No Time Off For LAPA This Summer

Transcription

No Time Off For LAPA This Summer
www.lapa.org
JUNE 2014
IN RE VIE W...
reporter
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06
L A PA 2014 S prin g C areer c o n f erence Pic t o ral review
1 LAPA 2014 Spring
Career Conference
Pictorial Review
1 President’s Message:
No Time Off For LAPA This
Summer
2 Cliché Peeves:
Why Would - You Get Hit By
A Bus? What About A Food
Truck?
3 Letter from the Editor:
Just Googling Around
4 Travel Log:
The Sacred Canyon
5 Book Review:
Stories Mediators Tell by Eric
R. Galton and Elea P. Love,
Editors
6 LAPA Board Member Q&A:
Tony Sipp
8 LAPA Ethics MCLE
Seminar Review:
Ethics MCLE Seminar
Featuring Ryan Saba
9 LAPA 2014 October
Conference Preview:
Not the Dream Act, But
Better Than Nothing:
Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals presented by Attorney
Nikki Jacobson
Also In This Issue:
Calendar of Events
3
Facts & Findings NALA News
7
LAPA Career Center Info.
11
LAPA South Bay Section Seminar Ad 14
LAPA San Fernando Valley Section Seminar Ad15
LAPA Bankruptcy Law Section Seminar Ad16
LAPA Pro Bono Fair Ad
17
NALA Certified Paralegal Exam Practice Test Ad17
Working Advantage LAPA Member Benefit18
LAPA Member Benefit Health Insurance 18
LAPA Charity Golf Tournament
20
ew & Renewing Members
21
Board of Directors Listings
22
Sections, Committees & Other LAPA Info. 22
LAPA Member Benefit Dental Insurance 22
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
No Time Off For LAPA This Summer
by Donna Reznick-Goodich – LAPA President
The Los Angeles Paralegal Association is kicking off summer
2014 with a June filled with a variety of MCLE programs and
a July Mixer for the South Bay.
First up is “Planning for the Golden Years,” Tuesday June
10, 2014. Elder Law, Probate, Estate Planning and LongTerm Care will be topics covered and Waddell & Reed, Torrance, who are hosting
at the request of Dane K. Gambill, a Paralegal and Legal Document Assistant I
had the pleasure to meet at the February Probate Dinner featuring the annual
“2013 Cal. Legislative Roundup: Probate & Estate Planning” given by James
R. Birnberg. As coincidence and serendipity will show, Dane had an offer I was
happy to accept. He was connected to speakers and law firms who work in
continued on page 3
CLICHÉ PEEVES
Why Would - You Get Hit
By A Bus? What About A
Food Truck?
by Chere B. Estrin
Today must have been the day for buses. On at least
three occasions, I read the phrase, “In case I get
hit by a bus.” My mother used to tell me that. Only
she added that I had to be sure to be wearing clean
underwear just in case.
I commented to my husband that I was reading a lot
of clichés lately. He asked me, “Why do people think
they would get hit by a bus? Why not get hit by a
bicycle? Or a food truck? Why a bus?” I didn’t have
the answer. I did think it was a good question. But I
really didn’t have an answer.
Which got me to thinking: why do people use so many
LAPA’S OFFICE HOURS
Direct your inquiries to LAPA’s Administrative Manager, Tracey
Booth, at 866.626.LAPA: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Join LAPA on...
& www.lapa.org
L APA REP ORTER
The Reporter is published monthly by the Los Angeles Paralegal
Association. The news and views presented express the authors’
views and not necessarily those of LAPA. Publication of any article or
advertisement does not imply endorsement of the opinions, products
or services offered. LAPA assumes no responsibility for verifying facts
offered by contributing authors or in reprinted articles. Readers
should consider information contained in these articles as guidelines
to be independently confirmed as to timeliness.
©2014 Los Angeles Paralegal Association. All rights reserved.
THE ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL DEADLINE IS THE 5TH OF
THE MONTH PRIOR TO PUBLICATION.
Articles and news items should be directed to LAPA at editor@lapa.org.
Inquiries about making a submission should be directed to LAPA at
info@lapa.org, or call Tracey Booth at (866) 626-LAPA.
Inquiries about advertising placement, applications, membership
materials and address changes should be directed to Tracey Booth,
LAPA Administrative Manager, at (866) 626-LAPA.
Articles will be published as space permits. The Newsletter Committee
reserves approval and edit rights on any article submitted.
The Los Angeles Paralegal Association is a non-profit, mutual benefit
corporation within the meaning of section 501(c)(6) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Membership dues and donations to LAPA are not tax
deductible as charitable gifts, but may be deductible as related business
expenses. LAPA suggests that you consult your tax advisor in this regard.
clichés? A cliché, for example, is saying, “bless you”
every time someone sneezes. Do you really mean to
personally bless someone? If you are the recipient,
do you pay any attention deep down inside when
someone says “bless you”? No. You don’t. You say,
“Thank you” to be polite. The exchange is done and
frankly, immediately forgotten.
It’s the same when using clichés as you write. In
business communications, clichés do not resonate.
They have no meaning and readers do not pay
attention to any message that the cliché might
attempt to deliver. The mind, having seen the phrase
so many times, is desensitized. It skips right over the
phrase, sometimes ignoring it completely. If you want
people in your firm to pay attention and think that
you are a leader, you’re going to have to change the
way you write.
Here are five of the biggest cliché peeves in the
business world. (Cliché Lady, where are you?)
1. Enclosed please find. Now, really, would you talk this
way? Would you actually walk into a partner’s office,
hand him or her a file and say, “Enclosed please find”?
I doubt it. Write the way you talk. It’s much better to
say, “I am sending you a copy of the blank.”
2. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate
to call. Practically all letters explaining anything ends
with this boring phrase. Would someone hesitate to
call if they had a question? Not a chance. Not in
this day and age of instant response and passiveaggressive e-mails. It’s much better to say, “If I have
missed anything, let me know” or say..........nothing.
3. As you know. This is dangerous. You are making
an assumption that the reader must certainly know
about the issue you are about to discuss. What if they
don’t? All you have accomplished is to point out their
ignorance. They may feel uncomfortable. “Gee,” the
reader thinks. “I should have known that.” Or, “Uh,oh.
Someone is leaving me out of the loop.” Instead of
your reader appreciating your communication, now
they probably don’t feel so great about what they
have just read. Hmmm....not exactly neither the goal
nor the impression you seek to give.
4. If you will. This cliché started about 10 - 15 years
ago. I don’t know who started it but if I see them, I
am going to lodge my complaint - in writing. I can’t
continued on page 12
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
2
C A L E N D A R OF E V E N T S
L E TT E R F R O M T H E E D I TO R
JUNE
4 - LAPA Board of Directors Meeting – Contact Donna ReznickGoodich at 213.576.1000.
10 -LAPA South Bay Section MCLE Seminar – Topic: Elder Law,
Probate, Estate Planning and Long-Term Care; Contact
Andrea Mitchell at am@hjth.com, see page 14.
