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!