In This Issue. Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 3. Spring 2010 Volume 10, Issue 1

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3 In This Issue The Quarterly Newsletter of The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Spring 2010 Volume 10, Issue 1 Editor-in-Chief: Diana Cook Managing Editor: Jamerra Cherry Assistant Managing Editors: Maryanne Ebner Staff Writers: Kim Walker, Jamerra Cherry, Maryanne Ebner, Renee Mazzeo, Rebecca Young, Joann Williams, Charron M. Hopson-Swift, Gail Ruggeri, Tausha P. Major Newsletter Photographer: Teresa Wilson Seminar Coordinator: Gisela Miller Editorial Staff: Paula A. Wright, Barbara I. Nield, RP Adena Tuckman, Sharon DeNofa, RP Susan Witte, Gail Ruggeri Design: Mark Viggiano ABOUT THE FORUM The Philadelphia Forum is published Quarterly and is the official publication of the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals (PAP). The deadline for articles or submissions of any nature for Volume 10.2 will be June 4, The deadline for advertising space for Volume 10.2 is June 11, Annual subscriptions are included in PAP membership. The Philadelphia Forum for non-members is $8.00 per issue. If you are a non-member and would like an annual subscription, the cost is $30. Please contact Barbara Nield at (215) for additional information. PUBLISHING POLICY Articles printed in The Philadelphia Forum express the opinions of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the formal position of PAP. Letters to the Editor are welcome and can be sent to Diana.Cook@dlapiper.com. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute PAP endorsement. All materials are subject to editorial revision. Any errors or omissions in the Philadelphia Forum should be reported as soon as possible to Diana M. Cook, Editor-in-Chief, for correction in the next issue. The staff apologizes in advance for any errors. President s Message Notes from the Editor Legalman Project Welcome New Members NFPA/National Affairs Association Acknowledgements NFPA s 2010 Annual Convention NFPA/Regulation/Leadership/PACE Ambassador Joint Conference Celebrate Earth Day Paralegal Seminar Calendar January Luncheon Features Newly Elected Officers Pledge and Induction Ceremony Paralegal Association Has History of Excellence How To Successfully Balance Your Professional and Personal Committments Presented at the March Luncheon Continuing Education Was Not On My Radar Committee Notes Education Pro Bono Newsletter Professional Development Family Law Member Services Programs Pace Corner PACE Scholarship Congratulations To PACE Scholarship Winner RP LISTSERV PACE Study LISTSERV CLE s For RPs Online PACE Review Course Sample PACE Questions: PACE Study Group PACE Scholarship Entry Form Dear Wiki Going, Going, Green We ve Come a Long Way, Baby Part II: Strategic Thinking for the Paralegal: What s Your Marketing Strategy? TAUSHA S TIPS Sponsors Redacting in the Digital Age: How to Keep Sensitive Data Blacked Out.. 38 Happy Birthday PAP Members Online Jury Verdicts and Settlements Made Easy Technically Speaking: Usage and Grammar Tips Tech Tips Microsoft Is Doing it Again A Better Design, More Stability Jumping The Unemployment Line NFPA Call for Nomination Awards The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Board of Directors/ Committee Chairs Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 3

4 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE GOODBYE snow..hello FLOWERS. You can t imagine how good it feels to say those words. This winter, Philadelphia and surrounding areas have recorded the most snow fall in years and broke records in doing so. But now, spring is right around the corner and the birds are already singing. The Association had its ups and downs last year but ended on a high note. Our website is up and running with so many new changes. Please check out the new PAP News Ticker for up to the minute PAP news and events. In the very near future, members will be able to pay and register for our bi-monthly luncheons and hopefully by years end, members will also be able to register and pay for education seminars and membership. The Association is still in need of members to chair the following committees: Employee Benefits, Financial Reorganization and Immigration. All of PAP s committees have been working very hard already this year. To highlight a few, the Membership Committee has updated our Association brochure and it looks great. This brochure is used to promote our association at various college events and includes all the benefits of being a member of The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals. The PDC Committee also made some updates and most particularly, our Student Guide Book. Look for a new and improved Student Guide. The Programs Committee has scheduled an outing at the Philadelphia Zoo s Earth Day. Please check out our website events page for a calendar of committee meeting dates. Each committee offers something different and there are committees to meet each and every member s needs. I m looking forward to a great year. Throughout the year, should you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact me. Renee Mazzeo NOTES FROM THE EDITOR Hello and thank you for reading the Spring Edition of The Forum. For most of you this newsletter is your lifeline to the Paralegal Association and the paralegal profession as a whole. That being said, I once again write to all of you to ask for your help in making the Newsletter the best it can be. As I prepare for my three month hiatus from duties as Editor-In-Chief, I have reviewed the long list of tasks that come along with this position and I must reiterate it cannot be done alone. I continue to solicit articles, photos and anything news worthy you would like to have printed within The Forum. I am fortunate that Maryanne Ebner, who wears multiple hats within PAP, has graciously agreed to transition into the Editor-In-Chief position during my time away. Maryanne has been a part of the Newsletter for over 2 years and has contributed in numerous ways and I cannot thank her enough for all her help! Please send all articles, pictures and suggestions you may have to Maryanne at mebner@ lawsgr.com. Thank you, Diana Cook PAP Membership Totals for 2010 Voting Associate Individual Sustaining Institutional Sustaining Student Total Membership The Philadelphia FORUM The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

