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THE REPORTERSeptember 2014 Volume XX ISSUE 1

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS

ANNUAL CONVENTION By: Becky Reedy, NJCP (NFPA Primary Rep.) !

In approximately five weeks, I will be traveling to Dallas, Texas to represent SJPA at the Annual Convention for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). There are CLE classes, workshops and a Region Meeting for all of the delegates from our Region including Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. This is our chance to express our Association’s concerns or questions to our Region Director who then takes our concerns back to the NFPA Board. This is also a great opportunity to find out what other Associations do to recruit members, fund-raisers, network, etc. Then on Saturday and Sunday, the Policy Meeting is held. This is a very formal meeting where agenda topics and by-laws are proposed to the Board and then voted on by the delegates. Additionally, new Board members are also elected by the delegates. This may not sound like a “fun” time for a long weekend but let me reassure you, this is an amazing opportunity to see NFPA “in action.” To be part of something bigger than SJPA is mesmerizing. I look forward to writing my next article for the November newsletter updating you on the Convention.

The opinions expressed in the SJPA Reporter are those of the writers and not necessarily of the Editor of the South Jersey Paralegal Association. !!Copyright©September 2014 South Jersey Paralegal Association. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this publication shall be reprinted without the express written permission of SJPA. For reprint permission, contact the Editor. !

SJPA !P.O. Box 355!Haddonfield, NJ 08033

Table of Contents!!The President’s Message! p2!!Job Bank!! ! p3!!Welcome Jaxon Liam!! p4!!The Facebook Queen’s Rebuttal! by: Vivian Luckiewicz, RP,Pa.C.P!! ! ! p5!Board Bytes! ! p6!!Making a Difference! by: Karen Kapsimalis! p8!!Conclusion of Litigation is Not Necessarily the End of the Client’s Relationship with the Firm! by: Christine Flynn!! p9!!Photos from our June Installation Dinner Meeting p10 &11!!SJPA 2014-2015 Proposed Budget! ! ! p12!!Darling’s Angels! ! p13!!Membership Corner!! p17!!September’s Dinner Meeting !Flyer! ! ! p18!!!!

SJPA gratefully acknowledges The MCS Group, Inc., including Scott R. Griffiths (856) 581-8715, sgriffths@themcsgroup.com, for providing gratis color copying services for the SJPA Reporter this year!!!

President’s Message By: Becky Reedy, NJCP !

Greetings Colleagues, Friends and Fellow Members: I hope everyone is getting the most out of our last few days of summer. I can’t believe Labor Day is upon us. Where did the summer go? I’m not sure about yours, but mine is a blur. � That’s okay, because I have been busy working with the Board members on activities, events, etc. for the coming year! !Thank you to our treasurer, Judy Alvelo for preparing the Budget for our annual meeting that was held in July. The budget will be submitted to the membership for approval at our next dinner meeting., !Congratulations again to our new and returning Board members for the 2014-15 year. I look forward to working with all of you this year! !I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to our newest Board members who were appointed in August: Christine Glatz (Scholarship and Recognition Committee); Kristen Brockman (Job Bank) and Michelle Cona-Diezel as CLE and Programs Chair. There are many vacancies on the Board and I am asking you for your help. Even if you can only give one hour a month, that one hour means a lot to all of us. !The Board has been busy planning events for the upcoming year. There are also a lot of “behind the scenes” type of things being worked on and I’m sure you will find these changes informative and useful. !Our first general membership dinner meeting of the year will be Tuesday, September 23rd. I look forward to meeting new people and seeing familiar faces. !If you have any questions, comments, suggestions that you would like to share with the Board, please feel free to email me at rreedy68@hotmail.com or click the “Contact Us” button on our website to reach me. All comments and suggestions are welcome!! !The holidays will be upon us shortly so enjoy the sun and shore while you can. I wish you all the best. Be well! ! Becky Reedy, NJCP President !“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” - Nelson Mandela 

" !

SJPA 2014 Board of Directors!

