanced Paralegal Institute (“API”), atrenee.sova@advancedparalegalinstitute.com or by phone,  toll free at 1-888-233-2019 ( office), 770-643-5341 ( local office), or via fax at 1-419-791-7802 .

PCCE and PACE Online Review Courses Start Monday, October 15^th.

Each course runs for seven weeks and covers all domains for each of the certification exams.  The cost for either the PCCE or the PACE review course is $395. At the conclusion of both students will complete an exit exam and each students will receive a score and an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses so that they will know where to focus their final preparation for the exams.

The next start date for both review courses is Monday, November 26^th. Additional courses may be added if sufficient interest is expressed.

Here is the link for additional information and to register for the PCCE review course: http://www.paralegals.org/default.asp?page=101

For more information and to register for the PACE review course follow this link: http://www.paralegal.org/default.asp?page=61

The Indiana Paralegal Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association, Paralegal Section invite you to join us for our combined monthly luncheon meeting/seminar on the topic:

Pro Bono – it’s not just for attorneys anymore!

Special guest will be Erik Chickedantz, President of the Indiana State Bar Association.

  

Date: August 15, 2012          Time: 11:45 Where: Indiana State Bar Association Conference Rooms A and B, One Indiana Square, Suite 530 [NE corner of Ohio and Pennsylvania Streets] Menu: Beef or Chicken Taco Salad Bar Refried beans Chips & Queso Cookie/Brownie Bar /  Beverages

Value:             1.0 hour CLE credit Faculty:     Dennis Frick, Indiana Legal Services, Inc. LaDonna Wattley, Child Advocates Keith Berlin, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Biographies of the faculty and President Chickedantz appear below.

 

COST Members :  $21.50 Non-Members:  $21.50 Brown Bag: $5.00   PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS BY Friday, August 10, 2012 at 5:00P.M.   Registrations for this meeting are to be made through the Indiana Paralegal Association.  You may register online at http://www.indianaparalegals.org/events; via e-mail at info@indianaparalegals. org, or you may call IPA at the telephone number below.  Be sure to bring your check to the meeting if you have called or e-mailed your registration.     IPA derives no profit from the meetings. Indiana Paralegal Association, Inc. c/o Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP 2700 Market Tower 10 W. Market Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 Telephone: (317) 686-3141 E-mail: info@indianaparalegals.org

ISBA President C. Erik Chickedantz, Fort Wayne, is a partner at the firm Hawk Haynie Kammeyer & Chickedantz. Since 1972, he has practiced law in Fort Wayne, concentrating in the areas of personal injury, commercial, construction and insurance defense litigation and, during the past several years, mediation and arbitration. He received his B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1963 and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1971. Erik served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, 1963-69, which included duty tours with the 101st Airborne Division, Vietnamese Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division.

 

He is a member of the Allen County (past president), Indiana State (president-elect, 2010-11; vice president, 2009-10; chair, House of Delegates, 2007-08; district member, board of governors, 2001-03; secretary, 1999-2000) and American bar associations; Benjamin Harrison American Inn of Court (past president); Indiana Bar Foundation (member, board of directors); and Allen County Bar Foundation (member, board of directors).

 

Erik was born in Washington, Ind., in 1941. Erik and his wife, Anita, have four grown children, Julie, Jon, Andy and Jill; a son-in-law, Brian Risley; and two granddaughters, Ali and Leah.

 

Keith Berlin is an associate at Taft Stettinius & Hollister.  He started his career at Taft and has been practicing for four years.  Mr. Berlin focuses his practice on complex commercial and environmental litigation.  He has been on the Indianapolis Bar Association's Pro Bono Standing Committee for three years and is in his first year as serving as chair of the committee.  The IndyBar's Pro Bono Standing Committee promotes equal justice by developing, facilitating, coordinating, supporting, and improving IndyBar's programs and services designed to serve the legal needs of disadvantaged residents of the City of Indianapolis and its surrounding communities while providing opportunities for IndyBar members to fulfill their professional duty and personal responsibility to provide pro bono services to those in need.

