����������

��������������

� ������� ���������

������� ���������� INSIDE THIS ISSUE: � President’s Message � The Forensics of Document Management � TPA Outstanding Member Award 2006 � East TN Chapter Report � Lawassa B. Jones Scholarship � TPA History: Chapter Activities (1981 – 1990) � Legal News Update � NALA Campus � Fall Seminar 2006 � 2007 Officers & Board � Announcement � NALA Quarterly Report � West TN Chapter Report � Southeast Chapter Report � Letter from the Alzheimer’s Association � Board Minutes � NALA Campus Live Calendar Tennessee Paralegal Association Post Office Box 21723 Chattanooga, TN 37424 http://www.tnparalegal.org

PUBLICATION OF THE TENNESSEE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Fellow TPA Members: I hope 2007 is starting off great for all of you. TPA made some significant headway in 2006 to improve the ways we assist and support our members. The following are just a few of them:

� The Board voted to email rather than print and mail The Paralegal Advocate (with the exception of our summer issue which we hand out at the NALA Convention). If you cannot receive the newsletter by email, we will be glad to print and mail it to you on request. The money and time saved by using email will free up the Board and Editor to do other things for our members. One goal is to be able to pay for another member to attend the NALA Convention each year.

� The Board has almost completed much-needed revisions to our bylaws. Those will be voted on by the membership and then mailed to everyone.

� We have major recruiting efforts underway in the East and Middle parts of the state and hope to have a Middle Tennessee Chapter formed by the end of 2007.

� Our website—brand new in 2006—is still undergoing upgrades. We have now added interactive application forms to the site so that renewal and initial joining will be easier. You simply fill out your form on the site, print it, and mail it in with your fees. This will also save TPA on postage and letterhead for our yearly renewal mailings. Please check it out at www.tnparalegal.org.

� Bottom line, our membership is growing and our treasury is in better shape than ever.

If you missed our Fall Seminar and Annual Meeting, you missed a GREAT seminar and networking opportunity. Tracey Williams did a fantastic job of putting together top-notch speakers and working out all the details. The location was great, the food was great, the speakers were all excellent and the networking was amazing, not to mention the door prizes! You will see Laysha and Phyllis’ great photos of the event inside this issue. Special thanks go to our NALA Regional Director, Libby Roleson for joining us and presenting very useful advice on how to keep our association going strong. If you could not make it to the FALL seminar, please put the dates of April 20 and 21 on your calendar so that you will be available for our Annual Spring Seminar. This year’s seminar will be at the Oak Tree Lodge and Five Oaks Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. Alisa Pruett and Tammie Murphy of our East Tennessee Chapter are putting together an exciting lineup of presenters. We continue to receive regular inquiries from paralegals, paralegal students, instructors in paralegal programs and law firms through our wonderful website. Please feel free to let board members know if you have ideas on how we can improve the website to make it more helpful and informative. Let’s keep the excitement going and keep TPA strong. I look forward to hearing from you!