**Officers**!President- Rebecca Reedy, NJCP ! ! ! Vice President- Doreen Ziccardi, RP!president@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! ! vicepresident@sjpaparalegals.org!!Recording Secretary-Karen Kapsimalis! ! ! Treasurer- Judith Alvelo, NJCP! !recordingsecretary@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! treasurer@sjpaparalegals.org!! !NFPA Primary Rep.- Rebecca Reedy, NJCP!! ! NFPA Secondary Rep.- Janice Kennedy, NJCP! !nfpaprimaryrep@sjpaparalegals.org!! ! ! nfpasecondaryrep@sjpaparalegals.org!! ! !Parliamentarian- vacant! ! ! ! ! Corresponding Secretary- Christi L. Valerio, NJCP!parliamentarian@sjpaparalegals.org ! ! !secretary@sjpaparalegals.org !! !!

**Policy Committees**!Delivery of Services- vacant! ! ! ! Membership- Janice Kennedy, NJCP!paralegalservices@sjpaparalegals.org ! membership@sjpaparalegals.org!! ! !Nominations and Elections- Deborah Naglee, NJCP!! Professional Development- vacant!nominations@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! ! profdev@sjpaparalegals.org!! !

!**Administrative Committees**!

Continuing Education- Michelle Cona- Diezel! ! Fundraising/Marketing Coord.-Doreen Ziccardi, RP!continuinged@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! ! fundraising@sjpaparalegals.org!!Job Bank- Kristen Brockman! ! ! ! Meetings- Karen Kapsimalis!jobbank@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! ! meetings@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! !Newsletter- Janice Kennedy, NJCP & Erika West! ! Programs/Speakers- Michelle Cona-Diezel!newsletter@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! ! programs@sjpaparalegals.org!

! !Public Relations- Doreen Ziccardi, RP! ! ! Paralegal Ed. Symposium- Dawn Moskalow, NJCP!publicrelations@sjpaparalegals.org! ! ! ! dmoskalow@archerlaw.com!!!

**Ad Hoc/Special Committees**!Military Outreach- vacant! ! ! ! ! Website Coord.- vacant!! ! !! ! !Communications Coordinator- vacant!! ! ! NJSBA Liaison- Rebecca Reedy, NJCP!! ! ! !!Recognition Committee - Christine Glatz!! ! ! !!!

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SEPTEMBER 2014 DINNER MEETING

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

LOCATION: Tavistock Country Club, 100 Tavistock Lane, Haddonfield, NJ 08033

(Directions can be found on the SJPA website) TIME: 5:30 pm Registration, Dinner Meeting begins PROMPTLY at 6:00 pm COST: $30.00 members/$35.00 non-members ($5.00 additional for walk-ins) !

Michael P. Albano, Esquire will be our guest speaker discussing

“The Paralegal’s role in Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel (MESP)”

Michael P. Albano, Esq. received his undergraduate degree from Univ. of Scranton in 1982 and his J.D. Degree from Widener Univ. School of Law in 1985. He clerked for the Hon. George Farrell in the Superior Court, Salem County after graduating from law school. He has served as solicitor for Washington Township, Runnemede and Magnolia and currently serves as Planning Board attorney for Alloway, Barrington, Chesilhurst, Mannington and Washington Township. He practices matrimonial, personal injury, real estate, and municipal law and land use law. Mr. Albano is a member of the N.J. Institute of Municipal Attorneys, Camden and Gloucester Bar Associations. He is also a MESP Panelist and is a court appointed commissioner for condemnation hearings.

(CLE certificates will be available for those who hold an NJCP or RP status)

Our Dinner Sponsor for the evening is…

!

DGR – THE Source for Legal Support http://www.dgrlegal.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESERVATION FORM – Sept. 23, 2014 DINNER Please copy or detach and mail. RSVP by Friday Sept. 19, 2014

NAME:_________________________________________PHONE NO:____________________________ !EMAIL ADDRESS______________________________________________________________________

MEMBER: $30.00 NON-MEMBER: $35.00

Is this your first time attending an SJPA event? __ Yes __ No

Registrations via PayPal on the SJPA website http://sjpaparalegals.org(under Events) by mail with this form and your check, made payable to SJPA, to:

September 2014 Dinner Meeting, c/o SJPA, P.O. Box 355, Haddonfield, NJ 08033

Lega"

!JOB BANK BLAST! !

