by Kirsten Fullerton, Committee Chair, Public Relations and Marketing

This is our first official ‘post luncheon’ blog; for those of you who attended the March 13, 2007 luncheon at the Sofitel Hotel, please take note!   That event was packed with presentations, including our annual awards, as well as a fun and informative game called “True Colors” presented by Debbie Ford.  There was also a speaker discussing internet research.  It was a whirlwind of activity in a brand new venue for our Association. 

Excitement was in the air.  Perhaps that explains the noise level at the event. 

As someone who was trying to be heard over the chattering, I’d like to ask everyone for a favor.  The next time you attend a PAP luncheon, put on your invisible courtesy cap, listen and give the speaker your polite attention.  Even though you might have been seated in the back, your attention should always be given.  Hopefully at future luncheons the agenda will not be so packed and there will be time for networking and visiting with your fellow attendees. 

Hopefully you enjoyed the event and learned what committee you’d be best suited to join as well as being inspired by the hard work of those being honored.  It takes many people to make the Association run and we appreciate all of their hard efforts!

Sharon DeNofa, board member and co-chair of the member services committee, is interested in starting a study group for the PACE exam.  Interested individuals can contact her at sdenofa@lucascavalier.com

Membership has its rewards.

Trial Technologies, Inc. is a Philadelphia-based company that helps attorneys prepare for and present at trial.  We create custom animations, timelines and other graphics.  As full-service technology and litigation presentation consultants,  we also scan and organize documents, videos and other case material for quick display at trial. 

We are continuing to expand.  Trial Technologies is looking for an experienced litigation paralegal.  Our perfect candidate will have ten years of litigation experience, have knowledge of transcript management programs, document scanning and management, a high level of computer, video production and general technical skills.  The ability to interact with trial counsel is a must.  The candidate will also have the opportunity to travel.  

Full time with a competitive salary, health insurance, 401(k), paid vacation, paid holidays, sick time.  

Resume to jim@trialtechs.com.

Join the PR&MC and get excited about what we’re working on. 

By Kirsten Fullerton

Public Relations & Marketing Committee Chair

We’ve got our 2007 Marketing campaign in full swing and at this time, we have our Corporate Sponsor, as well as an all-time high of 7 GOLD sponsors (and counting) who have committed and one SILVER sponsor. More sponsors continue to support PAP each year! Sponsors for all 2007 luncheons have also been secured.

At the March luncheon, look for a special presentation where attendees will be asked to fill out a personality profile and score themselves to determine their most appropriate committee interests. It should be a fun process! We will also be presenting awards to our Special Achievement and Special Recognition winners for 2006. Don’t miss finding out who the winners are!! More exciting than the Oscars, but without the red carpet.

Want to help promote the Association’s activities? Join us at our next meeting on February 22, 2007 at McCarter & English.

So you know what this is, but you may be unsure of just what to do with it.  Well, welcome to a tutorial. 

Right now the content on this page is being posted by your’s truly.  However I hope that this won’t always be the case.  So if you have a suggestion on a topic you would like discussed on this blog you can email me (sklem@swartzcampbell.com) or you can post a comment. 

To post a comment, you can either click on the headline of the story you are commenting on, or you may click on the “comments” link.  This will take you to a page asking for your name (it can be a user name) and your email address (which will not be published on the site).  Underneath those fill-ins will be space for you to write your comment. 

It is part of my job, as website coordinator, to constantly monitor this blog; so I assure you your comment won’t go un-responded to.  If it is a question I can’t answer or a topic I am unfamiliar with, I will find the person that can answer or respond to you.  I am just that good. 

Or, maybe someone else reading the blog will see your concern, have experience with same and they will respond.  And thus, a discussion is started.  This is what we really hope happen as this medium becomes more popular; that our members will come here with their questions, concerns, comments and quandaries. 

Unfortunately this will only happen if you make it happen.  So why don’t you comment today.  Even if it is just to say hi and let the rest of the association know you are out there reading this. 

Or maybe you think all the alliteration I used in this post is lame.  Well, tell me (and the rest of the world wide web) about it.   

MARCH-APRIL 2007

5:30 TO 7:00 PM, Thursdays at Jenkins Law Library.

Text:     MORRIS L. COHEN AND KENT C. OLSON
LEGAL RESEARCH IN A NUTSHELL, 8th Edition
 

DATE:             TOPIC                                                             INSTRUCTOR
                        AND READING
 

3/1/07               Introduction to Legal Research                         Edwin Greenlee,
                        Case Law Research and Reporters                    University of Pennsylvania
                        Cohen: Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4                              
 

3/8/07               Statutory Research                                            Robert Ey, Wolf Block
                        Cohen:  Chapter 5                                             Schorr & Solis-Cohen LLP
 

3/15/07             Administrative/Regulatory Research                   Timothy Von Dulm,
                        Court Rules, Forms & Citators                           University of Pennsylvania
                        Cohen: Chapters 7 & 8
 

3/22/07             Electronic Research:  Westlaw                           Stephanie Fox, Westlaw
 

3/29/07             Electronic Research: Lexis                                 Leanne Battle, LexisNexis
 

4/5/07               Secondary Sources plus                                    A. Hays Butler, Eric T. Gilson &
                        Electronic Research:  Internet                            John Joergensen, Rutgers University
                        Cohen:  Chapter 2                                              Camden
  
4/12/07             Pennsylvania Legal Research                             Monica Almendarez, Fox
                                                                                                    Rothschild, LLP
 

To register, a $225.00 check payable to “GPLLA,” may be sent to Timothy Von Dulm at the below address.
Questions:         Please contact:             
                         Timothy Von Dulm
                         Reference Librarian
                         Biddle Law Library
                         University of Pennsylvania Law School
                         3460 Chestnut Street
                         Philadelphia, PA 19104
                         215-898-0844; tvondulm@law.upenn.edu
 

We wish to thank Lexis and Westlaw for enthusiastically and generously sponsoring the cost of their respective class sessions (room rental, computer rental, & course materials).  We would also like to thank the Legal Intelligencer for generously sponsoring advertisements for the Course.

The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals (PAP) was formed in 1973 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession. The membership is comprised of practicing paralegals, students, individuals, schools, law firms and other organizations. PAP is a charter member of The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) which has over 17,000 members nationwide. NFPA allows PAP and its members to be involved in the formation of policies affecting the paralegal profession and to stay informed of developments on a national scope.
PAP reserves the right to edit and or delete any inappropriate comment made to this blog. An inappropriate comment could include the use of vulgar language or derogatory remarks made about a public or private person. If you have any questions or would like more information on the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals, please visit our website at http://www.philaparalegals.com.

We said to ourselves, everyone else is doing it, why can’t we?
by Sarah E. Klem 

The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals would like to welcome you to our blog; a place where paralegals from around the city and possibly the world can come together to discuss new and important topics that are affecting their work and their lives. Our hope is that when you have a question, you will come here. If you have an answer, you will respond here. We want this to be a place where members and non-members alike can get information and share new developments that may occur in the industry.

Not a member? Well, maybe you should consider making it your 2007 resolution. After all, PAP is not just about getting together with other paralegals in the city and communing/commiserating. Membership to PAP has other rewards including access to our Job Bank, automatic membership in the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and free subscriptions to the National Reporter and the Philadelphia Forum. PAP members also receive special rewards from AVIS Rent-A-Car.

But don’t take my word for it. Post a comment asking our members why he or she belongs. Members, feel free to share your stories.

And everyone have a safe and happy holiday season.

Interested in writing a post about a relevant topic? Contact Sarah E. Klem.