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SNAP SHOT

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     Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals					NOVEMBER 2007
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Visit our web site at www.snapreno.com 
This Issue
President’s Message………………...….…..1-2
What is NALS of Washoe County?................2
Meeting Reservation Form……………………3
The Federal Circuit Court……………….….…4
Payment Card Security…………………….….4
NALA News…………………………………….5
Wordsmith Corner…………………….……….5
Washoe County Library-Seminar…….……...7
SNAP Officers & Contact Information…...…..8
Job Bank........................................................9

Event Calendar

November 13, 2007, Tuesday at 12 Noon
Joint Meeting with NALS of Washoe County.
Presentation by Thomson West::  “Discovery Tools for the Legal Assistant/Paralegal” 
Siena Hotel & Casino

December 11, 2007, Tuesday, 5:30-7:30 pm
SNAP Holiday Party
Meadow Wood Courtyard
5851 South Virginia, Reno

	
 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

NALA has filed an amicus brief in the US Supreme Court in support of a petition for Writ of Certiorari, Richlin v. Chertoff. The case involves the award of attorney fees given in cases involving Equal Access to Justice Act; and specifically fees for legal assistants being reimbursed only at cost rather than prevailing market rates. This could directly affect all paralegals working locally in legal aid as we must comply with local Access to Justice Policies. 

In connection with this, NALA would like to enlist the aid of all persons currently working as paralegals/legal assistants. NALA’s 2007 Utilization and Compensation Survey needs all paralegals’ input to develop current information about our profession in support of the amicus brief. 

The survey can be found at http://www.nala.org/survey.htm, control number is 
25859. I contacted NALA to verify that this survey is not just for NALA or Affiliates members, but for all paralegals. Please help spread the word to all you know working in our field. This project is funded by NALA membership dues from NALA and its affiliates.

                                                       [Continued on Page 2]	

RESERVE BY NOVEMBER 7 for our November 13 joint meeting with NALS at the Siena. 
Reservation form is on page 3.  You may bring your check to the meeting.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE          [continued from Page 1]

SNAP pays annual dues to NALA; this is our contribution to assist our profession. 

The amicus brief and the petitioner’s brief can be found at http://www.nala.org/news.htm. 

Respectfully submitted

Christine (Christi) Saito, ACP
President

What is NALS of Washoe County?

We are looking forward to a joint meeting on November 13th with NALS of Washoe County, another association for legal professionals.  NALS of Washoe County, is part of a tri-level organization which includes state, regional, and national levels.  NALS of Washoe County has monthly educational meetings the third Wednesday of each month at Heidi’s Restaurant, 2450 South Virginia, Reno. 

NALS (“nahls”) originally was formed as the National Association of Legal Secretaries in 1949.  It preceded NALA and NFPA by a long way!  As the legal profession evolved, so did NALS.  The acronym became the name and the organization is open to all members of the legal profession.  The organization offers three levels of certification: ALS, PLS, and PP.  The organization offers professional development by providing continuing legal education, information, and training to those choosing the legal services industry as their career.  For more information, contact Robin Kunce, PLS, President of NALS of Washoe County, at (775) 224-3238.

	Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals
and
NALS of Washoe County

NALS and SNAP JOINT MEETING
Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at 12 noon

SPEAKERS:	Carol Wallace, JD and Sandra Stocks from Thomson West 

TOPIC:	DISCOVERY TOOLS FOR THE 	LEGAL ASSISTANT/PARALEGAL 

PLACE: 	Siena Hotel Spa Casino				COST: $20
	Terrazza Room
	1 South Lake Street, Reno

Name:		______________________________________________________________________

Office:	______________________________________________________________________

Work Phone: 	___________________		Home Phone: 	________________

Please indicate one luncheon item and one dessert 
Lunch includes rolls, butter, coffee, teas, and dessert.

Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad				Cobb Salad
Blackened chicken and chopped				Tossed greens with turkey, ham, 
hearts of romaine, in a Caesar dressing  			bacon, egg, tomato, avocado, and
with Parmesan cheese and croutons		 	blue cheese dressing

Vegetarian Cobb Salad
Tossed greens with egg, tomato, 
avocado, and blue cheese dressing

DESSERT: Crème Brulee OR Chocolate Mousse Cake

Please fax your reservation as soon as possible to Robin Kunce, NALS President, at 775-329-2771.
Reservations must be received by NOON Wednesday, November 7, 2007. 
You may bring your check, payable to SNAP, to the meeting.

THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT

As Christi noted in her President’s Message (Page 1), the Federal Circuit Court recently held, in Richlin v. Chertoff, that, in cases involving awards under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), fees for legal assistants should be reimbursed only at cost, rather than according to the prevailing market rates.  

This United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit was established in 1982, a merger of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals and the appellate division of the United States Court of Claims.  It is unique among the 13 Circuit Courts of Appeals, having nationwide jurisdiction in a variety of subject areas, including international trade, government contracts, and veterans’ benefits.

The question presented to the U.S. Supreme Court by Petitioner Richlin is whether a prevailing party, under the EAJA, may be awarded attorney fees for paralegal services at the market rate for such services, as four circuits have held [emphasis added], or whether the EAJA limits reimbursement for paralegal services to cost only, as the Federal Circuit panel held in Richlin.   As Christi noted, the Richlin petition and the NALA amicus brief may be accessed at  http://www.nala.org/news.htm

OCTOBER SPEAKER ON PAYMENT CARD SECURITY

SNAP’s October meeting featured speaker Ira Victor, an information security expert with a specialty in compliance and standards, who discussed the payment card industry (PCI).  This was an interesting and lively discussion.  

Most of us use P-L-A-S-T-I-C, and will be using it a lot more as we head into the holiday season.  Mr. Victor provided valuable insights into how merchants process and safeguard the information on our credit/debit cards. The PCI Council is an industry consortium of retail merchants that sets guidelines and standards to ensure the privacy and security of your information. Merchants must follow mandated procedures, such as not printing out your complete credit card number on receipts, if they accept credit cards.  

Mr. Victor also gave some cautionary words about organizations such as LifeLock, and stated that what they offer may be done on your own for little or no cost.  Remember: it is important to carefully check every credit card and bank statement you receive.  Also check your credit reports. You are entitled, upon request, to receive a free copy annually from each of the three main credit bureaus.

NALA NEWS

UPCOMING NALA DATES – 2007

November 30 & December 1
CLA/CP Exam		

Those from this area who will be taking this test will once again be able to take the exam in Reno and not have to travel to Las Vegas or California.  Best wishes to all those who will be taking this important test, including a couple SNAP members who are participating in SNAP’s study group.  Thank you also to the volunteer proctors.  They have give up their days (one for Friday and one for Saturday) so that the test takers will be able to stay in Reno to test.  Without the proctors and their help, we would not be able to accommodate those taking the certification exam. 

View the latest issue of the Affiliates Brief at http://www.nala.org/Aff-Brief.pdf
Visit www.nalacampus.com to review the many online learning opportunities
www.nala.org - website has a wealth of information for you

			
Coming next month  (Really!)……..Getting to Know Your Officers

WORDSMITH/GRAMMAR CORNER

ADDUCE:  To bring forward or offer as an argument or consideration which bears on a statement or case; to cite.  To offer as a source of proof in an analysis or discussion.
Adduce implies facts, evidence, instances, etc., offered as proof or in support of something stated.  Advance implies, on the other hand, the presentation of a theory, a claim, a proposal, or the like, for consideration or acceptance.  Allege implies a recital of facts intended to be proved; sometimes the word suggests that this is not possible.  Cite is more concrete and definite than adduce, suggests the use of an authority, a specific instance, etc., in support.
			--- Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary and other sources

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF AMBIGUITY
“Elaboration in drafting does not result in reduced ambiguity.  Each elaboration introduced to meet one problem of interpretation imports with it new problems of interpretation.”
	--Bayless Manning, Hyperlexis and the Law of Conservation of 	Ambiguity, 1982

			
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME!
ANNOUNCEMENTS – NOTICES – ARTICLES - SUGGESTIONS
Submit by the 25th of each month to your newsletter editor: ggailgaur@pyramid.net	

Our website is getting a new look. Check it out at www.snapreno.com for upcoming events and links to great legal sites.  While there you can review our Bylaws, get membership forms, and obtain other information to keep you “in the loop.”

