happy new year! - falss.org01-02)legal... · 2012-03-16 · erica s. spradling, frp (352) 671-6700...

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 5

We all do it. Every year as that ball drops from the sky we tell ourselves “this year will be the year.” This year we will lose the weight, quit that bad habit, find the perfect job, find someone special, finish that project; in short we will find true happiness. Why do we do this? As children we are told to make a New Year’s resolution but we are never told why. Honestly, our parents told us to make a resolution because their parents told them to. I think the reason it has stuck is because we, as humans, desire a challenge. We like knowing we have something to work toward. It is a time of renewal. When we stop and look back on the year behind us we are often filled with both happiness and regret. The holiday season has passed and the time spent with family and friends is now over. We are no longer baking and present shopping. Our time has begun to feel empty. We know we must find something to fill it.

Why then do we have such a hard time keeping our New Years’ resolutions? Because, life begins to take over. School returns and clubs and meetings resume their regularly scheduled times. All the free time we thought we had is no longer avail-able. Getting back into the swing of things is exhausting. If that is the case, should we even bother with a New Year’s resolution? The answer is yes! We just have to be smart about it. Before deciding to spend 2 hours a night coining the next great American novel, look at your schedule. What upcoming events are there? When does your kids’ sports practice start back up? Try schedul-ing in time to write in a 30 minute slot here and there. The same holds true for just about any unfinished project - such as home renovations, organization in rooms, at work, or in the home office, craft projects, charity work, fund raisers, job hunting, etc.

Use little tips you can apply to your daily life. Want to lose weight? Don’t think you have to do an hour of cardio everyday. You are already running around, from place to place, picking things up and dropping things off. Even 15 minutes a day on the treadmill will burn off a few calories. Plan meals ahead of time. Have a free afternoon? Make a meal and freeze it for those days you come home late. You can pop it in the oven once you get home and still have a healthy meal with little preparation (at least for that one night). There are also good cookbooks out there filled with quick recipes that require little preparation and cooking time. No matter what, never give up. If you fall off the weight loss wagon, then pick yourself back up and climb back on board.

There are some of us that want to quit a bad habit. Smoking, drinking, overworking, disorganization, overspending, and so many others, some that are dangerous or harmful to us and others. So often these resolutions are the hardest to keep. Many of these “habits” are quick fixes to unhappy emotions. You have to plan ahead whenever possible. If you know you are going to have a busy, stressful day then that means you are more likely fall back to your “habits” to cope. Try to come up with other ways to deal with that stressful emotion. Breathing exercises, a short drive, even locking yourself in the bathroom for a shower or bubble bath can help relieve the stress. It is all about planning ahead and creating a plan of action should the desire arise for your quick-fix, stress-relief, bad habit. Be ready for it.

Finally, for some of us out there, we just want this year to be the year we finally find what we have always wanted, that new job, that special someone, whatever “it” is. These can be even harder reso-lutions to keep because they involve the cooperation of others. You can’t ensure that you will find that someone special, or that those in charge at your dream job will want to hire you. What you have to do here is tweak your resolution just a bit, change it from “will find” to "will seek out.” The great thing about these resolutions is that the adventure to get there is half the fun. Even if you haven’t found “it” at year’s end, you will feel good knowing that you at least tried.

The New Year is a great time for a fresh start in so many areas of your life. It is that free moment we have between the holiday’s end and when life starts back up again. That moment we have to sit back and relax to simply think about and enjoy life. For a brief period, we can stop and smell the roses, knowing what it is we would like to change in our lives. The New Year is the perfect time for a resolution because it is the one point in the year in which we have the time to stop and think about the things that matter, think about the things we want and figure out how to get them.

Here’s to the New Year! Cheers...