Welcome Members to SJPA’s first edition of the JOB BANK BLAST. This job bank announcement is being sent exclusively to SJPA members and will be sent out on a monthly basis!   Litigation Aide: Department of Child Protection and Permanency, 100 Lucas Drive, Lumberton, New Jersey. Please click on the link to see details and information on how to apply: http://rew11.ultipro.com/FAM1002/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*3C7D6B6126CFC459&__SVRTRID=96697E68-E3FD-48F5-878D-F4D014C59ABF !Part-Time Paralegal: Parker McCay P.A., Mount Laurel, New Jersey. They are seeking to hire an experienced, part-time Trust & Estates Paralegal. Qualified candidates will be highly organized and have a minimum of three years Trust & Estate experience including client case management, preparation of tax returns, preparation of probate court pleadings and fiduciary accounting.   The ideal candidate will be a motivated self-starter who is able to meet deadlines and ready to assume responsibility on challenging matters.  Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent from a four-year college; paralegal certification and three years or more related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Please email a cover letter explaining why you would make an excellent fit for the position and a resume to: Director of Human Resources, 9000 Midlantic Drive, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 -hr@parkermcay.com !Corporate Paralegal: Hill International, Marlton, New Jersey Please click on the following link for more information:  http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=KJM&cws=2&rid=5518   Paralegal: Dilworth Paxon, Haddonfield, New Jersey They are seeking a tax foreclosure paralegal to also work in real estate and litigation. Send your resume to bwiltsey@dilworthlaw.com !Legal Secretary: David Boss, Esquire, Bross & Frankel, P.A., 102 Browning Lane, Bldg. C-1, Cherry Hill, New Jersey (856-795-8880). Please note Mr. Boss does primarily administrative law, with a focus on social security/disability, SSI  Claims, Long-Term Disability Claims/ERISA , Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation and Veterans’ Claims !Paralegal/Legal Assistant: Cherry Hill Firm seeks part-time (15-20 hours/week) Paralegal/Legal Assistant for negligence practice. Duties to include opening and tracking files, scheduling court matters, depositions and client meetings, communicating with medical providers. Experience preferred. Hourly salary commensurate with experience. Email inquiries to brian@mullenandreagan.com."

If you know of a firm, lawyer or company looking to hire a paralegal and/or legal secretary, please let me know and we’ll get the information out to our members. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please contact me directly at kbb2584@gmail.com. Good luck to all seeking a job!

!!

page 18 page 3

!! Best Wishes go out to Ryan,

Deborah, Ryan Jr. and baby Jaxon from all of us in the SJPA family!

Jaxon Liam arrived on 8/11/2014 at 8:49am.

He weighed lbs. 14oz. and was 20 inches long.

UPCOMING EVENTS Please go to the SJPA website for more information on

attending our events September 9th - Board Meeting

September 23rd - Dinner Meeting

** Membership Corner**

Welcome to SJPA !

**James Nanos**Apple Consulting, LLC Sustaining membership

North Wildwood, NJ Private Detective

**Kim M. Zyskowski** student

Beachwood, NJ Attending Middlesex County College

Currently working for Tryko Partners in the bankruptcy area

Interested in criminal and family law with a focus on juvenile matters

**Kristen Brockman**voting

Florence, NJ Employed by Hegedus Law focusing on real

estate, debt collections & small business Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bloomsburg

University of Pennsylvania Interested in real estate, wills/trusts/estates, and

small business

**Susan Glanz**voting

Mt. Laurel, NJ Employed by Marshall Dennehey focusing on

insurance and investigation A.A.S from Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY

page 4 page 17

! ! "

Trivia Answers from page !!1.Franklin D. Roosevelt served as President for over 12 years, the longest time in office. He is the only president to serve more than two terms; he died shortly into his fourth term in 1945.!!2. Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and is counted chronologically as both the twenty-second and the twenty-fourth president.!!3.Ronald Reagan was the oldest president to assume office at 69 years, 349 days on January 20, 1981.!!4. On Saturday, November 1, 1800, John Adams became the first president to take residence in the White House.!!5.Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Stanley Ann Dunham, an American of predominantly English descent from Wichita, Kansas, and Barack Obama, Sr., a Luo from Nyang’oma Kogelo, Nyanza Province, Kenya Colony. Obama is the first President to have been born in Hawaii."

