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Brevard Paralegal Association Chapter

Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc.

April 2013

The Paralegal Pipeline


Inspiring professional growth...one paralegal at a time IN THIS ISSUE
State News 2

Monthly Message

April Annual Meeting 3 April Panel Discussion 3 National News E-Filing Galleria Community Service Sponsors 4 5 6 7

I leave BPA's presidency with many friends not only on the chapter level, but also on the state level. I got to also work with PAF's Board and got to know the amazing group of people who work hard to make our profession known and respected. Thank you BPA's Board, Committee Chairs, and all those of you who donated your time to serve the association. I could not have done IT without you.

2012-13 Board Listing 8 9, 10

Follow us! Search Brevard Paralegal Association and join! We list useful links, information regarding upcoming meetings and events!

It feels like it was yesterday when I decided to run for President of our Association. Now my second term is coming to an end. Where did time go? It has been two years of hard work. Meetings to organize, meetings to attend, reports to be prepared, trips made to the various PAF's Board Meetings... I'm grateful for the opportunity you gave me and I have taken every challenge to heart. If you asked me to choose one word to describe what I'm most grateful for in the past two years, that word would be friendship. You don't lead a group of people alone, you need many faithful people to walk with you so the job can be done. In the process of working together, you get to know people, their stories, and friendships are formed.

This next term I will become your Immediate Past President. I'm looking forward to working under the new Boards leadership. In addition, I will be joining PAF's Board. I'm honored to have the opportunity. Please make sure to attend BPA's Meeting on April 11 at Suntree Country Club. Our topic for next month is A Paralegal Panel Discussion: Attorneys Clients, and Peers Effective Communication." Also, we will be having BPA's Annual Meeting. If you are an active member and you can't attend please send your proxies ASAP. Best regards, Silvia Silvia Cowan, Brevard County Legal Aid

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Notable News for the Sunshine State CORNER


Annual renewals for FRPs are now due! Need credits? The Florida Bar is offering CLEs. A listing of courses available can be accessed at www.floridabar.org/cle. If you are not a registered Florida Paralegal the Florida Bar website has as information pertaining to qualifications, fees, and a Q & A fact sheet. Please take a few minutes to review the information and consider applying. PAFs Spring Seminar, Branching Out Growing, Growing in New Directions is scheduled for May 17 - 18, 2013, at The Hotel Duval Tallahassee, Florida. The seminar will be hosted by the Big Bend Chapter. The seminar is approved by NALA for 10.5 hours of CLE credit, including 3.0 hours of Ethics. The registration deadline is May 3, 2013. Registration fee is $150.00 for members and $180.00 for non-members. A full description of workshops being offered, registration form, and information pertaining to the hotel is available on-line at www.pafinc.org.

PAF QUICK REFERENCE

SAVE THE DATE www.pafinc.org/treasure


The Treasure Coast Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida, plans to hold a one day Spring Seminar on April 19, 2013 at the Indian River State College Campus. The Seminar is approved by NALA for 6 hours of CLE credit. Registration fee is $75 for members, $90 non-members, and $30 for students. Workshop topics include:

Client Relations/Management/Effectiveness & Managing Expectations How Probated Property Affects Real Estate Transactions Alimony Reform Bill Wrongful Death & Litigation Crossover Temporary Relief Changes in the Estate Tax Exemption

Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. 466 94th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33702 www.pafinc.org

Mediation For additional information contact: Kristen Schmidt at (772) 6333496 or e-mail: kristen@coltonhill.com

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APRIL CHAPTER MEETING ELECTIONS AND PANEL DISCUSSION THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013 6:00 P.M. - SUNTREE COUNTRY CLUB

