On the record The Monthly Newsletter of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association A member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. Page 1 Ahoy, Paralegals! I am writing this month’s edition of the President’s Perspective at the Shaker’s Martini Bar located on Deck 7 of the Norwegian Epic, home of the 2019 Paralegal Cruise 1 . (“Paralegals Navigating Perilous Waters.”) It has occurred to me that this five-day cruise showcases work/life balance and it’s importance. Attendees had the opportunity to earn up to 10 hours of CLE credit while at the same time, enjoying a day at Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas) and a day at Cozumel. Two days of CLE were masterfully balanced with two days of excursions and fun in the sun the Epic’s destinations. Of course, networking was sprinkled in there too along with tasty dinners and entertaining shows in the evening. Now, I pose this question to you for thought and discussion. How do you maintain a proper/ healthy work/life balance? No doubt, this is easier said than done. Between my professional, family, and church obligations, I myself sometimes find myself stretched too thin. According to the article by Mayo Clinic Work-Life Balance: Tips to Reclaim Control 2, there are consequences to an unhealthy balance, including fatigue, negative effects on your personal health, as well as negative effects on your relationships with family and friends. The article goes on to offer some suggestions to strike a healthy balance. Some of the sugges- tions that resonate most with me include: Make a list to prioritize your tasks. (I love crossing items off my list. In fact, I have been known to add a completed task to a list, just to have the satisfaction of scratching it off!) It’s ok to say “no”, respectfully Leave work at work Get plenty of sleep Make time for fun Of course, this list is not all inclusive! This also makes me wonder if, as a very stressful and demanding profession, we discuss the topic of work-life balance enough. I am going to pose this question on DAPA’s Facebook page. What do you do to try and maintain a happy and healthy work-life balance? Share your thoughts, ideas, and questions. Let’s have this conversation! ____________________ 1 https://paralegalcruise.com/ 2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/work-life-balance/art- 20048134 Upcoming Events / Section Meetings March 12-Board of Directors Meeting 14-Real Estate Meeting 19-General Membership Meeting 20-Intellectual Property Meeting 26-Leadership/Management Meeting 28-North Dallas Meeting April 9-Board of Directors Meeting 16-General Membership Meeting Volume XXXVII, Number 3 March 2019 President’s Perspective by: Laura Kehoe, CRP TM
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On the record
The Monthly Newsletter of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association
A member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.
Page 1
Ahoy, Paralegals!
I am writing this month’s edition of the President’s Perspective at the
Shaker’s Martini Bar located on Deck 7 of the Norwegian Epic, home of
the 2019 Paralegal Cruise1. (“Paralegals Navigating Perilous Waters.”) It
has occurred to me that this five-day cruise showcases work/life balance
and it’s importance.
Attendees had the opportunity to earn up to 10 hours of CLE credit while
at the same time, enjoying a day at Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas) and a day
at Cozumel. Two days of CLE were masterfully balanced with two days of excursions and fun
in the sun the Epic’s destinations. Of course, networking was sprinkled in there too along with
tasty dinners and entertaining shows in the evening.
Now, I pose this question to you for thought and discussion. How do you maintain a proper/
healthy work/life balance? No doubt, this is easier said than done. Between my professional,
family, and church obligations, I myself sometimes find myself stretched too thin.
According to the article by Mayo Clinic Work-Life Balance: Tips to Reclaim Control2, there
are consequences to an unhealthy balance, including fatigue, negative effects on your personal
health, as well as negative effects on your relationships with family and friends.
The article goes on to offer some suggestions to strike a healthy balance. Some of the sugges-
tions that resonate most with me include:
Make a list to prioritize your tasks. (I love crossing items off my list. In fact, I have been
known to add a completed task to a list, just to have the satisfaction of scratching it off!)
It’s ok to say “no”, respectfully
Leave work at work
Get plenty of sleep
Make time for fun
Of course, this list is not all inclusive!
This also makes me wonder if, as a very stressful and demanding profession, we discuss the
topic of work-life balance enough. I am going to pose this question on DAPA’s Facebook
page. What do you do to try and maintain a happy and healthy work-life balance? Share your
thoughts, ideas, and questions. Let’s have this conversation!
Newsletter Committee reserve the right to edit articles submitted for
Volume XXXVII, Number 3 March 2019
LaDonna Brown
Carolyn Cooley
Amy Conine
Melanie Doyle
Sharon Fox
Jerrica Hicks
Brandon Hinckle
Huseby Global Litigation
Cheryl McElroy
Nancy Millan
Kathleen McGregor
Brandi Moses
Alicia Reboller
Elizabeth Shook
Adam Stevens
Texas Paralegal Financial Services
Rebecca Wiggins
Welcome New Members
KEEP IT CURRENT
Please take a moment to review your information on the DAPA website and ensure that the proper information is rec-orded. Important information is sent to Members via mail and e-mail, and it would be very helpful for you to keep your infor-mation updated.