����������

WINTER 2006 Volume 25 Number 3

�

The Forensics of Document Management Or When a Paralegal Becomes a CSI

By Louise Mulderink, CLA All of us at one time or another will be involved in a large, complex, document-intensive case. Whether it’s a class action, a multi-district litigation, or simply a matter that starts small, but then evolves into a case with thousands of documents, at some point, you will be asked to find one lonely, seemingly inconsequential piece of paper on a moment’s notice. This is where you excel as the “CSI” on the case. A “CSI” is the Competent Systems Initiator! As the lead CSI, you will be required to capture, save, store and retrieve all relevant, and initially sometimes, not-so-relevant, documents. There are many document management software systems that can be utilized. Whether you are using Summation, Concordance, Sanction or any of the other hundreds of software programs available, or are developing a system with Access or Excel, your CSI functions remain the same: analyze, organize, and identify the documents in as simple a manner as is practicable. A paralegal must have a clear understanding of the issues in the case. Communication with the attorney is essential to proper analysis of the facts. Proper analysis of the facts will lead to efficient organization. Your initial analysis requires you to sort the facts and pertinent information into categories and then separate the relevant elements from those that are not. This is the most difficult part of the document management process. The CSI must utilize a methodical, detailed, “no stone unturned” approach to this part of the mission. We can assume nothing. Once the analysis is complete, this is a good time to get some feedback from your attorney. Confirmation that your analysis and grasp of the case is in synch with your attorney’s is paramount to developing an effective document management system. Now that you have the documents sorted by the elements of your case, you begin to organize those elements. In the early stages of discovery, what may seem irrelevant can become essential once the discovery process is complete and trial is pending. So both major (relevant) and minor (irrelevant) elements need to be organized. Organization can be by key words, a summary or an index. Try not to confuse organization with neatness. In document organization and database development, you need to think, “Will this system work?,” “Will it work for everyone?,” and “Is it easy to use?” This would be another good time to get feedback from your attorney on your progress. His continued verification that you and he are on the same track builds his confidence and yours that this important, yet much taken for granted task, is being done correctly. Identification of the documents flows from the organization criteria developed. You really did all this work in the first two steps. Based on your organization of those documents into their major and minor elements, you can begin to develop your primary database identification labels. Your sub-labels can be identified from other documents that were either created around the same time, or have the same or similar criteria. Picture an outline or an organization chart. This is the identification flow and structure you are striving for. As the above processes are completed, you can’t help but logically end up with a simple, yet systematized database that even the newest attorney to the case can use. The most important feature your database must provide is a search and sort feature. Remember, search and sort will flow UP to find data and documents based on your organization and identification procedures and the labels you developed. Being able to search and sort within your database automates and simplifies tasks such as creating periodic reports. We all know a paralegal’s primary role is to make his or her attorney happy. One of the ways we can excel at that task is to be a Competent Systems Initiator! Based on your expert analysis, organization, and identification skills, you are able to successfully manage large document cases by (1) classifying mountains of information, (2) using a systematic and standardized method, while (3) assuring consistency and providing accurate results. A clear and concise understanding of the documents creates a solid foundation on which to build the next step in the litigation process: summary judgment, mediation, or trial.

Reprinted with permission by Author Louise Mulderink, CLA; originally printed in NALA Facts & Findings November 2006 Issue About the Author: Louise Mulderink, CLA, has been a litigation paralegal for more than 20 years and is now employed with the law firm of Husch & Eppenberger, LLC. She is a graduate of Southeastern Institute for Paralegal Education in Nashville, TN, and is our current Second Vice President and Chapter Chair to our Southeast Tennessee Chapter.

Dawn Holt for Outstanding Member Award 2006

Tracey Williams presents Dawn Holt with the Outstanding Member 2006 Award at the Eastern Tennessee Chapter Christmas Meeting

The Board voted unanimously to honor Dawn Holt with the TPA Outstanding Member Award. Dawn has been an active member in TPA for many years. A legal assistant with Butler, Vines & Babb in Knoxville, she single-handedly publishes the East Tennessee Chapter's monthly newsletter, In Brief, which is emailed to all its members. She also took the CLA prep course in 2006 and recently received word that she passed the exam! Congratulations, Dawn. We are very proud to have you in our ranks. You are a great model of professionalism for all of us!

��������������������� �����������������

�The East Tennessee Chapter had a great year with a lot of great speakers and interactive workshops. For Christmas, members of the ET Chapter sponsored a single-mother family by providing gifts for the three children, stocking stuffers, and personal items for the mother. Elections were held at our December meeting and the new officers for 2007 are:

Nita Gorman, Chapter Chair

Sara Overbay, Co-Vice Chair Tracey Williams, CBA, Co-Vice Chair

Pamela Leckey, CLA, Secretary Tammie Murphy, CLA, Treasurer Tammie Murphy and Alisa Pruett have been working very had on the Spring Seminar which will be held April 20-21, 2007, at Sevierville, Tennessee. They have put together an excellent line-up of speakers for this event. The ET Chapter is working on increasing attendance at its monthly meetings and increasing membership for 2007. We are planning to participate in several community events this year, including the Relay for Life, Koman Race for the Cure, and the Ronald McDonald House Telethon. We are also planning to have quarterly socials for the members and their families to increase camaraderie among the members, and to encourage participation in upcoming events and meetings. To increase the funds in our Treasury, we are getting T-shirts for our members to wear when they are out in the community. This will also help to raise awareness of our Chapter and hopefully, increase our membership. We are looking forward to a great year. Nita Gorman����������������������� �������

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

Above: Michelle Black Top (Left to Right): Sara Overbay, Tracey Williams & Nita Gorman Bottom: (Left) Pam Leckey (Right)Karen VanDyke

LAWASSA B. JONES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WENT TO

MS. DOROTHY PATRICK FOR THE YEAR 2006!

