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Certified Paralegals will now receive notification by e-mail of updates to CLE hours recorded on their files. NALA has discontinued sending notifications via first class mail.
The confirmation encourages Certified Paralegals to look up their hours using the private web-based CLE look up. The confirmation includes definitions of terms on the CLE report and a link to current CLE requirements from the Certifying Board.
Your current login information is included in this newsletter. In addition, this will be provided with the notifications.
Remember NALA anytime your e-mail address changes! Simply send an e-mail to
headquarters@nala.org
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Upcoming
NALA Campus LIVE
programs
Wednesday, March 19
Noon - 2 pm Intellectual Property Law: What Every Paralegal Should Know
Thursday, March 20
Noon - 1:30 pm Basic Ethics: Part 2
Friday, March 21
11 am - 1 pm
Estates and Probate
Friday, March 21
1:30 - 3 pm
Bankruptcy Intermediate Level
Monday, March 24
11:30 am - 1 pm
How Section 529 Plans
fit YOUR Practice
Tuesday, March 25
11 am - 12:30 pm
Working Through the
"pitfalls" of Article 9
Tuesday, March 25
3 - 5 pm
Evidence Part 3
Advanced
Wednesday, March 26
Noon - 1:30 pm
Family Law: Learning how
not to do it like
the celebrities
Thursday, March 27
Noon - 1:30 pm
To Our Advantage:
H-1B Petitions
Friday, March 28
11 am - 1 pm
Written Communications
Monday, March 31
Noon - 1:30 pm
Improving Case
Managemen
twith LPM
Wednesday, April 2
Noon - 1:30 pm
Applicable Exclusion Amount
To Offset Federal Gift Taxes
and Federal Estate Taxes
Annual Exclusions
and Marital Deduction
Thursday, April 3
Noon - 1:30 pm
Criminal Law:
What you say
on Facebook
may hurt you
Friday, April 4
Noon - 1:30 pm
Blue Book Review of Citing
Monday, April 7
Noon - 1:30 pm
Contracts: An Overview
Tuesday, April 8
Noon - 1:30 pm
Digital Evidence: Find It,
Harvest It,
and Use It
Tuesday, April 8
3 - 5 pm
Civil Litigation: Part I
Wednesday, April 9
Noon - 2 pm
Patent Prosecution
Thursday, April 10
Noon - 1:30 pm
Advanced Ethics
Friday, April 11
11 am - 1 pm
Judgment and Legal Analysis
Monday, April 14
Noon - 1:30 pm
Advances in Courtroom
Technology
Tuesday, April 15
3 - 5 pm
Civil Litigation: Part II
Wednesday, April 16
Noon - 1:30 pm Commercial Real Estate
Closings Thursday, April 17
Noon - 2 pm
Trademark Prosecution
Tuesday, April 22
3 - 5 pm
Civil Litigation: Part III |
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March 2014 Facts & Findings ....
Now Available in Digital Format, in the Apple App Store and GooglePlay
 | | March April 2014 |
The military has numerous benefits - some we know about such as the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, VA loans, to name a few. Some benefits are not so well-known. Liz Lee has written an article for this issue regarding Federal Vet Benefits. Ms. Lee expands on who is eligible for these benefits and what types of benefits are out there including, education and health and where to get more information concerning these benefits. As you know being in a combat zone can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD"). Vanessa Lee-Brice describes how to recognize PTSD and how to develop PTSD claims for veterans. The article touches on the paralegal's role in developing a PTSD claim. Finally, Deana Waters discusses how to default a service member in a lawsuit. She covers the Soldier's Civil Relief Act and the protections that act give persons in the military. There are various steps that have to be taken to default a service member and Ms. Waters explains it well in this article. These articles give paralegals a good source of information concerning the armed forces personnel and veterans. As usual, the department articles also include helpful tips on such soft skills subjects as communication skills and organization. And ... this is the second issue in the entire history of Facts & Findings that includes a feature article about a dog.
