On Wednesday, March 9, the YWCA will host a lunch featuring Purdue University Police Officer Tenecia Waddell speaking on the topic of police/community relations. Lunch will be served at 11:30, and Officer Waddell will start her presentation at noon. The cost is $15 per person. If cost is an issue, please contact me--the Paralegal Society has agreed to assist with purchasing tickets. If you're interested in going--and particularly if you're interested in having the Paralegal Society assist you--please contact me as soon as possible.
Speaking of the Paralegal Society, their next meeting is at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, in Ivy Hall.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Alumni
Our alumni lunch was scheduled for today. I'm at Ivy Tech now, and will probably put in a half day. Downtown is on the way for me, so it doesn't make a difference to me if I stop there for lunch. I will be at Star City. If I see you, great. But let's move the official alumni lunch out two weeks to March 9.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Today's Opportunities
The Dress for Success Fashion Show will take place at 1:30 today in Ivy Hall 1120.
AND
I just found out this morning that the former head of the ACLU will be speaking this evening (Tuesday) at Purdue's Fowler Hall at 6:00 p.m. According to the Journal & Courier:
Nadine Strossen, a professor at New York Law School and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union, will lecture and answer questions on “Defending Freedom for the Thought that We Hate” at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Fowler Hall in Purdue University’s Stewart Center. The free event is part of the Purdue Graduate Student Government Lectureship Series and will feature opening remarks by Purdue President Mitch Daniels.
AND
I just found out this morning that the former head of the ACLU will be speaking this evening (Tuesday) at Purdue's Fowler Hall at 6:00 p.m. According to the Journal & Courier:
Nadine Strossen, a professor at New York Law School and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union, will lecture and answer questions on “Defending Freedom for the Thought that We Hate” at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Fowler Hall in Purdue University’s Stewart Center. The free event is part of the Purdue Graduate Student Government Lectureship Series and will feature opening remarks by Purdue President Mitch Daniels.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Meetings!
The Paralegal Society meeting has been moved to Thursday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m. in Ivy Hall. Tomorrow is still the Texas Roadhouse benefit for Legal Aid, but it will no longer be combined with a meeting.
Next Wednesday, February 24, at 11:45, we will have our next alumni lunch. Let's meet at Star City this time. All PARA alumni welcome.
Next Wednesday, February 24, at 11:45, we will have our next alumni lunch. Let's meet at Star City this time. All PARA alumni welcome.
Advice from the Trenches
If you've ever had a class with me, you know that I stay in contact with the local attorneys and hammer--HARD--on whatever they tell me they're looking for in a paralegal. Certainly this is where my emphasis on writing came from.
One of the attorneys at yesterday's Appeals on Wheels CLE spoke with me today about what he looks for in a paralegal. His advice? Have confidence in your abilities and in your education. Lawyers are not looking for someone to sit quietly by and wait for step-by-step instruction. If you know what needs to be done (and you probably do), do it! If you don't know what needs to be done, ask! He emphasized the role a paralegal plays as a part of the team--not as a gofer. Play like you are part of the team.
Also, he gave a big thumbs up to the whole engagement points scheme. (I didn't use the term engagement points. I said I encouraged my students to interact more with each other, attorneys, etc.)
"Great!" he said. "They need more of that."
You heard it here, folks.
One of the attorneys at yesterday's Appeals on Wheels CLE spoke with me today about what he looks for in a paralegal. His advice? Have confidence in your abilities and in your education. Lawyers are not looking for someone to sit quietly by and wait for step-by-step instruction. If you know what needs to be done (and you probably do), do it! If you don't know what needs to be done, ask! He emphasized the role a paralegal plays as a part of the team--not as a gofer. Play like you are part of the team.
Also, he gave a big thumbs up to the whole engagement points scheme. (I didn't use the term engagement points. I said I encouraged my students to interact more with each other, attorneys, etc.)
"Great!" he said. "They need more of that."
You heard it here, folks.
Comments!
Note that comments do not automatically appear below a blog entry. But if there are comments, the number of comments will appear. Click on the number and you will be able to read any and all comments. Remember that I will check all comments before they are posted to ensure that commenters do not say something inappropriate, defamatory, wildly inaccurate, or that may otherwise come back to haunt them in their professional lives.
Appeals on Wheels
Thank you to those of you who participated in the Appeals on Wheels event yesterday and helped to make it the success that it was. I am told that the argument itself was attended by roughly 175 people. When the decision is published, I will let you know. Usually it takes 4-6 weeks.
