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SNAP SHOT

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    Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals						February 2007
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Visit our web site at www.snapreno.com 
Inside This Issue:

Editor’s Note ……….  2                                   
Paralegal Day News & Registration ……… 3        
Annual Seminar/Mock Trial News &
          Registration  …………………………  4                                           
Getting to Know You-Amy Hodgson ……... 5
NALA News …………………… 6                                                  
Notary Class……………………….7
Washoe Library Info. ……………….. 8
SNAP Meeting Minutes …………………8	 
SNAP Officers & Contact Info…………….12            Job Bank ……………………………………..13                                               

SNAP Calendar-in-Brief

February  8, Thursday, 12 noon     
Executive Committee, McDonald Carano
All members welcome 

February 20, Tuesday, 11:30-1:30     
Annual Paralegal Day Lunch Celebration
Airport Plaza Conf. Center, Reno

March 6, Tuesday, 12 noon
Executive Committee, McDonald Carano
All members welcome

March 30, Friday, 9-4:30                 
SNAP Annual Seminar with Mock Trial
Second Judicial District Court, Reno
                           	
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Let me start this month’s message to our membership with a big “Thank You” to our new Governor, Jim Gibbons, and his staff.  The Governor has signed a Proclamation designating February 20, 2007 as Paralegal Day for the State of Nevada.  You can view the actual Proclamation:    http://gov.state.nv.us/PROCs/2007/2007-02-20ParalegalDay.htm. 

Paralegal Day has become an annual event in Nevada and we look forward to celebrating our profession on the 20th of this month.

As I reflect back on my professional career as a Paralegal, I always find myself thinking about the early days of our association and the creation of SNAP.  We had some very exciting meetings prior to the official organization of SNAP, but eventually we settled down into a very effective group.  Those meetings were very difficult and emotional for many of us, but the 
  
                                                (Continued on Page 2)

ALERT!  Send in your registrations ASAP for Feb. 20 Paralegal Day & for March 30 Mock Trial Seminar.   Flyers with registration forms are at www.snapreno.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE     (Continued from Page 1)

end result was just the beginning of many years of success for SNAP as Northern Nevada’s organization for the support and promotion of the paralegal profession.  I’d like to extend a special “Thank You” to SNAP’s inaugural Board, and, in particular, Janet Stoddard who organized those initial meetings in late 1988 and early 1989.  

Along with the Presidency come certain liberties.  Today I’m taking the liberty of being the nag!  Did you send in your Registration Form for Paralegal Day, February 20, 2007?  This is going to be an exciting event with a completely new format, so don’t miss out on this wonderful luncheon honoring our profession!  Did you send in your Registration Form for SNAP’s Annual Seminar featuring a Mock Trial?  We have limited seating.  Links to both flyers with registration forms are right here: 
http://www.snapreno.com/Paralegal_Day_Brochure.pdf
http://www.snapreno.com/SNAP-MockTrialFlyer-Color-Final.v2.pdf
so don’t delay! Print the forms, pick up your pen, complete them and send in ASAP, as the seats are filling up. 

January’s meeting was very informative and I’d like to send a special “Thank You” to the speaker Darcy K. Houghton, Esq. for sharing her wealth of information and knowledge about estate planning with us. 

I look forward to seeing all of you on the 20th for Paralegal Day and again on March 30 for SNAP’s Mock Trial Seminar.  As always, feel free to email me at any time with thoughts or suggestions for SNAP activities.  I can be reached at:
lcarlson@mcdonaldcarano.com 
 
Sincerely, 
Laura A. Carlson, CP

	
Editor’s Note: Paralegal Exams – History & Test Tips

The current issue of Legal Assistant Today has a marvelous article on the various paralegal exams (sort of compare-and-contrast), including test-taking tips.  View article at http://www.legalassistanttoday.com/issue_archive/feature1_jf07.htm

The oldest exam is NALA’s CLA exam created in 1976.  NFPA’s Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam was created in 1994.  NALS has offered various exams in the legal field since 1960, and in 2004 added one specifically for paralegals – the Professional Paralegal  exam.  The article discusses the exams and available study aids in great  detail and also addresses the apprehensions some may have about “Going For It!”