5 Legalman Project Renee S. Mazzeo, Legalman Project Coordinator The Legalman Project has been completely revamped and is now under the direction of Retired Navy Officer Stephen DiStefano acting as NFPA Armed Forces Coordinator. We are still sending packages six (6) times a year. Every mailing now goes to a different location. I have included below a list of suggested items to donate. Donations can be delivered to me or dropped off at any of the upcoming bi-monthly luncheons. We are in dire need of donations. Toiletries: Antibiotic ointment, Chapstick, lip balm, sunscreen, bug repellent, face cleaner, eye drops, saline, liquid hand sanitizer, baby wipes, foot powder, baby powder, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, nose spray, nose drops, eye drops, cough drops, allergy medicines, hand/body lotion, band aids, mole skin, soap, nail clippers, Tums, Rolaids, Tylenol, aspirin, QTips Food & Snacks: Single serving pasta, ready-to-heat soup, Lunchables, Ramen noodles, powdered drinks, granola bars, cereal bars, fruit roll-ups, raisins, beef jerky (no pork), applesauce, fruit cups, pudding cups, single serving cereal, tuna kits, hard candy, snack mix, chips, cookies, crackers, microwavable popcorn, pretzels, Pop Tarts, licorice, sunflower seeds, gum, peanuts in the shell, snack cakes, jelly beans, salt, pepper, sugar, coffee, tea Miscellaneous: Stationary, envelopes, stamps, pens, dice, travel games, puzzle books, books, magazines, plastic bags, instant cameras, small sewing kits, mini flashlights, batteries, stress balls BIG HITS: Puzzle books, tuna kits, soup, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and individual bags of cookies, chips and fruit snacks Prohibited Items: Adult material, religious material, alcohol, playing cards, and pork products. Chocolate is not prohibited but it does not travel well and usually does not arrive in great shape. Thank you for your past contributions to this very special project. Know that as with every prior mailing, our Association made several military personnel happy with our care packages and I am sure all future mailings will do the same. Welcome New Members Lori Roman (Pepper Hamilton), Carol Welch (Checkpoint Systems), Elizabeth Emory, Shekesha Robinson, Cathy L. Goslee, Jacqueline E. Jones, Irina V. Petrova, Mary French, Angela C. Farrell, Ashley Nicholes, Patrick Van Horn, Colin Mark Bonnington, Iryna Zaichuk, Jenni McCall, Linda M. McDonald, Yvonne Cruzado, Victoria L. Arneson, Fredrick S. Sassler, Elizabeth A. Luber, Dorien J. Belle, Gerard Grandzol (Special Counsel), Jason O Brien, Maureen O Hara, Michele Dougherty, Sandra Kuhn, Timothy J. Russ Jr., Terri E. Colbert, Catherine Viega, Fiona Harewood, Lynn Woznicki, Henry Jefferson, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Sharese Allford, Vicki Rosentraub, Jessica Lique, Karen Leonard, Gayle Ruggeri, Margo Smith, Christopher A. Cortese (Pepper Hamilton), Lisa Cabnet (Segal McCambridge), Donna M. Santiago, Maureen Manson (Celgene Corp.), Jeanette W. Swain, Nancy F. Freedman (Pepper Hamilton), Anne Cook (Pepper Hamilton), LaDonna Mahecha (Pepper Hamilton), Nikkia Farmer, Terra Hammett, Sandra Kuhn, Paul G. Dadario (Archer & Greiner), Carmen B. Rodriguez, T. Renee Raysor-Winstead, Donya Andrews, Lorrie DiLucido, Kounthea Ariya Chhoeung, Christina Ann Nguyen, Jamila Bishop, Coleen Abbott (Varallo), Michele Lubas (Stradley Ronon), Ashley Mathies, Dorothy Malone, Mishea Bell-Overton, Maxine DiRenza (Eckert Seamans), Dawn Cason-Downs (Eckert Seamans), Amanda Stoody (Eckert Seamans), Angie Wentzel, Kelly Plush, Rosalind Fischel, Trina N. Brown, Angela Andrews, Karen Bannon, Kathleen M. Balsley and Prudence Greco Morgan. Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 5

