The Empowered Paralegal

I’m a big fan of national, regional, and organizational awards, but often the sweetes honors come from those with whom and for whom we work. Here’s an example:

Caryn S. White recently was presented a plaque in recognition of her 20 years of dedicated service to the Spencer Law Firm, according to a SWF press release.

White serves as office manager at the firm. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in management and human resource management from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and was granted a paralegal certificate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Of course, I’m assuming that this recognition is not just a way to make up for having failed to treat Caryn with respect on a daily basis. Given the fact that she’s been there 20 years. For a short period of time I worked in a firm where the office manger was given a party and very nice “bonus” to recognize her 25 years of service and then forced into “retirement” about a  year later. Given my experience at the firm, I suspect that the latter treatment was much more representative of her treatment over the course of her career than the party and bonus!

Having no information to the contrary I’ll stick with my assumption that this is a well-deserved formal recognition of Caryn’s contribution to the firm that is in addition to the  regular respect and appreciation  to which she is likely entitled. Congratulation, Caryn!

By the way, paralegals are not granted certificates from good educational programs. The certificates are earned by the paralegals.

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Little comment on this from MinnLawyer Blog other than to say it’s an idea I like:

Minnesota Lawyer announced the honorees in its third annual Unsung Legal Heroes Awards. The awards are meant to honor support staff employees who have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty in their work. This year’s honorees were nominated by colleagues, supervisors, and the staff of Minnesota Lawyer. … A lunch will be held at noon September 22 to recognize this year’s honorees. Congratulations to everyone.

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Among the winners of recently announced Air Force JAG awards were:

Senior Master Sgt. Steven Fitzgerald, a paralegal manager, of the 14th Air Force, at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., earned the Karen Yates-Popwell Award for outstanding paralegal senior NCO. This award recognizes the active-duty SNCO in the grade of senior master sergeant or master sergeant selected as the most outstanding paralegal of the year based on demonstrated excellence, superior initiative, leadership, management skills and professionalism.

Tech. Sgt. Karin Burke, the NCO-in-charge of claims and legal assistance, at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, earned the Steve Swigonski Award for outstanding paralegal Airman. This award recognizes the active-duty Airman in the grade of technical sergeant or below selected as the most outstanding paralegal of the year based on demonstrated superior initiative, technical skill, leadership ability and devotion to duty.

Lt. Col. Daniel Rouse, the assistant staff judge advocate, of the 8th AF, Barksdale AFB, La., earned the Reginald C. Harmon Award as outstanding Reserve judge advocate. This award recognizes the most outstanding Air Reserve Component officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel or below. The recipient is selected as the most outstanding judge advocate of the year based on training accomplishments or contribution to mission support, exhibition of leadership in the military or civilian community, and enrollment in off-duty programs of professional self-improvement.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Misener, a paralegal, of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, at MacDill AFB, Fla., earned the David Westbrook Award as outstanding Reserve paralegal. This award recognizes the most outstanding ARC paralegal of the year. The recipient demonstrated superior initiative, technical skill, training accomplishments or contribution to mission support, exhibition of leadership in the military or civilian community, and enrollment in off-duty programs of professional self-improvement.

Ronald Frazier, the chief of paralegal training and curriculum, of The Judge Advocate General’s School, at the Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Maxwell AFB, Ala., earned the Harold R. Vague Award as outstanding legal service civilian. This award recognizes the legal service civilian (non-attorney) employed by or serving with the JAG’s Corps selected as most outstanding legal service civilian of the year based on demonstrated excellence, initiative and devotion to duty. Special consideration is given to those individuals who develop or improve systems, programs or procedures that enhance management efficiency or cost-effectiveness for Air Force legal programs.

The award recipients will be formally recognized at an awards banquet at the Air Force JAG Corps’ Leadership Summit this fall in Orlando, Fla.

Congratulations to them all and a hearty “Thank you” for their service to our country.

By the way this is more evidence that paralegals are more important than ants, Comedy Central.

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Practical Paralegalism’s sharp eye notes the nomination of the Northwest Florida Paralegal Association’s nomination for the Children’s Champion of Northwest Florida award. The nomination is “for making a profound impact on the lives of local children.” I would like to hear more about the association’s work that had that profound impact.

In addition to this nomination, NWFPA’s nifty website tells us:

NWFPA recognizes over 40 members that have attained Florida Registered Paralegals (FRP) status, utilizing the association for networking and continuing education purposes.

The NWFPA sponsored an essay contest for Law Week 2009 focusing on Abraham Lincoln and his contribution to the fields of law and government.

In step with what many paralegal associations have done nationwide, NWFPA has established a LinkedIn networking group.

NWFPA clearly demonstrates what a professional association can and should be, and what professional paralegals can do when they work together as a profession and for the profession.  In fact, unlike many association, not only live up to, but go beyond their mission statement:

The NWFPA Mission Statement

The Northwest Florida Paralegal Association is dedicated to encouraging the ethical and professional growth of paralegals in the northwest Florida area by providing continuing education to members of the paralegal profession; by providing a venue for members to interact with other members of the legal community; and by supporting and carrying out the programs, purposes, aims and goals of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.