17 -LAPA Ethics MCLE Seminar – Monterey at Encino, Encino,
Topic: How to Develop an Effective and Ethical Social
Media Policy for Your Firm, featuring Adam Grant, 6pm 8:30pm, Contact Tony Sipp at sipp@litchfieldcavo.com, Patti
Leedom at ppleedom@aol.com, see page 15.
18 -Executive Committee Meeting – Telephone Conference.
J U LY
12 -LAPA Board of Directors Retreat – Contact Donna ReznickGoodich at 213.576.1000.
TBD-Executive Committee Meeting – Telephone Conference.
17 -LAPA South Bay Mixer – Doubletree Inn, Torrance, Contact
Andrea Mitchell at am@hjth.com
23-25 - NALA 39th Annual Convention – Charleston Marriott,
Charlston, SC, Contact Kari Wenger at 626.256.1956,
Kari.Wenger@hotmail.com.
26 -LAPA Charity Golf Tournament – Knollwood Country Club,
Granada Hills, 10 a.m., supporting the Downtown Women’s
Center, Legal Eagles, Birdies & Pars, Contact Larry Thigpen at
lthigpen23@gmail.comor Tracey Booth at admin@lapa.org
P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E - cont. from page 1
the legal area of Probate and we come full circle
from February’s event at the Olympic Collection to
June’s MCLE in Torrance. Thank you Dane from me
and from the LAPA members who benefit from the
connection we made.
The second MCLE of the summer will take place
further north in the San Fernando Valley, organized
by co-chairs, Patti Leedom and Tony Sipp and with
the assistance and encouragement of VP of Marketing
and Planning, Catherine Peck. Catherine is our ace at
spotting the dual whammy of need and opportunity. The
three of them have planned and organized an Ethics
MCLE on Social Media to take place on June 17, 2014
at the Monterey at Encino. Mr. Grant is the current
president of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association,
so you Valley LAPA member we encourage you to lineup to thank him, chat with him and network with one
of the most influential attorneys in the place that you
work. We plan these events to educate and to put our
members in the professional situations we can. Please
take advantage of the opportunity.
Third MCLE up this month is for our Bankruptcy Group
and is a very popular revisit from Jeffrey R. Cozad. You
continued on page 5
Just
Googling
Around
by David Faulkner
LAPA Reporter Editor
Come on. Admit it. You’ve
done it. In a quiet moment,
when no one is watching,
you take the plunge and – google yourself.
I did it . . . and came up with 5,140,000 matches!
Hooray! I must be somebody. But no. 99.9% of the
matches were about other folks with my name, like
the top hit, some Australian guy who is a member of
the rock band Hodoo Gurus (wow, even other people
with my name are obscure). The only match for the
actual me was on drilldown to my LinkedIn page.
So after the excitement of this wore off I decided to google
“Paralegal.” Oddly it produced nearly the same amount
of results as the search of my name (5,730,000). What
it produced is mostly what you would expect – paid
adds for schools offering paralegal training, of which
there an enormous number in every nook and corner of
the country; definitions of “Paralegal;” home sites for
state and city paralegal groups.
The first interesting thing that struck me is that there
are (at least) four national organizations claiming to
offer some form of credentialing that, they claim,
will mark the so credentialed as a “professional”
paralegal. There is “NALS . . .the association of legal
professionals,” “The American Alliance of Paralegals,
Inc.” “National Federation of Paralegal Associations”
and, of course, “NALA.” This multiplicity of offerings
raises the question – just what makes a “professional
paralegal” professional? And they also provide the
answer – there is no common standard. It seems
to whatever any group (which can form by no other
authority than the decision of the people forming
it) decides it is. This all might serve as a call for a
renewed legislative push to establish a government
based credentialing process.
Then there are the different or odd or “really” results
you find on the later pages.
Like the quaint little site named “Paralegal Pie”
continued on page 5
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
3
T R A V E L L OG
For your reading pleasure, a regularly recurring column on the fun of travel.
The Sacred Canyon
by Elisabeth Patmore Sillars
I’ve intentionally left the best of the Southwest for
last: Canyon de Chelly (remember: “de Shay”). Or
as Paul told the Ranger who asked what we thought
of “her” Park on our initial trip in October 2010,
“we liked it much better than the Grand Canyon,”
which pleased her greatly.
That first time, our car was at last pointed towards
California and home, so the schedule didn’t include
an overnight stay or Canyon tour. Nonetheless, Paul
and I managed to spend several hours exploring,
noting to each other that the omnipresent system
of guardrails at the other National Parks was
considerably more relaxed at Canyon de Chelly,
where signs simply instructed parents to look out
for their children at the steep cliff edges…. First
we checked out the Massacre Cave Overlook at the
northern end of the North Rim, then the Overlook
for the eerie Mummy Cave, on the other side of the
Canyon, and then the Antelope House Overlook,
facing up Black Rock Canyon. Next we drove the
Park road along the South Rim, where we headed
directly for the Spider Rock Overlook at the far end,
and finally wound our way back to the Visitor Center
along the South Rim road with stops of varying
lengths along the way, including the popular “White
House” Overlook. There we were bemused and
more than a little shocked to see a group of young
tourists standing on the very edge of the rocks, with
an expensive tripod and large-format camera set
continued on page 10
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
4
B OO K R E V I E W
by Christine Langteau
Stories Mediators Tell by Eric
R. Galton & Elea P. Love, Editors
Most of us like to share the stories of our lives, the
events and experiences that happen to us. Those
of us working in the legal profession encounter a
wealth of stories from cases and legal matters
encompassing many areas, from estates going
through probate, families in turmoil due to divorce,
businesses developing then splitting up, and other
litigated disputes. It is no different with mediators.
In Stories Mediators Tell, a number of mediators
share their experiences of mediation sessions often
between parties who came together after months
or years of litigation to reach resolution without
resorting to trial. “Our stories were not collected
to glorify or to vilify mediation, but to make the
process accessible to readers generally. We are
motivated by the belief that mediation is not well
understood – even its practitioners are limited to
their own experience, particularly given confidentially
strictures.” This book was written in part to advance
awareness of mediation and to demonstrate though firsthand recollections of actual mediations that it works.
There are 31 stories shared in this book. Many of the
individuals who took their cases to mediation suffered
P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E - cont. from page 3
Bankruptcy paralegals know him as the Law Clerk to the
Hon. Vincent P. Zurzolo and we at LAPA know him as a
professional most generous with his time, his knowledge
of the procedures and the history of Bankruptcy in the
Central District of California. Mr Cozad will again be
giving an insider’s entire look at the local Bankruptcy
Rules and recent updates to the code here in California.
Our own Bankruptcy Chair, Wayne Kiser, has teamed up
with Myrna Richardson for this June 19, 2014, dinner
meeting at SuhlmeyerKupetz, 333 so. Hope Street,
Bank of America Building, downtown. Call Wayne for
additional info at 661-536-4927.
