Candidates for the 2014 SLA Legal Division

Transcription

1 Candidates for the 2014 SLA Legal Division Position Candidate Chair Elect Elect Jessica King Reference Librarian Perkins Coie LLP Seattle, WA Treasurer Alana H. Carson Systems & Research Librarian Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Portland, OR Elizabeth Polly Law Librarian Stites & Harbison Lexington, KY Director Barbara Folensbee Moore Director of Library Services Venable, LLP Baltimore, MD Jeffrey M. Nelson Research Services Manager Squire Sanders (US) LLP Miami, FL

2 Candidate for Chair-Elect-Elect: Jessica King Reference Librarian Perkins Coie LLP Seattle, WA Biography: Jessica started working in libraries as the master of study carrels at Brigham Young University s law school library. Since then she has worked at law firm libraries in Lexington, KY and Lancaster, PA. She also spent some time working in a small academic library and on the vendor side for an ILS provider. She is currently working at Perkins Coie LLP in Seattle, WA as a reference librarian. Jessica has been active in SLA since beginning her MLIS program at the University of Kentucky in A proud member of the Kentucky Chapter, Jessica has also served in the Philadelphia Chapter on its Employment Committee and is currently the Vendor Relations Chair for the Pacific Northwest Chapter. Jessica took over as Editor of the Legal Division Docket (formerly the Legal Division Quarterly) in 2012 and has served on the Legal Division s Grant Committee for the last two years. Jessica is also a member of AALL. She has a MLIS from the University of Kentucky and a BA from Brigham Young University. She is a lifelong member of the Big Blue Nation and spends way too much time thinking about basketball. She also enjoys reading, road trips, grilled cheese sandwiches and her new but rapidly growing sneaker collection. Campaign Statement: I want to serve the Legal Division as Chair Elect-Elect for three reasons. First, as a way to give back to an association of people who have given so much to me. Second, to develop my leadership and people skills in order to one day take over the world. Third, to inspire everyone else to do the same. I am committed to doing all I can do to continue the Legal Division s tradition of fostering relationships and creating an ideal environment for skills development and forward the profession.

3 Candidate for Treasurer: Alana H. Carson, J.D., M.L.I.S. Systems & Research Librarian Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Portland, OR Campaign Statement I am thrilled to be running for the Treasurer position for SLA s Legal Division. Though I have only been a member of SLA for two years, I am inspired by the Division s commitment to issues we face as legal information professionals in firms and government organizations, both locally and abroad. I am proud to see the effort made by the Division to reach out and strengthen ongoing relationships with our vendor partners, as well as develop new ones. In a time where budgets are shrinking, continued dialogue with vendors about the needs of the end users is crucial. I also understand that professional organizations must aim high to provide value and stretch the dollar of membership. In this regard, I intend to work closely with the Board to monitor and potentially reduce costs of Division work, while at the same time maximize the benefits to our members. I am excited for the opportunity to not only serve SLA, but to foster relationships with Legal Division members, both on personal and professional levels. Biography My ability to perform the duties of the Treasurer stem from multiple facets of my professional and personal life. Having absorbed the intricacies of a balanced budget from my CPA father, I learned very early in life that staying on track meant more than just balancing a checkbook. Professionally, I have been active in managing library accounts in both the large academic sector as well as in my current position. Most notably, I am coming to the end of my 2 nd term as Treasurer for one of our partner organizations, AALL, Western Pacific chapter. In this position, I have gained considerable insight into the duties and fiscal responsibilities required for a professional organization such as SLA. I am currently serving as the Systems & Research Librarian for Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, a regional law firm in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. In addition to my J.D., I hold my MLIS from the University of Washington Information School. Prior to joining Schwabe, I spent 12 years as the Reader Services and Reference Librarian at Lewis & Clark Law School, where I am also an alum. Having the opportunity to view the academic process, research needs, and habits of law students gave me invaluable insight into providing services and training in the real world setting. The transition from academia to a private law firm has given me a unique perspective. I have excelled in my research methodology, and now truly understand the costs associated with research in the private sector. Even more so, I understand and appreciate the need to work with vendors, budgets, and the ongoing task of making financial decisions based on best practices and the needs of the organization. As Treasurer, I plan to utilize these tactics to strengthen and grow SLA-Legal.

4 Candidate for Treasurer: Elizabeth Polly Law Librarian Stites & Harbison Lexington, KY Biography: Liz Polly is a native of Lexington, KY and a law librarian at Stites & Harbison, PLLC. Liz became involved in SLA by serving as student chapter president at the University of Kentucky where she received her M.L.I.S in Liz has been a Kentucky Chapter and Legal Division member since She has also served on the Kentucky Chapter Nominations Committee and was Director at Large from As an active member of SLA s Legal Division, Liz was editor of the Legal Division Quarterly (now the Legal Division Docket) from She also served as Communications Ad-hoc Committee Co-Chair ( ) and Director ( ). In 2012, Liz was the first recipient of the Division s Outstanding New Member Contribution Award, which was awarded for her significant contributions made to the Division through the work of her various leadership positions. Liz currently chairs the Public Relations Committee. Campaign Statement: Having served as Legal Division Director from , I have gained an understanding of the many budgetary challenges facing the Division. I believe that the fiscal well-being of the organization is directly related to membership growth, quality programs, and successful annual conferences. If elected, I would explore new ways to increase sponsorship contributions and funding in general. I would strive to use resources efficiently by setting financial priorities and using my prior executive board experience and skill set to find creative new funding opportunities. My continued active involvement demonstrates my dedication to improving the financial well-being of the Legal Division.

5 Candidate for Director: Barbara Folensbee-Moore Director of Library Services Venable, LLP Baltimore, MD I have been a member of the Legal Division since the very first year and have served as an officer early on. I have been out of the volunteer mode at the national level for some time but changes in career have made it possible to once again volunteer for the division board. I am a great proponent of legal librarianship and enjoy participating in helping the professional organizations I belong to try and stay ahead of the changes that are impacting us all in our workplaces. I would be delighted to join the board and work for the benefit of the division over the next few years. My background has always been in law firms since I graduated from University of Georgia Law School in Positions in Richmond, VA and Washington, DC as well as my current position as the first firm-wide Director of Library Services at Venable LLP in Baltimore, MD have all been supported by my connections with colleagues I have met through SLA and the Legal Division. I am currently living in Baltimore Inner Harbor on a 58 ft power yacht and enjoying the opportunity to ride my bike to work when weather permits.

6 Candidate for Director: Jeffrey M. Nelson Research Services Manager Squire Sanders (US) LLP Miami, FL Jeffrey Nelson is the Research Services Manager at the Miami office of Squire Sanders (US) LLP. Jeffrey serves as the solo librarian for approximately 50 attorneys from three offices throughout Florida. Immediately after completing his undergraduate degree at George Washington University, Jeffrey accepted a position at a boutique law firm library in Washington, DC. Originally planning to attend law school, Jeffrey quickly discovered his organizational and research skills were better suited for a career in law librarianship. Shortly thereafter, he went on to obtain his Master s in Library and Information Sciences from The Catholic University of America. After actively serving the Washington, DC law library community for nearly five years, Jeffrey is continuing to advocate for his profession in South Florida. He currently acts as the Regional Contact for the SLA Florida & Caribbean Chapter. Jeffrey was a first-time attendee at the recent SLA Annual Conference in San Diego; it was the dedication of the board and committee members that inspired Jeffrey to expand his involvement to the national level of SLA. By serving as Director of the SLA Legal Division, Jeffrey hopes to both learn from and contribute to the efforts of proving the value of the Legal Division, its membership, and our profession.