	

A LITTLE (IL)LEGAL HUMOR……

“Legal Arrangements” category of “The Eihgteen-Millon-Dollar-Surprise” ---
“my words is my bond…I will involve my confidant lawyer…once the layer have your consent and trust then he can proceed immediately…the funds will be donated to a discreted trust fund for the purchase of arms and amunnitions….”
		--Vivian Cook,  Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary or
		 why can’t anybody spell? 

NOTE: This book is a humorous little gem for anyone interested in language and its usage.  It begins by tracing the route of the English alphabet – from Phoenician (8th to 1st centuries B.C.), through Early Greek (8th century B.C.), Etruscan (6th century B.C.), Roman (A.D. 114), Germanic Runes (4th to 7th centuries A.D.), Irish (7th century A.D.), Old English (10th century A.D.), and culminating in our Modern English alphabet.  

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

November 2007

Library Hours
Monday through Thursday	8 am to 9 pm
  Friday 			8 am to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 	        10 am to 5 pm
The Law Library will be closed all day on Sunday, November 11th and on Monday, November 12th for the Veterans Day Holiday.  It will also be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd.

FREE LEGAL SEMINAR
Social Security Disability Law.  
Thursday, November 29th, 2007 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Washoe County Law Library. Speaker: Dennis Cameron, Esq., Washoe County Probate Commissioner.  Please call to reserve a space at 328-3250. 

NEW - Introduction to the Law Library and Legal Resources. This class and tour is for those interested in becoming familiar with the law library and the resources that are available. Each tour will cover what law is, where it comes from, and how to find it. Also covered will be how to access laws and other materials in the library and on the internet. 
Class Dates & Times
Thursday, 5:30 – 6:45 pm
Saturday, 10:15-11:30 am		
November 8
November 10		
December 6
December 8		

These tours will be given at the Washoe County Law Library, located in the Old Courthouse at 75 Court Street.   Space is limited.  Please reserve your spot by contacting the Washoe County Law Library at 775-328-3250
 
Check the Washoe County Law Library website www.washoecounty.us/lawlib/ for continuing information on legal seminars, legal links, and much other information.

SNAP Officers and Chairpersons for 2007-2008

President:
CHRISTI SAITO, ACP
Washoe Legal Services
Phone:  329-2727, ext. 123
csaito@washoelegalservices.org

	First Vice President/Education: 				Parliamentarian:	
	RENEE KELLY						LAURA MCCARRON		
	Phone: 425-8616						Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw &
	reneemkelly@sbcglobal.net				Ferrario
								Phone: 842-3030
								swood1973@charter.net

	Second Vice President/Membership/Job Bank:		Social Activities & Librarian:	
	MISTY BEST				 		GALE HAUSKINS	
 	Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw &			McDonald Carano Wilson
	Ferrario							Phone: 326-4323
	Phone: 741-7330						ghauskins@mcdonaldcarano.com
	mbest@kkbrf.com

	Secretary/ Public Relations/LAD Liaison:			Student Liaison &  Website Manager:
	GINNY CASAZZA, RG					MARY ANN CUSHMAN
	Casazza Professional Services, Inc.				Phone: 232-4229			
	Phone: 287-5005						maryanncushman@mac.com
	ginnycasazza@clearwire.net
			
	Treasurer:						Newsletter Editor:
	APRIL SFERRAZZO,  CLA				GLORIA JAUREGUY             		 	Walraven & Harris					Phone: 887-0556
	Phone: 828-5005						ggailgaur@pyramid.net
	april@mvh.com
				
	NALA Liaison:							
	KATHRYN VITALIE, CP 			 	
	Phone: 825-5642			
	vitaliek@prodigy.net

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 2007-2008 Editor is Gloria Jaureguy. Please e-mail Gloria at ggailgaur@pyramid.net
to submit newsletter information. Deadline for submitting articles for publication in the newsletter is the 25th of each month.
SNAP does not endorse any specific educational 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.