6 NFPA/National Affairs By Renee S. Mazzeo NFPA The National Federation of Paralegal Associations has many events/seminars planned again this year to reach its many members. Below is a list of just a few. The Scottish Paralegal Association is the newest international Associate Member Association! 2010 Pro Bono Conference - May 15-16, 2010, Phoenix, AZ The link to the attendee page and registration (online and PDF form) for the 2010 Pro Bono Conference is now posted on the NFPA home page NFPA Regulation / National Leadership / PACE Ambassadors Joint Conference - June 4-6, 2010, Washington, DC 2010 NFPA Annual Convention - October 7-10, 2010, Crowne Plaza Hotel - Cherry Hill, NJ. As many of you know, The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals is hosting this annual event. This is an event that you don t want to miss especially being this close to home. Please look at our website for constant updates about the convention. With so many paralegal associations located on the east coast, NFPA is looking forward to seeing which association has the most registered observers. PAP members can observe for free. The Pittsburgh Paralegal Association will be hosting the Region IV Spring Conference which is scheduled for April 24-25, Kim Walker and I will be attending this Spring Conference on behalf of PAP. Look for our report in the next issue of The Philadelphia Forum. Association Acknowledgements The Association would like to acknowledge and thank the following individuals and entities for their contributions to the success of the organization. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps to move our Association and the profession forward and we sincerely appreciate every donation! Sponsor / Participant Program DTI Corporate Sponsor Summit Reporting Gold Sponsor Peirce College Gold Sponsor Conant Gold Sponsor The MCS Group Silver Sponsor Coleman-Nourian Advertiser Veritext March Luncheon Sponsor Kathryn H. Crary, Esquire Estates & Trusts Committee January Guest Speaker Robert Hrouda, R.P. Estates & Trusts Committee January Guest Speaker Impact Copy Newsletter Committee February Meeting Lunch Sponsor Maurice D. Lee, III, Esquire Estates & Trusts Committee February Guest Speaker U. S. Legal Support Newsletter Committee March Meeting Lunch Sponsor Esquire Solutions Year-long lunch sponsor for PDC Committee 6 The Philadelphia FORUM The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

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8 2010 NFPA/Regulation/Leadership/PACE Ambassador Joint Conference Embracing Change! By K. Paezlè Harris, RP, CP It just so happens that the recent promise of Change in our nation s capital coincides with National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. s ( NFPA ) change in the way that we will conduct our Regulation, National Leadership, and PACE Ambassador s Conferences in Washington, D.C. beginning this year. All three of the conferences will be held simultaneously June 4th - 6th and hosted by NFPA at the Doubletree Hotel Washington in the heart of Washington, D.C. As usual, NFPA will supply our paralegals, from across the country, with notable speakers who will provide the latest information on Regulation, PACE, and Leadership. This is a great opportunity for networking while learning new things and having fun. K. Paezlè Harris, RP, CP is a certified and registered paralegal on her 6th year as a Senior Paralegal position at Cox Communications, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia where she is responsible for litigation, civil investigative demands, disputes, small claims, and attorney general complaints. Paezlè is a Certified Mediator and Georgia Neutral with an advanced paralegal certificate and is currently finishing a BS in Business Administration (Legal Studies Major) at Adams State College and plans to begin their Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree Program thereafter. On the local level, Paezlè is the Vice President of the Georgia Association of Paralegals and on the national level she is the NFPA PACE Ambassadors Coordinator. FRIDAY REGULATION CONFERENCE Friday s Regulation Conference will begin with welcoming remarks from NFPA s current President, Georgette M. Lovelace, RP, and will continue on with speakers, Tracey L. Young, RP ; Lisa Vessels, CP, FRP; David Nelson; and, several other great guests. If your association is considering tackling certification, licensure, or registration in your association s state, this is the conference for you! Even if this is an effort that will not be attempted in the near future but that you know your state will eventually investigate, it is important to learn the different types of regulation; the status of regulation efforts in other states; how to handle legal professions who are not keen on regulation; and, understanding the legislative process. This conference is an important one to attend in order to gain an understanding of what your state is likely to come up against in its future endeavor into regulation. SATURDAY & SUNDAY NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Whether you are leader-in-training or already wearing your leadership hat, NFPA s National Leadership Conference is a MUST! You will spend two days among the smartest and most experienced paralegals from across the country who are there to both learn and teach. You will gain knowledge about how to lead effectively; actively participate as you are trained and influenced; and, make friends, mentors/mentees, and connections that will prove valuable for years to come. It is recommended that, if possible, associations send a representative to this conference who is an up and coming leader. SATURDAY & SUNDAY PACE AMBASSADORS CONFERENCE This year, the PACE Ambassadors Conference is aimed at guiding associations boards and ambassadors along the steps of being a great PACE Ambassador. Ann Price, RP will be speaking on the history of PACE and current events involving PACE and the Paralegal Core Competency Exam ( PCC ); K. Paezle Harris, RP, CP will be speaking about the ins and outs of the exam and duties of the PACE Ambassador; and Suellen Honeychuck, RP, Natalie Nelson, RP, Tracey L. Young, RP, and Cindy Byfield, M.ED. IOM, CAE will all be speaking in their areas of 8 The Philadelphia FORUM The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