Finally, look for the soon-to-come announcement of
an upcoming July mixer at the Torrance Double Tree
targeted for all you South Bay members. From the
South Bay to the Valley LAPA is doing its best to serve
and bond together its diverse membership. Give us
your suggestions to help us in our endeavor. G
great loss and tragedy, their lives disrupted and
fundamentally changed. The story of Sarah McCree
is particularly heart wrenching. Sarah died while left
unattended in a jail cell after a DUI arrest following
a traffic accident. Her parents were devastated
and wanted to not only find some solace with their
daughter’s death but to seek accountability from the
health facility that had neglected to properly treat
her. Through the skill of the mediators, (this situation
involved co-mediation) as well as the ability of one
of the opposing parties’ representatives to emotionally
empathize and profoundly listen to Sarah’s parents,
the case settled satisfactorily. There were many lessons
learned from this experience which the author shares
–“ the need to turn tragedy into something of value,
transformational power of deep listening, importance
of leadership, and decisions on whom to invite and
whom to leave home” are a few mentioned.
Each author’s voice in telling their story is unique as they
share their insights in the process, the challenges and
difficulties faced, and lessons learned in the process of
negotiating and working out settlements. Each story
involves different circumstances and many are about
confronting other parties, working through conflict, and
include acts of apology and forgiveness in order for the
parties on both sides to move on with their lives and
professions. Even reading a few of these stories shows
the personal side of litigation and how mediation can
resolve conflict under a variety of interesting situations
and often-strenuous experiences.
Christine R. Langteau is a librarian in reference and research with the Los Angeles Law Library.
In addition to reference work she teaches several legal research courses and conducts tours for
paralegal programs. Before becoming a librarian she worked for 20 years as litigation paralegal
for a number of law firms in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. G
L E TT E R F R O M T H E E D I TO R - cont. from page 3
which is “offering uncommonly good advice and
cutting edge solutions for paralegals.” With such a
bold mission statement it is interesting to note that
the site’s owner/author doesn’t give her name only a
cheery picture.
Then there is the site “Prisontalk” which is dedicated
to providing “prison information and family support
community.” There you find a very long discussion
thread on the topic “Am I the only one taking a
paralegal course just to help my love?” Given the
answers this person is not. Apparently there are a
large number of average Americans, who are unable
continued on page 6
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
5
L APA BOARD MEMBER Q & A
This month
we introduce
you to...
Tony Sipp
LAPA Director-at-Large
Q: How long have you been a paralegal?
A: 7 years.
Q: Where are you employed now?
A: I am the lead Paralegal at the Pasadena office of
Litchfield Cavo LLP.
Q: What is your practice area?
A: Litigation support for general liability, Labor &
employment and Business litigation matters.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political
Science from Fordham University and a Paralegal
Certificate from Coastline Community College.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond
measure. It is our light, not our darkness that
most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who
am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and
fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You
are a child of God. Your playing small does not
serve the world. There is nothing enlightened
about shrinking so that other people will not feel
insecure around you. We are all meant to shine,
as children do. We were born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us. It is not just
in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our
own light shine, we unconsciously give others
permission to do the same. As we are liberated
from our own fear, our presence automatically
liberates others. – Marianne Williamson.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I work with a great team of co-workers and attorneys.
Q: What career or profession, other than your own,
have you always wanted to try?
A: Politics. I’ve always enjoyed being in a position
where I can help others.
Q: What career or profession do you believe you
would never want to try?
A: Portable urinal cleaner.
Q: Did you have a prior career? If so, what was it?
A: Yes, I worked in Politics for a few years, then
I was in finance, which all helped me become
successful as a paralegal.
Q: What do you think it takes to be successful in
this job?
A: Organizational skills, analytical skills, decisiveness,
CLE’s and being a team player.
Q: What advice would you give someone entering
the paralegal field?
A: Join a professional organization such as LAPA,
attend as many CLE’s as you can and network,
network, network.
Q: What accomplishments have given you the most
satisfaction in your life?
A: Marrying the most amazing woman on earth.
Q: Share an interesting “tidbit” about yourself that
most people would not know?
A: I competed in my first 100 mile bicycle ride,
the RTC Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo.
Questions?
Contact Tony Sipp at sipp@litchfieldcavo.com.
Tony Sipp is employed as a Paralegal at the firm of LitchfieldCavo LLP. This
article reflects Mr. Sipp’s personal views, and cannot and should not be taken
as expressing any views, positions, or endorsements of LitchfieldCavo LLP. G
L E TT E R F R O M T H E E D I TO R - cont. from page 5
to hire private counsel and/or have been abandoned
by public defenders, taking paralegal courses to help
them fight for the rights of their loves ones.
Then there are the goofy results. For those who don’t
know it, sophisticated site programmers plant words
and phrases in their code so that their sites appear
on search results for completely unrelated things. In
the case of our paralegal search you get the site for
“American Pharmacy” which sells (illegally) Viagra,
Cialis and other pharmaceuticals. Or a site called
“Beatsjoy” which claims to sell new and authentic
“Beats by Dre” headphones for 70% off retail. Right?
Finally there is the site “The Free Dictionary” that has
an acronym finder. A search for Paralegal Certificate
Program” returns 107 items with the acronym PCP. In
this list our PCP comes between “Pneumocystis Canii
Pneumonia” and “Partido Comunista Paraguayo”
(Paraquayan Communist Party.) G
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
6
Fac t s & Findin g s N A L A N E W S
by Kari S. Wenger – NALA Liaison, PCC Committee Co-Chair
For your information, here follows
the latest news from NALA
www.nala.org
UCLA’s
PARALEGAL
TRAINING
2014 Candidates for NALA
Board of Directors Announced
Eleven NALA members have declared as candidates
for the NALA Board of Directors, 2014-2015. We are
thrilled so many NALA members have stepped up to
serve as NALA leaders! In 2014, NALA members will
be electing members to the Board of Directors from
Regions 1, 5, 6, 7, and 9 as well as the NALA First
Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer.
LAPA is represented by the Region 9 Director. There
are two candidates for this position:
•Michele T. Pfeiffer, CLA
• ABA-approved
• 5- and 12-month program options
• Taught by judges, attorneys, paralegals,
and other legal professionals
•Mary L. Theroux, ACP
Complete details relating to each candidate are on
the NALA web site under “Members Area/2014
Annual Meeting News” or got to http://www.nala.
org/2014anmtn.aspx.
Active members take note!
You can vote by proxy if you
cannot attend the 2014 NALA
Annual Meeting ...
• Financial aid available
• In 2 locations — Westwood and
Downtown LA
Voting members who cannot attend the NALA Annual
Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina on July 25
may designate other members to cast their votes. To
do this, voting members must file a “Designation of
Proxy” form with the NALA Secretary that election
officials know who will be voting on their behalf.
