The event may be held on the evening of October 22 or October 23, so please mark your calendars. More information to come.

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1 September 2015 Issue Paralegal Day 2015 & WTPA Paralegal of the Year We have received two nominations for Paralegal of the Year to date. The deadline for nominations is the end of the September 2 Annual Meeting. The winner will be announced at the Paralegal Day Celebration. October 23 is Texas Paralegal Day. The event may be held on the evening of October 22 or October 23, so please mark your calendars. More information to come. 09/04 - Deirdre Trotter 09/10 Georgia Seeley 09/21 - Elma Moreno 10/04 - Emily Walterscheid 10/10 - Gloria Martin 10/12 - Jan Bufkin 10/14 Charlotte Cummings 10/18 - Andrea Darland 10/21 - Lola Smith-Gentry

2 Page 2 Cynthia Martinez, PP, PLS Durbin & Associates cjmartinez2000@hotmail.com Please Come and Place Your Votes! Elections for WTPA Officers will be held on September 2, 2015 at 5:45 p.m. at Pizza Hut, 50th St. and Elgin The official ballots to be used for casting votes are below. Also this year, each nominee was offered an opportunity to answer a few questions about why they are running for each office and what their goals are for our organization. See each nominee s responses following each ballot. Voting Ballot for President Elect (Vote for One by Placing an X in the Box Next to the Candidate s Name) Andrea Darland Georgia Seeley (made from the floor) What is your interest and/or goals related to the leadership/officer role that you are currently running for? Andrea: My interest is to see WTPA members obtain growth individually and as a whole. I want to encourage information continuing education as much as possible. Georgia: As we all know, our organization has lacked in membership involvement and in attaining new members for the past few years. My goals as President-Elect would be to (1) find a way to align the goals and visions of founding members with those of newer members; (2) work with other members to develop new ideas on how to promote our organization and gain new members; and (3) become more active and participatory in state and national events and networking opportunities through the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division and through NALA. How do you think you can benefit WTPA by serving in this role? If you have any new ideas relating to this position, please feel free to share those ideas and/or how you plan to work within your new position to promote and reinforce the progress of WTPA. Andrea: Serving in any capacity is to encourage a well-balanced group involvement and participation by those elected to represent the association. Georgia: As I mention in the NALA section of this edition of the Lexicon, I have applied for and been accepted into NALA s LEAP program for the upcoming year. Through this program I hope to learn the skills necessary to lead and serve our local organization. I would like to work on developing ideas and projects for our organization to promote its values and mission, and to participate in services and programs in our community that align with WTPA s goals.

3 Page 3 Voting Ballot for First Vice President (Vote for One by Placing an X in the Box Next to the Candidate s Name) Emily Walterscheid Sharon Whirley (made from the floor) What is your interest and/or goals related to the leadership/officer role that you are currently running for? How do you think you can benefit WTPA by serving in this role? If you have any new ideas relating to this position, please feel free to share those ideas and/or how you plan to work within your new position to promote and reinforce the progress of WTPA. Emily: I am interested in the role because I think I could be an assit to WTPA because of my experience with other paralegal associations loacally, state wide, and nationally in executive level positions. I can benefit WTPA for the same reasons, and help WTPA become more widely known in the state and national areanas. I hope to secure more education for our members because education is what makes us invaluable to our employeers and to other members of the legal community. Promoting WTPA in the legal field with different events or co-events will help WTPA grow. Helping eachother study and take certifcation exams also promotes the importance of continued education as the laws around us continuously change Sharon: My main goal is, and always has been, the increase of educational opportunities for our membership and the legal community of legal assistants. I will always be an advocate for the educated legal assistant. She is more employable, more productive, and more valuable. I believe knowledge is power. I want to see interesting topics and dynamic speakers. The position of First VP has the task of bringing this education to our membership. Many of our members and others in the legal community are certified and must adhere to CLE requirements. Our association is in a position to provide affordable and valuable legal education to all who want it. And let's face it, we all need it. Whether in our jobs or in our personal lives, we can use what we learn. I wish I had a penny for every time I was able to use a Word shortcut I learned at a seminar, or remember a website that proved invaluable to locating information I was searching for. And the friends and connections you make at these events can't even be measured! Some of my goals: I'd like to see this Association become more well-known in the community. Educational events, whether it be seminars or monthly meetings, is a great opportunity to do that. I would like to be able to provide our members and the legal community with low cost - high quality CLE. I want this Association to project an image of professionalism and respectability. I've planned, along with the help of many great committees, numerous educational events. I've been very lucky to work with a great group of ladies who care greatly for our profession and want everyone to succeed in our careers. I believe this Association was founded with education of its members as a major priority. We've kept our priorities straight over the years, and I see no reason to stop now!