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE THIRD ANNUAL PARALEGAL DAY, Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons has proclaimed February 20, 2007 as Paralegal Day for Nevada.  SNAP invites all area attorneys and their Paralegals, Legal Assistants, and Legal Secretaries to join in a celebratory luncheon.

Attorneys can publicly express their gratitude for the contributions of these valuable people by:

•	Submitting their names for publication inThe Writ, along with the attorney’s and firm’s name

•	Submitting a brief account of how one of these valuable persons has “Saved the Day” for you and/or your clients to lcarlson@mcdonaldcarano.com by February 10

•	Inviting them to join you for lunch for Paralegal Day on February20. 

Highlights of the lunch celebration

Sharing of selected “Paralegal Saves the Day” stories

Guest Speaker - The Honorable  Judge Valerie P. Cooke

11:30 – 1:30 at the Airport Plaza Conference Center, 1981 Terminal Way, Reno, NV
Lunch price of $30 per person includes free Honor Roll Listing

Mail the Registration Form (go to brochure with form via link below), with payment, indicating attendance, menu preferences, and names for the Honor Roll, by Feb. 10.
http://www.snapreno.com/Paralegal_Day_Brochure.pdf

SNAP’S ANNUAL SEMINAR
  FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2007

A MOCK TRIAL
Opening Statements to Verdict – Jury Trial of an actual case

Presiding Judge: The Honorable Robert H. Perry 
Defense Counsel: William H. Ginsburg, Esq.
Plaintiff Counsel: Michael E. Sullivan, Esq.
Jury will be comprised of volunteer SNAP members

ETHICS DISCUSSION BY DAVID A. CLARK, ESQ.

PRESENTATION BY WILLIAM H. GINSBURG, ESQ.
“THE TRIAL PARALEGAL”

9 A.M.  -  4:30 P.M.
SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
75 Court Street, Dept. 9
Reno, NV

SNAP Members $95     Non-members $125     Attorneys $150
Payment must be included with Registration Form

Register early – seating is limited.  Download flyer with Registration Form:
http://www.snapreno.com/SNAP-MockTrialFlyer-Color-Final.v2.pdf

Getting to Know You …… Amy Hodgson

When I was 21, I decided I would prove everybody wrong who said that I couldn’t survive without Mom and Dad being nearby to bail me out.  I moved from Reno to South Dakota, but after one “mild” winter (Since when is -10 degrees considered mild?), I figured I had punished myself enough, and moved back home.

I enrolled at Morrison University, thinking I would major in computer information systems.  I needed a job while a student – preferably one that didn’t involve fast food, retail, or casinos.  My mother had a friend who knew of two attorneys who were looking for a receptionist.  I was incredibly nervous about the interview because all I knew about the legal profession was how to file and make photocopies, which I had done as a child when my mom worked for an attorney.  Keith Ching and Louis DiDonato had a different approach.  I had no legal experience; therefore I had no bad habits they had to break me of!  They could train me the way they wanted.  After two weeks of answering the phones, scheduling appointments and filing, I went to Mr. Ching and Mr. DiDonato begging them to give me more to do.  And so started my fascination with the legal system.  I changed my major to paralegal, and have never looked back!

After working for Mr. DiDonato and Mr. Ching, I tried my hand working for personal injury attorneys, but I realized this was not the type of law I wanted to work in forever.  I quit my second personal injury firm job because I was moving to Florida.  

In Florida, I got a job as a scheduling secretary for a law firm in Fort Meyers.  The attorneys primarily practiced workers compensation law.  As time went on, I was able to start drafting some of the reports for the review hearings for them.  Later, I held various positions with Lee County’s Guardian Ad Litem Program.  I learned about the program and got to know the volunteer guardians. (In Reno/Sparks/Carson City, the Guardian Ad Litem Program is known as CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates.) I became involved in the recruitment and training of volunteers. Of all the jobs I’ve had, working for the Guardian Ad Litem Program was one of my favorites, and the one I found to be the most fulfilling.  I was (indirectly) making a difference in an abused child’s life.  In my opinion, nothing could be more important.

