kern county paralegal association · 2019-03-03 · i am looking for three days per week, roughly...

The Paralegal Post March/April 2019

Follow KCPA on:

March/April 2019 Issue 46 www.kcpaonline.org

KERN COUNTY PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2745405&trk=hb_side_g

https://twitter.com/#!/KernParalegal

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kern-County-Paralegal-Association-KCPA/140255562684117

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PART-TIME LITIGATION ASSISTANT

I am a +25-year Real Estate/Business sole practitioner and I am looking for a paralegal with substantial (5+ years) litigation experience to assist me in routine litigation matters (pleadings, discovery, etc.). The position will likely be an independent contractor rather than an employee. I am looking for three days per week, roughly 4-5 hours per day. Days are flexible. Some work can also be accomplished remotely from home. The amount of compensation is negotiable based upon current market rates and experience. Big plus if currently a Notary. If interested, please email to [email protected] or text me at (661) 703-5688.

Michael T. Whittington

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THE GORSKI FIRM, A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATON

309 TRUXTUN AVENUE, BAERSFIELD, CA 93301

661-952-9740

Vincent Gorski is the founder of The Gorski Firm. We are a Bankruptcy, Business

Law and Family Law Firm. Tradition inspires our highest achievements – and our

ongoing dedication to each client. We are local, experienced, and affordable. Our

attorney is interested in your objectives and assisting you in achieving them.

Focusing on Bankruptcy, Family Law, and Business Law Our commitment to every client is grounded in one basic principal: to provide high-quality

and effective legal services, with proven results, and personal responsive attention. The

Gorski Firm provides cost effective and high-quality counsel to individuals and

businesses in routine and complex bankruptcy law, business law, and family law

matters. We are experienced and deliver practical result-oriented service with a "no-

nonsense" approach to solving disputes and an aggressive, yet considerate, courtroom

posture.

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Hello KCPA! My name is Nancy Tinnish, and this is my first year as a Board Member, serving as the Community Affairs Representative. I'm relatively new to Bakersfield, but I’ve worked in the legal field for over 30 years. I currently work for Patrick E. Jennison, A Professional Law Corporation. I worked for several years as a legal secretary, about 10 years in the accounting department of a large law firm in Ohio, and now as a paralegal. My husband, Mike, and I have been married for 32 years and we have 2 adult kids, Christina (28) and Sean (24). Christina (a teacher) and her husband, Mike (a police officer), blessed us with a grandson in September. Sean is currently working for Hall Ambulance on the CCT unit as an EMT, and will be entering the paramedic program this fall.

I am originally from Fresno, lived in Ohio for 10 years, and have been in Bakersfield for about 6 years. We have three dogs (Jerry Lee - a German Shepherd, Rocky - a beagle/lab mix, and Lexi - a havapoo) and one cat (Angel). I would love to rescue more fur babies, but I’m afraid my husband would disown me! When (note I said "when", not "if") I win the lottery, you will see me in the news surrounded by fur babies of all sizes! Mike and I enjoy walking our babies and taking mini trips to Las Vegas. I fill what little spare time I have crocheting, reading, and trying to learn to knit.

Nancy Tinnish

KCPA Board Member Highlight

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Date: March 14, 2019

Time: 12 noon - 1:15 p.m.

Location: Klein DeNatale, Goldner

4550 California Avenue, Conf. Room 304, Bakersfield, CA

Cost: $25 members - $35 attorneys and non-members

RSVP: Official invite with registration option sent thru Constant Contact to

your inbox.

Deadline for cancellation is 5:00 p.m., March 7, 2019.

THIS ACTIVITY IS APPROVED FOR 1 HOUR OF PARTICIPATORY MCLE CREDIT (ETHICS).

KERN County Paralegal Association

P.O. Box 2673, Bakersfield, CA 93303

MARCH MCLE MEETING

Heidi Cornell

from MacroPro, Inc.

to present:

“Ethical and Efficient

Records Retrieval ”

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“Working hard. Clearing obstacles.”

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COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

JANUARY 2019

BAKERSFIELD SPCA

Thanks to the generosity of our Members, we were able to do-nate $69.75, along with blankets and books to the Bakersfield SPCA. They were extremely grateful for our support. As I was dropping off the donations, I couldn’t help but visit the fur babies. Below are a few pictures of some of the cuties that are available for adoption (at least they were available on Saturday, January 26th). The SPCA has breeds from Chihuahuas to a St. Bernard, all looking for that special someone who will give them a home. Could you be that special someone?

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Our Community Affairs opportunity for February was a canned/packaged food drive to benefit the Golden Empire Gleaners’ Senior Sack Program. There are currently 24 sites throughout Kern County in the Senior Sack Program. Food is delivered twice each month for distribution to registered seniors. “Sacks” provide at least ten items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, snack items, and staples. This program is to be both food relief and encouragement of social interaction for seniors. Each site is run by volunteers who help unload the Gleaners’ delivery. Thank you for your donations!

FEBRUARY 2019 GLEANERS’ SENIOR

SACK PROGRAM

MARCH 2019

MISSION AT KERN COUNTY CHRISTIAN LIFE TRAINING PROGRAM

The March Community Affairs opportunity is focused on collecting clothing to support the Christian Life Training Program for the Mission at Kern County. Donations of professional/work clothing would be greatly appreciated; however, they will accept donations of any type of clothing. The Mission at Kern County offers an 18-month Christian Life Training Discipleship Program. Residents live in dormitory style housing in two separate buildings. More than 30 residents in each program are provided Christian counseling, spiritual based addiction recovery, and access to life skills training and job readiness skills. Their goal is to provide each resident with restoration and hope, and strong foundation for a successful future.

YOUR DONATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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MCLE CALENDAR

APRIL 11TH GINA CERVANTES, ESQ.

E-FILING FROM THE CLERK’S PERSEPCTIVE

MAY 9TH THOMAS BRILL, ESQ.

TRIAL READINESS

JUNE 13TH 2019/2020 BOARD INSTALLATION LUNCH

JULY ~ DARK ~

AUGUST 8TH FREE MEMBER LUNCHEON - ETHICS

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[email protected] 714.442.8901

~ Specializing In Loans To Trusts and Estates ~

MIKE RIGGS

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KCPA is now accepting nominations for Board positions for its

2019/2020 year. Elections are coming up soon. Please consider

serving on the KCPA Board. It is a rewarding experience!

General Duties of Officers and Directors

President

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association, shall preside as

chairperson of the meetings of the members and the Board, and shall have general

supervision, direction, and control of the internal business and affairs of KCPA. In general, the

President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and have such powers and

duties as may be required by the Board or KCPA’s Bylaws. A candidate for President must be

Regular Member of KCPA and must have served on the Board for two years.

The President’s duties shall also include Bar Liaison Director. The Bar Liaison Director

shall be the liaison between KCPA and the Kern County Bar Association, or other bar

association as KCPA desires, and shall maintain a list of KCPA’s members, as well as KCBA’s

members.

Vice President

The Vice President shall assist the President in the area of policy and in the

administration of the day-to-day business affairs of KCPA. The Vice President shall be the ex

officio member of all committees. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall

assume the duties of the President. The Vice President shall be responsible for maintaining

KCPA’s MCLE records (and preparing necessary MCLE sign-in and evaluation forms and MCLE

certificates for monthly meeting attendees) and reporting to the State Bar of California (as

required) in order to maintain KCPA’s status as an MCLE provider. The Vice President shall

also have other powers and perform other duties as may be assigned the Board. A candidate

for Vice President must be a Regular Member of KCPA and must have served on the Board for

one year.

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General Duties of Officers and Directors - continued

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the Board’s meetings and provide all notices

to be given as required by law, KCPA’s Bylaws, the President, or the Board. The Secretary

shall be the custodian of records of KCPA, answer correspondence as the President or the

Board may direct, and perform all duties as may be assigned by the President or Board. A

candidate for Secretary must be a Regular Member of KCPA.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds of

KCPA. The Treasurer shall receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to KCPA from

any source and deposit all monies in the name of KCPA in banks, trust companies, or other

depositories selected by the Board. The Treasurer collects payment from and provides

receipts for members and others attending the monthly general meetings. The Treasurer

shall provide regular written reports concerning the financial affairs of KCPA to the Board,

perform duties incident to the office of Treasurer, and perform other duties as may be

assigned by the President or Board. A candidate for Treasurer must be a Regular Member of

KCPA.

CAPA Representative (2)

A CAPA Representative Director shall attend CAPA meetings three times a year:

February, June, and November (or as otherwise designated by CAPA). A Representative

Director’s chief responsibility is to communicate information back to KCPA on CAPA issues and

activities. A candidate for CAPA Representative Director must be a Regular Member of KCPA.

Community Affairs

The Community Affairs Director is responsible for locating non-profit organizations or

programs in need of volunteer or financial assistance (short term or long term) and advise

KCPA of those opportunities. The Community Affairs Director is responsible for planning

fundraising activities. There should be at least two activities per year for fundraising. A

candidate for Community Affairs Director must be a Regular Member of KCPA.

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Newsletter and Historian

The Newsletter Director is responsible for preparing and distributing a monthly

newsletter (or bi-monthly if so directed by the President or the Board). The Newsletter

Director should coordinate with the Board and Directors concerning placement of ads for the

newsletter. The Newsletter Director should coordinate with the Member Services Director to

maintain a current membership list. The Newsletter Director shall maintain past copies of

KCPA’s newsletters. A candidate for Newsletter/Historian Director must be a Regular Member

of KCPA.

The Newsletter Director is also KCPA’s Historian Director. The Historian Director shall

keep photos, videos, articles, letters, and documentary items for the historical purposes of

KCPA.

Education and Programs

The Education and Programs Director is responsible for planning and implementing

seminars and educational programs and for organizing the annual Board meeting and the

general membership meetings (including location of meeting and the guest speaker). The

general membership meetings shall be organized a minimum of two months in advance. The

Education and Programs Director shall provide notice to KCPA’s members of the date, time,

and location of each general meeting. A candidate for Education and Programs Director must

be a Regular Member of KCPA.

Member Services

The Member Services Director is responsible for maintaining KCPA’s membership list

and directory. The Member Services Director is responsible for noticing annual membership

renewals (which shall be sent to all members no later than the last day of the second month

preceding the renewal date) and handling the election of Officers and Directors for the

upcoming year. A candidate for Member Services Director must be a Regular Member of

KCPA.

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Webmaster

The Webmaster Director is responsible for maintaining KCPA’s website by keeping the

content current, including the President’s Message and other items determined by the Board

to be posted to the website. The Webmaster Director is responsible to maintain contact with

the web-provider. The Webmaster Director shall give a monthly website status report to the

Board. A candidate for Webmaster Director must be a Regular Member of KCPA.

Public Information Officer

The Public Information Officer Director is responsible for promoting KCPA and the

paralegal profession. A candidate for Public Information Officer Director must be a Regular

Member of KCPA.

Student Board Member

The Student Board Member shall be a liaison between the student members of KCPA

and the Board. The Student Board Member shall not be a voting Board member. A candidate

for Student Board Member must be a Student Member of KCPA.

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Susan D. Pfeiffer, ACP *Edward J. Thomas, APC 3/3

Briana Powers *Brumfield & Hagan, LLP 3/8

Patricia Di Pasquale *City of Bakersfield/City Attorney 3/12

Brittanii Madden *Braun Gosling, ALC 3/13

Laura Druey *Klein, DeNatale, Goldner 3/24

Heidi L. Cornell *Macro-Pro 3/29

Lisa Given *Young Wooldridge, LLP 4/4

Judy A. Neal, CP, ACP *Edward J. Thomas, APC 4/5

Lauri Chichester-Taylor *AMS Legal Support Services 4/13

Makala E. Reha, ACP *Klein, DeNatale, Goldner 4/16

Kristen Foster *Kern County Counsel 4/18

Mandy Ferrell *MK Nurse Consulting 4/27

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FIVE STEPS TO CREATNG A LINKEDIN PROFILE

Social media is an important tool for growing your career. Facebook and Twitter get a lot of attention. However, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for forming new connections and, perhaps finding new employment. LinkedIn is the more professional version of Facebook. On LinkedIn you can post links and status updates, join groups, and “link up” with key players in your profession. It is also useful for networking.

Setting up a LinkedIn account is simple. Once it is done you need to work on your profile and that can be tedious. Instead of rushing to complete it all at one time, I suggest you work on one part at a time – perhaps 15 minutes a day until it is finished. Then you have to keep it updated — more about that in No. 5 below.

Here are five simple steps to craft a LinkedIn profile that may be your secret to career

success:

1. Do not skimp on details. If you have only a basic profile or (worse yet), one without a picture, you appear to be only a half-hearted user of LinkedIn. Be sure to complete each section and use specific numbers you can to quantify your accomplishments. (Example: First Chair of the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section of the State Bar of Michigan.) If you want to change the order of your profile sections, just drag and drop the section as you are editing your profile. For instance, if you are a recent graduate of a paralegal program, you will want to highlight your educational experience. If you have been in the profession for several years, you will want to feature your skills at the top of your profile

2. Be sure there are no typos. Your typographical errors may be overlooked on more casual platforms like Facebook and Twitter. With LinkedIn, you will want to put your best professional foot forward. Use the spell check function and, if possible, have someone else check your profile for errors. The key to success on LinkedIn is being likable and professional at the same time. Save the celebrity gossip and LOL’s for Facebook.

3. Utilize the skills section. Many LinkedIn users are not familiar with the skills section. However, people wanting to hire professionals with a certain skill set use this feature to find the right person instead of posting an ad. For instance, if a law firm needs a litigation paralegal with experience using Trial Director, he or she can go to www.linkedin.com/skills and sort through profiles where Trial Director is listed as a skill instead of doing a more general search. Add your skills at www.linkedin.com/skills so prospects can find you easily.

http://www.linkedin.com/skills

http://www.linkedin.com/skills

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4. Endorsements and recommendations. Endorsements are a fairly new feature on LinkedIn. People can easily endorse your skills and expertise with only a few clicks. Often if you endorse someone and they know you, they will reciprocate. Endorsements and recommendations are not the same. Recommendations are more detailed than endorsements. These normally include a few sentences about why your colleague or vendor enjoyed working with you. A few genuine, well-written recommendations can really help build trust and provide proof for people who are considering hiring you. Speed up the recommendation process by recommending a few of your connections. These should only be people you highly recommend. LinkedIn has a feature where you can request recommendations from connections.

5. Update frequently. Now for the hard-to-get-to part. Once your profile is created, be sure to keep it up to date by posting new career milestones, any awards you receive, offices you are elected to, etc. Your status update can also include links to relevant articles or news about your employer. Set aside time once each week (at least once each month!) to review your profile and make appropriate updates.

My request to you: To keep your career moving forward, it is very important to be active on

LinkedIn. This includes keeping your profile up to date, getting recommendations, and making frequent updates.

Implement LinkedIn to make new connections and strengthen relationships with existing connections. LinkedIn can also be a tool for looking for a job OR for someone looking for a new-hire with your particular skills!

© 2012 Vicki Voisin, Inc. Vicki Voisin, “The Paralegal Mentor”, delivers simple strategies for paralegals

and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She is the co-author of The Professional Paralegal: A Guide to Finding a Job and Career Success. Vicki publishes Paralegal Strategies, a weekly e-newsletter for paralegals, and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice, a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network. More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com

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Tracy Schlotterback / Account Executive [email protected] / 559.273.5380

First Legal 855.378.9433

https://www.firstlegal.com

File Thru TrialTM

https://contactmonkey.com/api/v1/tracker?cm_session=e8095820-e13d-490a-999c-b62254af73c8&cm_type=link&cm_link=ec143dfd-add8-4c8c-b9da-db47352c68a0&cm_destination=https://htmlsig.com/t/000001CEH96R

mailto:[email protected]

https://contactmonkey.com/api/v1/tracker?cm_session=e8095820-e13d-490a-999c-b62254af73c8&cm_type=link&cm_link=5b07ce01-e494-4628-a8f8-e369344430a3&cm_destination=https://www.firstlegal.com

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BAKERSFIELD OFFICE

1430 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 777

Bakersfield, CA 93301

T: 661.832.1611 F: 661.328.0922

tel://661.832.1611

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Tomorrow’s Solutions TODAY

COMPEX LEGAL SERVICES, INC.

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Serving Bakersfield, CA

Since 1978

5201 California Avenue, Suite 400

Bakersfield, California 93309

Phone: (661) 322-1777 | Fax: (661) 324-3660

E-Mail: [email protected]

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KCPA’s Sustaining Members

AMS Legal Support Services

31 H Street

Bakersfield, 93304

(661) 324-8018

Attorney Certified Services


Bakersfield, 93309

(661) 327-8022

Borton Petrini, LLP


Bakersfield, 93309

(661) 322-3051

Braun Gosling, ALC

1620 Mill Rock Way, Suite 400

Bakersfield, 93311

(661) 663-8300

Chain | Cohn | Stiles

1731 Chester Avenue

Bakersfield, 93301

(661) 323-4000

Commercial Loan Corporation

[email protected]

(714) 442-8901

Compex Legal Services, Inc.

334 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite B

Fresno, 93704

(888) 685-4419

Dowling Aaron Incorporated


Bakersfield, 93309

(661) 716-3000

Esquire Deposition Solutions


Bakersfield, 93301

(661) 322-2202

First Legal Network

[email protected]

(559) 273- 5380 or (855) 378-9433

The Gorski Firm, APC

309 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield, 93301

(661) 952-9740

mailto:[email protected]

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KCPA’s Sustaining Members

Scott L Harper Law Offices

5555 California Avenue, Suite 300B

Bakersfield, 93309

(661) 489-4898

Keleher’s Certified

Shorthand Reporters -

Litigation Services, LLC

19237 Flightpath Way, Suite 100

Bakersfield, 93308 (661) 393-1856

Klein DeNatale Goldner

4550 California Avenue, 2nd Floor

Bakersfield, 93309

(661) 395-1000

LeBeau Thelen, LLP

5001 E. Commercenter Drive, Suite 300

Bakersfield, 93309

(661) 325-8962

Lisa Noxon Holder, PC

3710 Earnhardt Drive

Bakersfield, 93306

(661) 205-2385

Macro-Pro, Inc.

[email protected] www.macropro.com

(559) 355-2686 or (800) 696-2511

MK Nurse Consulting

22711 Westwood Blvd.

Tehachapi, 93561

(661) 333-8035

Oliver & Associates Real Estate

[email protected]

Bakersfield

One Legal

www.onelegal.com/California

(415) 491-0606

Edward J. Thomas Law Offices


Bakersfield, 93309

(661) 322-1777

Wood & Randall


Bakersfield, 93301

(661) 395-0726

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.

2018-2019 KCPA Executive Board

P.O. Box 2673

Bakersfield, CA 93303

www.kcpaonline.org

KCPA is one of twelve

CAPA affiliates.

President

KAREN A. CLEMANS, CBA

(661) 395-1000

[email protected]

Vice President and Webmaster

TROY D. THOMPSON

[email protected]

[email protected]

Secretary

CYNTHIA BIGGS

[email protected]

Programs

CINDY OLIVER

[email protected]

Treasurer

STEPHANIE JONES

[email protected]

Newsletter and Historian

KAYLEEN UNGAR, CP, CAS

[email protected]

Member Services

SISSY RUCKER

(661) 322-3051

[email protected]

Community Affairs

NANCY TINNISH

[email protected]

Public Information

APRIL ERNDT

[email protected]

CAPA Representatives (2)

PAM KIGHTLINGER

and - vacant -

[email protected]

Student Member Representative

- vacant -

[email protected]

kern county paralegal association · 2019-03-03 · i am looking for three days per week, roughly...

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