4 Page 4 Voting Ballot for Second Vice President (Vote for One by Placing an X in the Box Next to the Candidate s Name) Andrea Darland Emily Walterscheid (made from the floor) What is your interest and/or goals related to the leadership/officer role that you are currently running for? How do you think you can benefit WTPA by serving in this role? If you have any new ideas relating to this position, please feel free to share those ideas and/or how you plan to work within your new position to promote and reinforce the progress of WTPA. Andrea: As this is the membership chair for the association, I would like to see the association grow together. The main focus of this association is education, so working with the 1 st VP on education would be beneficial to the association by getting more people to attend and hopefully join. As education is my primary focus in life, I would encourage others to attend for the broad spectrum of education in the legal field they can obtain by coming to the events. Also, networking, it is a definite perk when coming across an unfamiliar area of the law and knowing there are members who have that information is very valuable. Emily: I am interested in the role because I think I could be an assit to WTPA because of my experience with other paralegal associations loacally, state wide, and nationally in executive level positions. I can benefit WTPA for the same reasons, and help WTPA become more widely known in the state and national areanas. I hope to secure more education for our members because education is what makes us invaluable to our employeers and to other members of the legal community. Promoting WTPA in the legal field with different events or co-events will help WTPA grow. Helping eachother study and take certifcation exams also promotes the importance of continued education as the laws around us continuously change

5 Page 5 Voting Ballot for Secretary (Vote for One by Placing an X in the Box Next to the Candidate s Name) Lola Smith-Gentry Voting Ballot for Treasurer (Vote for One by Placing an X in the Box Next to the Candidate s Name) Elma Moreno (made from the floor) (made from the floor) Voting Ballot for NALA Liaison (Vote for One by Placing an X in the Box Next to the Candidate s Name) Georgia Seeley Emily Walterscheid (made from the floor) What is your interest and/or goals related to the leadership/officer role that you are currently running for? How do you think you can benefit WTPA by serving in this role? If you have any new ideas relating to this position, please feel free to share those ideas and/or how you plan to work within your new position to promote and reinforce the progress of WTPA. Georgia: One of my goals for WTPA is for us to become more active and participatory in national events and networking opportunities through NALA. NALA is such a great national organization that supports the education and acknowledgement of professional paralegals. I very strongly believe that WTPA should be well represented and more present at NALA events. As an accepted participant in NALA s LEAP program, I will be afforded the opportunity to represent WTPA at NALA s annual conference in July 2016 and am very eager to start working on ideas to highlight and promote our local organization at that event. Emily: I am interested in the role because I think I could be an assit to WTPA because of my experience with other paralegal associations loacally, state wide, and nationally. I can benefit WTPA for the same reasons, and help WTPA become more widely known in the state and national areanas. I hope to secure more education for our members because education is what makes us invaluable to our employeers and to other members of the legal community. Promoting WTPA in the legal field with different events or co-events will help WTPA grow.

6 Page 6 Andrea Darland, PP, PLS McWhorter, Cobb & Johnson adarland@mcjllp.com 2015 Fall Seminar Report We had 16 early registrants and 4 at the door, of which 19 attended. $ was brought in by registrations. Judge Sowder, Judge Reyes, Mr. Lewis and Judge Hatch did an incredible job and we learned the importance of such specialty courts in our area. The statistics are overwhelming and Lubbock County is doing well with success rate of people completing the programs. Freedom Court, Drug Court, DWI Court and Family Recovery Court are all open for anyone to attend. At this time, Lubbock County does not have a Veteran s Court. Thank you to everyone that assisted with setting up and taking down, it was greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Underwood Law Firm and Signature Productions for their donations, and to everyone who brought food, drinks or other door prizes. Elma Moreno Texas Tech University School of Law elma.moreno@ttu.edu As a reminder, membership dues will expire September 30, Please visit our website at to download, print, and complete forms.

7 Page 7 Lola Smith-Gentry, ACP Hund, Krier, Wilkerson & Wright, LLP x. 229 lgentry@hkwwlaw.com FIFTH BI-MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING July 1, 2015 Minutes President-Elect Cynthia Martinez, PP, PLS called the Fifth Bi-Monthly Membership Meeting to order at 5:54 p.m. at Pizza Hut, 50 th and Elgin, Lubbock, Texas. Lee Franks, attorney, presented a one hour CLE on Medicaid Estate Planning. The business portion of the meeting came to order at 7:08 p.m. Secretary Lola Smith-Gentry, ACP advised there was a quorum (8 members present). No guests were present. Consent Agenda Items Presented: Minutes of May 5, 2015 Bi-Monthly Meeting as published and distributed Treasurer s Report as published and distributed. The Consent Agenda was adopted. There were no other reports. President Cynthia Martinez, PP, PLS advised: Andrea Darland, PP, PLS has informed the Fall Seminar will be held August 15, 2015 at the Lubbock County Annex. The topic will be the specialty courts. Emily Walterscheid, PP, PLS informed the group the flier and registration form will be out soon as committee had been waiting on confirmation by Judge Hatch as to availability. The next Membership Meeting will be September 3, 2015, as our Annual Meeting including election and installation of officers at a place to be determined. Georgia Seeley, ACP requested discussion of Amendments to the Bylaws regarding reporting to NALA. This item was included on previous agendas but had been tabled. After a brief discussion and review of the current Bylaws, it was determined no further action would be necessary. There being no further business, President Cynthia Martinez, PP, PLS adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. West Texas Paralegal Association, P.O. Box 93103, Lubbock, TX

