the legal network · 2008. 4. 8. · nals 57th annual education conference & national forum...
TRANSCRIPT
"THE LEGAL NETWORK"
March 2008
LEGAL STAFF PROFESSIONALS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY
a chartered local chapter of NALS
Mission StatementNALS is dedicated to enhancing the competencies and contributions of members in the legalservices profession. NALS accomplishes it mission and supports the public interest through:
Continuing legal education and resource materials;Networking opportunities at the local, state, regional, and national levels;
Commitment to a Code of Ethics and professional standards;Professional certification programs and designations.
NALS Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Members of NALS are bound by the objectives of this association and the standards of conduct required of thelegal profession.
Every member shall
Encourage respect for the law and the administration of justice;
Observe rules governing privileged communications and confidential information;
Promote and exemplify high standards of loyalty, cooperation, and courtesy;
Perform all duties of the profession with integrity and competence; and
Pursue a high order of professional attainment.
Integrity and high standards of conduct are fundamental to the success of our professional association.This Code is promulgated by the NALS and accepted by its members to accomplish these ends.
Canon 1. Members of this association shall maintain a high degree of competency and integrity throughcontinuing education to better assist the legal profession in fulfilling its duty to provide quality legal services to thepublic.
Canon 2. Members of this association shall maintain a high standard of ethical conduct and shall contribute tothe integrity of the association and the legal profession.
Canon 3. Members of this association shall avoid a conflict of interest pertaining to a client matter.
Canon 4. Members of this association shall preserve and protect the confidences and privilegedcommunications of a client.
Canon 5. Members of this association shall exercise care in using independent professional judgment and indetermining the extent to which a client may be assisted without the presence of a lawyer and shall not act inmatters involving professional legal judgment.
Canon 6. Members of this association shall not solicit legal business on behalf of a lawyer.
Canon 7. Members of this association, unless permitted by law, shall not perform paralegal functions exceptunder the direct supervision of a lawyer and shall not advertise or contract with members of the general public forthe performance of paralegal functions.
Canon 8. Members of this association, unless permitted by law, shall not perform any of the duties restricted tolawyers or do things which lawyers themselves may not do and shall assist in preventing the unauthorizedpractice of law.
Canon 9. Members of this association not licensed to practice law shall not engage in the practice of law asdefined by statutes or court decisions.
Canon 10. Members of this association shall do all other things incidental, necessary, or expedient to enhanceprofessional responsibility and participation in the administration of justice and public service in cooperation withthe legal profession.
**********************************************************************THIS MONTH’S CALENDAR OF EVENTS
**********************************************************************MARCH 1 NALS Certifications Examinations
MARCH 6-8 NALS Annual Professional Development & Education Conference, Tulsa, OK
MARCH 15 LSPSC Deadline to submit applications for Scholarship
MARCH 17 LSPL Membership Meeting – Sunfire Grill - 6:00 p.m.- Nominations/Elections and Finalizing Annual Meeting Plans –
- Chinese Auction – “Anything Green”
Legal Staff Professionals of the Lowcountry Membership/CLE meetings are every third Monday of the month.
**********************************************************************FUTURE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
**********************************************************************APRIL 04 LSPSC Deadline for Award of Excellence
APRIL 18-20 LSPSC Annual Meeting & Educational Conference, Holiday Inn, Charleston
AUGUST 1-3 NALS Region 4 Educational Conference, Nashville, TN
AUGUST 10 NALS deadline to make Annual Conference hotel reservations
SEPT. 11-14 NALS 57th Annual Education Conference & National Forum, Norfolk, VA
Celebrate Life & CareerHead East with NALS!
September 11-14, 2008NALS 57th Annual Education Conference & National Forum
Norfolk, Virginia
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NALS 57th Annual Education Conference & National ForumNorfolk, Virginia - SEPTEMBER 11-14, 2008
NALS members will pack their bags and head south to Norfolk, Virginia for the 57th NALSAnnual Conference, September 11-14, 2008. We'll be staying at the Marriott Waterside. Deadlinefor hotel reservations is August 10, 2008. However, once the NALS block is full, the hotel does nothave to add additional rooms to the block. Operators are standing by now for your call.