9 expertise as well. This year, NFPA s PACE Coordinators have gone to extra lengths to make sure that the participants go away with a wealth of knowledge and a mission to carry out: CREATE or BE a GREAT PACE AMBASSADOR in your local association! NFPA JOINT SOCIAL EVENTS DINNER AT GORDON BIERSCH FRIDAY 7PM 9PM On Friday evening, the entire group of NFPA is invited to dinner at Gordon Biertsch. Conveniently located in the heart of Washington, DC on F Street in the old Riggs Bank Building, this architectural beauty displays the traditional elegance of the Capitol. Gordon Biersch is committed to using only the freshest and finest ingredients; their restaurant showcases a passion for food. The cost is $33 per person and should be paid for during registration. This fee includes a salad appetizer, choice of one of 4 entrees, and dessert as well as soft drinks, tea/coffee and tip. TOURMOBILE SIGHTSEEING SATURDAY 7PM 10:30PM On Saturday evening, the entire group of NFPA is invited to hop on the live narrated shuttle tours of the Tourmobile to SEE WASHINGTON BY NIGHT. Spend a memorable twilight amidst Washington s illuminated points of interest. Enjoy timed visits at the Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt, Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam Veterans and WW II Memorials. The cost is $30 per person and should be paid for during registration. Those who went on this tour in 2005 really enjoyed it. The DC monuments are beautiful and moving during the daylight but even more so at twilight. Dinner will be on your own, but you can purchase food at one of the many food vendors at Union Station and bring it with you on the open air bus. REGISTRATION INFORMATION There is no cost for the conference if you are NFPA members; however, you are responsible for your travel and hotel expenses. Lunch on Friday and Saturday are included with your registration. Please register for one or more of the conferences at and make your reservations for the Doubletree Hotel Washington by calling The hotel cost is $150 per night and includes full breakfast for two persons per room. GETTING TO WASHINGTON, D.C. Getting to Washington, D.C. is easy. Three major airports serve the area and offer flights on both traditional and discount air carriers, including Southwest, Jet Blue, Frontier, Air Tran, Midwest Express and most major carriers. Of the three airports, Washington Reagan National Airport (code DCA) is the closest to DC and the Metro (subway) comes right to the airport and can take you to a station near the hotel. Taxis are also plentiful, and the blue bus Supershuttle and Washington Flyer also provide transportation into the City. Reagan airport is actually in Arlington, VA, just across the Potomac from D.C. Dulles International Airport (code IAD) is about 15 miles west of D.C. You would need to take a taxi into D.C. or you could use the Super Shuttle or Washington Flyer express busses. BWI airport is near Baltimore, about 45 minutes north of D.C. There are several ways to get to D.C. from BWI, including an Amtrak train from BWI station to Washington s Union Station, taxis (the most costly), Washington Flyer, or Super Shuttle. Amtrak offers many trains throughout the northeast corridor to Washington, D.C. s Union Station. From Union Station, you could take the Metro Red line to DuPont Circle or an easy cab ride. Taxis in D.C. operate on a meter system. We look forward to seeing you in our Nation s capital in June and hope that you embrace this change for the better in our 2010 NFPA Joint Conference! Call For Submissions The Newsletter Committee and Professional Development Committee of the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals are pleased to announce "The Student Corner," a new addition to our highly acclaimed newsletter, The Philadelphia Forum. We encourage current students to submit original articles relating their paralegal student experiences, aspirations and observations. Please disseminate the following information to your staff and students. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions, comments, or concerns. All student articles are to be submitted for editorial review, please submitt articles via to Maryann Ebner: mebner@lawsgr.com. Once the articles have been reviewed, the student will be contacted by a Committee member with further instructions or information. Please note that we will only contact those students whose articles have been accepted. Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 9

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11 Paralegal Seminar Calendar Gisela Miller Thursday, March 25, :00 p.m. ET length: 1 hr 30 min. Live Teleconference Ethics for Paralegals Lorman Education Services ID: Wednesday, March 31, :00 p.m. ET length: 1 hr 30 min Live Teleconference Essential Discovery Skills for Paralegals Lorman Education Services ID: Friday, April 9, 2010 Estate Planning and Recovery for Elderly National Business Institute The Radisson Plaza Warwick 1701 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA Monday, April 19, 2010 PACE Review Course (seven week on-line review course) NFPA - Thursday, April 22, :00 p.m. ET length: 1 hr 30 min Live Teleconference Paralegal s Role at Trial Lorman Education Services ID: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 Update HR Law National Seminars Training Crowne Plaza 1800 Market Street Philadelphia, PA Monday, June 7, 2010 PACE Review Course (seven week on-line review course) NFPA - Wednesday, June 9, 2010 Fundamental Probate Procedures and Practice National Business Institute Crowne Plaza 1800 Market Street Philadelphia, PA Thursday, June 10, 2010 Essential Skills of Dynamic Public Speaking National Seminars Training Crowne Plaza 1800 Market Street Philadelphia, PA Friday, June 25, 2010 Microsoft Excel National Seminars Training Holiday Inn Express Midtown 1305 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA Monday, July 19, 2010 PACE Review Course (seven week on-line review course) NFPA - This calendar is supplied as a benefit and service to the members of the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals (PAP) and as a courtesy to the Paralegal Community of Philadelphia. It is intended for informational purposes only. These seminars are not necessarily endorsed nor organized by PAP. Please contact the seminar groups indicated for further information Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 11

