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The ParagraphGeorgia Association of Paralegals Quarterly Newsletter
Charter Member of theNational Federation of Paralegal Associations
GAPGAP Celebrates 30 Years!
GAP received its start in 1973 when we officially incorporatedas The Atlanta Association of Legal Assistants, AALA. Then
in January 1997 AALA was changed to Georgia Association of LegalAssistants, GALA. Later in 1997 GALA became GAP. Over the yearsour name has changed but our dedication to our profession has re-mained constant.
During our February 11, 2003 dinner meeting we partied to celebrateour success and we look forward to many more happy years as Georgia’sleading paralegal association.
In This Issue
Page 2From The President
Page 3GAP’s 2003 Board of DirectorsLetter From the Editor
Page 4Corporate Sponsor Members
Page 5Welcome new GAP Members
Page 7“What? Me Worry? Part II”by Beth Magee, RP
Page 9“PACE Yourself . . . or Others”by Susan Draeger ParkerParamount Staffing SponsoringPACE Scholarship
Page 10News From National
Page 142002 Award for OutstandingPro Bono Service
Page 15GAP 2003 Calendar of Events
Thanks . . .to the following sponsor members for the greatgifts they contributed to our celebration:PARAMOUNT STAFFING in addition to three amazing door prize giftbaskets each attendee received a 30 year anniversary wine glass and blackleather portfolioDOCUFORCE three sets of tickets to great local events were given awayas door prizes and all attendees received one free drink and a make-up kitNEW MEMBERS COMMITTEE - Marc Allard - Atlanta Legal Services -Spa Sydel gift certificate door prize and sponsored the Pro Bono Award
April, 2003
1973-
2003
FROM THE PRESIDENTAt the close of the first quarter in our 30th anni-
versary year, GAP has seen a lot of changes. Therehave been changes in the economy and currently wefind that our country is at war. Our hearts go out toall of those who have friends and family that havebeen called away. Our very own Region III Director,Jane Phinney will not be joining us at the NFPAConvention in Rhode Island because she is on stand-by to leave any day now.
At this moment, several of our members areexperiencing changes that are beyond their control.The GAP Board is no exception. We, too, have beenimpacted by unforeseen changes. Kim Hollomon,our Board Advisor and Past President resigned due tofamily commitments. We congratulate Kim on thebirth of her second child and wish her the best. OurTreasurer, who served GAP for an entire year lastyear had to step down due to job responsibilities. Wethank Tracey for the time she devoted to GAP and
wish her well in hercareer. The Board ofDirectors of GAP is ateam. It would be diffi-cult for me to fulfill myduties as President if itwasn’t for the assistanceand support of the Board.Thanks to you for all ofyour hard work anddedication.
Since we are talking about changes, Iwould like to ask each of you, our membershow GAP can change to better serve you.Please let the Board hear from you regardingideas you may have that can enhance ourassociation.
Jennifer Kirkland2003 GAP [email protected]
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GAP, The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundationand the Fulton County Family Court Have Teamed
Up For a Great New Pro Bono Projectby: Christina Sheets & Eva Herr
GAP has been offered an incredible opportunity to make asignificant difference in the lives of children who desperately needchild support in the Fulton County Child Support AbandonmentCourt under the guidance of Judge Kim Warden, as well as DanBloom and Connie White of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Founda-tion. Not only does this project help the children, it provides thecourts with some much-needed relief from the strenuous Abandon-ment Calendar each Monday. This is a pilot program established atthe request of Judge Warden, who asked AVLF for assistance onceshe began sitting as a Judge in that courtroom and recognized thetremendous need for volunteer assistance.
This is a calendar, wherein a custodial parent, who has obtaineda warrant for non-payment of child support, has a hearing to deter-mine why the non-custodial parent should not be held in contempt forthe non-payment. It is the goal of this court, to obtain the necessaryinformation to implement an Income Deduction Order, which wouldprovide the child with almost immediate support on a regular basis.The non-custodial parent is initially given three options: 1) preparethe necessary paperwork to implement an Income Deduction Orderfor the payment of child support or direct payment if the obligor isunemployed; 2) have a hearing as to why the contemptuous partyshould not be held in contempt and placed in jail; 3) to request apaternity test should a party dispute paternity of the child.
Completing an Income Deduction Order is the most frequentlychosen option. This is where GAP members are needed to assist.Paralegals help the parents properly complete the necessary forms sothat the child support will be automatically deducted from the non-custodial parent’s paycheck. In addition, paralegal volunteers willassist the court in computing the amount of child support to be paid,based upon the child support guidelines, and in answering anyquestions the parties may have. If there are existing child supportarrearages, the volunteer assists the parties in devising a paymentschedule whereby the obligor would eventually become current onhis or her payments.