! THE FACEBOOK QUEEN'S REBUTTAL

By: Vivian Luckiewicz, RP®, Pa.C.P."

Friends—can I call you friends?—it's time to drop the attitude: There is no longer any good reason to avoid Facebook. It is now so widely used that it's fast becoming a routine aid to social interaction. Remember in the late '80s to the late-middle '90s, when carrying a mobile phone seemed like a snooty pretension? But as more people got phones, they became more useful for everyone—and then one day enough people had cell phones that everyone began to assume that you did, too. From that moment on, it became unusual not to carry a mobile phone; they'd grown so deeply entwined with modern life. Facebook is now at that same point—whether or not you intend it, you're saying something by staying away.

So let's consider some of the reasons that people give for not having a Facebook page:

1. I don't want everyone to know everything about me. Well, you don't need to post every detail of your life (unless it's really interesting!). And you don't need to "friend" people that you really don't like. Plus, Facebook is always updating its privacy controls so that you can choose which friends see what information about you. Your work friends can see one version of your profile, your high-school friends another, and your family yet another. If you want, you can let everyone see essentially nothing about you.

2. I work at my computer all day; I don't need to look at it from home, too. It's true that some people spend a lot of time on Facebook, but that's because they're having fun there; if you're not, you can simply log in once or twice a week just to accept or reject friends. Even doing nothing and waiting for others to friend you is enough since you're establishing a presence for other people to connect with you, which is the site's main purpose.

3. Will my "real" friends get along with my Facebook friends? Skeptics often suggest that online social networks foster introverted, anti-social behavior, that I sit home all day and make virtual connections at the expense of real-life connections. But only someone who's never used Facebook would make that argument. Nobody avoids meeting people in real life by escaping to the Web. In fact, the opposite seems true: Short, continuous, low-content updates about the particulars of your friends' lives—Bob has the flu, Barbara can't believe what just happened on Mad Men, Sally and Ned are no longer on speaking terms—deepen your bonds with them.

4. They won't say it, but they have something to hide. Do you? It may surprise you to know that employers now find "Facebook-abstainers" to be suspicious. "Employers may suspect that an applicant's absence from the social network means the account is so full of offensive material that it had to be deleted. After all, 90% of recruiters check out candidates' online profiles." (Fox).

Personally, I don't label my Facebook abstaining friends as suspicious. It is a bit odd, though, in today's technologically oriented world. And I'm not saying that if everyone else jumped off the bridge that you should follow suit. But, here are some recent statistics about Facebook that might make you curious: Facebook has 1.06 billion monthly active users and 680 million mobile users. 56% of users check Facebook daily; 12% check it every couple of hours. It's influential, powerful and here to stay.

For more than 30 years DGR has been providing local, national & international process service to the legal community. We pride ourselves on customer support, and through our commitment to excellence and our clients, we have achieved the reputation we hold today. Now offering investigation services through On The Lookout Investigations, LLC."

page 16 page 5

Board Bytes… !The Board continues to work hard to ensure that we enrich your professional career no matter whether you are an entry level or experienced paralegal. You can help us to help you by volunteering your time and/or contacting any Board member with suggestions. Don’t forget to continue to check the Events section of our website to make sure you don’t miss any future events. !The Board has been busy scheduling the upcoming dinner meetings and CLE’s for the upcoming year. !President, Becky Reedy, NJCP recently appointed the following new Board members: Michelle Cona-Diezel, CLE Chair and Co-Chair to Programs; Christine Glatz, Scholarship and Recognition Committee; and Kristen Brockman, Job Bank Chair. Welcome ladies and thank you! !Vice President, Doreen Ziccardi, RP is busy getting up to speed on marketing and fund-raising. We are always looking for new sponsors so Doreen would appreciate any leads. !Treasurer Judy Alvelo, NJCP continues to keep our financial records updated and provides the Board with a full report at every Board meeting. In addition to preparing the budget for the upcoming year at our annual budget meeting, she also provides our members with a shortened version of our budget at the dinner meetings to our members. !Recording Secretary Karen Kapsimalis has jumped right on Board and is not only acting as our Recording Secretary, but she is the Dinner Meetings Chair and Co-Chair for Programs. !NFPA Primary Becky Reedy, NJCP is getting ready to attend the NFPA Convention in Dallas. We look forward to her report upon her return. !PES Chairperson Dawn Moskalow, NJCP is already busy finalizing topics and securing speakers for our PES in March 2015. !Newsletter Chairperson Janice Kennedy, NJCP is working with Erika West, a student member who has expressed an interest in the Newsletter. !CLE Chairperson Michelle Cona-Diezel has just been appointed the CLE Chair and graciously agreed to Co-Chair Programs as well. !!Becky Reedy, NJCP President

