Position Opening

Paralegal, #2011061

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: April 29, 2011

Job Summary:

Provides support to corporate attorneys by assisting with development of factual information, conducting research, and handling routine matters under the direction of the attorneys.

Job Qualifications:

Associate degree in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university, and 3-5 years experience as a paralegal or legal assistant. 

Experience in preparing fact statements and preparing discovery requests/responses.

Proficient with Word, Excel, Lotus (or other email system), Windows operating system, and Westlaw research or similar research tool.

Ability to apply math concepts to practical situations, ability to critically read documents and interpret and draw conclusions from written data, ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed and involved verbal instructions, and ability to resolve problems involving several concrete variables in non-standard situations. 

Ability to interact effectively with all client levels, handle multiple priorities, perform under pressure and meet deadlines.

Must have a valid Kansas driver's license.

Excellent judgment concerning personal and professional conduct.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Strong analytical, reading comprehension and organizational skills.

Ability to work independently and be a self-starter.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Ability to understand the legal significance of work performed on behalf of the corporations attorneys.

This job is located in Topeka at the main campus, and interested candidates will need to apply online at www.bcbsks.com/careers

WPA Meeting Notice - April 13, 12:30 p.m. Menninger Room Benton Hall

The Washburn Paralegal Association will hold it's April meeting on Wednesday , April 13, at 12:30 p.m. in the Menninger Room of Benton Hall. 

Registration for KPA Annual Seminar NOW OPEN

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

2011 Kansas Paralegal Association Annual Seminar

Friday, June 10, 2011

Johnson County Community College

12345 College Boulevard

Overland Park, KS

Be sure to Register Early and Take Advantage of Discounted Rates Through May 15, 2011!  Register online and choose from Bill Me or pay with your Debit/Credit Card payment options.  (When using the Bill Me option, please include a copy of your registration confirmation or confirmation number with your check.)

Don’t miss a great line up of speakers and topics, including:

(When Registering Online at www.ksparalegals.org, don’t forget to go to Page 2 to select the rest of your afternoon sessions!)

Luncheon Speaker: Steve Howe, Johnson County DA

4th Amendment: Search & Seizure Updates

Kimberly A. Rodebaugh

Ethics

Joe Colantuono

Health Reform In A Nutshell: What Employers Need To Know

Al Martin

Liability - Green Design and Construction

Chris Burger

Kansas District Court Record Search (Subscriber & Instant Access)

Shane Myers

Inventions and Patents

Marshal Honeyman

Appellate Practice

Chris Reedy

Death Penalty Defense

Melanie Freeman-Johnson

Medical Malpractice

Bryan Smith

Practical Tips to Effective Social Media Use as a Legal Professional

June Casalmir

Insurance Litigation

Zach Dyer

Military Divorces

Tim Keck

Washburn Paralegal Association April Meeting Notice

The Washburn Paralegal Association will hold the next meeting on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 12:30 in the Lincoln Room of the Washburn Student Union.  Program to be announced soon!
Plan to attend and see you at the meeting!

Adapting to change - New Technologies

Learning new technologies can be such a problem, so annoying, and so frustrating, and even stressful.  Learning and implementing new systems can be time consuming, and without a "help desk" we can sometimes be left out in the cold as to what to do.  It is important to know where your resources for help are when you are changing or upgrading new technologies.  Just who do you call?  Can yo rely on a network of others who have been through the upgrades and changes?  Do you have a help desk number you can call, with help from a real person? 

Know your resources for assistance and help.  The person in this video relied on the best of help for training and support while learning and implementing a new technology:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tYCrm6PKmI&feature=related

Thomson Reuters Scholarship Application

The NFPA has announced the availability of the Thomson Reuters Scholarship.  Applications and accompanying materials must be postmarked by July 1, 2011.  The materials can be accessed at:  http://www.paralegals.org/associations/2270/files/2011content/2011_Thomson_Reuters_Scholarship_Application.pdf

WPA March 2011 Meeting Notice and Reminder

The Washburn Paralegal Association will meet Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. in the Thomas Room of the Washburn Student Union.  The speaker will be Tamara Mapes, Legal Secretary at Payless - Topeka, KS.  Tamara is also an instructor in Office Management and Editing and Grammar at Washburn University.  Refreshments will be served.  The meeting is open to all members of WPA, and those wishing to become a member of WPA.  See you there!