For those non-custodial parents who fail to show up, a warrantmay be issued for their arrest.
When you walk into this courtroom, it appears to be mass chaos,though in reality, it is complete organization under the watchful eyeof Judge Kim Warden. The courtroom is packed. Judge Warden isholding hearings on civil child support contempt issues, attempting tointerview parents to compute and complete Income Deduction Ordersand conducting hearings on criminal child support issues with theprosecutor, all simultaneously. However, with the implementation ofthis pilot project and utilization of GAP paralegals, Judge Wardenwill be able to hear more cases, resulting in more children ultimatelyreceiving more child support, while reducing stress on the courtsystem and its employees.
So far, we have a volunteer committee of 9, consisting of LoriKeys and Eva Herr of Davis, Matthews & Quigley, Latonia Dixon ofMcCalla, Raymer, Padrick, Cobb, Nichols & Clark, Tarrah Gales of
2003 Board of DirectorsPresident
Jennifer K. [email protected]
Sr. VP/NFPA SecondaryMarcus C. Li
[email protected] MembershipPamela J. Starr
[email protected] - CLE
Debra K. [email protected]
TreasurerCarol Levitt
[email protected] PrimaryGina S. Farley
[email protected] BonoEva Herr
[email protected] EditorChristina Sheets
Coordinators &Committee Members
Pace AmbassadorBeth Magee
[email protected] Member Receptions
Michelle [email protected]
Anne [email protected]
Student GrowthNajwa Waheed
[email protected] Coordinator
Mizette [email protected]
Executive AdministratorNorene Quinn
continued on page 13
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Miller & Martin, LLPNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
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WELCOME NEW GAP MEMBERSCharles W. Cromwell
Cheryl M. JohnsonSandra Tomeka Jones
Olivia D. StewartErnest A. Tannis
Alexander Gallo & AssociatesAndrea D. BakewellAmerican AirlinesPatricia Richardson
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers FoundationDionne Hines
BG Search AssociatesMalaika Hines
Bank of AmericaAndrea Y. Smith
Bellon & Associates, Inc.Brooke Wheeler
Casey, Gilson, Leibel, PCClaudia Sullivan
Cendian CorporationSuzanna Iaconangelo
Davis, Matthews & QuigleyRyan G. Anderson
Diversified Energy Services, Inc.Lisa G. Gray
Document ResourcesGordon Mosley
Electronic Data Discovery, Inc.Denise Mendez Smith
Patrick WebbGeorgia Pacific Corporation
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H. Harold Chambers, Jr.Audrey L. Boyd
Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley, P.C.Elizabeth M. Edwards
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Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Muprhy LLPHilary HothersallSeyfarth Shaw
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Valerie H. GordonTroutman Sanders LLP
Lillary Hall FaulkWeinstock & Scavo P.C.
Ann J.JacksonYKK Corporation of America
Michele A. Carrasquillo
Mizette Coakley,(right) member of the Newsletter Committeewith new member Hillary Faulk, Troutman Sanders
NEWS FROM NATIONAL
Gina S. Farley, CLAGAP Primary
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)held its Annual Convention in Newport, Rhode Island on March27-30, 2003. As GAP Primary, I represented our membershipat the policy meetings along with Marcus Li, GAP Secondary.
The Rhode Island Paralegal Association (RIPA) did asplendid job of hosting this year’s convention, rivaling evenour own “southern hospitality”. They provided us with exten-sive information on transportation, restaurants and evenweather updates to assist us in packing for the cooler climate.Also, the seminar speakers they booked were very professional– a few were university professors – and dedicated to furtheringthe education of paralegals.
There were two agenda topics submitted prior to conven-tion, for which I surveyed our membership at GAP’s Februarydinner meeting. However, the NFPA Board of Directorswithdrew their resolution for shortening the term of NFPA’sEducation Coordinator to be resubmitted at a later time.
The remaining agenda topic was a resolution submitted bythe Washington State Paralegal Association for adding alterna-tive experiential minimum criteria to the eligibility require-ments for taking PACE. The majority of GAP members whoresponded to my survey on this topic were in favor of thealternative. This resolution was debated heavily and veryintelligently on the convention floor, with logical arguments on
both sides of the issue. How-ever, after a few “friendlyamendments” were accepted,the resolution passed, addingthe option of a 2-year degreein paralegal studies pairedwith six (6) years of paralegalexperience to the acceptablecriteria for taking PACE. Theadvocates of this resolutionhope that the result will bemany more paralegals takingPACE, providing more exposure for the Registered Parale-gal designation. If you are interested in learning moreabout PACE and the eligibility criteria, please contact ourPACE Ambassador, Beth Magee ([email protected]).