12 January Luncheon Features Newly Elected Officers Pledge and Induction Ceremony Ronald C. Mayberry O n January 12, 2010, the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals held its first luncheon of 2010, at the beautiful and elegant Sofitel Hotel in Center City. The guest speaker for January s luncheon was Scott Cooper, Esq., the newly elected Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association and a partner at Blank Rome LLP. In his capacity as Chancellor, Mr. Cooper addressed the members and guests of PAP and administered the pledge of office to the 2010 elected officers and Board members. The newly elected officers and Board members for 2010 include: Board Members: Tausha Major, Kirsten Fullerton, Diana Cook and Jamerra Cherry; Assistant Secretary: Judy Stouffer, R.P.; Treasurer: Maryanne Ebner; Secretary: Kim Walker; Second Vice President: Sharon DeNofa, R.P.; First Vice President: Christine Flynn; Board Advisor: Lyndora Patterson Tiller; President: Renee Mazzeo. In her first address as President, Renee Mazzeo took the time to recognize and honor Lyndora Patterson Tiller for her two years of service as President and for the diligent effort, dedication and guidance that she provided during her tenure. Congratulations to all of our newly elected officers and Board members. Immediately following the pledge and induction ceremony, Mr. Cooper took the opportunity to share his insights and goals for The theme of his presentation was the creation of lasting partnerships between attorneys and paralegals. Mr. Cooper recognized and lauded the members for all of the support that they provide to their supervising attorneys throughout every facet of case management. In effort to maintain superior support and service to the client, Mr. Cooper deems it imperative that paralegals garner the necessary skills that are essential to successfully integrate the new technologies that are available to the legal profession such as the new developments with e-discovery and e-filing. Being able to effectively utilize these new technologies will allow paralegals to become the life-blood of their firms in addition to fostering a 12 The Philadelphia FORUM The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

13 Left: Scott Cooper, Chancellor of Philadelphia Bar Association Right:Scott Cooper, Lyndora Peterson-Tiller Below: (from L to R) Sharon DeNofa, RP, Renee Mazzeo, Christine Flynn, Scott Cooper more collegial relationship between paralegals and attorneys because as Mr. Cooper observes, You (paralegals) may very well keep certain practices afloat because the lawyers who may be incredibly skilled as substantive attorneys don t necessarily have the inclination or even the training to run with the technology that is becoming essential to moving along court matters... In keeping with his theme of creating lasting partnerships, Mr. Cooper briefly discussed three crucial issues that he and his cabinet will be addressing at the Philadelphia Bar Association in The issues include the delivery of comprehensive and quality Pro Bono services, creating a Green Bar Association and the creation of the Bar Association Academy. It is Mr. Cooper s desire and vision to have paralegals take a greater role in the delivery of Pro Bono legal services, and he is calling upon members of PAP to volunteer their time, skills and expertise to assist the attorneys inside and outside of their firms who are providing Pro Bono services throughout Philadelphia. Upon becoming Chancellor, Mr. Cooper assembled a Green Ribbon task force whose members have been charged with going out into the community and eliciting ideas and suggestions on how the PBA and the entire legal profession can implement environmentally-friendly process and methodologies. The Bar Association Academy will consist of a series of colloquial classes designed to help members of the Philadelphia Bar Association to become more connected with the diversity of communities and cultures that exist throughout Philadelphia; the substance of these classes will likely include, but will not be limited to, information regarding civic interests, epicurean and sports. Mr. Cooper invites all PAP members to share and participate in the vision that he and his cabinet have set forth in 2010 for creating lasting relationships between legal professionals and the community of Philadelphia. If any PAP members would like more information about the above mentioned programs, they may contact Mr. Cooper at chancellor@philabar.org. I would encourage all PAP members to visit the Philadelphia Bar Association s website at and read Mr. Cooper s inaugural address which provides greater substance on the issues that were presented at the luncheon. On behalf of my fellow PAP members, I want to thank the Chancellor for taking time out of his busy schedule to share his insights and vision for the upcoming year, as well as wishing Mr. Cooper and his cabinet continued success with achieving the goals that have been established by the Philadelphia Bar Association for Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 13