Sevice of Process over Facebook?

Some countries are accepting this!  Nothing from the U.S. yet, but look at the list: 

Service of Process via Facebook

The article takes a look at the reasons to and not to do this.  Take a look and see what you think. 

7 Tips to Get Retweeted

Retweeted?  Is that even a word?  Is that the correct way of saying it?  At any rate:  

Twitter is not going away.  It has already been said "the Tweet is mightier than the sword."  And, we are watching that statement become true fact, in history, right now and in our lives.  Tunisia, Egypt, and, well, your own law firm may even find that Twitter has the power you want and need.

Today's post is about Retweets:  Here are the 7 Tips for getting your Tweets to be Retweeted

The goal is to be informative, remarkable, humorous, opinionated, sharing, engaging.

Your firm can be all of these things, and it will attract. Show that over Twitter, know that by the Retweets.

Does Your Firm Practice...?

Does the firm/attorney you work for practice certain areas of the law, such as Personal Injury, Probate and Estate Planning, Criminal Law, Bankruptcy, Mediation (Family or Commercial)?  Have you or your attorney ever wondered what the latest issues are in that area? 

There is a way to find out. It is by starting a Twitter Chat - whether it is an online or offline meeting with others interested in the same topic, it might be time well spent to discuss issues and the current thinking on those issues. 

Here are 6 Tips to starting a Twitter Chat:   6 Tips to Run a Successful Group Twitter Chat

Don't think of chat as a teen thing that is a waste of time with a lack of substance.  It can be a useful learning tool! 

Using Twitter and current technologies as a bona fide learning tool may save you time, money, and even promote your firm in positive ways.  It may require a shift in your thinking, but one well worth looking into. 

Hot Off the Press! U.S. Supreme Court Decision March 2, 2011

Here is the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Snyder v. Phelps:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/09-751.pdf

Is Your Firm Insured for Data Loss - Data Theft? What are the issues?

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you lost the data in your law firm, or if it was even stolen - cybertheft?  Are you insured? 

Here is a good article on insuring your data:  Is Your Organization Insured Against Data Loss? 

One of the issues this article discusses is whether or not traditional insurance coverage is sufficient.  Also, find out what the courts say about data loss.  Is data loss considered property loss by the courts?  Where do you stand if you are "cloud computing" and your data is housed by a vendor?  Is the vendor's policy covering your data?  Where will you get your guidance in determining what kind of policy for data loss you should have? 

Good and informative article. 

Video Game Bar Association Established

Video Game Bar Association launched recently.  This is a relatively new area of the law that is being practiced and it is international.  The new group allows for networking and sharing of ideas for attorneys who take on suits specific to copyright issues and video games, and will work with video game developers world wide. 

Libya's Constitution Issues: An article

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/conlaw/2011/02/libyas-constitution.html

Riding the Waves of Change - What is Singularity?

Have you ever heard the term "early adapter?"  It means someone who has the ability to see change happening and adapt to it quickly, to utilize what the change has to offer significantly sooner than most others would be able to make that change. 

Emerging technologies and rapidly changing technologies have placed all of us in a position where if we don't change or grasp on to what is new in technology, we will be left out of the loop.  

Ray Kurzweil is a futurist and inventor, paying close attention to what where technology is taking us. In fact, some of his inventions are taking us into the future faster than we know.  His book on technological singularity and super-intelligence is just plain scary. What is singularity?

What does this have to do with the law and the law office?  Check out Singularity, Computers, and the Law if for no other reason than to see the videos Singularity and e-discovery Did You Know?

What does a Polygraph look like?