The designation of proxy form must be filed by
June 25, 2014. The form is available online, and
a copy of the form was included in a recent issue
of Facts & Findings. To reach the online form go to
http://www.nala.org/2014anmtn.aspx. A link to the
form is also found on the NALA website under the
continued on page 12
14548-half.indd 1
Details at uclaextension.edu/LAPA
or call (310) 825-0741.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
14548-13
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
7
6/17/13 10:02 AM
L APA ETHIC S MCLE SEMINAR RE VIEW
Ethics MCLE Seminar
Featuring Ryan Saba
by Bobby T. Rimas – LAPA Board Advisor
On Tuesday, April 29th, the first 2014 LAPA Ethics
MCLE seminar, titled “Modern Ethical Problems:
An Examination of Current Technology and Ethical
Issues,” took place at the Los Angeles Athletic Club
(club) in Downtown Los Angeles. This educational
seminar had approximately 75 attendees in the
beautiful club Centennial Ballroom with its towering
ceilings, rich colors, artistic masterpieces, and
wood-paneled pillars.
Before the MCLE seminar started, attendees had
more than an hour to have dinner and network with
fellow paralegals and other legal professionals.
LAPA President Donna Reznick-Goodich and LAPA
Vice President of Membership & Policy Michelle
Tabb, ACP made sure that all guests felt very
welcome and that the networking along with the
MCLE seminar ran smoothly.
The speaker for this event, Mr. Ryan Saba, has
considerable experience with both prosecuting and
defending a wide range of federal and state civil
litigation and trial matters, including catastrophic
injury claims, professional responsibility, employment
litigation, women’s rights, complex business and
entertainment disputes, civil rights, maritime, and
municipal, landowner, and product liability. Mr. Saba
is a general partner in the Beverly Hills law firm of
Rosen Saba, LLP. For over 10 years, Mr. Saba has
been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” and has been
rated as an “AV” lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, the
national attorney ranking service, and is rated 10 out
of 10 “superb” by AVVO attorney ranking service.
Mr. Saba attended the University of California at
San Diego and in 1994, obtained a Bachelor of Arts
degree with a major in Sociology and a minor in Law
and Society. In 1997, Mr. Saba obtained his Juris
Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego
School of Law.
This Ethics MCLE seminar explored and examined
the current ethical trends and topics that arise
from the use of modern technology in civil litigation
e-discovery. Speaker Saba went into detail as to
what are the requirements for a party to demand
Electronically Stored Information (ESI) from the
opposing side during discovery and how it is broadly
defined as information in an electronic medium.
Attorney Saba went into detail on professional
responsibilities in connection with preserving and
preventing the spoliation of evidence, as well as the
many stages of e-discovery and the ethical issues that
may be encountered during such stages. Speaker
Saba also discussed how “…an attorney lacking
the required competence for e-discovery issue has
three options: 1) acquire sufficient learning and
skill before performance is required; 2) associate
with or consult technical consultants or competent
counsel; or 3) decline the representation….”
Moreover, Mr. Saba indicated that a “…lack of
competence in e-discovery can also result, in certain
circumstances, in ethical violations of an attorney’s
duty of confidentiality, the duty of candor, and/or the
ethical duty not to suppress evidence.”
Presenter Saba discussed other problems in the area in
e-discovery in connection with the potential destruction
of relevant information prior to production, and how
legal teams can specifically address such matters.
continued on page 9
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
8
L A P A 2 0 1 4 O C TO B E R C O N F E R E N C E P R E V I E W
Not the Dream Act, But
Better Than Nothing:
Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals presented
by Attorney Nikki Jacobson
by Bobby T. Rimas – LAPA October Conference Chair
The 2014 LAPA October Conference Committee
is excited to have Attorney Nikki Jacobson as the
presenter for the October Conference Immigration
Law MCLE seminar, Not the Dream Act, But Better
Than Nothing: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
On June 15, 2012, United States President Obama
signed a memo calling for deferred action for certain
undocumented young people who came to the U.S.
as children and have pursued education or military
service here. Applications under this program,
which is called Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (“DACA”), began in August 2012. With
this program, comes a whole new set of laws and
legal procedures. This is a great time to learn about
this new area of Immigration Law. Specifically, this
MCLE seminar will cover:
• DACA eligibility requirements
• The process for representing a DACA applicant
• Discussions of the criminal bars to DACA
• Necessary documentation to apply for this relief
• Best practices for legal teams regarding how to complete all immigration forms
• Helpful suggestions on procedural issues
• Ways for legal teams to effectively work with DACA applicants
For over 15 years, Nikki Mehrpoo Jacobson has been
a dedicated advocate for the injured worker and
immigrants from all over the world. She has focused
her practice of law exclusively on immigration and
workers’ compensation law. She is an active member
of the American Immigration Lawyers Association,
California State Bar Workers’ Compensation Section,
California Applicants’ Attorneys Association, and the
Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Ms. Jacobson is also a distinguished Professor of
Law at West Los Angeles College (WLAC) where she
teaches various legal topics, including immigration,
labor and employment law. She is also an active
lecturer for numerous local unions and community
organizations and author of various immigration and
workers’ compensation articles. She was recognized
by Los Angeles Magazine as one of its Super Lawyers
“Rising Stars” in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
For the fifth year in a row, she has been recognized
by Avvo.com, a national lawyer-rating service, and
given their highest legal rating of “10 – Superb”
based on her experience, industry recognition, and
professional conduct.
Ms. Jacobson has extensive legal experience and has
successfully represented thousands of clients before
the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS –
formerly INS), Executive Office for Immigration Review
(EOIR – Immigration Court), Board of Immigration
Appeals (BIA), the Workers’ Compensation Appeals
Board (WCAB), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and
the Superior Courts of California.
This is only one of several MCLE seminars you will
not want to miss during the 38th Annual LAPA
October Conference at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel!
Mr. Bobby T. Rimas is a Paralegal at OneWest Bank where he assists its Corporate Legal
Department with intellectual property law, employment law, and immigration law matters. He
can be reached at Bobby.Rimas@alumni.UCLA.edu. G
LAPA ETHICS MCLE SEMINAR REVIEW- cont. from pg. 8
Mr. Saba’s presentation was so well received by
the audience that the LAPA October Conference
Committee extended an invitation to him to see if
he would be willing to present another Ethics MCLE
Seminar at this year’s October Conference. Stay
tuned for possibly more phenomenal presentations
given by Mr. Ryan Saba.
Mr. Bobby T. Rimas is a Paralegal at OneWest Bank where he assists its Corporate Legal
Department with intellectual property law, employment law, and immigration law matters.