Enjoy! Your printed copy is on its way to you! In the meantime, download it from:
 
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NALA Sponsors Paralegal Voice Program on Washington State
Limited License Legal Technicians
In reaction to rising legal costs and decreased access to legal services, the Washington State Supreme Court has authorized a program which would permit non-lawyers to practice law on a limited basis through its new Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program. To learn more about this developing field, tune into this episode of the Paralegal Voice, where host Vicki Voisin interviews NALA President Ann Atkinson, ACP, as well as attorneys Steve Crossland and Thea Jennings of the Washington State Bar Association. Together, they review the licensing, permissible scope of practice, and continuing education requirements for those paralegals who would like to participate in the LLLT program.
Click here to listen to this important discussion. |
News from the NALA Board of Directors ...
Kelly A. LaGrave Elected NALA President, 2014-15
 | | Kelly A. LaGrave, ACP |
Kelly A. LaGrave, ACP, a business and corporate paralegal with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C., Lansing, Michigan, was elected to serve as the 2014-2015 President of NALA. The election took place during the NALA Board of Director's meeting in Tulsa, OK, on March 1.
An accomplished paralegal, Ms. LaGrave has earned the Certified Paralegal designation, as well as Advanced Paralegal Certifications in the areas of Intellectual Property, Real Estate, and Contracts Administration/Contracts Management. In addition, she has helped with the review and establishment of NALA's advanced certification programs in Incorporated Business Organizations and Unincorporated Business Organizations. She brings many years of volunteer service to the office of President of NALA. She has been a member of the NALA Board of Directors since 2000. She has served as Chair of the NALA Certifying Board and as a national officer of NALA since 2008. Locally, Ms. LaGrave is a founding member of the Great Lakes Paralegal Association, based in Lansing.
To Ms. LaGrave, NALA empowers paralegals to "take charge of their careers and to be exceptional in their field by offering opportunities for paralegals to update their legal knowledge and to enhance their careers through a variety of educational programs and paralegal certification." Ms. LaGrave believes that "the foundation for this empowerment is NALA's paralegal certification programs. By providing the definitive national standard in paralegal certification, NALA provides paralegals with the tools they need for professional growth and success."
Ms. LaGrave will be installed as President during NALA's annual conference in Charleston, South Carolina on July 25.
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Other news from the Board of Directors ...
During its meeting in early March, the NALA Board of Directors adopted a budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Highlights of the budget include the continuation of the $80 gift certificate for active members of NALA.
The NALA Board of Directors approved a plan to modify the production schedule of Facts & Findings. Beginning this year, the July and January issues will be available in digital format only. The May, September, November, and March issues will be published in print and digital formats.
During the past year, a committee of the NALA Board of Directors has been reviewing NALA's governance structure. It has been many years since the governance structure has been reviewed by the board. The parameters for this change include cost savings and the continued ability to address the needs of the organization quickly and decisively. This committee studied the question of reducing the size of the board while maintaining a high level of service committed to guiding NALA in pursuit of its mission. The report of the committee concluded that it would be possible to reduce the number of members of the board of directors over a multi-year transition period. At this time, the board is working on a transition plan to discuss with the NALA membership during the 2014 annual convention.
In addition, the NALA Board of Directors determined that one step may be taken immediately and that is to combine the two vice president positions into one. A bylaw amendment will be recommended for adoption to the membership for vote during the July 2014 meeting which will affect this change. More details will be provided as we near the meeting.
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LEAP Class of 2015!
Applications Due May 15 ...
NALA's Professional Development Committee is now accepting applications for the LEAP class of 2015. The class members will be announced this summer at the 2014 NALA Annual Meeting of Members, in Charleston, South Carolina. The LEAP curricula is designed to support NALA members who are also serving as leaders of their state and local NALA affiliated organizations by reading the latest in association management and developing skills that support leadership growth. Read more about the LEAP classes on the web at this link.