14 Paralegals Association Has History of Excellence By Renee Mazzeo, Special to the Legal A s the Legal Intelligencer coordinator for the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals, I am responsible for collecting and placing articles on the Paralegals Page of The Legal. Some months I find myself scrambling for articles, and other months I am provided with various contributions. I have never contributed an article for which I have been credited as the solo author, but now, serving as the 2010 president for the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals, I have been tasked with drafting my first Message from the President. As a paralegal, I often undertake various research projects. This is one of the many parts of my job that I love. Accordingly, for my first message, I went to the PAP office to research older editions of The Philadelphia Forum. As a result of my research, I would like to share with you some interesting and fun facts about the association. Did you know that PAP was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation on June 12, 1973, as the Association of Paralegal Professionals? The name was later changed to, yes, you guessed it, the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals. I am the 31st president of the organization. Six of the past presidents have served for more than one term. Some interesting facts: Thacher Longstreth was the guest speaker at the 1996 September luncheon where he made himself available for photographs and a book signing for his humorous autobiography, Main Line WASP: The Education of Thacher Longstreth. Did you know that PAP actually sold a membership directory for $5. which contained information on the entire membership? Our Renee S. Mazzeo is a litigation paralegal at Thomas Thomas & Hafer, assisting attorneys in general liability, property and personal injury matters. She has more than 20 years experience. Mazzeo serves on the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals board of directors as president and is the association s primary delegate to the National Federation of Paralegals. newsletter even had a Chancellor s Corner where the chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association would regularly communicate with the paralegals of the association. In 2009, I served as first vice president of the association. The board of directors was unsure of how the year would unfold for the association since the recession was still affecting gainful employment and many paralegals were losing their jobs. Also, PAP s membership numbers were down from the previous year. Many vendors were cautious and watching their spending. As such, PAP was very concerned about its members and wanted to figure out how to help its members get through these difficult and trying times. As the merry-go-round was turning, PAP grabbed at the brass ring and organized a Career Outreach Program event by partnering with the Philadelphia chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators and the Philadelphia Legal Secretaries Association. This event provided assistance to members of the legal community who had been impacted by the economy, and it was a huge success. But what comes as more of a surprise, I have recently learned through my research, is that this event was not the first one in PAP s history. This event, and many other events like it, is part of a common thread woven throughout the history of PAP. Since its inception, the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals has strived for excellence, improving and promoting the paralegal profession through education and networking. After paging through past issues of The Philadelphia Forum, that statement becomes evident in the various activities put forth and developed by the strong and hard-working committees that support the overall efforts of PAP. The committees serving the association throughout the years include litigation, education, estates and trusts, employee benefits, financial reorganization/real estate, intellectual property, member services, newsletter, programs, national affairs, professional development, pro bono and public relations/marketing. Over the years, other Reprinted with permission from the February 2010 issue of The Legal Intelligencer ALM Media Properties, LLC. Further duplication without permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. 14 The Philadelphia FORUM The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

15 committees have been formed including family law, immigration, health care issues, PACE and technology. Each of these committees is dedicated to providing its members with up-to-date information in the practice of law and, more particularly, their field of practice. When I think back to my first job in the legal field and the many ways the role of a paralegal has evolved, I am proud to say that PAP has always been in the forefront of providing its members with education, knowledge and the tools necessary to be the very best at what we do. As paralegals, we should never stop learning and growing in our field. PAP has always worked to keep up with the changing times and this is evidenced by the growing numbers of paralegals, including students that attend our annual education conference and monthly committee lunch and learn sessions. Since 1973, PAP has had committees in just about every practice area imaginable. Of course, discussion topics have changed, but each committee is still running strong and our members continue to benefit. Our annual education conference continues to bring paralegals from the tri-state area to one location for learning and the advancement of the paralegal profession I have read various presidents messages from past volumes, which tend to focus on the goals for the year ahead and the direction in which they would like to see the association move. Based on my research, I would like to emphasize that PAP is a strong and steadfast organization that continues to promote the paralegal profession. In addition, PAP is committed to cultivating, educating and assisting its members even in the most difficult times. Although the association has changed, the values and goals remain the same. What I have learned is that when PAP set its course back in the 70s, it was right on target for taking the paralegal profession into the future. I would like to commend all of the past presidents that served before me for a job well done. I have truly been enlightened by my research for this article. While the names and faces have changed over the years, the core values of the members of the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals have remained the same. Paralegals are professionals and should be considered as assets to our employers. Whether it is in a law firm, corporate or government office setting, we are devoted to the practice of law. I look forward to serving as your president this year and am always available for members questions, comments, ideas or concerns. Thank You. Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 15