Congratulations to NWFPA! And thanks to Lynee DeVenney for her post featuring this association.

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The Orlando Sentinel has several reports of interest. Here are two of them:

Annette L.S. Root, Florida Registered Paralegal with the Law Offices of Neal T. McShane, Orlando, has been awarded the 2009 Paralegal of the Year Award by the Central Florida Paralegal Association Inc.

Teen Court volunteers: The Central Florida Paralegal Association needs teen volunteers for its Teen Court program. Orange County volunteers meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Juvenile Justice Center. Contact David Medvec at ctaddm1@ocnjcc.org. Osceola County volunteers meet Wednesdays at the Osceola County Courthouse. Contact Angie Martinez at ctadam1@ocnjcc.org. Seminole County volunteers meet Tuesdays at the Juvenile Justice Center in Sanford. Contact Alison Mikel at 407-665-5364 or amikel@seminolecountyfl.gov.

Congratulations to both Annette and CFPA.  Annette is, by virtue of the award, an uncommon person. CFPA’a involvement in volunteer programs is, fortunately, not uncommon for paralegal professional associations. This program appears to be a particular good opportunity to volunteer and network – a win/win situation for sure. I’m particularly partial to programs that focus on teenagers. I’d be interested in more details on this program as there is no indication in the story as to what the program does (although some intelligent guesses can be made) or what the teen volunteers are volunteering to do.

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The Baltimore Sunreports that Carol Ahlum, Legal Aid Bureau of Midwestern Maryland paralegal, was among those honored at a recent “gala.” This is no suprise to Facebook fans of Maryland Legal Aid where Carol was congratulated last October:

Congratulations to Carol Ahlum, who will receive the Maryland Legal Services Corporation’s 2009 William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award in December. The annual award is presented to a non-attorney who has demonstrated outstanding service in Maryland representing or expanding service on behalf of the rights and legal needs of low-income people.

While I’ve been pleased to report on recognitions given to paralegals on a regular basis (see the “Awards and Honors” category), Carol drew my attention for additional reason: the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law online library carries an entry regarding a successful appeal of a Defendant Maryland Department of Human Resources denial of an application for food stamps. That entry notes:

Appellant represented by Carol Ahlum, Legal Aid Bureau, 21 W. South St., Frederick, MD 21701

I assume this is the same Carol Ahlum, and that Carol has won not only the award, but also the respect and confidence of the attorneys supervising the Legal Aid Bureau to the extent that she is given the responsibility for representing clients at these appeal hearings!

I am interested in hearing from paralegals regarding other opportunities for paralegals to represent clients at administrative hearings and other proceedings.

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Paralegals were among those earning DOJ awards for service last week. According to MainJustice.com awards included:

Dedicated Service Award:

Henry LaHaie: has honorably served the Civil Division for more than 30 years, more than 20 of them devoted to making the Office of Consumer Litigation increasingly efficient and effective. LaHaie is responsible for developing OCL’s paralegal support system that rivals any private firm’s litigation support. He has eagerly assisted other offices in the division by sharing his concepts of office automation and making paralegals effective partners in active litigation. LaHaie does all of this in addition to supervising and reviewing a busy civil and criminal litigation caseload.

Award for Excellence in Paralegal Support

Award description: It recognizes outstanding achievements in the performance of paralegal duties.

Recipients:

Amy Kokot: She supervises a team of seven paralegals providing litigation support for the defense of cases filed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. Kokot is a superb leader, who thinks ahead to ensure every task is completed in a timely manner and without complications. She consistently demonstrates an impressive level of responsibility and attention to detail that is unsurpassed.

Katrina Nieves: She has served the International Trade Field Office, National Courts Section, for more than 20 years. She is the supervisor of a litigation support team that directly assists 10 attorneys in the field office, and frequently aids visiting Department attorneys as well. She consistently presents a positive image of the office by greeting and working with visitors, including court personnel, in her singularly friendly way. She is always forward thinking, and easily resolves or prevents operational problems.

Craig Radoci: has provided exceptional assistance in preparing for various trials and hearings. His adeptness in electronic discovery and Trial Director software has led to rich and easily navigable trial presentations. Radoci has provided extremely effective factual and legal research assistance to the office’s attorneys. He is highly praised for his support in preparing for trials and hearings, and his efforts have contributed to successful outcomes.

Brian Ruberti: He maintains QTrack+, the database he helped design to track the Fraud Section’s cases. His ability to marry the technical capabilities of the system with an understanding of what section attorneys need as lawyers and how the information may be understood by the public provides an indispensable tool.

Nicole Dammeyer, Janine Johansen, Melissa Kohilakis, Michelle Phillips, Maria Swails-Brown and Adriana Vecchio: The Guantanamo Habeas Corpus Team is recognized for the superb litigation support provided over the past year to a team of 50 attorneys litigating more than 200 cases. The team has labored under extraordinarily difficult circumstances: very tight time constraints, large volumes of classified information, and many, many late nights and weekends. Throughout it all, this team has been thoroughly professional and has met every odd challenge with enthusiasm.