Mr. Rimas is currently the Los Angeles Paralegal Association Board Advisor and served as
LAPA’s President from 2011 through 2013. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at West
Los Angeles College where he presently teaches a Legal Writing class. This summer, Mr. Rimas
will be teaching an Immigration Law course at California State University, Los Angeles, College
of Extended Studies. He is also a presenter of several NALA webinars regarding Form I-9 and
H-1B Petition matters and will be co-presenting at NALA’s Intellectual Property Law Institute at
NALA’s July 2014 Convention in Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Rimas also serves as Scholarship
Director for the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Network, and an Advisory Board Member for the University
of La Verne’s Legal Studies Department. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History from UCLA
and his Paralegal Certificate from the UCLA Extension Attorney Asst. Training Program. He can be
reached at Bobby.Rimas@alumni.UCLA.edu. G
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA
9
T R A V E L L OG - continued from page 4
up next to them, casually smoking and laughing,
apparently oblivious to their tenuous position!
It’s difficult to overstate the impact the Canyon
had on me, more in some areas than in others.
I found myself shaking in some locations, which
isn’t helpful when you’re trying to hold a camera
steady and do any justice to the scene in front
of you. Especially when the view is of something
as amazing as Spider Rock. Actually, two natural
sandstone towers standing where the Canyon de
Chelly meets Monument Canyon, the taller of which
(approximately 750 feet high) is said by the Navajo
people who still live in and around Canyon de Chelly
to be the home of the creator of the world, known as
Spider Woman or Spider Grandmother. My response
to the place was entirely unencumbered by ever
having heard any of the myths surrounding it, but
now it makes perfect sense to me that the site
belonging to the creator would continue to radiate
its (her!) power forever.
My favorite creation story about Spider Grandmother is
that she made the stars by spinning a web, sprinkling
it with dew, and tossing the glittering web into the
sky, where the dewdrops turned into all the stars in
our universe. Impressively, she appears in the myths
of many native peoples, the Navajo (or Diné, as they
prefer to be called today), but also the Hopi, the Zuni,
and even the Coos of Oregon and the pre-Columbian
Teotihuacan people in modern-day Mexico.
By the time we returned in April 2013, I knew we should
arrange a tour of the Canyon floor with an authorized
guide in order to add another level of meaning to our
experience, and naturally I wanted to include Spider
Rock in our tour. There are several different companies
who conduct such tours, and Paul and I were very
pleased that we found Leander (Lee) Staley, whose
family has been sharing their tribal home with others
(non-Navajo outsiders) for many years, to take us into
the heart of the Canyon, although the level of the river
prevented him from driving us all the way to Spider
Rock; timing being everything, I believe early autumn
may be the best season for that tour: aha! Something
for next time! (I was interested to see recently that
Lee has inserted the phrase “Beauty Way” into the
business name of Canyon de Chelly Jeep Tours, which
the company website says is another way of saying
“the Navajo way.”)
We stayed overnight at the Best Western in nearby
Chinle in 2013, but on our third Canyon de Chelly
adventure, I think we’ll probably try either the
Holiday Inn, which is very close to the entrance
and Visitor Center, or the renamed Sacred Canyon
Lodge (previously called the Thunderbird Lodge),
which has the ideal location, since it’s the only
hotel actually in the Canyon. The same Navajo
team as the wonderful View hotel we stayed at in
Monument Valley now owns it, and we’re hopeful it
will be successful in its reincarnation.
In the end, even though we didn’t make it to
Spider Rock on our last visit, our half-day tour
on the Canyon floor definitely gave us a valuable,
completely different perspective of the Canyon and
the lives of its people, both in ancient times and
today. I’d explained to Lee that we wanted to see as
many petroglyphs as possible, and he additionally
gave us the opportunity to spend quite some time
at the “White House” Ruin made famous by Ansel
Adams’ photo of many years ago, trying not just to
find those pesky tripod marks of his, but to make
our own (artistically brilliant, of course) personal
interpretations of the dramatic site. As hoped, our
guide was extremely knowledgeable, taking us to
many out-of-the-way places, and full of stories told
with a gentle sense of humor, so Paul and I enjoyed
our day enormously, particularly our encounter with
Lee’s uncle and his small tour group in a quiet
corner of the Canyon, where we all stood captivated
by his flute music, and a resident raven danced
lazily overhead in the warm spring sun.
Oh yes, we’ll be back. G
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 10
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 11
Fac t s & Findin g s N A L A N E W S - continued from page 7
Members Area/2014 Annual Meeting News. If you
have questions or would like a copy of the printed
form, please contact NALA Headquarters.
for Family Law Paralegals. Certified Paralegals who
successfully complete this course will receive an
Advanced Paralegal Certification in Family LawDissolution Case Management. For more details,
click the APC logo above or visit the advanced courses
available in the iStore or Google Play through the
Paralegal CLE app.
APC Board Releases New
Course for Family Law
Paralegals! Family Law Congratulations from LAPA!
recently announced the results of the January
Dissolution Case Management NALA
2014 certification examination, and two LAPA
Against a background of Constitutional and federal
law, state law is the primary law of marriage and
divorce in the United States. Basic principles and
models of divorce, including alimony, child custody,
and property division, remain fairly consistent
through all states and territories. Applicable law,
rules, procedures, and terminology may vary
significantly from state to state and within states
from city to city. “Custody” and “alimony” in one
court may be “parenting time” and “spousal support”
in another. However, from traditional models to
modern innovation, through variations in practice
and terminology, the basic underlying purpose of this
area of practice is to resolve all issues in dissolution
of a marriage, in a manner that is efficient and fair to
all persons involved.
This course concentrates on practice and procedure
in the area of marriage dissolution case management.
Modules in the course begin with the legal framework
that provides the substantive and procedural structure
for marriage and dissolution; legal requirements,
obligations, and benefits of a valid marriage;
the process of marriage dissolution; issues to be
resolved in dissolution cases; information intake,
client interviews, and case assessment; preparation
and initiation of a dissolution case; discovery in a
dissolution case; and resolution of the case, including
entry, enforcement, and modification of court orders.
Go to http://www.nala.org/Upload/file/PDF-Files/APC/
family-case-management/78ROLE.pdf open “Role
of the Paralegal” in dissolution case management.
This is the basis for this advanced course.
This is the third in a series of four advanced courses
members have been added to our extraordinary group
of Certified Paralegals:
Jennifer Croad, CP and Dawn Hartman, CP G
C L I C H É P E E V E S - continued from page 2
think of another phrase that emphasizes uncertainty
or that questions your confidence. “If you will?” If you
will what? I hear that dang phrase almost every day. All
this phrase does is to undermine any strong statement
making you sound less confident, if you will.
5. At your earliest convenience. How many times have
you been frustrated because you asked for something
at the reader’s “earliest convenience” only to discover
that your idea of “early convenience” and their idea of
“early convenience” is drastically different - as different
as day and night? Every business-writing seminar
I conduct, I ask the question. “What does ASAP
mean?” There’s no surprise to find a vast dissimilarity
in concept. The audience is generally spilt between
“means right now, hurry, rush” and “when you have
time to do it.” It would be better to say, “Would March
12th work for you?” or “Would the end of next week
such as Thursday or Friday be feasible?”