~ Michelle A. Cooper, CLA, FRP 2011-2012 President

January - February 2012

MCLSA Board of Directors

& Chairpersons ———————-

President Michelle Cooper, CLA, FRP

(352) 629-6000

Vice-President Jill A. Williams (352) 629-6000

Recording Secretary

Lela E. Prine (352) 629-8747

Treasurer

Bernice M. Shaw, FRP (352) 694-5245

Parliamentarian

Emma Jean Moore (352) 629-6551

Seminar Coordinators

Shelly Owen Heatherdale, CET**D (352) 624-2258

Jeannie F. Shipp, FRP (352) 369-3777

Employment Chair/Résumé Bank

Bernice M. Shaw, FRP (352) 694-5245

The Legal Pad Editor

Erica S. Spradling, FRP (352) 671-6700

Publication Advertising

Isabelle Grenitz-Hutchins, CL§ (352) 854-3336

Marketing Chair

(Position Currently Vacant)

Scholarship Chair Lisa M. Wilson, FRP (352) 368-2800 x 108

Chapter Liaison to FALSS

Archie S. Blair, FRP (352) 629-0480 x 203

Highlights In This Issue:

President’s Message Vice President’s Report Calendar of Events Treasurer’s Report Parliamentarian’s Report Secretary’s Report FALSS Chapter Liaison Report Member Spotlight Editor’s Report Scholarship Report FRP News Legal Ed Article: Bankruptcy Legal Ed Article: Bluebook Citation MCLSA Membership Application Next FALSS Meeting Forms

1 2 2 3 3 4

5 7 8 8 9

14 16 20 21

THE LEGAL PAD ~ VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 5 ~ PAGE 2

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!!! Can you believe it is 2012?? What a year it has been!!! AND I am really

looking forward to the events and challenges that lie ahead!!

Ok everyone!! now that the holidays are behind us - time to get focused on our 3rd QMM FALSS meeting that Ocala is hosting January 20th & 21st. Remember WE NEED raffle basket items when you are out and about shopping those excellent after Christmas sales. Boodle bags items are also needed OR dona-tions from offices and/or local businesses are greatly appreci-ated :)

I am also working on our annual Friendship Luncheon. I have some awesome ideas for this year’s theme!! Stay tuned for a reg-istration form and information in the upcoming Legal Pad and email blasts. MCLSA is submitting an entry for the FALSS Founders Award which is awarded at the Annual Conference in April (aka the CRUISE!!). I will putting together a committee to help prepare our entry for this year. If you are interested in helping out on either of these committees, let me know.

On a personal note - a sincere thank you to all of you who do-nated money, presents etc... to Shelley and Sharky’s children, who were MCLSA’s “adopted” family this year for the holidays.

Donna DeNicola did a fabulous job and is truly an angel!!

Hope to see you all at our next monthly meeting or function! Gemfully yours, ~ Jill A. Williams 2011-2012 Vice President

CODE OF ETHICS

Members of the Marion County Legal Support Association are bound by the objectives of this Association and the standards of conduct required of the legal profession. Every member shall encourage respect for the law and administration of justice; observe the rules governing privileged communications and confidential information; promote and exemplify high standards of loyalty, cooperation and courtesy; perform duties of the profession with integrity and competence; and pursue a high order of professional attainment.

Calendar of Events January: 1 New Years’ Day 5 Board Meeting - 12:00 p.m. (Law Office of Herbert Williams) 12 Membership Meeting - 12:00 p.m. (Elk’s Club) 20-21 3QMM FALSS Meeting (Ocala) February: 2 Board Meeting - 12:00 p.m. (Law Office of Herbert Williams) 9 Membership Meeting - 12:00 p.m. (Elk’s Club) 14 Valentine’s Day 15 Seminar - Probate Law - 5:30 p.m. (Marion Co. Jury Assembly Room) 20 Deadline for Legal Pad submissions