LaDonna Wattley is a Volunteer Director at Child Advocates. She made a famous training video called “Big Mama's Chair: Getting from the Company Furniture to the Kitchen Table.” Anyone who has been able to see the full version of this training can tell you its not only educational and informative but full of laughter and fun. Highly recommended!

 

Dennis Frick is a Director of the Senior Law Project of Indiana Legal Services, Inc. He has represented Medicaid clients in administrative appeals, rule-making hearings, and in state and federal court. He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He is the past chair of the Elder Law Section of the Indiana State Bar Association.

For the Indiana Paralegal Association, Inc ~ Officer & Director Swearing in & Awards Ceremony announcement, please click here.

Read the full details on IPA's Regulation page.

NFPA Rolls Out New Website - 6/1/12

www.paralegals.org

The new NFPA website is a complete redesign.  Here are some highlights:

• Reorganized menus make it easier to find topics
• Image links for the most popular topics appear in a column on the left of every page
• Many content sections have been restructured and condensed
• Explanations for jargon and confusing terms have been added
• Old information has been either updated or eliminated
• Duplicate and conflicting information reconciled
  We designed for both the technology of today and tomorrow:
• The new site will expand to utilize all the screen real-estate you have available so you don’t need to scroll as much
• For smaller displays such as smartphones and some netbooks, the site will prioritize the main content area – making the site usable even on the go
• Announcements and upcoming events columns on the home page will also show members-only information so there is no need to navigate to a special members-only page to see them (the menu bar will have additional links based on the visitor’s permissions)
• The members-only content on the old site was hidden behind a single password that was shared by the entire membership – hardly secure - now, each member signs in using the email address they have given to their association
• The leaders-only content was behind a password shared by nearly 200 people - the site uses the Leadership Directory database to determine whether that individual gets leadership access in addition to their member access
• For leaders, the leaders2 listserv is being replaced with a web-based message system - in addition to receiving announcements in email, you will also be able to look back on past messages using a special page of the website
  Behind the scenes, there are many ways the new website design will help NFPA HQ be better able to serve you and many more additions will be worked on over the summer.

Moreover, the new site’s technological underpinnings have a greater capacity for expansion.  We will be able to add new features and enhance existing ones using HQ resources, not expensive web design firms.  We feel that what we are unveiling is great in its own right, but more than that, we see it as a foundation to build upon for even more member value in the future.

Members:  If you’re having difficulty signing in please call HQ at 425-967-0045 to verify we have the correct email address for you.  Individuals should also set their preferences regarding the broadcast NFPA e-mails, whether or not to receive a paper or online copy of the National Paralegal Reporter, and/or how their entry in the Leadership Directory, if they have one, should appear.  Associations should also continually update the Leadership Directory as to Board members so that the Leadership Directory is - at all times - up-to-date.

NFPA DEADLINES

Scholarship and Award Nominations - all nominations for NFPA awards including Individual and Association Pro Bono, Paralegal of the Year, Outstanding Local Leader and Robie, as well as applications for the two Thomson-Reuter's Scholarships must be postmarked on or before July 1, 2012.  Click HERE to access the Awards Nomination Brochure.  The Awards Procedures are in Section 25 of the NFPA Procedures Manual, or contact the Vice President and Director of Profession Development at vppd@paralegals.org for more information.
 
NFPA REMINDERS

Convention Registration - Registration will be open to all members, delegates and Association as of July 1, 2012.  Please review the Convention website page for more information, or contact HQ for more information.

I also just wanted to introduce myself as the new Secretary and Director of Operations.  I look forward to serving you all to the best of my ability.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
_______________________________________
Valerie A. Dolan, RP®, Pa.C.P.
NFPA Secretary and Director of Operations

NFPA - The Leader of the Paralegal Profession®
PACE - The Standard For Excellence™