These individuals demonstrate the traits of professional paralegals. Here are some of those traits previously discussed on this blog as marks of true professionals:

Eagerly assists – shares concepts

Thinks ahead to ensure every task is completed in a timely manner and without complications

Demonstrates an impressive level of responsibility and attention to detail

Consistently presents a positive image

Forward thinking, and easily resolves or prevents operational problems

Understanding of …how the information may be understood by the public

Thoroughly professional and has met every odd challenge with enthusiasm

Sounds like a good self-evaluation checklist for all of us. Congratulations to all of the recipients!

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It has been awhile since I’ve posted in the “Awards and Honors” category. Today Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, provides an opportunity by announcing Tina Wiles as the winner of its Roger A. Perry Award. Tina is a good illustration of giving back to the profession by actively participating in professional organizations.  Here’s the report from readMedia newswire:

Roger A. Perry Award – Tina Wiles of Brandon, VT, Class of 1987 and 1992 earned an AS in Legal Administrative Assistant and AS In Paralegal Studies. Wiles has a long history with the Vermont Paralegal Organization, holding past positions such as President and CLE Coordinator. She also held a national position with National Federation of Paralegal Association as Region V Director. Wiles is also a former adjunct instructor for Real Estate II in Champlain’s paralegal program. She was a long-time resident of Chittenden County and moved several years ago to Brandon where she is currently the zoning administrator for the town.

Today is also a big day for Breast Cancer Awareness. I hope to comment a bit on the need for awareness later today if I can carve out the time.

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The NALA website announces the 2009 NALA National Award Recipients:

2009 NALA Presidents Award Recipient
Michelle Erdmann, ACP
Fargo, North Dakota

Michelle Erdmann has been a “guiding force” in the Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants and NALA, providing inspiration and motivation to paralegals on the local, state and national levels. Before leaving the region for new employment, Michelle served in numerous leadership positions for the Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants. Her performance was described as “calm and patient,” offering guidance to members and resolutions to difficulties.

Her work with NALA includes working with the Professional Development Committee as Chair, and as a member of the NALA Board of Directors. she has also served as Ethics Chair, and as a member of the NALA Continuing Education Council. Most recently, she served as a member of the NALA Advanced Paralegal Certification Board.

2009 National Affiliated Associations Achievement Award
Connie Kretchmer, ACP
Omaha, Nebraska

A former NALA president, Connie has been heavily involved in the paralegal profession for several decades as an educator, author, and as a paralegal. She has been a member of NALA for more than 24 years, and has served both NALA and the Nebraska Paralegal Association. She is currently in her second three year term as a member of the NALA Advanced Paralegal Certification Board. She is also serving as a faculty member of the NALA CLA/CP review course, and is greatly involved in helping those seeking the Certified Paralegal credential. She has contributed to numerous CLA/CP review programs on the local and regional level, and has contributed material to the NALA CLA Mock Examination and Study Guide. Her dedication to furthering paralegal education and career enhancement has inspired members of the Nevada Paralegal Association, and the power of her personality and helpful attitude has influenced many paralegals throughout the nation.

2009 NALA Affiliated Associations Outstanding Contribution Award
Sandra D. Hatch, CP
Portland, Oregon

Sandra Hatch has taken the Pacific Northwest Paralegal Association to a pinnacle of excellence with her leadership as President. She has served on the PNPA Board for nine years, was a Past President, and is currently chair of the Legal Education Committee. She is a litigation paralegal with more than 30 years of experience, currently working in labor and employment law. Her influence is credited with bringing PNPA’s membership back from 12 members in 2002 to over 70 today.  She has also help reform a CLA/CP Study Group to prepare for the March 2010 Certified Paralegal examination.

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According to the Jacksonville, Florida, Financial News and Daily Record, a local paralegal, Linda Whipple, has been named “Paralegal of the Year” by The American Association of Justice: 

Nominees were judged by paralegal affiliate members and one attorney member of the AAJ Paralegal Advisory Task Force. Judges looked for contributions to the paralegal profession through teaching, speaking/lecturing, mentoring paralegal students, involvement with paralegal associations and publication of articles in legal publications.

Whipple is active in her local paralegal association (Northeast Florida Paralegal Association) and served as their first vice-president in 2003-04. She became a part of the over 3,000 voluntary registered paralegals in March 2008 through the Florida Bar administered program.

“Becoming a registered paralegal through the Florida Bar is voluntary now, but I think that will change in the near future,” said Whipple. “It will become a requirement.”

The certification program was approved by the Florida Supreme Court in 2007 with the goal of setting high professional standards for the profession. The program requires paralegals to abide by a code of ethics while performing their duties under the supervision of a member of the Florida Bar. Registered paralegals must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses over a three-year period, with five of those hours in professionalism or ethics courses.

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