The Tennessee Paralegal Association (TPA) announced Ms. Dorothy (Dottie) Patrick from Memphis, TN as its annual Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship recipient at its Annual Meeting on November 3, 2006.

Ms. Patrick is a Paralegal Studies major at the University of Memphis and works for the Law Offices of John Michael Bailey. She loves reading, research and writing; belongs to the Alpha Lambda Da, University Honors Program, Political Science Honors Program, and Baptist Collegiate Ministries, University of Memphis. In addition, she made the Deans List several times during her academic years at the University of Memphis; and plans to use the scholarship money to further her education. The Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship is a $750 scholarship that is awarded annually to a student pursuing a degree in paralegal/legal assistant studies. All current paralegal/legal assistant students are eligible and are encouraged to apply. Many of our scholarship applicants have gone on to become successful paralegals!! The criteria that the TPA Board members review in awarding the scholarship include financial need, scholastic ability, leadership and extracurricular activities. The application along with a letter of personal recommendation; a letter of scholastic recommendation (including an official copy of the student’s transcript); and a short statement explaining the student’s reasons for applying for the scholarship and why he/she chose to become a paralegal must be sent to the TPA Scholarship Committee Chairperson at the address listed on the application by October 1st of each year. Please do not send your completed application to the TPA Post Office Box as that could delay the processing of the application. After the winner of the scholarship is announced by the Board, the recipient is immediately notified by mail and a check in the amount of $750.00 is forwarded to the recipient’s school to be credited to the recipient’s account for future use for tuition, books and any other school related items and expenses. For further information concerning the Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship, please contact: Tammie C. Murphy at tcm82401@yahoo.com or go to our website @ tnparalegal.org/scholarship.html and download an application.

�

The Tennessee Paralegal Association History: Chapter Activities (1981 – 1990)�

In celebration of our 25+ years and as a tribute to our founding members, we printed the “First Five Years” in our 2006 Spring Issue. It was the first portion of our history prepared by founding member, Lawassa Jones. Then in our 2006 Fall Issue the “Commentary” for the next five years (1986 – 1990) was printed. Lawassa included Chapter Activities, Education, and TPA Officers through the Years for the State and Local Chapters (1981 – 1990) in this “History” she prepared. Below is the Chapter Activities section that she wrote. Additional sections will follow in future issues to come through The Advocate. We lost Lawassa to cancer in 1995, but the history she prepared through 1990 will be with us forever. Historian and co-founding member, Susan Westmoreland, has been updating Lawassa’s work to bring us through to 2005 and we will print her updates in future issues. Each chapter of TPA is actively engaged in promoting the paralegal profession, in civic activities and in paralegal education. Members of each chapter speak to encourage fellowship among chapter members, hosts at least one social event each year. Each chapter is serving the paralegal profession and Tennessee Paralegal Association well.