Polygraph Measures

How accurate is a polygraph?

http://www.truthorlie.com/accurate.html

Physiological Arousal to an applied stimulus:

Heat Rate/ Blood Volume
Sweat Gland Activity
Respiration or Breathing


How to detect lies:

http://www.wikihow.com/Detect-Lies
Can drugs effect a polygraph test?

http://effectofdrugsonpolygraph.blogspot.com/

Polygraph FAQ's

http://www.polygraphks.com/faq.htm

http://www.polygraphis.com/WebsiteFAQ.htm

http://www.omegapolygraph.com/polygraph-faq.htm

http://www.imbordinopolygraph.com/faq_examiners.htm

Difference Between Confession and Admission

Must give people a chance a reason to explain why they are sitting there to take the test.  

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/197308/evidence/28378/Confessions-and-admissions

Are polygraph tests admissible in court in Kansas?

Kipp Low - Topeka Police Department: On Polygraph

Kipp Low with Janice and Donna
http://www.topekapolygraph.com/polygraph.htm


Polygraph Today

• Exciting technology and techniques

• The use of polygraph in treatment has brought polygraph back into court

• More private examiners than at any previous time since around 1988

http://www.polygraphplace.com/docs/information.shtml

• Still the most valid from for testing of truthfulness  

Utility v Accuracy Rates:

• Why do we conduct polygraphs?  

• The utility value of polygraph

          Confessions  admissions
          Exclusion of suspects
          Development of evidence/dues
          Monitoring of behavior
          Treatment

Where are Mistakes Made?
There is no Universal Lie Response
There are numerous emotions which produce physiological responses

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygraphy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_stress_analysis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

Only one Polygraph Issue
 Process is from the time the person comes in the office through the test and after

Pretest interview - No difference between a small lie and a big lie - if one thing is being hidden there will be a trip-up in the test

http://www.policetest.info/police_polygraph_exam.htm

If the exam is mixed issue and the person has a significant reaction-
Administrator has a specific issue test to resolve the reaction
Interview the subject after the mixed issue
Must "weed" through the issues in the pretest exam

The Innocence Project

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be accused of a crime that you didn't commit, and then, to even be convicted of that crime?  This does happen to people, people who are currently serving time for something they did not do. 

Here is a project that assists and even helps to exonerate these people:  The Innocence Project

On this website you will meet some of the people who have been imprisoned for years and have been exonerated because of this project.  You will learn the cases, the legal reasons and flaws in the justice system as to why the mistake was made, and how the system could be "fixed" to prevent this from happening to other innocent people and wrongful convictions. 

You can even read the amicus briefs filed by the project on behalf of individuals being wrongfully accused, find legal resources and links on the issue, and access the database of those who have been released from prison as a result of the project. 

Since the project's inception and as of February 17, 2011, 266 innocent people have been freed. 

WPA Meeting Notice - February 16, 2011

Don't forget!

The WPA February meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 16, 2011,  at 12:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Room of the Washburn Memorial Student Union.

This is a "working" meeting, and those attending this meeting will stuff the "goodie" bags for those participating in the KPA/WPA Mini-Seminar to be held on Friday, February 18.

Plan to attend!  Come and help!  Valentine candies for those who attend and help!

Valentine Candy Drawing - You might win!

Mini-Seminar Registration Form Available NOW!

Don't forget to register for the WPA/KPA Mini-Seminar on February 18 - Friday Afternoon!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/48482151/Mini-Seminar-Brochure-2011

This brochure tells you everything you need to know about the Mini-Seminar - speakers, date, time, place!  It is a seminar you won't want to miss. 

Independent Film - Hot Coffee - The real facts about the McDonald's suit

Featured recently at the Sundance Film Festival, you won't want to miss this movie!  It is the real story about the Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants suit. 

Do you believe that corporations can spend millions of dollars to alter tort reform?  

http://hotcoffeethemovie.com/

Catch a snippet of the movie and an interview with Stella Liebeck's family here:   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2ktM-lIfeQ

Have you thought about how to revitalize your life?

http://www.digitalparalegalservices.com/2011/02/04/changing-perspective/

The best section was on changing your attitude.

Request for Articles for KPA - The Journal

A member of the Kansas Bar Association paralegal committee has requested assistance from the KPA membership in having some paralegals write articles for The Journal.  If anyone would be interested in writing an article, please let me know as soon as possible.  For the April issue they need the article by March 1 and need to reserve the space by Feb. 18.  The article should be paralegal related. 
I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested to participate in this opportunity.  Please let me know if you have any questions, or need further information.  Thank you!