In May 2001 I moved back to Reno, interviewed with Gary Silverman, and the rest is history. After hopping from one type of law to another, at Silverman, Decaria & Kattelman I have found one I truly enjoy – Family Law.  Again, I feel that I am making a difference.  My job gives me the opportunity to help others through the roughest part of their adult life – the end of their marriage.

Since moving back to Reno, I have met and married my Prince Charming, and we are expecting our first child (a girl) in April.

							-----Submitted by Amy Hodgson

Would you like us to Get To Know You better?  You may volunteer a brief biography for the newsletter.  Submit to Newsletter Editor, Gloria Jaureguy, at ggjaureg@mindspring.com

	

NALA NEWS

NALA Annual Convention in New Orleans

The 32nd Annual Convention of NALA will be held July 11-14, 2007, at the
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.
An ambitious agenda of educational programs, business meetings and
 social gatherings—along with the popular exhibition of vendors—has
 been planned by the NALA Continuing Education Council.  For complete
 information go to http://www.nala.org/07convention/general.htm

UPCOMING NALA DATES

March 23-24, 2007	CLA Exam	
May 15, 2007	Deadline for application for July CLA Exam	
July 11-14	NALA Annual Convention	
July 20-21, 2007	CLA Exam	

Visit the NALA website www.nala.org

View the latest issue of the Affiliates Brief at http://www.nala.org/Aff-Brief.pdf

				
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTICES
ARTICLES
SUGGESTIONS
WHATEVER……………..
Please submit by the 28th of each month to your newsletter editor: ggjaureg@mindspring.com	

	

Check our website at www.snapreno.com for upcoming events, and links to great legal sites.

NOTARY TRAINING CLASS

Friday, March 9, 2007
8:30 – 3:00
Carson City Nugget, 507 North Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada
$39.00

Registration form at http://sos.state.nv.us/notary/notforms/class_regist.pdf

WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
75 Court Street, Room 101, Reno, NV
(775) 328-3250

February  2007

Library Hours
Monday to Thursday	8 am to 9 pm
Friday 			8 am to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 	 10 am to 5 pm

Presenting Your Small Claims Case: Justice Court Procedures.  Speaker is the Honorable Barbara K. Finley.  To be held on Thursday, February 22 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in the R.Z. Hawkins Conference Room at the Law Library, Washoe County Courthouse, 75 Court Street, Room 101 in Reno, Nevada.  To reserve a space, please call 328-3250.

CLOSED on all legal holidays listed in NRS 236.015 and on Easter Sunday.  PARKING on Virginia or Court Streets (metered parking), or use Gallery parking lot at corner of First/Sierra (parking fee).

Check the website www.washoecounty.us/lawlib/ to find free programs available to the public such as Legal Seminars, legal links, and much other information.

	

MINUTES OF THE SNAP
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
January 16, 2007

The meeting was called to order by President Laura Carlson at 12:06 p.m. at Black Bear Restaurant in Reno.  A quorum was present.

President’s Report

President Laura Carlson announced that a Nomination Committee for new SNAP officers is being formed.  Nominees and committee members are being solicited.

Laura advised that the deadline for submitting payments for attendance at Paralegal Day will be extended to February 10, 2007.  Paralegal Day brochures will be distributed next week.  Please encourage your bosses to attend.  Format changes were briefly discussed to streamline the event.

First Vice President Christi Saito was unable to attend the meeting.

Second Vice President/Website Manager Crystal Huss had no report.

Secretary Melissa Paschal reported that we have one substitute speaker for the Mock Trial seminar.  Nevada State Bar Counsel, Rob Bare, our ethics speaker, was recently appointed a judge in municipal court in Las Vegas and is therefore unable to speak at our seminar.  Acting Bar Counsel, David A. Clark, Esq., has agreed to replace Mr. Bare.  The flyers will have to be changed to include Mr. Clark’s bio information and photo, so the flyers will not go out the first week in January as we had hoped, but will be distributed as soon as possible.  