That’s only five of thousands of clichés. I have a
growing list. My suggestion is: if you’re going to use
a cliché, find one that is less used and more recent like, “not in my wheelhouse.” Yeah. I like that.
Chere Estrin is the CEO of the Paralegal Knowledge Institute and author of ten books including The
Paralegal Career Guide, 4th Edition. She is a co-founding member of the International Paralegal
Association and founder of the Paralegal Internet Association. Chere has been interviewed by
Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Daily Journal and other prestigious
publications. She is a recipient of the Century City/Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce “Women of
Achievement Award”. However, the award she holds greatest and dearest remains the LAPA Lifetime
Achievement Award. She can be reached at chere.estrin@paralegalknowledge.com. G
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 12
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 13
TO ALL ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS & LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
The Los Angeles Paralegal Association’s South Bay Section Presents:
Planning for
the Golden
Years
Elder Law, Probate, Estate Planning and Long‐Term Care
Susan B. Geffen, elder law attorney will be walking us through various aspects of Elder Law. Included in this topic will be probate, estate planning and long term care. Tony Craddock will speak on the processes involved in supporting Elder Law.
Susan B. Geffen has been a civil rights attorney for most of her career advocating for elderly and disabled clients. She currently practices as an elder law attorney, with special emphasis in Estate Planning, Medi‐
Cal Planning and helping Veterans and their spouses obtain Aid and Attendance Benefits. She is also a Geriatric Care Manager helping families and their elderly relatives. Susan’s popular seminars on preparing for the future, “Raising Up Your Parents” have been attended by thousands of Baby Boomers and seniors. Susan is often referred to as the “Elder Care Guru” by her 5,000 plus monthly e‐newsletter followers. Tony Craddock is the Vice President of Marketing for Associates of Clifton Park in the Estate Planning and Long Term Care Division at Associates of Clifton Park. Mr. Craddock has over thirty five years of experience in the insurance and investment industry. He currently oversees the variety products and training for Waddell & Reed Advisors in the United States. He is a key note speaker in the estate planning and Long Term Care arena. Tuesday June 10, 2014 _______ 6 pm to 7pm Networking & Dinner 7 pm to 8pm Presentation 8 pm to 8:15 pm Q&A _______ Waddell & Reed 3625 Del Amo Boulevard Suite 360 Torrance, CA 90503 FREE PARKING! _______ $35.00 LAPA Members $40.00 Non‐Members $30.00 for students (students must show a current student ID) _______ LAPA is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and certifies that this seminar is approved for 1 hour MCLE credit _______ Register at www.lapa.org No refunds or cancellations Name: _____________________________________________________________
Firm Name: ________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________
Telephone: ___________________
E-mail: _____________________________
LAPA member? (Circle one) Yes No
Amount enclosed or to be charged: $__________________
Credit Card No. (Visa/MC/AmEx): _______________________________________
Expiration date: ________
Name on Credit Card, if charging: _______________________________________
P.O. Box 71708 Los Angeles, CA 90071 www.lapa.org ‐ 866.626.LAPA (5272) VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 14
TO ALL ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS & LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
The Los Angeles Paralegal Association’s
San Fernando Valley Section Presents:
How to Develop an
Effective and Ethical
Social Media Policy
for Your Firm
Almost every day in the news we hear about the benefits
associated with the use of social media. We also hear about
the risks and abuse of social media which can cause harm to
the reputation of an individual or a business. Attorney Adam
Grant will address how to create and implement an effective
and beneficial social media policy for your law firm that will in
turn guard against abuse and potential legal pitfalls.
ADAM D.H. GRANT principal with Alpert, Barr & Grant, APLC, has nearly 20
years of legal experience. His practice focuses on all forms of civil litigation
including construction, real estate, employment, commercial and general
liability. Included in his practice focus is evaluating existing privacy policy and
representing clients in disputes involving alleged breaches of applicable privacy
laws. Mr. Grant is the current president of the San Fernando Valley Bar
Association; a member of the Board of Trustees, San Fernando Valley Bar
Association; a member of the Board of Directors, Valley Industry Commerce
Association (VICA) and a past member of the Board of Directors, San Fernando
Valley Legal Aid Foundation.
Tuesday
June 17, 2014
_______
6 pm to 7 pm Networking &
Dinner
7 pm to 8 pm Presentation
_______
Monterey at Encino
16821 Burbank Blvd.
Encino, CA 91436
Free Parking
_______
$35.00 LAPA Members
$40.00 Non-Members
$45.00 for Walk-Ins
_______
LAPA is a State Bar of
California approved MCLE
provider and certifies that
this seminar is approved for
1 hour MCLE credit
_______
Register at www.lapa.org
No refunds or cancellations
For more information please contact Tony Sipp at Sipp@litchfieldcavo.com or Patti Leedom at
PPLeedom@aol.com.
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Firm Name: ________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________
Telephone: ___________________
E-mail: _____________________________
LAPA member? (Circle one) Yes No
Amount enclosed or to be charged: $__________________
Credit Card No. (Visa/MC/AmEx): _______________________________________
Expiration date: ________
Name on Credit Card, if charging: _______________________________________
P.O. Box 71708
Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.lapa.org - 866.626.LAPA (5272)
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 15
TO ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS and
OTHER LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
LOS ANGELES PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION’S
BANKRUPTCY LAW SECTION
Presents:
Inside Bankruptcy Court ECF/
Local Bankruptcy Rules ("LBR") Revisions
And Latest Developments
Featuring:
Jeffrey R. Cozad, Law Clerk to the Hon. Vincent P. Zurzolo
Join us for an insider's look at local Bankruptcy Rules and recent updates at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court ("USBC")
for Central District of California. Mr. Cozad will provide an in-depth discussion about the latest revisions to the
LBR’s, including new procedures for lodging orders and upcoming proposed changes.
Mr. Cozad is a law clerk for the Hon. Vincent P. Zurzolo of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and was instrumental in
developing many of the revisions and updates to the LBR, including Lodged Order Upload (“LOU”) procedures
for filing orders using the court’s electronic filing system.
Seating is limited. Register early to reserve your seating!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
SulmeyerKupetz
333 S. Hope Street, 35th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
[Parking can be found in the 333 South Hope Building and on street metered parking on Hope and Third streets.]
Check-in: 6:00-6:30 p.m. Dinner: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Program: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Paralegal Association ("LAPA") is a State Bar of California Approved Provider
and certifies that this seminar qualifies for 1 hour of MCLE credit
Registration: $30.00 for LAPA Members - $35.00 for Non-Members
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot provide refunds for cancellations
For additional information, call Wayne Kiser 661.536.4927
To attend the June 19, 2014 Bankruptcy Section seminar, please complete this section and mail with your check or credit card
information to
LAPA, P.O. Box 71708, Los Angeles, CA 90071 OR register online at www.lapa.org
Name:____________________________________________________________ Firm:_________________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone:_____________________________________________
Fax:__________________________________________________
Email:_________________________________________________
LAPA Member:
Yes:____
No:____
Amount enclosed/to be charged: $______________________
Credit Card No.: ___________________________________________________ Expiration Date: ________________________________________
Visa:_______
MasterCard:________
American Express:________
To join LAPA today and attend this meeting and subsequent meetings at member rates, please enclose an additional check for one year’s dues:
Voting Member $77.00:________
Associate Member $77.00:________
Student Member $62.00:________
Benefactor Member $202:________
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 16
LAPA’s Pro Bono Fair
Be the one who makes a
difference!
