Vermont Bar Association April 11, 2014 Capitol Plaza, Montpelier. Limited Legal Licensure of Paralegals. Paralegals practicing law? Why not?

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1 Vermont Bar Association Capitol Plaza, Montpelier Paralegals practicing law? Why not? More than ever, our courts are inundated with pro se litigants. Since many Vermonters are not finding affordable legal representation, unequal access to justice is at an all-time high. Limited legal licensure of paralegals is a possible means of providing affordable legal representation to Vermonters in need. Join us for dinner, cocktails and what is sure to be a lively discussion on this topic. We will look at the dynamics of the attorney-paralegal relationship, the contributions of paralegals to pro bono and low bono services, their regulation and certification, and the option of limited legal licensure in Vermont. Note: Dinner is included in the registration fee. Cocktails can be purchased at J. Morgan s Bar. Speakers: Sandy Baird, Esq. E. Darby Herrington, Esq. Kristin Mattes Laurie Noyes Hon. Marilyn Skoglund Melissa Young Wilcox

2 VT Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Registration Form Please complete all of the requested information, print this application, and fax with credit info or mail it with payment to: Vermont Bar Association, PO Box 100, Montpelier, VT Fax: (802) PLEASE USE ONE REGISTRATION FORM PER PERSON. First Name Middle Initial Last Name Firm/Organization Address City State ZIP Code Phone # Fax # Address Capitol Plaza, Montpelier 5:30PM 6:30PM DINNER (INCLUDED) & COCKTAILS (NOT!) 6:30PM 8:30PM SEMINAR 2.0 MCLE GENERAL CREDITS Early Registration Discount by 04/04/14 Registration Received After 04/04/14 VBA Attorney Members: $95 Emeritus (70/40) Members: $50 VBA Associate Members: $80 Non VBA Member Attorneys: $200 All Others: $85 VBA Attorney Members: $115 Emeritus (70/40) Members: $70 VBA Associate Members: $100 Non VBA Member Attorneys: $220 All Others: $105 NO REFUNDS AFTER April 4, 2014 PAYMENT METHOD: Check enclosed (made payable to Vermont Bar Association) Amount: Credit Card (American Express, Discover, Visa or Mastercard) Credit Card # Exp. Date Cardholder:

3 Vermont Bar Association CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE Please note: This form is for your records in the event you are audited Sponsor: Vermont Bar Association Date: Seminar Title: Location: Credits: Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, Vermont 2.0 MCLE General Credits Luncheon addresses, business meetings, receptions are not to be included in the computation of credit. This form denotes full attendance. If you arrive late or leave prior to the program ending time, it is your responsibility to adjust CLE hours accordingly.