continued from page 11

1. A high school friend who lives in Spain recently connected with me. Facebook makes keeping up with my international friends a lot easier (and cheaper). 2. When I "facebook" with my teenage nieces and nephews, I feel very cool, and assure myself that I can keep up with the kids. 3. Birthdays are so easy to remember! No additional reminders are needed. It's all right there. By the way, did you send me a birthday greeting on Facebook (my birthday just past—it was April 27th—you can "friend" me so you'll remember it next year!). 4. A lot of the people I know are on Facebook. Not all, but a lot. Friends, family, colleagues—and I can meet new colleagues and talk about what's new in the legal community. 5. Groups make life so easy for a social butterfly like me. I'm a joiner! Example – being a good alumna, I joined the group for my college. That's how I find out about reunions or other gatherings. 6. I love the news feed. What a great way to quickly scan and see what’s going on in my town, your town and around the world. I learn about new products, restaurants, anything! After all, Facebook is a marketing tool. It's great for branding, exposure and reach! 7. I can go “home” anytime I like! Top of the page, right next to my Profile. And I don’t even need red slippers… 8. It's just plain fun! Fox, Zoe. Not on Facebook? Employers, Psychiatrists May Think You're a Psychopath. 7 Aug. 2012. http://mashable.com/2012/08/07/no-facebook-psychopath/

continued from page 11 familiar with in-house policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state and local rules regarding retention and destruction of files. Remove all duplicate documents from the file. Retain any legal research or relevant documents for your respective forms directory. Arrange for shredding of all medical records and personal documents containing sensitive information, such as employment records and tax returns. The use of checklists may facilitate this process. !Future referrals: Bear in mind that a satisfied client is a source of future referrals. Also, the law firm or corporation may work with the same client at a later date. It is important to maintain an open, working and respectful relationship with the client throughout the case. Word of mouth is powerful marketing tool. The client may refer family, friends or colleagues to the firm or company in the future based upon his/her experience and opinion of the members of the legal team. The willingness of a paralegal to invest time into the working relationship with the client will build the confidence and comfort level of the client well into the final aspects of his/her case. The use of survey forms, questionnaires or newsletters may also serve to grow the client base of the law firm or corporation. !

Cases have a beginning, middle and end. While the litigation of a case is the main component, the importance of ongoing communication and adherence to proper file closing, retention and destruction policies should not be discounted. A paralegal must be mindful of legal and ethical obligations when guiding a client of the law firm or corporation through the final stages of a case. This attention to detail may assist in protecting the firm against any potential malpractice actions and ethical pitfalls while also serving to expand the client base through future referral of cases. ! This article was first published on the Law.com Network on April 29, 2014.

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!

Trivia Try Outs "-Test your knowledge-"

**U.S. Presidents**"!

1. Who was the only president to serve more than two terms? Theodore Roosevelt George Washington

Franklin D. RooseveltUlysses S. Grant"

2. Who was the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms?Theodore Roosevelt Grover Cleveland Woodrow WilsonRonald Reagan!

3.Who was the oldest elected President?Zachary TaylorRonald Reagan

Dwight D. EisenhowerJames Buchanan"

4. Who was the first President to live in the White House? Thomas Jefferson Andrew Jackson

John AdamsGeorge Washington"

5.Who was the first President born outside the contiguous United States?

Franklin Pierce Benjamin Harrison

Barack Obama William Howard Taft!

*answers on page 16*!

!

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!DARLING’S!ANGELS!