NFPA also elected its new Board of Directors at thisconvention. For a listing of the Board members, visit theNFPA website at www.paralegals.org.
I want to thank the membership for allowing me torepresent GAP at the NFPA convention. Being a delegate isa truly great experience and I would be happy to shareinformation with any of you who are interested in gettingmore involved with GAP or NFPA.
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Susan Draeger Parker hasbeen a paralegal with Fortson,
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a graduate of the University ofWisconsin-Stevens Point,earned a certificate with
Honors from the NationalCenter for Paralegal Trainingin Atlanta, and obtained herRP designation. She may be
contacted at [email protected].
PACE YOURSELF . . . OR OTHERS
Ever wonder whether you’re up to the challenge of taking thePACE exam? Interested in sitting for PACE, but don’t know what tostudy? Have you earned your RP and have knowledge and experiencethat someone else would benefit from?
Well.....you’re in luck! GAP’s new PACE Ambassador, BethMagee, has Designed a clever system where candidates for the PACEexam can pair up with a mentor who has successfully completedPACE, or a study partner also preparing for the test. Beth and I canboth vouch for the benefits of this why-go-it-alone approach, havingteamed up as “study-buddies” while preparing to sit for PACE.Whether discussing points of law, interpreting answers to studyquestions, trading materials, or simply sharing trials and tribulations,our partnership was invaluable in helping ensure that our preparationwas comprehensive. Not to mention that what could have been a verydull and lonely process actually became fun! Lack of close proximitywas not an issue, as we stayed in close touch through e-mail andphone and used the mail system to send materials back and forth.
Now that PACE is behind us, we have each come to realize that carrying the RP designation includes aresponsibility to upcoming candidates. Beth chose to contribute by becoming our PACE Ambassador,while I am currently mentoring a paralegal who is studying for PACE. So to all you RPs in Georgia,consider this challenge: GAP urges each of you to invest the time to “enlist and assist” one person to takePACE within the next year. And to those of you who have not signed up to sit for PACE, know that GAP’snew Mentor Program provides the best support yet for jump-starting your efforts toward becoming an RP.Do yourself a favor and take advantage of it!
If you are interested in serving as a PACE mentor or want a study-buddy, please contact me yourfriendly GAP PACE Mentor Coordinator Susan Dreager Parker at [email protected] or PACE Ambassador,Beth Magee at [email protected].
Paramount Staffing, Inc., one of GAP’s most active sustaining members, will sponsor our PACEScholarship to be awarded in December 2003. The PACE Scholarship funds the application fee for aGAP member to take the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) in 2004. Paramount was oneof the sponsors for GAP’s kickoff dinner meeting of 2003, but wanting to become more involved inGAP, eagerly offered to sponsor the scholarship when it learned GAP was seeking sponsors for thescholarship.
Paramount specializes in placing all legal personnel, with a client base including international lawfirms and Fortune 500 corporations. GAP thanks Paramount for volunteering to promote PACE, and itsgenerally enthusiastic support of GAP and the paralegal profession.
You’ll learn more about the scholarship and how to apply for it in the next issue of the newsletter orcheck our website www.gaparalegal.org for information.
PARAMOUNT STAFFINGSPONSORING PACE SCHOLARSHIP
Beth Magee, RPPACE Registered Paralegal
2003 PACE Ambassador770-582-8093
WHAT? ME WORRY? Part III always knew I would pass PACE, except for those times when I
wasn’t so sure. I reviewed the domains PACE tests, and realized I hadto do a lot of studying in the areas of legal research, analysis andwriting, law firm ethics and administration/management. For over tenyears I’ve been working for corporations specializing in franchise andcontracts law. The ethics are somewhat different since you only haveone client, the company. The administration is unique since corporatelegal departments normally do not bill for services and aren’t consid-ered profit centers. Obtaining materials on paralegal ethics and lawfirm administration became my first priority.
My second priority was to seek out other paralegals who havetaken the exam and to find resources and tips to begin studying forPACE. Members of the NFPA list serves, GAP members, and NFPAcoordinators suggested materials such as the PACE Study Manual,books on legal research, analysis and writing, glossaries or a legaldictionary, and a general information book covering different areas ofthe law and paralegal profession. All of these resources became partof my arsenal in preparing to take the exam. When deciding whichmaterials to use, consider your knowledge and experience strengthsand weaknesses. Do not feel compelled to read every book listed inthe PACE Study Manual or suggested by other people. Concentrateon bolstering your knowledge in your weaker areas.