To check your information, go to the Members Only portion of DAPA’s website at www.dallasparalegals.org and click on Edit My Profile. You will be prompted for your username and password. If you have forgotten your password, click on Forgot My Password and it will be e-mailed to you. If you still have problems, e-mail your Executive Director, Mariela Cawthon at [email protected].
The Monthly Newsletter of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association
A member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.
Page 3
*** There is no cost to attend DAPA General Membership Meetings. Specialty section meetings are free to DAPA members and a low cost of $5.00 to non-members. ***
This Month’s Meetings
Speaker: Rachel E. Khirallah, Khirallah,
PLLC
Topic: Litigating Real Estate Law Cases In
Texas-Practice Tips, Issue Spotting and
Jury Trial Highlights
Speaker Information: If it has to do with real estate, then Best
Lawyer Rachel Khirallah is the name to know. Helping clients
protect their real estate is Khirallah's passion and the reason
she opened her own law firm. Real estate law is complicated
and can be emotional, and Khirallah aggressively pursues her
client's rights in and out of the courtroom. Khirallah worked
for a firm on the defense side and became aware of how often
the rights of individuals and businesses related to their real
estate were violated.
RSVP to Education VP, Michelle Kiner, ACP, to ensure suffi-
cient seating.
Speaker: Casey S. Erick, Esq.
Topic: Ethics In Law - A Snapshot of His-
tory in the United States
Speaker Information: Casey S. Erick, Esq.,
Shareholder, Kessler Collins has always
been a trial attorney with a practice focused
on litigation. He specializes in business and employment law-
suits, including breach of contract, trade secret law, tortious
interference, wrongful termination, discrimination, and harass-
ment. He represents clients in litigation and transactional mat-
ters. Because of his extensive trial experience, Casey is able to
bring insight and engage with clients to address issues outside
of the courtroom.
RSVP to Programs VP, Michele Boerder, CP,TBLS-BCP, to
ensure sufficient seating.
Speaker: Wei Wei Jeang, Esq.
Topic: Intro to US Trademarks
Speaker Information: Wei Wei Jeang is an
attorney registered to practice before the
United States Patent and Trademark Office
since 1989 who works closely with clients to develop strategies
to enforce and protect their intellectual property. Educated
and trained as a computer engineer , Wei Wei works with cli-
ents in many different areas of technology ranging from tele-
communications, computer networks and software, predictive
analysis based medical solutions, internet of things technology,
fire fighting and emergency equipment, oil and gas exploration,
green energy and medical devices.
RSVP to Section Chair, Clark Thurston, to ensure sufficient
seating.
Speaker: Dan Morenoff, Morenoff Firm,
PLLC
Topic: Loss Leaders
Speaker Information: Dan Morenoff, lawyer and history buff,
will present a look at well-known (and less well-remembered)
examples of what leaders took from their losses, with an eye
towards what we can learn from them.
RSVP to Programs VP, Michele Boerder, CP,TBLS-BCP, to
ensure sufficient seating.
Real Estate Section Meeting March 14 at Noon—The Belo Mansion
Intellectually Property Section Meeting March 20 at Noon—The Belo Mansion
General Membership Meeting March 19 at Noon—The Belo Mansion
Leadership/Management Meeting March 26 at Noon—The Belo Mansion
The Monthly Newsletter of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association
A member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.
Page 4
*** There is no cost to attend DAPA General Membership Meetings. Specialty section meetings are free to DAPA members and a low cost of $5.00 to non-members. ***
This Month’s Meetings Cont.
Speaker: Jesica Flores, Chalker Flores
Topic: Trademarks 101
Speaker Information: Jesica earned her
law degree from St. Louis University
School of Law in 1992, and her under-
graduate degree from the University of
Texas in 1987-B.A. in Sociology . Prior to joining Chalker
Flores, LLP, Jesica worked at the Texas Commission on Judi-
cial Conduct, the Women’s Advocacy Project, and the Legal
Hotline for Older Texans.
RSVP to Section Chair, Cynthia Minchillo, RP, to ensure suffi-
cient seating.