BIRTHDAYS January: 11 - Rena Lovely Davitto, FRP 12 - Tammie Plaster 16 - Avonelle R. Mackerelle, Esq. 18 - Jeannie F. Shipp, FRP 29 - Pamela M. Tuck, FRP 29 - Mary Kay Kerns February: 2 - Jennifer A. Volkmar, FRP 10 - Robin Y. Laube, FRP 12 - Georgena Shaw 21 - Noelani Fehr, RPR 24 - Sue Hendrick 25 - Archie S. Blair, FRP


At this wonderful time of year, my wish for all is peace, health, happiness, and prosperity. May you observe the wonders of this beautiful season through the prism of a child’s eyes. I love the pageants, cantatas, dance recitals, choral productions, and TV programs associated with the Christmas season. Every year I make it a

point to watch the Walton’s Homecoming, the Little House on the Prairie Christmas Show, and all the other sappy Christmas pro-grams from the past. Again this year I was fortunate to watch the Ocala Christmas Parade with five of my grandchildren. The older boys (ages 16 and 14) enjoyed the festivities as much as the 5, 3, and 1-year-old. Their enthusiasm was infectious and as each float, band, horse brigade, or dance troupe passed, I enjoyed renewing the absolute delight I take in watching a parade. There is something about having a 1-year-old child sitting on your lap as she watches the others wave to the parade participants, and then starts waving on her own, which sets the stage for pure enjoyment. My holiday delight was heightened this year as I watched my Greenville SC granddaughter star as the Wise Old Owl in her school’s pageant, “Guess Who’s Coming to Bethlehem” -- a new twist on the Nativity narrative. Call me prejudiced, but she was fantastic! Her costume was adorable, and she did not forget a single line. Not bad for a 9-year-old. As I get older, my Christmas list gets shorter. Is this because I have everything I want or need? Or is it that I do not want anything more than to celebrate this wonderful season with family, good food, and good friends, and to experience anew all the tried and true traditions of Christmas? My presents are the lights, music, church services, Christmas cards and letters, and greetings from mer-chants, shoppers, and passers-by. Add to this the memories of Christmases past, and my Christmas list is fulfilled. “Loving Father, as we gaze into the manger upon the human face of your Son, we experience the hope of the restoration of our own innocence. Enable us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, for he is our Lord, now and forever. Amen.” Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All! ~ Bernice M. Shaw, FRP Treasurer 2011-2012

Standing Rules: 2. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS: It will be the duty of each officer and Committee chairperson to keep the President informed of work-in-progress and to consult with the President on questions of policy. No mem-

ber shall act individually on behalf of the Association without the approval of the Executive Board and/or the membership. All contracts to be entered into on behalf of the Association shall be submitted to the Executive Board for approval and the President’s signature. No individual member shall have the authority to bind the Association to any contract.

~Emma Jean Moore, Parliamentarian 2011-2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Hello Ladies and Gents: Brrrrr... it’s cold. Okay, I can’t predicate the weather in December for January, but it should be cold about the time you are reading this report. So, brrrrr...... I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday(s). Now, it’s time to get down to business. Business, that is, of the January FALSS Meeting here in our great little town, Ocala. I hear the circus is coming to town. I participated in the “movie making” for the circus and am very excited to see the outcome. It isn’t everyday that I sport a mustache and beard. I believe we will have a great time at the FALSS Meeting and I encourage everyone to participate. Finally, 2011 is over. It was a very rough ride. Our office is coming around (slowly) and we have now added one legal assistant and one attorney. We should be interview-ing for an additional legal assistant by the time you read this article. I almost forgot to mention, my daughter, Amanda, was recently hired for the receptionist position at Landt & Landt. Her résumé with MCLSA paid off. So, maybe the year did end on a good note. Have a great day! As always, ~ Lela E. Prine

2011-2012 Recording Secretary


OH BOY - - - What a year! I cannot believe how quickly the year went by. When I drive to work in the mornings, the yards are littered with the remains of deflated Santa Clauses, Snoopy on his dog house, and snow-people. Then when I come home, the lights around the houses are coming on one-by-one, light-ing my way home after an exhausting day at work. Santa, Snoopy, and the snow-people are coming to life and bouncing up and down in the yards. YAY! I JUST LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