Treasurer Jennifer Grundy reported that as of December 31, 2006 there is $12,448.75 in the general fund and $5,565.49 in the scholarship fund.

Social Activities Chair Misty Taylor reported that Paralegal Day honorees’ names will be published in the program for the event and not each individually announced.  Paralegal Saves the Day stories will also be published in the program.  More submissions were encouraged.

Other officers’ reports were waived due to time constraints.

Gloria Jaureguy introduced the guest speaker, her former employer, Darcy K. Houghton, Esq., who gave an interesting and educational speech regarding estate planning.  Ms. Houghton encouraged everyone to establish an estate plan regardless of the size of your estate.  Up to 80% of your IRAs or 401K plans and 40% of your entire estate can go to taxes after your death with improper planning, thereby reducing the inheritance of your children.  Ms. Houghton also stressed that a durable power of attorney for health care and a durable power of attorney for financial decisions, as well as a living will, are important documents to include in your estate plan.  Additionally, she recommended that you discuss long-term care insurance with your family or an advisor.  She distributed a helpful handout entitled Basic Elements of a Good Estate Plan.  Her e-mail address is dhoughton@hou2plan.com if you would like a copy emailed to you.

The minutes from the November 2006 general membership meeting were approved (there was no December meeting, as we had the holiday party instead).  There were no miscellaneous announcements.  With all business complete, the meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m.

Melissa Paschal, CP
Secretary

MINUTES OF THE SNAP
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
January 3, 2007

The Executive Committee (EC) Meeting was called to order by President Laura Carlson at 12:07 p.m. at McDonald Carano Wilson’s offices in Reno.  A quorum was present.  Those in attendance were:

Laura Carlson, CP, President
Christi Saito, ACP, First Vice President
Crystal Huss, Second Vice President/Website Manager
Melissa Paschal, CP, Secretary
Jennifer Grundy, CLA, Treasurer
Amy Hodgson, NALA Liaison
Kate Cline, CP, Parliamentarian
Gloria Jaureguy, Newsletter Editor
Misty Taylor, Social Activities Chair
Mary Ann Cushman, Student Liaison

President’s Report

President Laura Carlson advised that we had received a check from Sierra Legal Duplicating, Inc. for the SNAP holiday party.  It was discussed and decided to return the check to Evan as we had previously voted to pay for any SLDI employees to attend the holiday party, since they do so much for SNAP.

First Vice President’s Report

First Vice President Christi Saito reported that she is organizing the Northern Nevada Women’s Lawyers joint meeting with SNAP for April 2007.  She will request help as needed.

Second Vice President/Website Manager’s Report

Second Vice President Crystal Huss reported that we had received new SNAP membership applications.  She advised that she recently updated the membership roster and will forward it to Melissa for the mailing labels for the Mock Trial flyers.

Crystal also sadly advised us that she will be resigning as website manager in the next SNAP election.  She has enjoyed her 2½ years as website manager, but can no longer commit the time necessary for the position.  She is hoping for several nominees at the next election.

Secretary’s Report

Secretary Melissa Paschal reported that we have one substitute speaker for the Mock Trial seminar.  Nevada State Bar Counsel, Rob Bare, our ethics speaker, was recently appointed a judge in municipal court in Las Vegas and is therefore unable to speak at our seminar.  Acting Bar Counsel, David A. Clark, Esq., has agreed to replace Mr. Bare.  The flyers will have to be changed to include Mr. Clark’s bio information and photo, so the flyers will not go out the first week in January as we had hoped.  Melissa volunteered to do the announcements at the seminar and asked if any other SNAP officers wished to fill that role.  No one indicated their desire to announce the speakers and oversee the seminar so Melissa will handle those functions.  She will also type up the order forms for DVD sales.