Pick up that phone and call 1-757-627-4200 and make your reservation today!
Register online Today! Make the Most out of Your Membership!
CAROLINA PARALEGAL NEWS – JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 issue
See page 13 for articles on our state and local associationsand page 16 for article on the LSPSC Habitat project
Don’t have a subscription – it’s free!! Published quarterly by Lawyers Weekly; circulation to NorthCarolina and South Carolina paralegals.
Carolina Paralegal News1-800-875-5297
David Blackwell, Esquire, Editor (x 12) [email protected]
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
PLEASE NOTE: There is a CLE quiz in the Yearbook (Page 79) for which you are eligible to earn1 CLE credit. The deadline to submit your answers to me is April 28, 2008 (our installationmeeting). The deadline for the JUNE 2008 issue of the Legal Network is Friday, MAY 30, 2008. Youmay submit your report or article either by email or deliver a clear photocopy to my office. Originalreports must be given to Chapter Secretary for the permanent records. Facsimile copies cannot beaccepted.
Elisa V. Chaney, PP, PLSHaynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
134 Meeting Street – 3rd Floor(843) 720-4483)
Any changes in address (home or office) and/or phone numbers, please complete NALS Change ofAddress form in this issue and contact Yearbook chairman to complete another Membership InformationSheet.
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LEGAL STAFF PROFESSIONALS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY2007-2008 OFFICERS
NAME OFFICE ADDRESS PHONE/EMAIL FAX
Ann Ruiz President Richardson PatrickWestbrook174 East Bay StreetPost Office Box 879Charleston, SC 29402
(843) 727-6500Cell: (843) [email protected]
727-3103
StephanieSaporita, ALS
President-Elect/Functional Directorof Membership
Leath, Bouch, &Crawford, LLP92 Broad Street, PostOffice Box 59Charleston, SC 29402
(843) 937-8811Direct Dial: (843) [email protected]
937-0606
Jennifer Cook Secretary Haynsworth SinklerBoyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402
(843) 724-1115Cell:
722-2266
Naomi W. NationPP PLS
Treasurer Office of the Solicitor101 Meeting StreetSuite 400Charleston SC 29401
(843) 958-1945Cell: (843) [email protected]
958-1905
Jeannie Beard,PLS
Functional Directorof Education/Certification
Young ClementsRivers LLCPost Office Box 993Charleston, SC29402
(843) 577-4000724-6609 (Direct Line)Cell: (843) [email protected]
724-6600
Angie Botzis Functional Directorof Marketing
Haynsworth SinklerBoyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402
(843) 720-4424
722-2266
Elisa Chaney, PPPLS
Past-Preaident/NALS Liaison
Haynsworth SinklerBoyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402
720-4483Cell: (843) 860-4665
722-2266
LEGAL STAFF PROFESSIONALS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY – 2007/08 COMMITTEE CHAIRS
COMMITTEE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON CHAIRPERSON’S CONTACTINFORMATION
FINANCIAL REVIEW Sharon Inman, PLS 850 Sovereign TerraceMount Pleasant, SC 29464Office: (843) 216-9231Fax: (843) 216-9430E-mail: [email protected]
CHAPTER PARTICIPATIONAWARD
Stephanie Saporita, ALS Leath, Bouch, & Crawford, LLP92 Broad Street, Post Office Box 59Charleston, SC [email protected]
EDUCATION/CHERTIFICATION Jeannie M. Beard, PLS Young Clement Rivers LLCPost Office Box 993Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 724-6609Fax: (843) 579-2927E-mail: [email protected]
NETWORK/YEARBOOK Elisa Chaney, PP, PLS Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 720-4483Fax: (843) 722-2266E-mail: [email protected]
NALS LIAISON Elisa Chaney, PP, PLS Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 720-4483Fax: (843) 722-2266E-mail: [email protected]
NALS FOUNDATION Elisa Chaney, PP, PLS Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 720-4483Fax: (843) 722-2266E-mail: [email protected]
NOMINATIONS ANDELECTIONS
Tamme Suggs, PLS Haynsworth, Sinkler, Boyd, P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 720-4426Fax: (843) 720-4469E-mail: [email protected]
PROGRAMSCLE SpeakersBosses AppreciationCourt Observance
Jennifer Cook Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd134 Meeting Street, Third FloorPost Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 720-1115Fax: (843) 722-2266E-mail: [email protected]
CHAPLAIN Stacey Burke, PP, PLS Bostic Law Firm, P.A.834 Wappoo RoadCharleston, SC 29407Office: (843) 571-2525Fax: (843) 571-7050E-mail: [email protected]
RESERVATIONS Jennifer B. Cook Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 724-1115Fax: (843) 722-2266E-mail: [email protected]