Andrea Duncan, KPA President

785-228-5736

aduncan@parkerhaylaw.com

Yellow Pages Hard Copy - OPT OUT - And how will your firm be found instead?

This article tells you how to opt out of the Yellow Pages:

http://lawyermarketing.attorneysync.com/blog/blog/need-more-proof-the-yellow-pages-are-dying

It also tells you how your law firm can be found on Google, if you do opt out.

Great Reference Resource Site on Statutes

They make it so easy to look up! 

 http://www.law.cornell.edu/statutes.html

WPA Membership Application

Print or download a WPA Membership Application form here:

 http://www.scribd.com/doc/48600843/WPA-Membership-Form

Do you know what MERS Is, and Current Litigation and Court Decisions?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MERS

Do you have 15 - 20 minutes? You might win $50...

Paralegal Core Competency Exam Job Analysis Study–PCC

A large-scale validation survey being launched by National Federation of Paralegal Associations:

In  accordance with the directives of its member associations, NFPA  is developing a credentialing examination geared to entry-level and early-career paralegals––the Paralegal CORE Competency (PCC) TM exam. 

NFPA is partnering with Professional Examination Service, a recognized expert in the credentialing field, to conduct a job analysis of paralegals and create the PCC TM examination.  A description of paralegal practice has been delineated; and in adherence with best practices in credentialing, a large-scale validation survey of practicing paralegals is currently being conducted.

WE NEED YOUR HELP IN THIS CRITICAL ASPECT OF THE STUDY.

Results of the job analysis validation survey will be used to ensure the PCC TM examination accurately reflects contemporary paralegal practice.  A web-based survey has been developed to collect information from you about the areas of paralegal practice and law that might be tested on the PCC TM exam.  We are asking that paralegals devote approximately 15 to 20 minutes of time to complete the survey.  It is critical that paralegals practicing in a variety of employment settings and representing a range of professional and demographic characteristics complete the survey to ensure its validity.

In recognition of your contribution, respondents who complete the survey will have the opportunity to enter a random drawing for one of four $50 American Express gift cards.  Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your browser’s address bar to access the survey.  You can also forward the survey link to other paralegals.  You do not need to be a member of NFPA to participate in the survey at

http://www.surveywriter.net/in/survey/survey310/ParalegalCoreComp.asp

Participation in the survey is voluntary and your responses will be kept confidential.  We ask that you complete the survey by February 14th, 2011.  If you have any questions about the survey or the PCC TM exam, feel free to contact Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification Suellen Honeychuck, RP at javascript:main.compose('new', 't=vpdpc@paralegals.org') . 

NFPA thanks you for your professional and personal contribution to this project, which will serve to advance the standing of the paralegal profession.

Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

Have you ever thought about what would happen if the Royal Wedding was called off now?  Here is a rundown on what could happen with some of the contracts: 

http://mavrkylawcenter.blogspot.com/2005/08/contract-law-doctrine-of-frustration.html

Social Media - A New/Growing Area of the Law

At the WPA meeting this week, the topic of social media and the law came up.  There is a need for attorneys/presenters at the KPA Annual Seminar who are following the implications Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. have on law and telecommunications law.  Have you ever wondered about the legal side of social media? 

In the area of litigation and discovery (eDiscovery) what people post on their social media sights are being scrutinized and are subject to discovery.  Here is an interesting blog by an attorney who is tracking the issues, particularly employment law:

http://www.socialnetworkinglawblog.com/

Take a look, read some of the posts, read through some of the older posts.  You will learn a great deal!  You might even change your privacy settings on Facebook :-) 

If you have other sites/blogs with similar subject matter, please contribute by commenting.  Your comments are always welcome! 

WPA January 19, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Washburn Paralegal Association

January 19, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Lincoln Room – Memorial Union – Washburn University

President Kim Jordan called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. by introducing the guest speaker Donna Martin.  Attendees introduced themselves.  Attending:  Professor Richard Martin, Rosanne Siemens, Xenia Chumak, Karen Ortega, Allyson Collier, Mori  Moreno, Professor Kay Rute, Kim Jordan, and Donna Martin.