A PARALEGAL PANEL DISCUSSION ATTORNEYS, CLIENTS, AND PEERS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Whether you are a seasoned veteran of the paralegal world or have only worked in the field for a short time, we can guarantee that probably all of you or at least a wide percentage of you have had a really bad day that was the result of communication - normally bad or no communication at all was at the heart of the problem. It doesnt matter what field you work in, we are all human beings and communication skills are not always our strength in or out of a professional setting on a given day. The same holds true for the attorneys you work for, your peers in the office, the clients your firm serves, and other paralegals and professionals you deal with on a daily basis. You add to the mix a demanding work load, unclear expectations, stress, personal issues , etc., etc., and it can get pretty bumpy. BPA is proud to present at the April meeting a panel discussion on this very topic. This panel was developed in response to the 2012 Member Survey where members asked for training on this topic. Hear the panel members experiences and insight on how they handled different situations and what has worked for them on a daily basis. Moderator: Roma Molinaro, CP, FRP, Paralegal Michael Kahn, P.A. Panelists in Attendance: Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP: Kim is Past President, BPA and has been a Senior Corporate Paralegal for Health First, Inc. since 2005. In addition, Kim is a Member of the Florida Bar Health Law Section and the Florida Bar Education Committee. Prior to working at Health First Kim was a Paralegal/Office Administrator for the Law Office of Thomas H. Yardley for ten years. Silvia Cowan: Silvia earned her law degree from Candido Mendes University of Law in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1996 and passed the bar that same year. Silvia moved to Florida in 2001 and obtained her AS Degree in Paralegal Studies from Brevard Community College. Silvia is currently the President of BPA and soon will be serving on the Board of Directors for the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. Silvia is a paralegal with Brevard County Legal Aid and her responsibilities include conducting all interviews with prospective clients seeking dissolution of marriage, child custody, and paternity cases. Linda Goettsche, FRP, CP: Linda has her B.S. in Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University and an A.S. in Paralegal Studies from Brevard Community College. Linda works as a paralegal for Adrienne E. Trent, P.A. The firm primarily works in the area of employment law representing employees and employers in various types of employment claims including employment discrimination, whistle blower retaliation, Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, breach of contract, unpaid wage and unemployment claims.

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They say its your Birthday

Notable News from NALA

Award Nominations Due April 15


Nominations for NALA's annual awards at the July Convention in Portland, Oregon, are due April 15. These tributes are a meaningful function of a professional association to express esteem for members who excel and to inspire excellence in others. Nomination forms are available from NALA Headquarters or they may be downloaded from the NALA website in under the Members Area tab. .

Toni-Marie DAlessandro Linda Goettsche Barbara Morrow Jamie Shreffler

The Founders' Award is NALA's highest award recognizing extraordinary contributions that have affected the paralegal profession for a significant period. 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. 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.

Happy Birthday to Ya

LEAP Applications Due May 15 NEW MEMBER WELCOMES Emily ORouke Kathrine Reinmann Deborah Tuttle MEMBERSHIP COUNT 55 Active 14 Students 2 Associates 2 Honorary
NALA's Professional Development Committee is now accepting applications for the LEAP class of 2014. The class members will be announced this summer at the 2013 NALA Annual Meeting of Members, in Portland, Oregon. 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. 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. 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!

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FOND FAREWELL

BPA bids a fond farewell to Nandra Ramnarine, CP who has been a loyal and dedicated member of the Chapter for many years. Nandra has accepted an exciting opportunity in the corporate environment as paralegal in Tampa, Florida. Her expertise and years of experience will be valuable assets to her new employer. Nandras contributions to BPA are immeasurable. Through her years in the organization, she has served in nearly every board position including President. In the past year, Nandra was both Chair, Ways & Means Committee and editor of The Paralegal Pipeline. We wish her well in her new job and all the joy and opportunities living in Tampa offers .
DEADLINE FOR MANDATORY E-FILING ARRIVES FOR CIVIL CASES Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Thirty-fifth President of the USA April 1, 2013 is no joking matter for those of us that work in Civil Law. That is the date for mandatory e-filing. If you have not already done so please go to myflcourtaccess.com and register your attorneys. I thought I would take a moment and share with everyone a few tips and reminders.

You are no longer required to submit the original documents after e-filing; unless the original is required. Example: Wills are required documents. The Clerk must keep the paper original for 20 years. All proposed orders must be mailed to the Clerks office. You may not submit these through the eportal. Please ensure all information in the caption of your document is correct. When filing documents for existing cases, please ensure a correct case number is on every document. Please choose the appropriate title from the drop down menu for each of your documents. Please attach all exhibits if your document mentions exhibits. If your document mentions something being attached please attach it. Example: A "Notice of Filing" states a death certificate is attached. This would be considered one document not two. You would have to attach the death certificate and submit it as one document. When filing a new case you will be prompted to pay the appropriate filing fee. You can use your firms credit card or set up your firms bank account information, no different then paying a bill on-line. For a limited time the Clerks office will still be accepting documents through the mail and over the counter. This is an undetermined amount of time.