2008 STATE MEETING Tamme Suggs, PLS Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A.Post Office Box 340Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 720-4426Fax: (843) 722-2266E-mail: [email protected]
EMPLOYMENT Kathleen M. Woodworth, PLS Buist Moore Smythe & McGee, PAPost Office Box 999Charleston, SC 29402Office: (843) 722-3400Fax: (843) 723-7398E-mail: [email protected]
NALS Corporate Sponsor Spotlight
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MARCH 9, 2008
LEGAL STAFF PROFESSIONALS OF SOUTH CAROLINAANNUAL MEETING AND EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
"Magnolias and Pineapples"April 18-20, 2008
Hosted by Legal Staff Professionals of the LowcountryHoliday Inn at the AirportCharleston, South Carolina
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Outgoing Executive Committee Meeting4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Incoming Executive Committee Meeting6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Early Registration
Cocktail Party on Pool Deck
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Registration8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Seminar: U. S. Civil Rights Enforcement10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Break and Chinese Auction Ticket Purchase10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Seminar: Ethics Overview11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Break and Chinese Auction Ticket Purchase11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Annual Meeting and Chinese Auction1:00 President-Elect’s Luncheon
Free Afternoon6 p.m. 2008-09 President’s Reception7 p.m. Banquet and Installation of 2008-09 Officers
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Breakfast9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Spring Membership Meeting
______________________________________________________________________________________
ALL ROOM RESERVATIONS SHOULD BE MADE DIRECTLY WITH THE HOLIDAY INN CHARLESTONAIRPORT & CONVENTION CENTER (843-576-0300) BY MARCH 15, 2008. THE ROOM RATE IS $129 PERNIGHT PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES FOR A KING OR DOUBLE QUEEN. THE ROOM RATE IS $149 FOR AJUNIOR SUITE AND $159 FOR AN EXECUTIVE SUITE REFERENCE LEGAL STAFF PROFESSIONALS OFSOUTH CAROLINA – BLOCK NAME "LSP" – BLOCK NUMBER 22984.
LEGAL STAFF PROFESSIONALS OF SOUTH CAROLINA43rd ANNUAL MEETING AND EDUCATION CONFERENCE
April 18-20, 2008Charleston, South Carolina
Deadline for Registration: April 1, 2008 (Add $10.00 after this date)
NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 14, 2008
Name: _________________________________________ Nickname for Badge: __________________
Chapter: _____________________________________________________________________________
Official Title (if any): __________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone Number: _______________________________
*************************************************************************************_________ $125 – Full registration (includes all meals and meetings)
_________ $15 – Annual Meeting Only (Saturday)
_________ $30 – Saturday Lunch Guest
_________ $50 – Banquet Guest
_________ $15 – Spring Membership Meeting only (Sunday)
_________ $20 – Sunday Breakfast
Total Amount Enclosed: $__________
Is this your first Annual Meeting? __________******************************************************************************PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO LSPLC ANNUAL MEETING AND MAIL TO:
Tammela A. SuggsHaynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.P. O. Box 340Charleston, SC 29402(843) 720-4426(843) 720-4469 (fax)E-mail: [email protected]
“Message from the President”
Spring is fast approaching, and I can hardly believe it. The Annual Meeting will be here before weknow it, followed soon thereafter by Installation and another new LSPL year!
Tamme Suggs has done an incredible job planning the Annual Meeting, so I’d like to thank her for allof her hard work and meticulous planning. All of that careful planning promises to make this year’sAnnual Meeting one of the best ever and I hope you will make every effort to attend. As the hostChapter, we want to have as many members participate as possible. If you have not yet registered,please do so right away. Also, if you are willing to assist in some capacity, please contact Tamme at720-4426 or [email protected]. There is plenty of work to go around – from stuffing gift bagsto working the registration tables – so please volunteer to help out in whatever capacity you can!