!!WELCOME! This is SJPA’S Program to support our fellow paralegal, Brian Darling, NJCP while he and his unit are stationed overseas. Brian has been a member of SJPA for over two years and is a paralegal with the New Jersey Army National Guard. !!To support Brian and his unit for the duration of his tour, SJPA will display a box at every event for the upcoming year. We are seeking donations of snacks, toiletries, calling cards, etc. (a more thorough list will be distributed shortly) as well as cash donations to cover shipping costs.!!Brian’s unit consists of 400 members so we will need the help of every SJPA member to make this program a success. Local merchants, retail stores and/or businesses may be willing to make a donation, if asked.!!Together, I know that can make this program a success!!!!!!!!!!

Making a Difference by: Karen Kapsimalis

My name is Karen Kapsimalis and I am a recent member of the SJPA. I was fortunate to be introduced to Becky Reedy, NJCP and President of the SJPA this past winter at a networking event at Peirce College where I was completing my paralegal studies. I was impressed by her commitment and enthusiasm when speaking of this organization and although I was stepping out of a very safe comfort zone; her reassurance was enough to give me the boost I needed. I offered to help in any way that she needed me.

Through my many years of life and various activities I have gained insight as to how things get done. It is not be sitting on the sidelines and watching. It is by getting involved. It is by jumping in and doing even though you may not think you have the time or knowledge. Let me assure you, the helping hands you meet along the way will never let you fall. As for finding “time”, every paralegal I have met has the greatest sense of time management of all the people I have ever encountered!

I have learned that you get more out of volunteering than you put into it; both professionally and personally. Through volunteering a common goal is met and many find that they have made new business contacts or even a friend for life. I was a Girl Scout leader for 12 years, with a troop as large as 40 girls for some years. It was exhausting and took a great deal of time to give the girls the opportunities and experiences I wanted them to have. To this day, they still contact me about even though they are adults now; many with children of their own. I would not change a single moment.

So, I offer my encouragement to get involved. In any small way, you can make a big difference in this organization. And I can state with certainty, there are some committed and hard working people

page 8 page 13

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CONCLUSION OF LITIGATION IS NOT NECESSARILY THE END OF THE CLIENT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FIRM

By: Christine Flynn Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

Whether plaintiff or defense oriented, working in the area of litigation or family law, within a large corporation or for a sole practitioner, the attorney-client relationship is one of the most crucial bonds formed during a case. At the outset, it is often a paralegal who serves as the liaison between the client and supervising attorney. A paralegal fosters the attorney-client relationship throughout the case. While the client’s action is ultimately resolved through trial, mediation or settlement, the conclusion of the litigation is not necessarily the end of the client’s relationship with the firm. ! A paralegal serves an important role in not only transitioning the file into closed status but also transitioning the client from a current client to a satisfied client. Initially, a paralegal needs to verify a case is ripe for closure. This review includes the completion of all time entries, satisfaction of liens as well as assuring that all fees and costs have been paid. The file must include the appropriate closing paperwork such as original judgments, signed and notarized Releases or time-stamped Orders. While behind the scenes fees and costs are balanced and the receipt of closing documentation verified, continual support and exchange of relevant information to the client by a paralegal can ease any feelings of uncertainty or anxiety. A few additional items to be cognizant of during the final steps of a case are set forth below. !Communication with client: It is crucial to maintain client contact throughout the final stages of litigation. In many instances, the incident or activity was a life changing event for the client. He/she has been on an emotional roller coaster for months (or even years)! Ongoing communication and support will allow the client time to process the outcome of a case. Utilizing listening skills will in turn allow a paralegal to guide the client through the conclusion of a case. Once confirmation is received that the case is concluded, a closing letter should be sent to the client. This closing letter serves a dual purpose for the law firm. While the correspondence notifies the client of the end of representation as well as notification of file retention policies, it may also serve as a marketing tool with respect to future referrals. !Return of personal effects: Original and unique items must be returned to the client. For example, the client may have forwarded to the firm some type of original property during the litigation or defense of a case. This personal property may include financial documents, corporate minute books or family photographs. Return these original items to the client following completion of the case. Maintain an index of the returned items in the office. !Retention/Destruction of Records: Every law firm should have guidelines in place with respect to retention and destruction policies. Appropriate steps need to be taken to protect private and confidential client information-- even after the case has concluded. Adhere to proper procedures with respect to the closure, retention and destruction of both paper and electronic records. A paralegal must not only be!

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