Donna began the presentation by talking about the high value of a Legal Studies degree, and the many areas of the law field that paralegals can work.  She and Kim asked attendees to promote the program at Washburn, which is the only one in the state of Kansas, and passed around brochures for people to take and give to others. 

Donna had a variety of handouts.  She gave each person a copy of the Kansas Paralegal Association District 2 Newsletter, information explaining the benefits of a WPA and KPA membership (and other professional association memberships), and a KPA membership application form.  A KPA membership also included a membership with National Federation of Paralegal Associations.   KPA holds monthly luncheon meetings.  January 20 (tomorrow) is the next luncheon meeting scheduled at the Jayhawk Towers in the Senate Room.  The lunch is a buffet – cost approx. $8 – 10.  There is metered parking on Jackson St.  If the weather is bad and the meeting postponed, the meeting will be next week. 

KPA and WPA hold an annual joint Mini-Seminar, this year scheduled for Friday, February 18, at 1 p.m. at Henderson Hall.  The seminar is currently being planned and details will be announced shortly at a later date.  The Student registration rate will be approx. $7 – 10.  Ideas for topics for the seminar are always welcome by the activity planners.  The KPA annual seminar will be held on Friday, June 10, at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park.  This seminar is currently being planned with several presenters already scheduled. 

Kim will look into possible grant money from the Washburn Student Government that would underwrite seminar registration costs for students. 

WPA now has a blog:   http://washburnparalegalassociation.blogspot.com/  Kim asked everyone to promote the blog.  Announcements and information about WPA will be posted on the blog.  Rosanne will be adding some gadgets to the blog and will open a WPA Twitter account. 

Donna pointed out specific pages in the KPA Newsletter – pg. 4 has information for members on careers and job postings and pg. 6 -8 has a scholarship application form.  This scholarship is for $250. 

The next meeting of WPA will be held on February 16, at 12:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Room of the Memorial Union.  This will be a “working meeting.”  Those attending will help stuff the “goodie bags” for the Mini-Seminar.  There will be a drawing for Valentine candy at the meeting. 

When can law enforcement get your data from Facebook?

Great article: 

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/01/social-media-and-law-enforcement-who-gets-what

Do you know who Nina Totenberg is?

Nina covers the U.S. Supreme Court news for NPR.  It is interesting to note that Nina Totenberg, the National Public Radio Legal Affairs Correspondent, does not have a degree.  She attended Boston University but never finished with a degree. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Totenberg

http://www.npr.org/people/2101289/nina-totenberg

As an award winning journalist who is highly regarded in many circles, and who has broken several national stories, she has also been the subject of controversy - accused of plagiarism. 

If you don't already listen to Nina on NPR's Morning Edition, tune in, or visit the NPR website to get her coverage of legal affairs.  Whether you agree with her or not, you will learn from her knowledge and insight. 

Here is the latest from Nina:  http://www.npr.org/2011/01/19/133058835/Court-Rules-On-Privacy-Rights-Of-Federal-Contractors

Classes Have Started - Spring 2011

The group of students talking at the WPA meeting all agreed, the break was short, boring, and all were GLAD to be back in classes!  Why are you happy to be back in classes this Spring?  What are you taking and what are you looking forward to? 

Washburn Paralegal Association Twitter Feed

The Washburn Paralegal Aassociation is now on Twitter and can be followed at @WParalegalAssoc.  The hashtag for WPA posts is #wuparalegalassoc.  You are encouraged to follow, and to encourage fellow Legal Studies students to follow the feed.  Questions?  Contact Kim Jordan, WPA President: kim.jordan@washburn.edu

Next Meeting Notice

The Washburn Paralegal Association will hold its next meeting on February 16, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Room of the Washburn Memorial Union.  All are invited to attend.  This will be a "working meeting" with all those attending stuffing goodie bags for the Joint WPA/KPA Mini-Seminar to be held on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in Henderson Hall.  A drawing for Valentine candies will take place at the WPA meeting - so come!  You might win candy!