8 Page 8 Georgia Seeley, ACP Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam, LLP gseeley@cdmlaw.com News From NALA LEAP (Leadership Enhancement and Preparation) Fellow Members, I am extremely excited to let you all know that I was accepted into NALA s LEAP program for It is because of WTPA that I submitted an application, in hopes of better serving WTPA as one of its proud members. I will be required to attend monthly webcasts and complete homework assignments, including writing an article for the Facts & Findings magazine. Additionally, I will be required to attend the NALA convention next year to give a presentation with a small group of fellow LEAPsters. I plan to ask that this requirement be considered in WTPA s planning and budgeting for this upcoming year so that I can also attend the NALA convention as a representative of WTPA. I ve included some information about the LEAP program below for those who are interested. LEAP was designed by the NALA Professional Development Committee and adopted by the NALA Board of Directors in recognition of needs of NALA Affiliated Associations and of NALA individual members. First and foremost, NALA is a membership association. NALA members are the driving force behind NALA programs and members rely more and more on NALA for their CLE and professional development needs. A dedicated and visionary leadership is required for NALA and its affiliated associations to become the associations that members desire and envision. At the same time, paralegals today find themselves in leadership positions and in situations in which sound leadership skills are needed for career advancement - either in the association world, the corporate world or in the world of private law firms. LEAP focuses on working with others, studying and discussing current leadership trends and publications such as 7 Measures of Success of Remarkable Associations, and provides members with the experience of public speaking and presentations. The current focus is on serving state and local affiliated associations, and developing skills that support their goals and growth. Participation in LEAP will also enhance the personal leadership skills used by NALA members in business and work environments. Members of NALA s Board of Directors will be heavily involved as discussion leaders. Specific expertise outside the Board will be sought as needed. Individual participants benefit from the excellent leadership training provided by this program, and NALA will gain new perspectives and insights to stimulate its future plans.

9 Page 9 Liaison News District 6 of the State Bar of Texas, Paralegal Division, will be hosting a Brown Bag Lunch CLE on November 4th. More details will be provided soon, but for now, mark your calendars! 12:00-1:00 p.m. Open to All Paralegals (not required to be a PD Member) Heather Threadgill from Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam will present on the changes in family law since the approval of same-sex marriages. The Paralegal Ethics Handbook, 2015 ed. is an essential resource for experienced paralegals, those new to the profession, as well as attorneys who supervise paralegals. The Handbook is also an important reference for paralegal students and educators. How to Order and Save 20% Customers that wish to order the book can purchase online through Legal Solutions. The handbook is available as a one time purchase or as a subscription. To receive the members only 20% discount, at CHECKOUT enter Promotion Code WPD20 and the 20% discount will be applied. Or call Offer valid for this book only; expires 12/31/2015. The Handbook includes: Specific ethical considerations in 22 practice areas. How to determine whether an action may be an ethical violation. State specific rules and regulations for all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.

10 Page 10 SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 2, 2015 SHERATON HOTEL - FORT WORTH, TX JOIN US FOR THREE DAYS OF CLE, NETWORKING AND ENTERTAINMENT! See the attachments to this Newsletter for more information & the scholarship application. The Paralegal Division App has launched! The app is a web-based app that allows PD members to add the app icon to their homepage on their handheld devices. Once members log on, they will be able to manage their CLE hours on the go, and call up the Texas Paralegal Journal (TPJ) on their handheld devices! We hope you will enjoy this new member benefit! To download the app, please go click or go to

11 Page 11 The Bustos Law Firm is looking for an experienced paralegal to join their firm. They are looking for someone who is either Certified or has substantial experience. Salary is based upon experience. If you know of a paralegal who is looking for a great place to work, please pass this on to them. Resumes should be submitted to fbustos@bustoslawfirm.com AND dbeasley@bustoslawfirm.com. Job duties include: Manage case calendar and deadlines Draft correspondence, pleadings and discovery Draft discovery responses, including review and analysis of documents Meet and communication with clients on a daily basis Schedule hearings, trials, depositions, appointments E-file pleadings Assist attorneys in preparing for hearings, trial, mediations and depositions Attend and assist attorneys in trial Requirements: Must be Certified or have substantial experience in civil litigation Capable of handling every step of the litigation process Must be able to work independently, handle pressure from case deadlines and multi-task Excellent time management skills, attention to detail and organizational skills Strong computer skills (office is paperless) Software: WordPerfect, Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat and Outlook Two openings in the District Clerks office that need to be filled as soon as possible. One is the Appellate Clerk, and the other is the clerk for family law in County Courts at Law 1, 2, and 3. Go to to apply. Please do not call Barb or anyone else at the clerk's office about these openings.

12 Page 12 Liggett Law Group Sustaining Members Highlighted Connie L. Vance Disability Services