The Knoxville Chapter has been very active in promoting the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) examination. The chapter cooperates with Pellissippi State Technical Community College in organizing and teaching an annual CLA Review Course. Knoxville sponsors the CLA exam each December and has more members who are CLAs than any other chapter. Knoxville has a job bank for the convenience of members. This chapter adds a nice touch to its notices of meetings. Under the heading “Continuing Legal Education”, they include notices of seminars of interest to paralegals which are sponsored by other organizations. The Knoxville Chapter meets monthly at noon in the Small Assembly Room of the City-County Building and invites people from the legal community to speak. The Memphis Chapter also sponsors an annual CLA Review Course and has administered the CLA exam for the past two years. Another review course is currently underway and Memphis will once again administer the CLA exam in December. Memphis operates a job bank and publishes an excellent monthly newsletter. Earlier this year the Memphis Chapter was one of the Sponsors of a seminar for lawyers – The Resource for Greater Productivity and Profitability: Legal Assistants. Other sponsors were the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Paralegal Association, Fogelman Executive Center and Memphis State University. The Memphis Chapter meets monthly at noon, except for once each quarter when the chapter has an evening meeting to accommodate those members who are unable to attend noon meetings. The Southeast Chapter, located in Chattanooga, has on several occasions assisted the Chattanooga/Hamilton Bar Association in the “Wearing-in” ceremony for a newly appointed state or federal judge. The chapter usually provides napkins, plates and serving utensils and assists in serving at the reception following the ceremony. The chapter participates in Law Week. Members of the chapter usher for each production of the Chattanooga Little Theatre. Chapter members participate in the annual Law Career Days at Cleveland State Community College. Public service activities enhance the image of a professional organization. In 1988, the Southeast Chapter sponsored a Breast Cancer and plans future public service activities. The Southeast Chapter has monthly business meetings at noon, except for the months of January, April, July and October, when educational meetings are held in the evening. The Tri-Cities Chapter rotates monthly meetings - - combination business and education meetings - - among Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport. Members of this chapter serve on the board of area paralegal programs at Milligan College and Virginia Intermont College. The chapter co-sponsors, with Virginia Intermont College, an annual reception for paralegal students. Chapter members serve as chaperones for Rascals Teen Center, a local youth program. The chapter publishes a monthly newsletter. It has assisted the Young Lawyers in organizing and holding a seminar. Members of the chapter have attended local Bar Association meetings and encourage lawyers to employ paralegals. The chapter operates a job bank; the local Bar Association calls when its members need paralegals. The West Tennessee Chapter has assisted the Young Lawyers Association in Jackson with mock trials and has assisted the local Bar Association with several functions. The chapter participates in Law Day activities. It has sponsored CLA study groups in the past. West Tennessee usually conducts an annual seminar. Its 1989 seminar was an excellent full day program covering Family Law Practice. The chapter has assisted in “Swearing-in” ceremonies for judges and plans to continue to participate in such activities. The West Tennessee Chapter presents an annual award to the area attorney who best utilized paralegals. The West Tennessee Chapter meets monthly and includes some kind of education program in each meeting. These chapter activities demonstrate the high degree of competence, dedication and professionalism of TPA members. The high standards of its members maintain Tennessee Paralegal Association as a superior professional association. It is only through the efforts of members committed to excellence that TPA has achieved the respect of the public and the legal community. Our members are our most important asset.

�

����������������

The Civil Subpoena form has been updated to reflect the 'electronic discovery' amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that took effect on December 1, 2006. The revised form can be found on the Eastern District of TN web site at ��������������� �� under "Forms." The text of subdivisions (c) & (d) of the Federal Rules Civil Procedure 45 is set forth on the bottom of the new form to inform the subpoena's recipient of key provisions of the rule. The updated form substitutes the newly revised language of subdivisions (c) & (d), and it also adds the text of subdivision (e) (Sanctions) to alert the recipient to the potential consequences of non-compliance 'without adequate excuse.'

NALA CAMPUS

* See http://www.nalacampus.com for additional information ������������������������� ��� ����� ��������� ��� ������������ � ��������� ��������������������������� �������������� ���������� ����!������������ ��������������������� ��� ������"��� � �����#������������������������������������������������ �������!�����"������� ����#�������� �����#������$�

%&&'����(���)������"*��������+,*���-����

��.,�"!���/��

Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice William “Mickey” Barker kicked off our 2006 seminar with his presentation on the Appellate Process in Tennessee

Appellate Court Clerk Mike Catalano gave us a sneak preview of the new

electronic filing system the Court will put in place later this year

Lori Grahl paralegal with Howell & Fisher in Nashville, gave a very entertaining presentation on Secured Transactions Under the UCC

Accident Reconstructionist Richard Fitzgerald gave a fascinating overview of things to look for when investigating a vehicle accident case

ANNUAL FALL MEETING:

NOVEMBER 4, 2006

President Susan Veal Addresses the members

NALA Liaison Caleeta Beagles presented suggested revisions to the bylaws for a vote

Tracey Williams & Jennifer Petty scrutinize the bylaws

Becky Turner, Michelle Black and Dawn Holt help sing the national anthem

Libby Roleson, Jennifer Petty and Linda Lamb chime in.