North Dallas Section Meeting March 28 at Noon—On The Border Addison
Soldiers’ Angels Warm Feet for Warriors Soldiers’ Angels is collecting new socks in original packaging from February 15th to May 31st. For More Information: https://soldiersangels.org/warmfeetforwarriors Promise House Thursday, March 7, 5:00pm-6:00am, Ron Kirk Pedestrian Bridge, 109 Continental Ave., Dallas, TX 75208 Promise to Care: An Unsheltered Experience (formerly known as Sleep Out) Participants will spend the night on the Ron Kirk Bridge learning more about issues that homeless youth face and what the community can do to help youth in crisis. Promise House provides sleeping bags and cardboard, but unlike those experiencing real homelessness, participants have access to restrooms, on-site security, food, and beverages. https://promisehouse.akaraisin.com/Common/Event/Home.aspx?seid=18834&mid=8 RAICES Pro Se Asylum Clinics: Training - Thursday, March 7, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Law Office of Paul Zoltan, 8610 Greenville, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75243 Pro Se Asylum Clinic - Saturday, March 9, 10:00am to 4:00pm NEW LOCATION Midway Tower, 4230 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy., #225, Dallas 75244 www.raicestexas.org Packet Pick-up - Saturday, April 13, 10:00am, Law Office of Paul Zoltan, 8610 Greenville,
Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75243 Please RSVP to Carol ([email protected]) to let her know you are planning to attend. Contact Graham Bateman at [email protected] if you want to volunteer for tech-
nical review (after the workshop and before packet pickup).
**If you are fluent in Spanish and can assist with translating original documents such as
birth certificates and police reports, email Melissa Kenfield at [email protected].
TangoTab Saturday, March 9, 8:30am, Bar Louie, 8166 Park Lane, Suite C310, Dallas, TX 75231 For More Information: http://www.tangotab.com/feed-the-city.html TangoTab has several events each month at various locations around DFW.
SoupMobile Saturday, March 23, 10:00am, 200 Fitness Court, Coppell, TX 75019 For More Information: http://dallasparalegals.org/files/file/Flyers/2018/SoupMobile Fly-er.pdf DVAP Clinics and Workshops Clinics may be cancelled because of severe weather, federal holidays, or voting. To confirm that a clinic will occur as scheduled, please call 214-243-2247. For More Information: http://dallasvolunteerattorneyprogram.org/volunteer/clinics/
Soldier’s Angels – DAPA’s 2019 Charity Soldier’s Angels offers several opportunities to support veterans, deployed or wounded soldiers, and their families with letters, care packages, and activities. Register as an Angel or a Team Angel to participate. For More Information: https://soldiersangels.org/programs.html
NFPA and the Homeless Youth Legal Network The ABA HYLN Pro Bono project is a new initiative aimed at increasing legal services and improving outcomes for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Contact Christine Flynn, NFPA/ABA Pro Bono Liaison, with any questions. Please visit https://americanbar.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cVbcjMwOLyR7N9b to complete the survey and check the “volunteer non-lawyer” box. For additional NFPA pro bono opportunities: https://www.paralegals.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3273
Catholic Charities Dallas Catholic Charities Dallas Citizenship Workshop every Friday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at 1421 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247. For More Information: https://ccdallas.org/need-help/immigration-legal-services/citizenship/ or contact Jessica Hernandez at [email protected].
The Jan Pruitt Community Pantry needs 6 volunteers every Tuesday – Saturday to help serve the hungry at 123 Alexander Street, Lancaster, TX 75146. Catholic Charities has a wide variety of opportunities. Online orientation is required. For More Information: https://ccdallas.org/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/. The Birthday Party Project Volunteer to help celebrate birthdays of children living in homeless and
EAST DALLAS 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month – 5:00pm Grace United Methodist Church 4105 Junius at Haskell, Dallas, TX 75246 SOUTH DALLAS 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month – 5:00pm Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Core Services Building 2922 Martin Luther King Blvd., Room 122, Dallas, Texas 75215 WEST DALLAS 2nd & 4th Thursdays each month – 5:00pm West Dallas Multipurpose Center 2828 Fish Trap Road Dallas, Texas 75212
GARLAND 3rd Thursday each month – 5:00pm Salvation Army Downtown Garland 451 W. Avenue D Garland, Texas 75040 FRIENDSHIP WEST BAPTIST CHURCH 3rd Wednesday each month – 5:30pm 2020 West Wheatland Road Dallas, Texas 75232 TRIANGLE NEIGHBORHOOD 3rd Tuesdays each month – 5:00pm St. Phillip’s Community Center 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Dallas, Texas 75215 VETERANS 1st Friday each month – 1:30pm (for veterans and their families) Veterans Resource Center 4900 S. Lancaster Rd. Dallas, TX 75215
transitional living facilities. A background check is required, and volunteer slots fill up FAST! For More Information: https://www.thebirthdaypartyproject.org Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Brothers Big Sisters has more than one program for volunteering Community Based Program (classic model ages 6-14) – meet with Littles 2 to 4 times a month and commit to stay matched for a minimum of 1 year. Mentor2.0 (a technology-enriched one-to-one youth mentoring program targeting high school students) – attend in-person group events at the mentee’s high school once a month and email through a securely monitored web platform once a week. For more information: www.bbbstx.org or contact Tasha Reid at [email protected]. Dallas Independent School District DISD has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from, such as tutoring, administrative work, and traffic patrol. For More Information: http://dallasisd.voly.org to create a volunteer account.