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Agency representatives from
various organizations that offer
legal assistance to the
underserved and underrepresented
will be at the LAPA Pro Bono Fair!
Please register for this event at
www.lapa.org
 CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST will
be served! 
For more information about this event,
please contact the LAPA Pro Bono &
Community Services Committee
Chair Bobby T. Rimas at
(Bobby.Rimas@alumni.UCLA.edu)
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Speak with and hear from numerous pro
bono agencies about their missions. You will
learn what opportunities are available for
volunteers and interns to help them deliver
outstanding services to their clients. Get
involved and gain invaluable experience!
Location: National University (near LAX)
5245 Pacific Concourse Drive, Suite 301
Los Angeles, California 90045
Admittance: $5.00 plus school supplies (such as
paper, pens, etc.) for Los Angeles area schools OR
$10.00 without school supplies
Certified Paralegal Exam–Practice Test
Communications • Ethics • Judgment & Analytical Ability
Legal Research • Substantive Law
• Delivered on exactly the same web-based platform as the Certified Paralegal Examination.
• Participants receive comments which describe why answers are correct or incorrect.
Upon completion of a test, participants will have an opportunity to download question item
feedback for future reference.
• Participants also receive feedback describing how they did on the exam based on subject
category. The Judgment & Analytical Ability practice test is an objective test, but it includes
a bonus handout - an assignment and sample memo for self-grading.
• The practice tests are about 1/2 the number of questions of the entire Certified Paralegal
examination and use the same specifications as the Certified Paralegal exam.
Vouchers are available to schools and school bookstores.
For further details and price information, visit www.nala.org/cp-practice.aspx.
The practice tests are part of the CLE efforts of NALA and offered separate and apart from the Certified Paralegal examination and Certifying
Board for Paralegals. The Certifying Board has not reviewed any questions nor provided any input in the authoring of these practice tests.
THE ASSOCIATION OF
LEGAL ASSISTANTS•PARALEGALS
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 17
LAPA IS LOOKING FOR LEADERS
We are currently looking for Chairs, Co-Chairs and
Members for the following Committees and Sections:
• Compliance Committee
• Immigration Law Section
• Litigation Section
• Marketing Committee
• Probate and Estate Planning Section
• South Bay
• Westside
• October Conference
Interested?
Please email info@lapa.org or contact
Donna Reznick-Goodich at 213-576-1002
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 18
Learning Today,
Soaring Tomorrow
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014
8:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
ty
Serving the Legal Com m uni
OMNI LOS ANGELES HOTEL
SINCE 1972
251 SOUTH OLIVE STREET
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
EMAIL LAPA OCTOBER CONFERENCE CHAIR BOBBY RIMAS
AT BOBBY.RIMAS@ALUMNI.UCLA.EDU OR LAPA ADMINISTRATIVE
MANAGER TRACEY BOOTH AT ADMIN@LAPA.ORG.
QUESTIONS?
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 19
Los Angeles Paralegal Association Presents Legal Eagles
Birdies & Pars
Charity Golf Tournament
Supporting The Downtown Women’s Center
Knollwood Country Club
12024 Balboa Blvd.
Granada Hills, CA. 91344
July 26th 10:00 a.m.
Entry fee:
$75 LAPA members
$85 Non LAPA members
$320 Corporate sponsored foursome
Entry fee includes tee time, lunch, range balls, cart,
Register:
Los Angeles Paralegal Association
P.O. Box 71708
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Telephone (866) 626-LAPA
Email: info@lapa.org Website: www.lapa.org
Tax ID #:95-3302452
fun and games!
LAPA is a tax exempt organization
pursuant to IRC section 501(c)(6).
All net proceeds from this event will be contributed to The Downtown Women’s Center.
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 20
WELCOME NEW & RENEWING LAPA MEMBERS
The following is a listing of legal professionals and paralegal students who joined or renewed their
membership in Los Angeles Paralegal Association within the last 30 days. The employer and work
telephone number also are included when available. If any information is incorrect, please fax
corrections to 866-460-0506, call LAPA at 866-626-LAPA or e-mail updates to info@lapa.org.
V OT I N G
Robin Bennett
Gwendolyn Chen
Crystal Collins
Melissa Dagg
Karen Gibson
Shahbaz Hojabrzadeh
Kenneth Evan Holmes
Eduardo Machado
Lilliana Montero
Sussan Motta
Jessica Olson
Kathryn Parry
Alice Pfeifer
Donna Reznick-Goodich
Myrna Richardson
Bobby T. Rimas
Susan Elizabeth Rojo
Susan S. Sabath
Daniel Martin Shannon
Victoria Sotva
Carey Stanchfield
Melissa Stoppiello
Tracy Vena
Wilshonda Washington
Sue Zimmermann
Ivan Zogovic, CP
Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP
(310) 284-2219
DLA Piper LLP (US)
(213) 330-7826
The Law Office of Richard R. Muir
(909) 391-4413
The Law Offices of Robert Mansour (661) 252-3588
Glaser Weil (310) 556-7893
(661) 313-5757
Littleton Joyce
(213) 785-4555
Montero Corporate Services
(800) 414-6510
Tucker Ellis LLP
(213) 430-3424
Carico Johnson Toomey LLP
(310) 545-0010
David Geffen
(310) 434-1111
(213) 386-6603
Alston+Bird
(213) 576-1000
(213) 617-5280
OneWest Bank, FSB
(213) 952-9914
(818) 508-7100
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP(213) 617-5528
(626) 616-8766
(310) 500-7778
Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, LLP
(310) 277-9747
(818) 613-6911
(562) 857-6680
Washington Paralegal Group
(562) 528-4427
The Rutten Law Firm
(818) 308-6915
(310) 259-7703
A S S O C I AT E
Kimberly A. Back
Irma Banuelos
Jessica L Evans
Lisa Knofel
Law Office of Cynthia R. Pollock
McGuireWoods LLP
Caldwell Leslie & Proctor, PC
(310) 798-6150
(310) 315-8261
(310) 674-2431
(213) 622-9040
GOING GREEN
A S S O C I AT E c o n t .
