The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals

PAP Members Discover Their True Colors While Seven of Their Peers Are Honored At the March Luncheon


Kim Bittinger and Barbara Nield, RP, 2006 Special Achievement Awardees	Jennifer Pilling, Sarah Klem and Sherry Barag, recipients of 2006 Special Recognition Awards. Not pictured: John Geis and Isabel Alburqueque.

Debbie Ford encourages attendees to put their talents to good use by joining a committee	The March Luncheon was sponsored by MCS

On March 13, 2007, the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals met for their bi-monthly luncheon for the first time at the Sofitel (for PRMC Chair’s thoughts on the new location check out her post on our Blog, “Can I have Everyone’s Attention Please”). The meeting started with Kirsten Fullerton presenting members Jennifer Pilling, Isabel Alburqueque, John Geis, Sarah Klem and Sherry Barag with certificates of Special Recognition for their work on various committees. Next, Kim Bittinger was honored with PAP’s Special Achievement Award for her behind the scenes work on the Programs Committee. Barbara Nield received the Special Achievement Award for all of her on the Education Conference Committee, the Membership Committee and her work at the PACE Ambassador.

After the brief award ceremony, while the members ate their lunch, Debbie Ford asked them to fill out a personality test that, as she put it, had no scientific basis whatsoever. After lunch, Ms. Ford, reviewed the results of the test and coloring coding system she devised. Members got bracelets to correspond with their personalities and were told which committees best suited their unique talents. Committee chairpersons were introduced and everyone was encouraged to participate to make our organization that much better. The presentation ended with everyone in attendance receiving a white wristband, representing membership on the board. Ms. Ford noted that the next PAP President was sitting in that room.

PAP to Award Joan Weldon Scholarship at July Luncheon

Each year, the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals awards a scholarship to a worthy paralegal student. The scholarship is awarded in memory of Joan Weldon, a dedicated leader of the Association and a pioneer of the paralegal profession, who died after a battle with ovarian cancer. To qualify for the $1,000 (one thousand dollar) scholarship contest, students must currently be enrolled in a local paralegal program and demonstrate academic excellence and/or community service. Students must submit an essay incorporating one or more of the topics listed in the entrance criteria flyer and complete the certification form click here. The Public Relations/Marketing Committee evaluates the essays and chooses the worthy student. The scholarship is scheduled to be awarded at the July luncheon. Excerpts from the winning essay may be featured in the PAP quarterly newsletter, The Forum. The essay submissions must be postmarked by May 1, 2007 and mailed to the PAP address:
Public Relations/Marketing Committee
Joan Weldon Scholarship
The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals
P.O. Box 59179
Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Law Week at Community College of Philadelphia

Law Week will kick off the year on Friday, February 23, 2007. In connection with LEAP Law, the first day, “High School Day” will be dedicated to providing high school students with an understanding of law. Speakers will include police officers, lawyers and judges. The day also has two Pre-Events; The Mind of Crime: Forensics and Psychology and Slavery, Literature and the Two Harriets. The week is officially kicked off at The Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award and Presentation with award winner and presenter, Senator Alren Spector.

Monday through Thursday sessions will include The Media and Criminal Justice; The Sopranos, Philly Style; The Psychology of Hate Crimes; and Global Warming, Climate Change and Law. Award winning poet/lawyer/performance artist, Tonya Evans-Walls will perform and discuss her life. There will be a presentation by a Pre-Law Advisor from Drexel University for those out there considering Law School. Mock interview sessions will also be held for Paralegal and Justice Students.

On Wednesday evening the Paralegal Student Association will be co-hosting the Center for Law and Society Award Reception/Networking Event. Public service awards will be given along with the Video Contest Award Winner and various Alumni Awards.

The week is capped off by a Mayoral Candidate Forum moderated by Zachary Stalberg, President and CEO, Committee of Seventy and Nig Ngina, Freelance Writer and Political Analyst. For more information and a complete list of courses being held, click here.

Professional Development Luncheon at the Philadelphia Bar Association


Valerie A. Dolan, RP of the Law Offices of David T. Shulick, Esquire, presented the Professional Development Luncheon for the members of The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals.	Katie Bean and Chris Sharp from the luncheon’s sponsor, MCS. Andrea Wright, Paralegal at Synnestredt and Lechner LLP, won an American Express Gift Card for $100 from MCS.

PAP to Give Pro Bono Award at May 2007 Luncheon

The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Pro Bono Committee, with the support of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Delivery of Legal Services Committee, will be honoring one paralegal with a $1,000.00 donation to the pro bono organization of his or her choice. This paralegal will be selected by the Pro Bono Committee based on his or her dedication to volunteering quality, pro bono legal services to the less fortunate. Do you know a paralegal that should receive this award. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements, criteria for consideration and guidelines for nomination. All nomination materials are due by March 30, 2007.

Looking for an opportunity to better your chances at receiving the Pro Bono Award next year? Than join the Pro Bono Committee at the Career Wardrobe on February 20, 2007 and May 15, 2007 from 5:30 to 7:30 to help sort out work appropriate items to place in the Career Wardrobe’s inventory for its boutique. For more information contact Judith Bardsley or Kathy Stevenson.

Pro Bono Opportunity – Help Those That Most Need It Get the Money They Have Coming To Them.

Imagine living and working in Philadelphia, and earning less than $16,000 per year. Now imagine that you are eligible to receive nearly half of your total annual salary back through the Earned Income Tax Credit -- but you don’t know about the tax credit, and even if you do, you don’t know how to take advantage of it.

An estimated 39,000 eligible households in Philadelphia do not file for the Earned Income Tax Credit, leaving approximately $66.3 million in unclaimed credits. The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, through its Campaign for Working Families, works to spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit and to help workers file for the tax credit at various clinics throughout the city.

For more information about this chance to help, click here (attach link to attached flyer “Volunteer Interest Flyer) of if you want to help, contact Judith Bardsley at Bardsley@BlankRome.com

We are still looking for leaders for the following committees: Professional Development Committee, Family Law, Financial Reorganization/Bankruptcy, Immigration, Worker’s Compensation. If you are interested in heading up one of these groups contact our President, Valarie Dolan, for more information.