16 How To Successfully Balance Your Professional and Personal Committments Presented at the March Luncheon Ronald C. Mayberry O n March 9, 2010 the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals held its second bi-monthly luncheon. The host venue was the grand and luxurious Sofitel Hotel located in Center City. The March luncheon was sponsored by Veritext, a global leader in deposition and litigation support services, headquartered in New Jersey. Our guest speaker was Holly C. Frey, a paralegal with Hardwick Law Offices, LLC, and cofounder of the Bucks County Paralegal Association. The luncheon commenced with our guest speaker, Holly C. Frey, addressing the members. The theme of Holly s presentation dealt with successfully balancing professional and personal commitments. Holly recounted to the members the struggles that she has faced with regard to balancing the demands between work and family. In fact, Holly s pathway into the paralegal profession was the result of a deferred dream that occurred during her undergraduate years at Seton Hall University. As an undergraduate at Seton Hall University, Holly was an exemplary student. She ranked in the top 10% of her class and was a member and officer of the Future Business Leaders of America, the Scholar s Bowl and the debate club. But, Holly s promising academic career and future career ambitions came to an impasse when she elected to get married and become a mother. While her daughter grew up, Holly had worked intermittently taking mediocre jobs. She was content with being a dedicated spouse and mother. However, it wasn t until Holly was preparing her daughter for her own college career that she soon realized that her own life lacked challenge and purpose. Holly s first step in rekindling her enthusiasm and passion for the legal profession began when she enrolled in the Paralegal Studies Program at Bucks County Community College. It only took a few classes at the college for me to realize that I had found my niche. Suddenly, I was being challenged mentally, and I felt alive, Holly stated. From this point on, Holly was clearly on her way to fulfilling her previously deferred academic and professional goals. As a result of her dedication and academic prowess, Holly had impressed her teachers at BCCC so much that they recommended her for a paralegal position with the prestigious law firm, Hill Wallack LLP, after only completing two semesters. While working for Hill Wallack, and upon successfully completing the Paralegal Studies Program at BCCC, Holly had decided to enroll at Pierce College where she earned her Bachelor s degree in Paralegal Studies. With all that Holly has accomplished through sacrifice, dedication, passion and relentless determination, she continues to seek new challenges and professional endeavors. In May of 2009, Holly co-founded the Bucks County Paralegal Association. Holly has recently left Hill Wallack and is now offering her talents and expertise as a paralegal for Hardwick Law Offices LLC, located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Holly has recently applied to Temple Law School and currently awaits notification from admissions. Despite all of her responsibilities and busy schedule, Holly has graciously made herself available as a mentor to those members who may be interested in learning helpful strategies that can help them successfully balance professional and personal commitments. Holly C. Frey can be reached via at hcfrey1@gmail.com. Immediately following our guest speaker was the Philadelphia Association of Paralegal s annual awards ceremony. Presenting the awards for Special Achievement and Special Recognition for 2010 was Claretta Bamberry, chairperson of the Association s Public Relations and Marketing Committee. The Special Achievement Award, the Association s highest award, honors those members whose contributions have been significant to the Association as a whole. The Special Recognition Award honors those members who have made significant contributions through a particular committee during The winners of the 2010 Special Achievement Award were Tausha Major, Jamerra Cherry and Kim Walker. The winners of the 2010 Special Recognition Award were Paula Wright, Judy Stouffer, Barbara McBride, Barbara Nield and Teresa Wilson. Also, 16 The Philadelphia FORUM The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

17 Claretta Bamberry was the lucky raffle winner and the recipient of a pair of Flyers tickets courtesy of our sponsor, Veritext. The PACE Scholarship winner and recipient at the March bimonthly luncheon was Maryanne Ebner. The next PACE Scholarship will be awarded at our September bimonthly luncheon. The Scholarship is in the amount of $325, which includes $225 exam fee and $100 towards Candidate s Handbook/Application and PACE Study Manual. To be eligible for the Scholarship, you must meet the education or experience criteria requirement, complete an Entry Form, and commit to take the exam within one year after winning the Scholarship. The form is one entry per person and for one Scholarship per person per year. You may contact Barbara I. Nield, RP, PACE Ambassador, at bnield@schnader.com for more information. In closing, I know that I speak for all of our members when congratulating all of the winners of the 2010 Special Achievement Award and the 2010 Special Recognition Award. In addition, the Association would like to thank Holly C. Frey and wish her the very best with her academic and professional endeavors. Furthermore, the Association would like to thank, Dimitri Kipa, the representative from Veritext who joined us and graciously made himself available to answer any and all questions regarding the first-class deposition and litigation services offered by Veritext. For more information about the dynamic and quality services offered by Veritext, please visit And, as a member of the Programs Committee, I would like to personally thank Roslyn McCloud and her entire staff at the Sofitel for providing impeccable service and support which made for another exceptional luncheon. Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 17