4 Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, Vermont Speakers Bios: Sandra L. Baird, Esq, is Director of International Studies and Civic Engagement, Director of Burlington College/Cuba Overseas Study Program. In 1977 I passed the Vermont Bar exam and was admitted to all the state courts and federal courts. I have practiced law since then and now have established a free legal clinic where I help people represent themselves in court. Since 1985, with being a practicing attorney, I have taught numerous classes at the college level, including World History, Social Ecology, Family Law, American Government, Political Science, Women s Studies, American History, City in History, Revolution, US History, US Foreign Policy, Black America Modern Africa, Global Economics, Human Rights, and Francophone Quebec. I have brought both academic learning and my own experience into these classes including my education, my community involvement, my legal career and my life. In my classes, I stress the teaching of concepts and the discussion of the ideas that shape our current society and the lives of students. I stress teaching also critical thinking, a necessary skill for a citizen in a free democratic society. In 2005, President Jane Sanders of Burlington College, appointed me Director of the Cuban Studies Program and also Director of International Studies and Civic Engagement. In 2011, President Christine Plunkett appointed me Director of International Studies. Currently, I direct at Burlington College the Legal and Justice Studies, Paralegal Program, International Studies, the Institute of Civic Engagement and the Pro Se Legal Clinic and the Institute of Civic Engagement. E. Darby Herrington, Esq. practices law with the firm of Darby Thorndike Kolter & Nordle, LLP in Waterbury. Her practice includes many areas of general civil practice including family law, commercial and residential real estate, estate planning, estate administration, corporate and business formation, and general civil litigation. Trained in Collaborative Law, Attorney Herrington is an active member of the Central Vermont Collaborative Law Practice Group. She graduated from the University of Vermont (B.S. 1995), and the University of Maine School of Law (J.D. 2000), where she served as a member of the Moot Court Board. Ms. Herrington has been in private practice in Vermont since 2001 and is also admitted to practice law in Maine. Kristin Mattes has worked as a regulatory, litigation, and probate paralegal for Sheehey Furlong & Behm since She obtained a Paralegal Certificate from Champlain College in 2005, a B.S. in Paralegal Studies from Champlain College in 2007, and recently sat for the Paralegal Advance Competency Exam in November, Ms. Mattes expects to receive her registered paralegal designation this Spring (2014). She also completed internships with the Chittenden County State s Attorney s Office and Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations. In 2012 Ms. Mattes received a national award from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations for her dedication to pro bono services. She is a member of the Vermont Paralegal Organization (Pro Bono Chair, former Secretary and NFPA Secondary), a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, an Associate Member of the Vermont Bar Association and a volunteer at the Women Helping Battered Women Family Law Legal Clinic. Ms. Mattes spoke at a presentation during the 2011 Vermont Bar Association Annual Meeting.

5 Laurie S. Noyes, provides general litigation support to the firm s Burlington litigation team. Laurie has worked in the legal field since 1993, focused primarily in litigation. Her case experience includes large complex and commercial litigation matters, toxic tort cases, medical and legal malpractice cases, insurance coverage and defense work, eminent domain and condemnation cases, and foreclosures. In June 2010, Laurie achieved the esteemed PACE Registered Paralegal designation through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. She is one of only seven PACE Registered Paralegals in Vermont. PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam) is a proficiencybased voluntary exam designed to test the competency level of experienced paralegals. Pro bono activities: Previously served as a volunteer on the Reparative Justice Board; taught computer training seminars to female inmates in Vermont correctional facilities; coordinator, Circle Vermont Legal Clinic, assisting victims of domestic abuse Hon. Marilyn Ruth Signe Skoglund received a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University in 1971 with a major in fine arts. While in Carbondale, she worked as a graphic designer for R. Buckminster Fuller and managed the Euphorium, Carbondale s first natural foods restaurant. In 1973, she moved to Vermont. In 1981 she completed a four year clerkship at the Office of the Attorney General for Vermont and was admitted to the Vermont Bar. She worked as an Assistant Attorney General from 1981 to 1994, serving as Chief of Civil Law Division from 1988 to 1993 and as Chief of Public Protection Division (Environmental, Civil Rights and Consumer Protection divisions) from 1993 to She loves chocolate. In 1994, she was appointed to the trial bench by Governor Howard Dean and presided in Family, Civil and Criminal courts around the state. She was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in Melissa Young Wilcox is a paralegal and law clerk with Darby Thorndike Kolter & Nordle, LLP, a general practice law firm with offices in Waterbury and Stowe. Melissa provides support to multiple attorneys practicing in the areas of civil litigation, environmental law, family law, personal injury, worker s compensation, probate proceedings and estate planning. In 1999, Melissa received her Bachelor s Degree in Psychology from Castleton State College. In 2001, she earned a Paralegal Certificate from Blackstone Paralegal Studies, Inc. Melissa is currently enrolled in the Vermont Board of Bar Examiner s Four Year Law Office Study program. Melissa is the current Chair of the VBA s Paralegals Section as well as the Professional Liaison and Chair of the Ethics Committee for the Vermont Paralegal Organization (VPO). Melissa is an associate member of the VBA and a pupilage member of the Central Vermont American Inn of Court (CVAIC) where she has served on the social and membership committees.