The Installation Banquet will be held on Monday, April 28th. The new Board will be taking over thereigns at that time, and I am happy to report we have some very talented people who have agreed toserve for the upcoming year. Also, there will be opportunities to serve on our various committees, soplease consider participating by serving on one of our committees. It’s a great way to get to involvedand your time and talents are truly appreciated.
As this will be my last “Message from the President,” I would like to take this opportunity to thank the2007-2008 Board for all of its support and guidance during this past year. Angie, Elisa, Jeannie,Jennifer, Naomi, Stephanie, and Tamme - I have enjoyed working with you all and getting to knoweach of you a little better. I have learned so much from all of you -- and yet I realize there’s still evenmore to learn! Anyhow, thanks for being an incredible Board and for sharing with me your knowledge,advice, experience, and much-needed humor. To the incoming 2008-2009 Board, I wish you all thebest and know it will be a great year for you as well.
I look forward to seeing you all at the next Membership Meeting on Tuesday, March 18th!
Ann RuizPresident 2007-2008
FUNCTIONAL DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Stephanie A. Saporita, ALS
LSPL is starting off the new year right! Since April 2007, we have added 5 newmembers which brings our total membership up to 23. Of those 5 new members, 3 arefrom the Legal Training Course (thanks Jeannie!). While we had lost two members thispast year, we will be finishing the year with an increase in membership. This numbercould (and should) be higher and I am hoping that we will be able to get a membershipdrive planned for sometime in the very near future. Thanks to everyone who hashelped our chapter grow and I hope we can continue this trend into the new year.
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EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION REPORT
Graduates of the Advanced Legal Training Class were honored at a dinner at Sunfire Grille on January21, 2008, at which time they were awarded their Certificates of Completion. Two of the graduates,Kayce Dawson and Jessica French, sat for the ALS exam on December 1, 2007, and both passed theirALS exam. They will receive their certification pins at the State Annual Meeting in April.
We also had two members sitting for certification exams March 1, one sat for her PP exam, and theother sat for her ALS.
All three graduates from the Advanced Legal Training Class have become members of NALS.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Beard, PLS
REPORT OF NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS CHAIRMAN
The following is the slate of LSPL officers for 2008-2009:
President Stephanie A. Saporita, ALSPresident-Elect /Membership Jennifer B. CookSecretary Patricia BernierTreasurer Angie BotzisFunctional Director - Education LSPL BoardFunctional Director – Marketing Jeannie M. Beard, PLS
Nominations from the floor will be taken at the March meeting. If there are no furthernominations, the above candidates will be elected by acclamation.
Tamme Suggs, PLS, ChairNominations and Elections Committee
Marketing
All of us recognize that one of the benefits of belonging to NALS is “networking.” Forsome this is the reason we renew our membership every year. But have you thought abouthow “networking” can be used to market NALS. Spreading the word to our peers, membersof other professional organizations, and those with whom we interact outside NALS such aseducators, consultants, suppliers, and clients is also networking. If we identify just oneperson in one of these groups to strike up a conversation with, invite to lunch, or to just seekout as a friend and then talk about NALS and its many benefits, we may find a new member.At the very least we have made a new contact who may introduce us to someone else with aninterest in NALS.
Think about the contacts that may be right under your nose. For instance is there anotherlaw firm in your building? Do you use a regular court reporter for depositions? Do you havecontact with judicial assistants when you schedule hearings? Do you have contacts withother legal personnel when scheduling depositions or meetings? If you have developed aworking relationship with these individuals, you may be able to slip in information about yourlocal meeting or a seminar you chapter is planning. You could at least mention yourmembership in NALS and how it has helped you in your job. This is networking andmarketing all rolled into one. Speaking out about NALS is the best way to spread the wordand attract interest. Try it and see what happens.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION SHEETEmployer
The information to be published will be strictly limited to the following:
(a) Employer's name (individual, firm, company, office, etc.)