I hope this information is helpful. This is an exciting time for all and like any new endeavor there will be adjustments. I am confident if we all work together and are patient in the end we will have a more convenient efficient way of doing business. Hope Lutz, CP Paralegal, Brevard County Clerk of the Courts

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BPA WELCOMES BACK DR. LOUIS JIANNINE


The February meeting welcomed Dr. Louis Jiannine, Professor and Curriculum Coordinator of Paralegal Studies at Brevard Community College and his wife, Rene Jiannine. It was a bitter sweet evening for all given that Dr. J (affectionately known by his past and present students) announced his planned retirement at the end of this year. Many current and former students were in attendance to hear his presentation on, "Hearsay Mythology". President Silvia Cowan took the opportunity to thank Dr. J for his loyal support of BPA through the years and what that has meant to the organization and each of the members.

Members had a chance to reminisce about Dr. Js Evidence Take Home exam.

REMEMBER APRIL BPA ELECTIONS

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BRANCHING OUT WITH PAF

Toni-Marie DAlessandro, CP, FCP, FRP, Community Service Chair

All chapters of PAF have received the following call for help in the form of community service from Heather Dugan, Community Service Liaison from PAF: Its that time of year again . . . Spring Seminar and GIFT BASKETS!!! We are less than 50 days out from the Spring Seminar and the Big Bend chapter has selected the Tree House of Tallahassee as their charity. Since 1986, thousands of abused and neglected children in Tallahassee and the surrounding nine counties have found shelter, comfort and a sense of normalcy through a local charity Tree House of Tallahassee, Inc. For additional information, please visit: www.treehouseflorida.org/ whatistreehouse.aspx. The theme for the Spring Seminar is Branching Out Growing in New Directions. The Big Bend chapter will be using the Tallahassee Live Oak Trees as their main focus. I need your help in preparing a gift basket from your chapter to be raffled off at the seminar...

Jamie Shreffler from Michael Kahns Firm has graciously agreed to put the basket together for us. At the February meeting it was suggested that we think of items that would be used with wine, i.e. scorescrews, cocktail napkins, good book, etc., etc. If you have any items that you think you would like to donate, we will be taking donations at this months meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Toni-Marie and please visit the website for Tree House of Tallahassee for more information on this most worthwhile cause. Remember, children are our future!

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Newsletter Advertising
Half Page $100/Year Or $55/6 months Business Card $50/Year Or $30/6 months Special rates available for onetime ads Submit business card or ad artwork, preferably in .jpg or .bmp format to Kimberly.Nowakowski@ Health-First.Org or send it to: Kim Nowakowski c/o Health First, Inc. 6540 US Hwy 1 Rockledge FL 32955 The Paralegal Pipeline advertising reaches people throughout Florida. The publications revenue supports scholarships and various community service projects, which enables your costs associated to advertising here to be tax deductible. Please make your check payable to Brevard Paralegal Association. Thank you.

2012-13 BPA Board of Directors & Committee

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Silvia Cowan silviacwn@gmail.com Vice President Tracy King, FRP tracyking@cfl.rr.com Treasurer Hope Lutz, CP hope.lutz@yahoo.com Secretary Linda Goettsche, CP lgoettsche@cfl.rr.com Immediate Past President Kim Nowakowski, RP,FRP
kimberly.nowakowski@health-first.org

Local Bar Liaison Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP


kimberly.nowakowski@health-first.org

Meetings Sabine Martel


for dinner reservations e-mail bpameet-

ings@yahoo.com Membership Tracy King, FRP tracyking@cfl.rr.com Newsletter Editor Anne Cope
acope@annecopeconsulting.com

Publicity Jessica Pauley, CP Stardust5055@hotmail.com Ways and Means Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP
kimberly.nowakowski@health-first.org

Parliamentarian Toni-Marie DAlessandro, CP, FCP, FRP


tdalessandro@gray-robinson.com

Director-at-Large Anne Cope


acope@annecopeconsulting.com

OTHER POSITIONS Vacant Historian/Photographer PAF Website Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP
kimberly.nowakowski@health-first.org

COMMITTEE CHAIRS Budget


Jenny Lawton-Seal, CP, FRP

zzlawtonj@earthlink.net

Treasurers Report
Hope Lutz, CP, Treasurer

Bylaws and Standing Rules


Maureen Mo Martens, CP, FRP

momartens@cfl.rr.com

Community Service Toni-Marie DAlessandro, CP, FCP, FRP


tdalessandro@gray-robinson.com

Education/Scholarship Roma Molinaro, CP, FCP, FRP, MLA rmolinaro@cfl.rr.com Student Liaison Debbie Gapsch dgapsch@cfl.rr.com Job Bank Coordinator Kim M. Dexter, ACP, FCP kdexter@gray-robinson.com

Checking $ 4,476.76 Savings $ 3,849.91 As of March 30, 2013

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The Paralegal Pipeline

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