Pamela E Prudhomme Resch Polster & Berger LLP
Abner Baena Reteracion Law Offices of Carlo O. Reyes
(323) 290-9340
(818) 268-1573
STUDENT
Erin Benzer
Marsha Margare Boon UCLA Extension
Leighann Burick
Ogletree Deakins
Jacqueline Burns
Veronica M Caro
Alexandria Casas
Karalee Erickson
Mt. San Antonio College
Casey Garrison
Carlos Gonzalez
Sonia Huerta
Jennifer C Ibarra
Ellen Kosuda
UCLA Extension Paralegal Program
Kim Le
Kayleen Lofgren
UCLA Paralegal Training Program
Monica Lopez
Fantasy Activewear Corporation
Jessica J Moore
Kia Myers
Djiby Nam
Tracy Nguyen
April Marie O’Neill
Pamela Partin
William H Plummer
Amber Elizabeth Regalado
Mark Andrew Rojas
Justin Smith
Andrea Thompson
Kylie VanderWende
UCLA Paralegal Training Program Ursula Wong
(626) 434-0889
(626) 641-7301
(916) 524-6172
(818) 645-7714
(818) 398-6778
(909) 319-0881
(626) 383-5053
(626) 290-4372
(310) 515-2574
(323) 570-6263
(916) 879-2368
(310) 956-5431
(661) 236-3245
(310) 670-3526
(202) 841-3792
(408) 438-8071
(818) 300-9960
(310) 325-7294
(310) 237-5771
(323) 447-3047
(323) 828-8924
(661) 817-4527
(818) 624-2527
(323) 810-2976
B E N E F A C TO R
Teresa Altarriba
LAS Worldwide Information Services (916) 564-7900
LAPA is dedicated to reducing its 2014
ecological footprint. With that in mind, the
LAPA Reporter will be available online only at
www.lapa.org. For the benefit of our friends and
sponsors, we have already moved the current
newsletter from the ‘Members’ Only’ section to a
prominent spot on the front page of the website.
As a LAPA member, you will also receive via
e-mail a monthly announcement with a hyperlink
to the Reporter. Archived copies of the LAPA
Reporter can still be accessed by member log-in.
If you prefer to have the newsletter mailed to
you, we will do that for a small postage fee by
contacting Tracey Booth, our administrator, by
e-mailing her at admin@lapa.org. Thanks.
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 21
L O S A N G E L E S P A R A L E G A L A S S O C I A T I O N - 2 0 1 3 B O A R D OF D I R E C TO R S
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Name
Donna Reznick-Goodich
Patricia Leedom
Michelle Tabb, ACP
Catherine Peck
Terry Riggins Maria Teresa Bravo
Title
President
Executive V.P.
V.P. Membership & Policy
V.P. Marketing & Planning
Treasurer Pro Tem
Parliamentarian
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Name
Kai Ellis, ACP
Wayne Kiser
Bogdana Koiso, CP Tammi Loveland
Larry Thigpen Tony Sipp
Kari S. Wenger
Employer
Alston & Bird
Lower & Kesner, LLP
United States Attorney’s Office
The Lanier Law Firm
Law Offices of Neil Newsom & Assoc.
Office #
213.576.1002
818.933.0930
213.894.2060
310.277.5100
310.278.7555
Fax #
Eddress
213.576.1100 donna.reznick-goodich@alston.com
ppleedom@aol.com
213.894.8601
michelle.tabb@usdoj.gov
ceepack@yahoo.com
okinawa62@sbcglobal.net
310.278.4310
mtbravo@ix.netcom.com
Employer
Barbanel & Treuer, P.C.
Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
Litchfield Cavo LLP
Stone & Grzegorek LLP
Office #
Fax #
Eddress
310.282.8088 310.282.8779
kellis@btlawla.com
vbas@virtualbankruptcyattorneyservices.com
bogdanakoiso@hotmail.com
tloveland@hotmail.com
818.640.5530 larrybthigpen@aol.com
626.683.1100 626.683.1113
takeasipp@yahoo.com
213.627.8997 213.627.8998
kariwenger@hotmail.com
S E C T I O N S , C O M M I TT E E S & OT H E R L A P A I N FO R M A T I O N
Administrative Manager
Tracey Booth
866.626.LAPA
Advertising
Tracey Booth
866.626.LAPA
Advisory Board Members
Susan Oder, Esq. advisorymember@lapa.org
Bobby T. Rimas advisorymember@lapa.org
Bankruptcy Section Wayne Kiser vbas@virtualbankruptcyattorneyservices.com
Mryna Richardson
mrrvaa@pacbell.net
Budget & Finance Committee Patricia Leedom
ppleedom@aol.com
CAPA Web Site
www.caparalegal.org
Compliance Committee
866.626.LAPA
Corporate/Real Estate Section
Terry Riggins okinawa62@sbcglobal.net
Corporate Sponsors
info@lapa.org/866.626.LAPA
Downtown Section
Tammi Loveland
tloveland@hotmail.com
Editor of Reporter
David Faulkner davidpaulfaulkner@gmail.com
Family Law Section
Sharon Fluxman sharonfluxman@yahoo.com
General Information
866.626.LAPA
Holiday Benefit Gala Committee
Tammi Loveland
tloveland@hotmail.com
Immigration Law Section
866.626.LAPA
Intellectual Property Section
866.626.LAPA
Legislative Committee
Maria Teresa Bravo maria.bravo3@gmail.com
Thomas Horlick thorlick@lasuperiorcourt.org
Litigation Section
866.626.LAPA
Marketing Committee
866.626.LAPA
MCLE Review Committee
Donna Reznick-Goodich donna.reznick-goodich@alston.com
Membership Committee
Michelle Tabb, ACP
michelle.tabb@usdoj.gov
NALA Liaison
Kari S. Wenger kariwenger@hotmail.com
Newsletter Committee
editor@lapa.org
Nominations & Elections Committee Andrea Mitchell
am@hjth.com
Kimberly Bradley, ACP
October Conference Committee
Bobby T. Rimas
213.952.9914
Online Education Section
Emily Lanza
onlineedu@lapa.org
PCC/CLA/ACP Committee Michelle Tabb, ACP
michelle.tabb@usdoj.gov
Kari S. Wenger kariwenger@hotmail.com
Probate & Estate Planning Section info@lapa.org
Pro Bono Committee
Bobby T. Rimas
213.952.9914
San Fernando Valley Section
Emily Lanza
emilyeliza24@yahoo.com
David Faulkner davidpaulfaulkner@gmail.com
Santa Clarita Section
Emily Lanza emilyeliza24@yahoo.com
Scholarship Committee Schools Liaison
South Bay Section
Speakers Bureau Coordinator
Spring Career Conference
Student Advisory Committee
Website Committee
Martha McLaughlin martha.mclaughlin@disney.com
866.626.LAPA
866.626.LAPA
866.626.LAPA
info@lapa.org/866.626.LAPA
866.626.LAPA
Bobby T. RimasBobby.Rimas@alumni.ucla.edu
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 22
Los Angeles
Paralegal Association
P.O. Box 71708
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Telephone (866)626-LAPA
Fax (866)460-0506
VOLUME 42 / ISSUE 06 / JUNE 2014 LAPA 23