HOT TOPICS:

FALSS is preparing for the upcoming Florida Bar Annual Convention which is being held June 20-22, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. The annual event is a wonderful opportunity to net-work with colleagues and friends. It is also a great way to acquire multiple CLEs from seminars. FALSS

is looking forward to marketing with others, such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, Blumberg Excelsior, Inc., and many more. In the past, this even has been the largest Bar-wide meeting event which will provide FALSS exposure to attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals. More will be reported as details are announced.

UPCOMING MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:

The 3rd QMM is being hosted by the us -- MCLSA! It is scheduled for January 20-21, 2012, at the Ocala Courtyard by Mar-riott. Registration for the meeting is $10.00, which was due December 16, 2011. There is an additional $10.00 charge if regis-tered AFTER December 16, 2011, so there is still time for you to get signed up. Your registration entitles you FREE access to the scheduled Wills, Trusts & Estates Workshop, which is being conducted on Friday, January 20, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.. This course has been approved for 1.0 CLER. Also scheduled for January 20, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. a Gun Law Seminar, presented by Stephen F. Shaw, Esq, and is worth 3.5 CLER. The cost for this seminar is $5.00 to FALSS members, or $50-00 for non-FALSS members. Saturday, January 21, 2012, is the FALSS Membership Meeting (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Attendees are invited to Yamato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi (at your own expense). I hope to see you there! Of course I cannot end my letter without mentioning the 14th ANNUAL QMM. THE CRUISE! This is the Annual Member-ship Meeting which is being conducted aboard the Monarch of the Seas on April 20-23, 2012. Final payments are due by January 22, 2012. I look forward to a wonderful new year!!

~Archie S. Blair, FRP

Chapter Liaison to FALSS

If you didn’t know, you can “LIKE” FALSS on Facebook!!

Chapter Liaison to FALSS Report:

FALSS www.falss.org

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, INC.

FALSS 2011-2012 OFFICERS

Kathleen J. Hailey, PLS, CLA, FRP, President Peggy Durling, PLS, FRP, President Elect

Cheryl J. Zamojski, CP, FRP, Vice President Barbara Cavallaro, FRP, Secretary

Gayle L. Briske, FRP, Treasurer Tina G. Wilson, FRP, Director of Education

Lorrie Wilkinson, Director of Marketing Jennifer A. Volkmar, FRP, Chapter Liaison

Jeannette K. Parker, Parliamentarian

FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.FALSS.ORG

Newly Added to FALSS Website:

Go to the FALSS Website, then to Meetings, and then click on 14th Annual Membership Meeting for cruise

Registration and Frequently Asked Questions.

More information will be added as plans progress. Please check the

website periodically.

http://www.falss.org/Meetings/14thAMM/Default.aspx


www.aaa-reporting.com


MEMBER SPOTLIGHT By: Shelly Owen Heatherdale This issue’s Member Spotlight is shining on long-time MCLSA member (since 1998), Michelle Cooper, CLA, FRP. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan with a slightly younger brother, Michelle loved growing up in the city. Her love of all things ‘water’ began with summers spent at their home on Lake Huron. Falls were fabulous, too, but winters were not. “Dad didn’t get a snow blower until we were grown. Who needs a

snow blower when you have children?” Her education was gained in Catholic school for 7th grade through 12th grade, complete with uniforms and saddle shoes. She participated in the Blue Angels Drill Team for extracurricular fun, and the team’s rifle/flag/marching abilities took them to a national competition in New Orleans. Michelle moved to Florida in 1985 and worked with Kwik King for 10 years. When retail manage-ment no longer excited her, Michelle enrolled in the Legal Assisting program at Pasco-Hernando Com-munity College, where she successfully completed that 2-year program in only 18 months. Starting out in a new career, Michelle worked with Attorney Darlene Dunn, who practiced primarily family law. They worked together from 1997 until Ms. Dunn closed her Ocala practice and moved to Ohio in 2002. At that point, Michelle began working for Attorney Herb Williams, dealing exclusively with bankruptcy, and has been with him for 10 years. (This is amazing to me, as it seems like yesterday Michelle was starting with Herb. Time is flying!)

Michelle was MCLSA’s Recording Secretary for 7 years, Vice President for 2 years, and Presi-dent for 3 years (“possibly 4”). She has Chaired and Co-Chaired FALSS Quarterly and Annual Meetings held Ocala, as well acting as Scholarship Chairperson. With the exception of 2002, Mi-chelle has been a member of FALSS since 1998, and has also served as Chapter Liaison. Michelle says, “I joined MCLSA as a green legal assistant in 1998. It was a chance to network with others in the field. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot, met some great colleagues, and made wonderful life-long friends.” (Me, too, Michelle!) While MCLSA has always provided the local legal community with educational opportunities, it was Michelle who made contact with The Florida Bar, and began getting MCLSA seminars ap-proved CLE credits. Since that time, both seminar attendance and membership has really skyrock-eted. This has made MCLSA’s seminar program a model for the State Association, who also uses Michelle’s contacts for obtaining CLE approval for their seminars. Married for 9 years and single since 1990, Michelle has one daughter and one granddaughter, a cat (Princess), a Beta (Lavender), and one granddog (Pumpkin). In her free time, Michelle enjoys

reading and listening to music. With the increased income from hosting Quarterly and Annual FALSS Meetings, and with a seminar program that contributes to our coffers, Michelle’s push as President over the last few years has steered MCLSA towards some wonderful charitable programs. “I just wish more of our members were involved and more active... What you gain from it is priceless!” You’re priceless, too, Michelle. I have enjoyed being a member of MCLSA and FALSS with Michelle for the past 13 years (13 YEARS!!!????), and look forward to many more. Thank you for all your past efforts and we look forward to your next great pro-ject.

Upcoming Guardian classes sponsored by Heart of Florida Chapter of

FL STATE GUARDIANSHIP ASSOCIATION

Call PAT WOOD 352-694-2579 40 hr Professional Guardian Training January 28, February 4, 5, 11 & 12, 2012 Ocala 4 hr Guardian of Minor (settlement) 8 hr Family Guardian and Guardian Advocate Training: January 15, 2012

Submitted by: Jeannie Shipp


MARY SULLIVAN SCHOLARSHIP

2012….Where has 2011 gone? To date, I have not received any applications. The deadline for schol-arship applications is January 6, 2012, and voting will take place at the January 13 Business Meeting at the Elk’s Club. If we do not receive any applications, there will be no scholarship award this year. Wishing all of you a very blessed and healthy New Year! See pages 24-25 for scholarship forms and information.

~Lisa M. Wilson, FRP Committee Chair

Scholarship Report: By: Lisa M. Wilson, FRP

Welcome to 2012! Our family is beginning the new year in a new home. We finally moved into a house this week, and we

are slowly getting settled in and unpacked. Thank you to everyone who submitted their New Year’s Resolutions (Page 13). Watch your email for our next member submission opportunity. I have extended THE LEGAL PAD submission due dates until the 20th of every other month. Accordingly, the deadline for the next issue is February 20, 2012.

As a reminder — Samantha’s school (Fort King Middle School) collects Box Tops for Education. I have recently learned that they are approaching the half-way mark of their goal for the year, and could really use your help. If you would like to donate your Box Tops, please save them and provide them to me periodi-cally. Our schools can certainly benefit from the incentives that the Box Tops for Education program offers.

~Erica S. Spradling, FRP Legal Pad Editor, 2011-2012

Editor’s Report: By: Erica S. Spradling, FRP

Florida Registered Paralegal Corner

By Shannon Fleming Assistant Director of the FRP Program As a Florida Registered Paralegal, you may be eligible for affiliate membership in some sections of The Florida Bar. Affiliate section membership is voluntary and offers information and education in a specific area of law. Sec-tions also provide opportunities to meet other FRPs within an area of practice. Affiliate membership in a section does not make you a member of The Florida Bar and you may not hold yourself out as a member of The Florida Bar. Depending on the section, you may be able to state that you are an affiliate member of the section. The following sections currently offer affiliate membership to FRPs: • Administrative Law • City, County & Local Government Law • Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law • Environmental & Land Use Law • Equal Opportunities Law • Family Law • General Practice, Solo & Small Firm • Government Lawyer • Health Law • Public Interest Law • Real Property, Probate & Trust Law • Trial Lawyers • Workers’ Compensation You should consult the Bar’s website for specific information, requirements, and staff contact information. Go to www.floridabar.org.


First published in the ‘Florida Bar News’ on January 1, 2012. Reprinted and republished with the permission of Mark

Killian, Managing Editor of the ‘Florida Bar News’.

(352) 401‐0288 2699 NE Silver Springs Blvd.

Ocala, Florida 34470

SOAK OFF GEL FRENCH

$25.00

PINK & WHITE TIP

$20.00

PED & MANI SPA

$30.00

DELUXE PED. SPA

$25.00


MCLSA YARD SALE NOVEMBER 19, 2011 Thank you to everyone for donating items to be sold. We had books, clothes, furniture, more books, games, household items, kitchen items, and even more books! We were successful in raising a total of $308.05. Of that amount, $154.05 will go to the January QMM and $154.00 will get added to the 4th Quarter CLE reimbursement.

We even sold THAT thing! Go, Michelle!


“My New Year’s Resolution is to be sure to tell those that are important to me how much they mean to me and to try not to let stress rule my day (at least not after the January QMM).”

~ Michelle A. Cooper, CLA, FRP

“My New Year’s Resolution is to take better care of my feet. I want them to have a pedicure every two weeks, and lotion eve-ryday. I want pretty feet.”

~ Lela E. Prine

“My New Year’s Resolution for 2012 is to try and weigh my words carefully before speaking.”

~ Kathy Weaver

“My New Year’s Resolution is to focus on my health, family, and friends, in addition to my work, and to try to be a positive influence in every person’s life I touch.”

~ Jodi Terracina

“My New Year’s Resolution this year is to keep in touch with old friends.”

~ Isabelle Grenitz-Hutchins, CL§

“My New Year’s Resolution for 2012 is the same as it is every year -- To lose weight and exercise more. Maybe this will be the year I actually succeed!”

~ Donna DeNicola

“My New Year’s Resolution for 2012 is to be healthier, happier, and enjoy my life and to be more appreciative of all that I have.

~ Erica S. Spradling, FRP


"Reprinted with permission of NALA, The Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals, and Everett L. Green, Esq., the article originally appeared in the November/December 2011 Facts & Findings, NALA's bi-monthly magazine for paralegals. The article is reprinted here in its entirety. For further information, contact NALA at www.nala.org or phone (918) 587-6828."

Continued on page 15


Continued on


Continued from page 14


"Reprinted with permission of NALA, The Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals, and Kristine M. Hill, ACP, FRP, the article originally appeared in the November/December 2011 Facts & Findings, NALA's bi-monthly maga-zine for paralegals. The article is reprinted here in its entirety. For further information, contact NALA at www.nala.org or phone (918) 587-6828."



671-4600

For information regarding The Legal Pad, contact our MCLSA Editor: Erica S. Spradling, FRP at [email protected]


www.flgov.com/notary_ref_manual


Publication Advertising

Isabelle Grenitz-Hutchins, CL§

(352) 854-3336

happy new year! - falss.org01-02)legal... · 2012-03-16 · erica s. spradling, frp (352) 671-6700...

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