��.,�"!��� ��

John Barber of Records Acquisition Services explains his revolutionary system for delivering medical records quickly & cost effectively to all parties in a case

Libby Roleson gave a very enlightening and motivating presentation on knowing your members and growing your leaders

Court reporter Joya Miller of Vowell & Jennings chats with Phyllis Carter and presents

her with a very nice door prize

Jennifer Petty, Tracey Williams, Phyllis Carter, Susan Veal, Tammie Murphy, CLA, Caleeta L. Beagles

2007 TPA Officers and Board Members (Contact the officers/board members via our website: www.tnparalegal.org) President: Susan E. Veal, Miller & Martin PLLC, Chattanooga First Vice President: Tracey A. Williams, CBA, Mostoller, Stulberg & Whitfield, Oak Ridge Second Vice President: Louise C. Mulderink, CP, Husch & Eppenberger, LLC, Chattanooga NALA Liaison: Caleeta L. Beagles, Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN, Chattanooga Secretary: Tammie C. Murphy, CLA, Toppenberg & Burke, Knoxville Treasurer: Phyllis A. Carter, CTFA, SunTrust Bank, Chattanooga East Region Director: Alisa C. Pruett, Baker McReynolds O’Kane Atkins & Thompson, Knoxville West Region Director: LaFran Plunk, West Tennessee Legal Services, Jackson East Tennessee Chapter Chair: Nita Gorman, LAW OFFICE, CITY S.E. Tennessee Chapter Chair: Louise C. Mulderink, CP, Husch & Eppenberger, LLC, Chattanooga West Tennessee Chapter Chair: Tammy R. Bradford, Jackson Historian: Susan Westmoreland, CEBS, Horton, Maddux & Anderson, Chattanooga Publications Chair: Laysha M. McCullaugh, The Fleissner Firm, Chattanooga

ANNOUNCEMENT As an incentive to recruit new members, we have our annual Membership Contest. Each time your name appears on the referral line on an application received for a new member, your name is put in the hat for a drawing at our Annual Meeting. The 2006 Winners were awarded at our Fall Seminar as follows: First Prize: Chris Whaley – John Grisham book, An Innocent Man Second Prize: Phyllis Carter – free membership Third Prize: Tammie Murphy – free seminar

0�������������������� ������������������

We held our meeting January 23rd at 6:00 P.M. at the home of Amy Cummings. Officers for 2007 are:

Tammy Bradford, Chair LaFran Plunk, Vice-Chair Linda Lamb, Co-secretary Amy Cummings, Co- Secretary Barbara Salinas, Treasurer

�West Tennessee Chapter Christmas Party

LaFran Plunk, Jennifer Petty (sitting) Joyce Doyle, Barbara Salinas, Teresa Winberry, Linda Lamb, Amy Cummings & Tammy Bradford (standing, left to right)

�

� ��������������� ����� � � �� �� ����� �� ��

� ���� � ����������� ����������� ������� ������������� ����� � �������������������� �� ���������� ���������� ������ ������ ��� ��������� ���� �� ������!""#�� ��������� ������������� ������ ������ ��� ��������$ �� ��%�� ��&���� ����' �����!""#�������� ������&�������������(��� �� ��)�� �� � �� � �� ������ * +,"""� ���� ��� � ������ ����� � ��� ������ �� � ��)�� ����� ����-�� ���%� * .,!""� �� ��(� � � ��� � � � ������ ��� ������� �� ������ ��� �� �%� �������� /�� �� ������ ����0� ������� ���� � ������ ���� ������� ������� ������������ ������������' ��� 1������������������1�2 �%���� �������� ��������%��� ���������� ��� �� �������������� ������������� ������ ����� � ��� ������ ��� * 3("",� �� ��%���� ��� %���� ���� � ��� �� ��%� ���� ����� �� � ���� �������������� ��&(���� ����� �����%��* 3(""��� ��������� &������ ��������)��%����&��� ����%��� ����������)���������� ���������������� �%����������� ���%� ����(� �4�� ����� ���,������ �������� ��%��566� ,�����,� ����� ���,�� 7������������ �%���� ��)���� ������� ������������������� ������ ������� �������8 �)�� ����� �������� ����!""9�� �� �� �6��� �$ �� ��������:��

;������$ �� ����&,�������������$ �������< �����,�������� �������;�%����$ (�$ ��������,�� � ����%�;%���= ����,�� ���������

� �� �� � � �� � ��� ���������� ���� ���� ���� �� � >�� ��%� � ��)� ��� ���� ���� ������ ��� ����� ���� �� ���� ������ ����� ������ ��������� ������� �������)����� ��������(��� ���� ������ ������� �������� ��������������� ����)�������������(�

� �� �� � �������� ��� �� ����� ��� ��)� ���� ���)� �� �� ���� �� � ���%,� ��� � ���� ��� ��)� ���� ����)����������������� �������������)����%���������� ���������� �� ��������������� ������� ��������� ������������ ���������%��� �� ��������������������%������������ �����)������������ ���������(���

� �� ���� ���&���� ���� �� � �� �� �� � �)�� �� � �- ����� !""9� �� � � �� ���� ������ �� �� ������� �� ������,���� �������� ����)� ������ �������� ����������

?��� ����%����� �� ,�

������������� �;�������(�$ �� ����&,��;� �� ��������������������

�+��1�2.(�����������*,�3�)�." ��+����4+�*"��5�����.*��*.��"�".�2�0��1�

NOTES FROM THE FALL BOARD MEETING

November 3, 2006 First Vice President’s Report Tracey Williams passed out her detailed Vice President’s Report which outlined the revenue, expenses and estimated profit from the Fall Seminar. Ms. Williams’ report outlines the expenses and number of attendees. One attendee gave sufficient notice so that she is eligible for a refund but wants the materials. TPA also paid for the hotel room for the NALA speaker. Also attached was a list of the vendors and how much each paid. Ms. Willliams encouraged members to visit the vendors. Chapter Reports

Southeast Chapter --- Louise Mulderink reports that the Chapter continues to remain active in their community. The Chapter raised $1,000.00 toward their $3,000.00 goal for the Alzheimer’s Association. They are selling t-shirts and car magnets to raise money. Their next meeting will be in November when they intend to elect new officers for upcoming year. In December, they will have their annual Christmas party. East TN Chapter --- Tracey Williams passed out her written report. The East Tennessee Chapter has had great speakers for the past several months. The chapter continues to work on increasing attendance at its monthly meetings. They will participate in local Angel Trees for their fall service project. Their Christmas Party will be on December 14, 2006 when they will elect officers for 2007. Tammie Murphy and Alisa Pruett are planning the Spring Seminar. West TN Chapter --- Fellow Chapter member Linda Lamb reported that the Chapter will continue to meet in the evenings and continues to have good turn out at their meetings. The Chapter held new membership meetings resulting in three new members.

Treasurer’s Report As of November 2, 2006, the checking account balance is $4,446.46 and the savings account balance is $2,811.37. Ms. Carter also passed out her proposed budget for 2007 which is also attached to these minutes. We are up to a total of 98 members now. Also, the budget also set asides $275.00 to pay the treasury surety bond. We will also add in a “Member Since” line to the Membership Roster so that we can keep a track of the 20-year membership rule. Motion was made to approve the Treasurer’s Report which was approved and submitted for audit. Motion was also made and passed that the 2007 budget be submitted to the membership for its review and approval. Old Business Caleeta Beagles discussed the Bylaw Committee’s ongoing revisions to TPA bylaws. Board members had a conference call with Alisa Pruett who suggested changes to Section 10.7 particularly, the last sentence contained therein. The following issues were discussed:

1. A chapter cannot make a last minute donation to an organization. Any monies left in the Chapter should go back to the TPA. Once a chapter decides to leave the TPA, then whatever is in that chapter’s treasury goes to the TPA.

2. Each chapter should have control of its money and to what extent should TPA have control over that money.

3. The Board discussed adding the following provision: A Chapter should give at least a 90-day written notice of its intention to divest itself from the TPA to all members of the TPA Board. At that point,

the money/assets in that Chapter’s treasury shall be converted to the custody and control of the TPA. The State’s Treasurer will then manage the Chapter’s money and bills.

4. Article 1.7 Chapters – The Board discussed several issues regarding the TPA’s relationship with its individual chapters. The Board decided that the chapters are not separate entities from the TPA. The Board also discussed how the TPA can govern the assets of each chapter and whether the chapters should be required to give notice to the TPA when they decide to donate any monies in their treasury over a certain amount. The Board will amend Section 1.7 to refer to the Section 1.2. Charitable donations should be published in The Advocate.

The revisions and additions are as follows:

• Changed Article 1.6 to “Regions” • Article 2.28 – Lifetime Membership. The Board also discussed Lifetime Membership status. Those

members who have been active in the TPA for 20 years or more can attain Lifetime membership in the TPA. The Article currently states that Lifetime Membership is contingent upon retirement from the paralegal profession after twenty years. We need a qualifying statement because some twenty-year members do not retire and some do not pay their own dues. Lifetime Members would still have voting privileges and still be eligible to serve as officers and board members. We discussed letting the 20-year member decide whether to pay memberships dues or not.