Have you already obtained your CLE credentials to obtain voting status for next year and meet the criteria for
voting member status? Guess what? You can use all those credentials THIS YEAR!
Anyone who already has five (5) CLE credit hours, along with one (1) Ethics CLE credit hour can request that
their status be changed from non-voting to a voting member. This status allows you to participate in the elec-
tion of Board members, as well as becoming a Section Chair. Please submit your membership status update
request to Mariela Cawthon, Executive Director and Heather Ulliman, Membership Vice President, DAPA.
3.6 Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for Voting Members:
Renewing voting members must complete a minimum of six (6) hours of substantive continuing legal education (CLE),
at least one (1) hour of which must be in the area of Ethics. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, re-
newing voting members who joined the Association in the immediately preceding membership year shall be required
to complete one half (0.5) hour of CLE for each month for which he or she was a member during the immediately
preceding membership year, of which at least one half (0.5) hour must be in the area of Ethics. All CLE requirements
must be completed by December 31st of at the immediately preceding membership year. No carry-over of CLE hours
shall be allowed from year to year. Non-participatory CLE or self-study CLE hours shall be allowed from year to year
and may account for no more than two (2) CLE hours of the six (6) required CLE hours each membership year. Re-
newing voting members must report their CLE on a form promulgated by the Board of Directors and such completed
forms shall be subject to audit by the Board of Directors in its discretion. The Board of Directors shall use the follow-
ing criteria for approval of continuing education courses for credit towards mandatory CLE requirements for renewing
voting members.
On the record
Page 17
Shadow a Board Member
We are looking for voting members who want to shadow Board Members and find out more about their particular positions. If you are interested, please contact Kelli M. Smith, CRP
at [email protected]. Come to a board meeting and learn how your board of directors works! We work hard but we have a lot of fun! Come join a meeting and shadow a board member. Shadowing a Board Member doesn't require any work, but lets you see what a position involves if you are interested in future participation on the Board. Come see if you like it!
Interested in getting involved with DAPA and the paralegal legal community? DAPA has several positions open. To learn more about these positions and other exciting ways to volunteer, please contact Executive Director, Mariela Cawthon, for more information.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you have an article, tip or tricks that you want to share with DAPA members? Publish them in the “On The Record” Newsletter! The dead-
line for submission is the 20th of the preceding month. Please send your submissions to the Newsletter Editor at [email protected].
We are excited to announce that pro bono and community service reporting is now set up through your member login on the NFPA website. 1. Go to the NFPA website ( www.paralegals.org ) 2. Sign in with your email and password 3. Once logged in, go to the Pro Bono tab and select “Reporting Pro Bono and Community Service Hours” 4. The form will auto fill your name and individual information that was provided to NFPA by your local association. 5. Complete the form and submit. The reporting period will remain July 1st through June 30th— so get your time in to NFPA!! Please report pro bono hours on a quarterly basis so that the NFPA Liaison to the ABA can share your service hours and projects with the ABA. NFPA’s Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for reinforcement state that: EC-1.4(d) A paralegal should aspire annually to contribute twenty-four (24) hours of Pro Bono Publico services . . . . EC-1.4(e) A paralegal should aspire to contribute twenty-four (24) hours of Community Service on an annual basis. Contact Cindy Welch, CRP
The Monthly Newsletter of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association
A member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.
Page 24
Please help support our Sustaining Members by calling on them when you have a project that needs outside support. It is
through their continued support and generosity that DAPA is able to keep membership rates low and provide social events
and CLEs at a low cost.
Sustaining Members
A-Legal Copy & Record Services Arlington Career Institute Assure Court Reporting Attorney Resource Avansic Babich & Associates Beacon Hill Staffing Capitol Services, Inc. Compex Legal Services, Inc. Computer Forensics Services Corporation Service Company Dickman Davenport, Inc. Dwq Solutions El Centro College Epiq
Esquire Solutions First Corporate Solutions Greenwood Office Harbinger eDiscovery HC Legal Huseby Global Litigation Kim Tindall & Associates Legal Network Lexitas Lone Star Registered Agents, LLC Open Door Solutions, LLP Platinum Intelligent Data Solutions, LLC Pyre Legal Group Registered Agent Solutions, Inc.
Rimkus Special Counsel Special Delivery The Legal Connection Texas File, LLC Texas Paralegal Financial Services United Corporate Services US Legal Support, Inc. Veritas Legal Solutions Westwood Professional Services