The mailing list for the Mock Trial flyers was discussed again.  Melissa indicated that she would type the mailing labels for the flyers and include all the law firms on the Law Firms pages of the Washoe County Bar Directory.  She further indicated that each SNAP member would receive their own personally addressed color copy of the flyer.  The revised flyer will be emailed to Kate for PDF color conversion and forwarded to Crystal to place on the website.  Reno/Carson Messenger will deliver the flyers to the law firms with which they have accounts.  Laura indicated that the remaining ones will be mailed using McDonald Carano’s pro bono account.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Jennifer Grundy will contact Nevada State Bank to see if they will waive the per-check deposit fees.

NALA Liaison’s Report

NALA Liaison Amy Hodgson had no report.

Parliamentarian’s Report

Parliamentarian Kate Cline had no report, but agreed that yes, we should send our flyer to the Nevada Paralegal Association (the Southern Nevada paralegal association) and invite them to attend our Mock Trial seminar.

Newsletter Editor’s Report

Newsletter Editor Gloria Jaureguy had no report.

Activities/Social Chair’s Report

Activities/Social Chair Misty Taylor reported that Paralegal Day festivities were on track and we discussed several ways to streamline the event.  Drafts of the Paralegal Day brochures were distributed.

Librarian’s Report

Librarian Doreen Smith-Power was unable to attend the meeting.

Student Liaison’s Report

Student Liaison Mary Ann Cushman had no report.

New/Miscellaneous Business

The minutes from the 12/7/06 EC meeting were approved.  Laura announced that McDonald Carano’s pro bono account will pay for the postage for mailing the Paralegal Day brochures.  

With all business complete, the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

Melissa Paschal, CP
Secretary

SNAP Officers and Chairpersons for 2006-2007

President:
Laura Carlson, CLA
McDonald Carano
Phone:  788-2000
lcarlson@mcdonaldcarano.com

	First Vice President/Education: 				Parliamentarian:	
	Christi Saito, ACP					Kate Cline, CP				
	Washoe Legal Services					Sutton Place Limited
	Phone: 329-2727, ext. 123					Phone: 348-0125
	csaito@washoelegalservices.org				kate.cline@suttonpl.com

	Second Vice President/Membership/Job Bank		Social Activities: 	
	and Web Site Manager:					Misty Taylor 
 	Crystal Huss						Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw
	Attorney Marilyn D. York, Inc.				& Ferrario
	Phone: 324-7979						Phone: 741-7330
	crystal@marilynyork.net					mxfamily2005@yahoo.com

	Secretary:						Librarian:	
	Melissa Paschal, CLA					Doreen Smith-Power
	Steven J. Klearman & Assoc.				McDonald Carano			
	Phone: 323-3700						Phone: 788-2000
	melissa@injurylitigators.com				dsmith-power@mcdonaldcarano.com

	Treasurer:						Student Liaison:
	Jennifer Grundy, CLA					Mary Ann Cushman             		Silverman, Decaria & Kattelman				Phone: 232-4228
	Phone: 322-3223						maryanncushman@mac.com
	Jennifer@silverman-decaria.com
				
	NALA Liaison:						Newsletter Editor:	
	Amy Hodgson 			 			Gloria Jaureguy
	Silverman, Decaria & Kattelman				Phone: 887-0556
	Phone: 322-3223						ggjaureg@mindspring.com
	amy@silverman-decaria.com				
	
SNAP Shot is an official publication of the Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals (“SNAP”).
SNAP Address:  Post Office Box 2832, Reno, Nevada  89505
SNAP Shot is published monthly. The 2006-2007 Editor is Gloria Jaureguy. Please e-mail Gloria at          ggjaureg@mindspring.com to submit newsletter information. Deadline for submitting articles for publication in the newsletter is the 28th  of each month.
Please note:  SNAP does not endorse any specific education program. Information provided in the SNAP Shot is to be evaluated by the reader. All editorial material is to be used at the discretion of the reader and does not imply endorsement by the editor, SNAP, its officers or members.
SNAP may make members’ names and business addresses available to legal related entities without the direct consent of each member. Members who do not want their information released must advise the Executive Committee in writing.