• The Board also discussed the fees for sustaining members. The Board discussed whether sustaining members should pay chapter dues or pay one flat fee. There is nothing in the Bylaws that addresses dues of Associate members. Board also discussed whether sustaining members should also be considered chapter members or at-large members of TPA. They would have no vote in the Chapter but could vote with the TPA. Ms. Pruett suggested incorporating sustaining members into the chapter’s membership. Ms. Beagles suggested sustaining members should pay local chapter dues and we could adjust the chapter dues. Initiation should be waived and no renewal fee for sustaining and associate member.

• Article 5.0 – Added email and teleconference and also added teleconference for voting. No proxy voting [for some voting] shall be allowed but teleconference voting should be allowed. See Rule 11(c).

• Article 7.3 -- Term of office. An officer/board member, who is doing an outstanding job in his or her office, can serve more than two (2) terms with the express consent of the TPA membership.

Caleeta Beagles and Jennifer Petty will continue work on these revisions to the Bylaws and will present them to the membership for review and approval. Motion was made to approve the proposed Bylaw revisions as presented by the Bylaws Committee. Said Motion was seconded and approved.

Publications Committee Report The Board discussed having a “point” person from each chapter to contact Laysha McCullaugh to add information to be included in The Advocate. The member can contact Laysha via email. The Board also discussed emailing The Advocate to the membership. Motion was made and passed that we include an option of sending The Advocate via email or by regular mail. Our goal is to send The Advocate primarily by email. Scholarship Committee Report The Board voted and announced that Ms. Dottie Patrick of West Tennessee is the winner of the 2006 Lawassa Jones Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations to Ms. Patrick Outstanding Member The Board voted and announced that our Outstanding Paralegal for 2006 is Ms. Dawn Holt from the East Tennessee Chapter. Congratulations to Dawn. Tammie C. Murphy, CLA Secretary, Tennessee Paralegal Association

NALA CAMPUS LIVE CALENDAR

American Legal System: Part 1 – Thursday, February 15 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Central Time This is a two part NALA CLA/CP review course presented by Karen Sanders-West, ACP, JD. The second part will be offered on February 27. Fact Analysis & Interpretation for Paralegals – Friday, February 16 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Central Time This is an intermediate program, presented by Patricia J. Gustin, CP, CFEI of Harrisburg, PA. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Trademark Prosecution – Tuesday, February 20 from Noon – 2:00 pm Central Time This is an intermediate program, presented by Deborah A. Hampton, Intellectual Property Manager. Ethics – Thursday, February 22 from Noon – 2:00 pm Central Time This is NALA CLA/CP Review presentation by Vicki Voisin, ACP, of Charlevoix, Michigan. Blue Book Review of Citing – Friday, February 23 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central Time. This is a presentation by Mary Kubichek, BS, MA, JD, of Casper, Wyoming. American Legal System: Part 2 – Tuesday, February 27 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Central Time This is a two part NALA CLA/CP review course, presented by Karen Sanders-West, ACP, JD. The first part of American Legal System is offered on February 15. Deciphering the Medical Record – Wednesday, February 28 from Noon – 2:00 pm Central Time This is a presentation by Amy H. Temkin, Paralegal. Message from The Paralegal Advocate Team

We would appreciate your contribution to The Paralegal Advocate by submitting articles of interest to you to be published. Please note the deadlines for each issue and feel free to provide any information you would like published prior to the deadline. If you would like to have articles published on specific topics in the Advocate, please contact us.

- The Paralegal Advocate Team ��

THE PARALEGAL ADVOCATE

is published quarterly by the Tennessee Paralegal Association, an affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. Articles and other information for the newsletter should be sent to the Advocate Team at the following address:

Tennessee Paralegal Association Attention: Advocate Team

Post Office Box 21723 Chattanooga, TN 37424

or lmccullaugh@fleissnerfirm.com

DEADLINES FOR UPCOMING ISSUES:

SPRING: MARCH 21, 2007 SUMMER: JUNE 30, 2007

FALL: SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 WINTER: DECEMBER 31, 2007

