PARALEGAL
TODAYTM
Executive Publisher
Charles Buckwalter
Publishing Consultant
Albert J. Buckwalter, PMP
Managin g Editor
Elona M. Jouben, MPS
Contributing Writers
Kelly Ash
Ethel Badawi, JD
Sarah Coats, MPS, RP
Erin Derby, CEDS
Penn Dodson, Esq.
Christine Flynn
Robert Hrouda, RP
Elona M. Jouben, MPS
Sherry Karabin
Jame Smith
Tonya Wade
Greta Zeimetz, CAE
Proofreader
Edward Graham
Editorial Advisory Board
Michele M. Boerder, CP
Tara Kim Eberhart, RP
Paul D. Guymon
Susan W. Harrell, JD
Patricia E. Infanti, PP, PLS
Sally A. Kane, JD
Robert E. Mongue, MA, JD
William J. Mulkeen, JD
Vickie Voisin, ACP
Marilyn B. Wass, CP, CAS
The Editorial Advisory Board consists of respected
leaders from a variety of legal backgrounds.
They provide invaluable contributions to the
magazine in ideas, contacts and feedback.
Director of Meetings & Events
Tammany Buckwalter
Director of Human Resources
Jo-Ann Miller
Creative Director
B.Y. Cooper
Director of Audience Development
Thomas Chamberlin
Operations Coordinator
Jacquelyn M. Ott
Advertising Sales
Charles Buckwalter
Circulation Fulfillment
FULCO, Inc.
Accounting
Rodriguez, Trueba & Company
Carlos M. Trueba, CPA Miami, FL
Rose Financial Services, Inc.
Timothy J. Fargo, CPA Rockville, MD
The materials contained herein may provide opinions or perspectives
that are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.
The publisher reserves the right to edit all letters and editorial submissions
as deemed necessary by the editorial staff. Paralegal Today is sold
with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering
legal, accounting or other professional services. Advertising material
that appears in Paralegal Today implies neither endorsement nor recommendation
by Paralegal Today or by Conexion International Media,
Inc. You must have written permission before reproducing any material
from Paralegal Today in any form. Please send requests for permission,
in writing, to editorparalegal@conexionmedia.com Reprint permission
cannot be given by phone. Allow two weeks for response.
NALA 2017 Conference Report
By Greta Zeimetz, CAE, Executive Director
Almost 400 attendees from across the country converged on Orlando, Florida, July
19-21, 2017, at NALA’s 42nd Annual Conference & Expo for three days of meetings
and education.
The conference opened with a morning yoga stretch to get everyone’s blood pumping.
The opening session included “Motivation by Chocolate,” led by keynote speaker Denise
Ryan. Ryan provided everyone with nine key motivational concepts to get more out of
each day – both personally and professionally. She also conducted a chocolate tasting in
which attendees learned to appreciate different chocolates and life itself. Chocolate was a
great way to start the conference!
The general ethics session on the first day of the conference was “Practicing the
Paralegal’s Professional Responsibilities,” led by attorney Tom Pokladowski. Later in the
day, the Annual Member Meeting & Awards were presented: Cathy Davis, ACP, received
the coveted NALA President’s Award; Jody Burns, CP received the NALA Affiliated
Associations Outstanding Contribution Award; and the National Affiliated Associations
Achievement Award was presented to the Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc.
The evening reception was full of fun and camaraderie as the Affiliated Association
Showcase highlighted the event. Attendees were able to grab some drinks and hors
d’oeuvres and travel from table to table entering drawings, picking up goodies, and
meeting new friends. The event was like trick-or-treating for adults.
The Expo Hall was full of vendors with more than 30 exhibit booths with tons of giveaways.
NALA had its store in the Expo Hall selling logo merchandise and signing up members.
The final two days were full of education and food. The event ended with a reception
and the installation of officers for NALA’s board of directors. The officers voted in for
the 2017-2018 Board of Directors were: Vice President - Jill I. Francisco, ACP; Secretary
- Melissa J. Hamilton, ACP; Treasurer – Debra L. Overstreet, ACP; At Large Directors –
Jane McKinnon, CP and Debby Overstreet, ACP.
Next year’s conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri on July 11-13, 2018.
NALA 2017-2018
Board of Directors
The NALS 2017 Conference:
Better Together!
The NALS 66th Annual Education and
Networking Conference was one of NALS’ best
conferences to date. Held October 4-7, 2017,
in Norfolk, Virginia, the conference kicked
off with an evening welcome reception on
Wednesday, October 4, where all attendees were
invited to come and visit with all their NALS
pals. Attendees were greeted at the door by the
NALS Board, and first timers were welcomed
with a “celebration tunnel.” The conference
opened the next morning with the keynote
NALS 2017 Award
of Excellence
winner, Debra A.
Taylor, PP, PL
www.ParalegalToday.com Q4 - 2017 3
By Jane Smith
NA N LS 201 01 017 Aw A ar ard
of Exc xc xcel el e le lenc nc nce
wi winn nn nner er er,, De Debr br bra Ta T yl y or o , PP , NATIONAL CONFERENCE ROUND-UP
/www.ParalegalToday.com
link