It is necessary to basically memorize the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of CriminalProcedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Blue Book guidelinesfor citations. Yes, this is sort of ridiculous since a lot of us don’t do a lot of federal litigation, and whymemorize something you can just as easily look up anyway? That is my major complaint about the exam,but I learned what I needed to know to be able to answer the question if it appeared on the exam. If youask me about a particular section of any of these items today, don’t expect me to be able to give you theanswer without looking it up first.
The third study tactic that helped me prepare was taking the PACE Review course offered by NFPAand CALE (see the NFPA website, www.paralegals.org for more information about the course). The coursewas a great help for me to learn and gain confidence in what I already knew, it enhanced my ideas of what Ineeded to focus on and gain more knowledge about. Further, you walk away with a sense of how you aregoing to be tested. PACE does not just test your “book-learning” it is an experiential exam that tests yourreasoning skills, common sense and resourcefulness. These are things that you are not taught in school,but do learn on the job during your years of working as a paralegal. Striving to make the highest grade inthe course and on the mock exam you take as part of the course are essential!
The greatest help in preparing me for the exam was support. My company promised to reimburse mefor the PACE Review course and books, provided I passed PACE. As Susan Draeger Parker highlights inher article in this issue, having a study-buddy helped considerably when the panic set in, or more practi-cally when I had questions and comments I wanted to share with someone. From February through AugustI spent almost every lunch hour studying, several weekends, and every holiday weekend through thatperiod, plus a vacation week. Since I ate in our company’s breakroom invariably a lot of people werecurious about what I was reading/studying for.
By the time I took the exam almost everyone in my company knew what PACE was, that I was studyingfor it, and cheering me on and cheering me up to get ready for my chosen PACE Test Day, September 9,2002.
Pro Bono OpportunitiesCobb County Volunteer
Probation Officer ProgramParalegals who successfully pass a background checkmake a one-year commitment to function as probationofficers for the Cobb County, Georgia Court System.Contact Gary Struelz, Director at 770-528-7986
Dekalb County CourtWatch Program
Paralegals observe arraignments of domestic violencecases and make a report to the Solicitor General’soffice. Contact Brooke [email protected]
Georgia Legal ServicesProgram
Contact the Private Bar Coordinator at 404-894-7707
Member SpotlightA paralegal since 1983, Pamela Starr
began her career as an independent contrac-tor in Houston, working in Oil & Gas law,Intellectual Property, Title VII and Bank-ruptcy. She has brought her bankruptcyexpertise including creditor’s rights repre-sentation of financial institutions and othercreditors in default and bankruptcy situa-tions to her position with Miller & MartinLLP. Ms. Starr has experience in workouts,bankruptcy litigation and foreclosure from her affiliation withdesignated counsel for FannieMae, which has provided her withexposure to bankruptcy practice throughout the United Statesincluding Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
A Texas native and a relative newcomer to Georgia, Pamelahas been a member of the Legal Assistants Division of the StateBar of Texas since 1992 and a member of GAP since 2000. Ms.Starr received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from theUniversity of Texas at Austin as well as Certification as a LegalAssistant from Southwestern Paralegal Institute in Houston,Texas in 1983; and is a candidate for a Master’s of PublicAdministration from Kennesaw State University.
Ms. Starr teaches Judaics and Torah at CongregationAhavath Achim in Atlanta, is a student of Tarot and Astrology,and when time permits, acts as a Cantorial Soloist at sea, andvolunteers for Good Mews and Hands on Atlanta.
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AirGate PCS, Inc., Ernest Tannis of E*TRADE, Valerie Gordon of theSouthern Company, Olivia Stewart, Rhea Rajkumar of King & Spalding .
One of the volunteers, Olivia Stewart, a graduate of NCPT, who joined GAPin February 2003 is volunteering to help and had this to say about her experience,
“On Monday [March 3] I had an incredible experience. The Fulton CountyCourtroom looked like a scene from a movie. It really touched my heart to see somany people that seemed to be in dire need. I, of course, immediately began tocount my blessings and prepare to help. Dan, Dionne and Connie [from AVLF]were a delight to work with. They were eager to answer questions and fill me inon the process. As the day progressed I felt that in a very small way I made apositive contribution. The Child Support Abandonment Calendar was a rudeawakening that somewhere something had failed. And while time could be spenttrying to find whom to blame it is important to remain focused on the child. Ipersonally feel that I have an obligation to volunteer as often as my time willpermit. This was a privilege to serve and I am excited about my next opportunityto make a difference in the life of a child.”