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19 Continuing Education Was Not On My Radar Bridget Valiante My business was another victim of the Great Recession and I was forced to think about what choices I had for my future and what I needed to do to make a new career my reality. I toyed with the different options offered at schools around the Philadelphia metropolitan area. I could return to Rutgers and finish my business degree that I had abandoned after my company was incorporated. I could try to switch gears and land a job in my field of customer service, but that seemed to be fruitless. I had already sent out over 100 resumes without a response from any employer. At the same time, I watched my brother struggle. As a new college graduate with a degree in English and a minor in journalism, he was on a job search spanning over a year and a half. A newly unemployed worker myself, I was apprehensive about the future and what it would bring. My dilemma lies in job outlook and making the best decisions with my education to position myself where I want to be. I worked in transportation for seven years handling everything including office administration, customer service, operations, accounting, payroll, sales, marketing and everything else you can think of. After more searching, I came across the paralegal program offered at the Community College of Philadelphia. The more I read about it, the more I became excited with the program, and the law itself. Interestingly enough, I find myself in the program at CCP. I say interestingly because a year ago at this time, I was the owner of an independent freight brokerage. Continuing education was not on my radar and probably the furthest thing from my mind. However, here I am, and quite possibly, I have found where I belong. Now that class has started, I have grown in my fascination in the law, its many opportunities and where the paralegal program will lead me. My professor, Jane Jacobs, Esquire, says it is never too early to begin planning for your career. I don t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but I often find myself thinking about the opportunities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area for a paralegal with an Associate Degree versus one with a Bachelor s degree. Does my prior work experience count? Should I specialize in one area of law? These are the questions I mull over while doing my work. In this economy, you can t help but wonder if the choices you are making now are the right ones for the future. I found some answers while doing the first assigned project. We were to contact an attorney or paralegal as a mentor to find out about the law profession. I went to see my mentor, Ezra Wohlgelernter, Esquire, an attorney at Feldman Shepherd, and proceeded to interview him with several prepared questions. I told him a little about what I did before and why I was on my current path. He happened to have the current issue of Trial, Journal of the American Association of Justice on his desk. He actually gave it to me since it was about the transportation industry, the litigation involved and several unique difficulties facing transportation cases. Mr. Wohlgelernter advised me not to discount my prior experience. He mentioned that as a paralegal, my transportation industry experience would be very valuable to such an attorney. He also gave me the names of a few Philadelphia attorneys who handle truck and transport cases. There is actually an article in the February 2010 issue of Trial entitled Power Up Your Discovery in Trucking Cases by Marion K. Munley. It discusses high-powered discovery and the difference between trucking and auto cases as well as the special challenges they bring. It also mentions the regulations involved in the transportation industry. Although the article had special lingo that most individuals outside of the industry are not familiar with, I felt right at home reading the article and the rest of the issue. It was very comforting and surprising to find out that my prior experience could help me specialize in an area of law and be valuable to an attorney. I am thankful that my professor is active in the Philadelphia legal community and that she is pushing us to start networking now. Even though I was nervous to meet my mentor, I came away with a lot of valuable information about the legal industry and some good answers to questions I never thought I would have addressed this early. Spring 2010 V10.1 The Philadelphia FORUM 19

20 The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals COMMITTEE NOTES Education The Education Committee circulated a survey in order to obtain feedback for planning the miniseminars to be held this year in lieu of the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Annual Education Conference. Topics were discussed for the three miniseminars. The topics decided upon are Ethics and Technology. There were several suggestions regarding the third topic, which will be determined shortly. The Technology seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. An announcement will be provided for The Forum and The Legal Intelligencer. The March 31, 2010 Ethics seminar had been postponed. Pro Bono The Pro Bono Committee has revised its meeting schedule for The Committee will meet on the days listed below, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at Duane Morris, which is located at 130 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA: March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17 and December 22. If you would like to attend, please contact Judith Bardsley at judybardsley2006@ yahoo.com no later than the day before the meeting. We have established relationships with the following pro bono organizations: ACLU, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia as will as VIP Philadelphia and are looking for new committee members to help create relationships with other pro bono organizations. In addition, the Committee is trying to organize pro bono opportunities for paralegal students. If you know of a local pro bono organization that is interested in partnering with the Committee in this regard, please contact Judith Bardsley. Newsletter The Newsletter Committee will continue to host all meetings on the first Tuesday of the month with some exceptions. The May, June, July August and September meetings will be held at the law offices of: Spector Gadon & Rosen P.C Market Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia PA Meeting Dates Time Tuesday, May 4, :30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, :30 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, :30 p.m. Tuesday, August 3, :30 p.m. Tuesday, September 14, :30 p.m. Tuesday, October 5, :30 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, :30 p.m. Tuesday, December 7, :30 p.m. Article submissions are welcome from all Paralegals and Student Members. If you are interested in forwarding an original article, all submissions are due by June 4, 2010 for issue release on July 16, For further information please contact Maryanne Ebner at mebner@lawsgr.com. For additional information on the Association and upcoming events please see website at The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Post Office box number is All Correspondance should be addressed to this Post Office box number. 20 The Philadelphia FORUM The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals