Spring 2018 GNYPA Newsletter

Transcription

1 Spring 2018 GNYPA Newsletter 2017 was an exciting year for us! The Greater NY Paralegal Association attended the 2017 NALA Conference Expo in Orlando Florida at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. This experience solidified the dreams of our founder and President, Danielle DiMauro-Brooks and Vice President Jennifer Grabowski as GNYPA received praise from NALA officers throughout the conference. Danielle DiMauro-Brooks, Jennifer Grabowski pictured above with Jill I. Francisco, ACP NALA Vice President. GNYPA presented a New York themed table with giveaways and raffles, including a NY themed basket created by Olivia Curley. GNYPA Secretary. Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 1

2 We received a welcome letter from NALA At Large Director Jane McKinnon, CP. Ms. McKinnon later traveled to New York to conduct a lecture for GNYPA members about NALA and the various paralegal certifications that are available. Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 2

3 Congratulations to Jennifer L. Grabowski, GNYPA Vice President, on receiving the 2017 NALA AFFILIATES AWARD for all of her hard work and dedication to making the Greater New York Paralegal Association a success! GNYPA officers are looking forward to attending the 2018 NALA Conference Expo which will be held this year in St. Louis, Missouri on July 11 th through July 13 th Please visit the NALA link below for information on this event. Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 3

4 On August 30 th, 2017 The Greater New York Paralegal Association was honored to be hosted for a lecture by the one and only Shelley Rossoff Olsen, Esq., Special Master of the New York City Asbestos Litigation, veteran ADR specialist and mediator at JAMS NYC. We were nervous to ask Ms. Rossoff Olsen to lecture our association about the mediation process and never thought that she would be able to fit us into her busy schedule. We were so excited when she agreed! She also invited us to have the lecture at her beautiful offices located in Midtown. Walking into JAMS with our members was a great feeling and we all had the realization that our little association was growing. Ms. Rossoff Olsen welcomed us with open arms and had our attention from the start. She began by explaining what a mediation is and what the best times are in a case to conduct a mediation. A mediation is a private non-binding meeting between the parties and a mediator who directly assists in the settlement negotiations. A mediator s expertise in settling specific types of suits can keep the parties focused on realistic settlement values in an attempt to resolve a case before trial. Pre-suit is actually the most cost effective and beneficial resolution for a case. The parties are able to avoid the court system and keep attorneys fees at a minimum while achieving an amicable resolution. Of course, this isn t always possible, so the next best time to conduct a mediation is after the plaintiff s deposition. At this time, the case is still in its early stages and an amicable resolution can benefit both parties by avoiding further discovery and possible trial. She then explained how mediation is also beneficial when motions for summary judgment are pending. Opposing parties can never be certain of what the assigned Judge s decision will be on a motion for summary judgment and a mediation can potentially lead to an amicable settlement. The last resort is to hold a mediation right before or during jury selection. At this point in the case, both parties can avoid the cost of a trial and avoid the uncertainty of a verdict through a mediation. Mediations begin with a joint session followed by breakout rooms where the mediator can freely discuss the case with each side and make recommendations prior to conveying settlement offers between the parties. Ms. Rossoff Olsen explained that it is important for the mediator to be aware of the nature of the people attending the mediation as well as knowledgeable about the specific type of case. She stressed that it is her job to determine the psychology of the individual during mediations and that you have to know your numbers before the mediation starts. In the end, it is important that the parties are reasonable with each other during the mediation. Ms. Rossoff Olsen ended the night with an open session of questions and answers. Everyone participated and raised further questions about the mediation process and litigation in general in New York. I have always been intrigued by the mediation process as a paralegal. All of the preparation that goes into conducting a mediation in a case is worth it if a settlement is reached and a trial is avoided. The Greater New York Paralegal Association had a large turnout for this lecture and thanked the Special Master for inviting us to her offices and for sharing her knowledge, expertise and humor with us. We look forward to future appearances by Shelley. Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 4

5 We also gave back to the community this summer as children prepared to return to school in September by taking part in the Stuff the Box School Supplies Drive held by Long Island Cares, Inc. Visit for future events. In the winter we collected coats, warm clothing and supplies for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. Visit for donation information. Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 5

6 GNYPA will also be attending an exciting event this Spring 2018 to be held at Suffolk County Community College, Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood, NY on April 13, 2018 from 6PM to 10PM. Take Back the Night is a march to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault. GNYPA will be tabling at this event. Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 6

7 Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 7

8 GNYPA member Bryan Salz is Account Manager of Avvocato Litigation Support International and a fellow Senior Paralegal in NYC Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 8

9 GREATER NEW YORK PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ************************************************************ PRESIDENT Danielle DiMauro-Brooks VICE PRESIDENT and DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP Jennifer L. Grabowski PARLIAMENTARIAN Cassie Caruso TREASURER and DIRECTOR OF NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS Sean Alley SECRETARY and DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS Olivia Curley DIRECTOR OF LEGAL EDUCATION & WEBMASTER Bruce Seger DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS and NALA LIAISON Rosanne Romano Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 9

10 Greater NY Paralegal Association P.O. Box 1033 Melville, NY Website: GREATER_NYPA GREATERNYPA Spring GNYPA 2018 Newsletter 10