(b) Contact Person and telephone number:
Name:
Phone Number:
(c) Position available and skills required:
Position:
Skills:
Employers who are eligible to submit Employment Information Sheets for publication in theLegal Staff Professionals of the Lowcountry quarterly publication, The Legal Network, are asfollows:
law offices, courts, trust departments of bank, or trust companies, or inany public or private institution directly engaged in work of a legal nature,including all public offices of the United States, state, city or municipalgovernments
All completed Employment Information Sheets are to be forwarded to:
Elisa V. Chaney, PP, PLSHaynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
134 Meeting Street – 3rd Floor(843) 720-4483)
and it will be published in the next issue of The Legal Network
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION SHEETEmployee
The information to be published will be strictly limited to the following:
(a) Name:
(b) Telephone number(s):
Home:
Other:
(c) Experience:
Legal Fields:
Number of years:
(d) Position desired and skills acquired:
Position:
Skills:
Only members of the Legal Staff Professionals of the Lowcountry may have theirEmployment Information Sheet published in the LSPL quarterly publication, The LegalNetwork.
All completed Employment Information Sheets are to be forwarded to:
Elisa V. Chaney, PP, PLSHaynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
134 Meeting Street – 3rd Floor(843) 720-4483)
and it will be published in the next issue of The Legal Network.
NALS CHANGE IN STATUS FORM(form can be filled out online at www.nals.org/forms)
NALS Membership #
Reason for Change: Preferred AddressAddress CorrectionName ChangeName ChangeDeceased
Old Information: Business Home
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Primary Chapter Member-at-Large Associate Member
Email Address:
New Information: Business Home
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Primary Chapter Member-at-Large Associate Member
Email Address:
Current Phone Numbers:
Home
Business:
Instructions for Transfer: If you are transferring to a new association, submit one photocopy to themembership chairman of the chapter to which you are transferring; if you are a member-at-large, submit onephotocopy to the state membership chairman of the association to which you are transferring.
Instructions for Completion: Submit this online form or mail an original printed form to the NALS ResourceCenter, 314 East Third Street, Suite 210, Tulsa, OK 74120.
Return one photocopy (print this form from your web browser before submission or use the printable version) tothe State Membership Chairman.
Return one photocopy for the Chapter records or retain for your records if you are a member-at-large.
THANKS!
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NOTES
NALS Membership Benefits
Opportunities for professional and personal development abound when you join NALS.NALS is a tri-level organization composed of NALS, state associations, and localchapters, with each offering top-notch professional growth through seminars, qualitypublications, and networking. NALS offers several regional and national conferenceseach year with outstanding education and excellent speakers from around the country.
By joining NALS you have the opportunity to attend local chapter meetings, wherequality legal education is offered every month. You can attend state associationmeetings (where applicable), where you will be exposed to some of the top legalexperts in your state. At the National conferences, speakers from across the countryaddress issues of national importance, enlightening NALS members with a nationalperspective. As a NALS member, you also receive valuable legal education everymonth via the newsletters, faxEd and E-Learn, delivered directly to your fax machine ore-mail address. The NALS quarterly publication @Law, is packed with informativearticles and association information in an award-winning format.
NALS also supports members and chapters by providing other benefits, including:
Affinity Programs - members enjoy discounts on a variety of goods andservices.
Continuing Legal Education and Certification - accreditation for anyone,whether beginning a new career or enhancing your current one.
@Law Magazine - all NALS members receive this award winning publicationfour times a year.
The Job Bank - a national resource for legal staff and law firms to find thatperfect match... another benefit offered free to members!
E-Learn - a monthly update on current topics of interest to legal support staff,delivered via e-mail.
E-News - this NALS update newsletter is sent to all members with e-mailcapabilities every two weeks and includes information on current NALS offeringsand programs.
Leading the Way - a publication formerly for NALS leadership is now availableonline for everyone to enjoy.
NALS Online Learning Center - education and personal development offeredon a variety of subjects with the added bonus of networking with your peersacross the country.
Teleconferencing Discounts - 12¢ per minute for NALS members throughPremiere Conferencing with no contract or recurring charges.
Legal Staff Professionals of the LowcountryP.O. Box 340Charleston, SC 29402-0340