Remember, LEAP is open to members of NALA who are also Certified Paralegals. There is no cost for participating in this year-long, web-based training, however LEAP class members are expected to attend the NALA Annual Meeting of Members at the end of their year. The 2015 Annual Meeting of NALA willl be held July 22-24, 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
LEAP is one of the best bargains around - and a perfect example of your NALA membership dues and affiliated association fees at work for you! |
 Founders & Presidents
Award Nominations
Due April 15
Nomination forms are available from NALA Headquarters or they may be downloaded from the NALA Website at www.nala.org>Members Area>NALA Awards Recognize Excellence. Click here .
The Founders' Award is NALA's highest award recognizing extraordinary contributions that have affected the paralegal profession for a significant period. Click here for the nomination form.
The Presidents' Award is exclusively for NALA members, recognizing achievements in the growth and development of the profession. Recipients must be members for at least two years and have at least five years of experience as a paralegal. Click here for the nomination form.
NALA Affiliated Associations Awards recognize both affiliates and individual members for service and outstanding contributions. These awards include the National Affiliated Associations Achievement Award and the Affiliate Awards for general recognition of resolute service and valuable contributions to the members' affiliated associations.
Nominations for NALA's annual awards at the July Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, are due May 1. These tributes are a meaningful function of a professional association to express esteem for members who excel and to inspire excellence in others. Click here for the nomination packet. |
And... Remember
Make A Difference Award
is always available!
Members are working every day to support their associations, continue their education, help students, and mentor those who wish to know more know about the paralegal profession. In addition, members individually and through their association are helping in their communities through volunteering in law-related community programs, and other non-profit community support programs. The Board of Directors has found a way to recognize members in their everyday activities, and has brought back the popular Member Making a Difference Awards!
Making a Difference honorees are recognized throughout the year in Facts & Findings and through other communications programs of NALA, including the web site and newsletter. Each year at the NALA Annual Meeting, honorees present are recognized as a group for their inspiring and selfless contributions.
Click here to open the Making a Difference nomination form. All NALA members or NALA affiliated associations are eligible for this award, and any individual or association may submit a nomination form. |
 Paralegal CLE now available for your iPad and Android Device!
Paralegal CLE by NALA is now available in the Apple Store and GooglePlay for your mobile devices! Through this app, you may register or access previously purchased NALA Campus Self-Study programs and Advanced Paralegal Certification courses.
Today, there are 32 self-study programs offered by NALA through these web-based educational programs. These include:
* 7 Certified Paralegal examination prep courses
* 3 general education courses
* 22 Advanced Paralegal Certification courses
CLE Credit is available for completion of web-based programs, on the basis of 10 hours for the general review and CP Exam prep courses, 20 hours for completion of multiple module APC courses, and 10 hours for the one-module APC PI Specialty courses. Check the courses for more info.
NALA Campus Self-Study courses and the Advanced Paralegal Certification courses are on the internet at www.nala.org>Continuing Legal Education>Online Education. Click below for access to the apps for your mobile devices:
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Active members take note!
Annual Membership Meeting Information - 2014 Voting members who cannot attend the NALA Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina on July 25 may designate other members to cast their votes. To do this, voting members must file a "Designation of Proxy" form with the NALA Secretary that election officials know who will be voting on their behalf.
These forms must be filed by June 25, 2014. The form is available online, and a copy of the form was included in a recent issue of Facts & Findings. To reach the online form, visit the NALA Website/Members Area/2014 Annual Meeting News or click here. If you have questions or would like a copy of the printed form, please contact NALA Headquarters. |
A Great Gift ...
 | | Click to order! |
Recently, Church Hill Classics started offering custom frames for the NALA certificates.
Frames are offered in various sizes and prices, and include matting.
Click on the image for further details or click here. You may also call Church Hill Classics at 1-800-477-9905.
Church Hill Classics is located in Monroe, Connecticut.
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