It is a rewarding opportunity and does indeed make a visible difference.More volunteers are needed. If you are interested in helping achieve the successthis project deserves, there is a place for you! Please contact Eva Herr, GAP ProBono Chair, [email protected].
Christina Sheets2003 GAP Newsletter [email protected], ext. 375
GAP, The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and the Fulton County FamilyCourt Have Teamed Up For a Great New Pro Bono Projectcontinued from page 3
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CONGRATULATONS TO CHARLES MINGLEWINNER OF THE 2002 AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRO BONO SERVICE
This year’s Annual Pro Bono Award Winner, Charles Mingle,provided over 180 hours of donated legal services to his localcommunity’s homeowners association, to an individual with severedevelopmental disability, and to his faith community.
First, Charles served as corporate agent and legal advocate onbehalf of his low-moderate income South DeKalb area homeownersassociation faced with their subdivision developer’s failure in theirview to comply with DeKalb County zoning requirements; failing toconstruct the promised children’s playground Recreation Area; andfailing to install street lights in the subdivision, as well as problemsof houses built too close together and instances of shoddy construc-tion. Charles was successful in getting his subdivision’s problemsprominently featured on Clark Howard’s WSB-TV Channel 2 serieson problems with DeKalb County developers. As WSB consumeradvocate Clark Howard stated, “To understand the scope of theproblem [with DeKalb County developers], all you have to do isvisit the Crystal Lakes subdivision.”
Second, Charles served as volunteer citizenadvocate, Representative Payee, and power ofattorney for a man with cerebral palsy, enablinghim to continue to live in his own apartment in aneighborhood rather than be segregated away in anursing home.
Third, Charles drafted and implemented ananti-harassment policy for his local church, aschairperson of its personnel committee. He alsoserved as his church’s liaison and negotiator inmanaging a rental lease agreement with a pre-dominantly African-American congregationmeeting in leased space in his church. He alsodrafted a lease agreement enabling a highlyrespected internationally-focused charter schoolto operate in his church’s facilities.
Charles has been a GAP member since themid-1980’s, when he served on its Board as JobReferral Coordinator and its first Historian &Parliamentarian and arranged for its first StateParalegal Day. Charles is Senior Paralegal atNational Vision, Inc., located in Lawrenceville.
Charles R. MingleSenior Paralegal, Legal Dept.
National Vision, Inc.770-822-2025 (w)
770-822-2029 (fax)
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2003 GAP CALENDAR OF EVENTSAnthony’s Restaurant ** 3109 Piedmont Road
5:00 cocktails - 6:00 dinner
April 8, 2003 GAP Membership Dinner Meeting at Anthony’sSpeaker: Dave Savage - Shortcuts & Tips in Microsoft WordSponsor: CT CorporationSponsor: LEX Business Solutions
April 12-13, 2003 NFPA Pro Bono Conference, Portland, Oregon
April 21, 2003 PACE On-Line course starts
June 10, 2003 GAP Free Networking Dinner at Anthony’sMember Appreciation Night – What’s On Your Mind?FREE Dinner and cash bar
(5:00 – 6:00) New Member Mixer: Atlanta Legal Services, Inc.Five Sponsors make the event
(1) Brown Reporting(2) Legal Eagle(3) CSC(4) Ajilon Legal (formerly Co-Counsel)(5) E-Lit. Electronic Litigation Support(6) Anthony’s Restaurant
Aug. 12, 2003 GAP Membership Dinner at Anthony’sSpeaker: TBA on International lawSponsor: Paces Personnel, Inc.Sponsor: Professional Translating Services
Oct. 7, 2003 GAP Membership Dinner Meeting at Anthony’s (5:00 – 6:00) New Member Mixer: Atlanta Legal Services, Inc.
Speaker: Lauren Larmer Barrett - Public Service Paralegals Can Engage InSponsor: IKON Legal Document ServicesSponsor: Select Staffing Solutions, Inc.
Dec. 9, 2003 5th Annual GAP Holiday Party at Anthony’sProgram: Installation of the 2004 Board of DirectorsSponsor: Document TechnologiesSponsor: Alexander Gallo & Associates
Deadline for the July issue is June 1, 2003
Georgia Associaton of Paralegals, Inc.1199 Euclid Avenue, N.E.Atlanta, GA 30307-1509
404-522-1457 • Fax: 404-522-0132email: [email protected]
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
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