Monday, February 15, 2016
This Weekend's Legal News
Unless you live under a rock--and hey, I'm not judging--you heard that Justice Scalia passed away over the weekend. This has opened up even more craziness than the current election cycle had going for it already, if such a thing is possible. Lawyers and anyone aware of the average human lifespan have long been aware that the next president will probably be picking 2-3 justices, minimum, but this seems to have come as a surprise to our presidential candidates. Huh.
Anyway, now what?
Justice Scalia's vote will be removed from any decision that had not been published at the time of his death. The Supreme Court's decisions are not official until they are published, and--as we recently discussed in PARA 101--it's not unusual for a justice to change his or her mind, even at the very last minute. Since dead justices cannot vote, his vote will simply be stricken from any unissued decision. If that means that the decision is now 4-4, the lower court ruling will stand. The Supremes need a majority to overturn a lower court decision.
Can they opt to re-hear the case once they have the full complement of 9 justices? Sure, but who knows when that will be?
Can Obama nominate someone even though he's a lame-duck president? Of course. I have no idea where certain senators have gotten a different idea. Realistically, given the climate in the Senate, his nomination stands a slim chance of being approved. But he can nominate someone on his last day in office if he wants. The nomination process takes a while, even under the best of circumstances. Rest assured that there is a staff member or a committee that has had an eye on people already for just this sort of contingency. Those people will be contacted to assess their interest, their backgrounds will be thoroughly vetted, and they will be given practice interviews to prepare them for the process of appearing before the Senate.
Incidentally, while I have never made a secret of the fact that I disagreed most strongly with Scalia on points of law, I have always marveled at his ability to bridge ideological gaps in his personal life. His closest friend on the court was Justice Ginsburg, probably our most liberal justice, and I just learned today that he was a strong advocate for Justice Kagan, another liberal and my personal favorite.
Anyway, now what?
Justice Scalia's vote will be removed from any decision that had not been published at the time of his death. The Supreme Court's decisions are not official until they are published, and--as we recently discussed in PARA 101--it's not unusual for a justice to change his or her mind, even at the very last minute. Since dead justices cannot vote, his vote will simply be stricken from any unissued decision. If that means that the decision is now 4-4, the lower court ruling will stand. The Supremes need a majority to overturn a lower court decision.
Can they opt to re-hear the case once they have the full complement of 9 justices? Sure, but who knows when that will be?
Can Obama nominate someone even though he's a lame-duck president? Of course. I have no idea where certain senators have gotten a different idea. Realistically, given the climate in the Senate, his nomination stands a slim chance of being approved. But he can nominate someone on his last day in office if he wants. The nomination process takes a while, even under the best of circumstances. Rest assured that there is a staff member or a committee that has had an eye on people already for just this sort of contingency. Those people will be contacted to assess their interest, their backgrounds will be thoroughly vetted, and they will be given practice interviews to prepare them for the process of appearing before the Senate.
Incidentally, while I have never made a secret of the fact that I disagreed most strongly with Scalia on points of law, I have always marveled at his ability to bridge ideological gaps in his personal life. His closest friend on the court was Justice Ginsburg, probably our most liberal justice, and I just learned today that he was a strong advocate for Justice Kagan, another liberal and my personal favorite.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Wilkommen, Freunden!
As the administrator of this blog, I can access the stats on who--worldwide--has been reading it. So periodically I check. The US is almost always first, followed by Russia and Ukraine, although one week Russia was actually first. (Yeah, go figure.) I've given them a shout-out in the past. We also always get trace numbers from a variety of other countries, including France, Mexico, and Macedonia.
Today, second place goes to our friends in Germany. So to you, I say Prosit!
Today, second place goes to our friends in Germany. So to you, I say Prosit!
Job Posting: Indy Elder Law Firm
It says "Administrative Assistant," but it sure looks like a paralegal job to me:
Bennett & McClammer is hiring! Do you know a uber-organized person who has a heart for serving the elder population? Cover letters, resumes, and references can be sent to sara@bennettmcclammer.com.
Bennett & McClammer is hiring! Do you know a uber-organized person who has a heart for serving the elder population? Cover letters, resumes, and references can be sent to sara@bennettmcclammer.com.
Here is the full job description:
Bennett & McClammer & Scout Guardianship Services are seeking a full-time administrative assistant. Bennett & McClammer is an elder law firm in downtown Indianapolis focused on trust and estate planning and adult guardianship services. Scout Guardianship Services provides professional fiduciary representation, including guardianship, power of attorney, and healthcare representative services.
The ideal candidate will be able to work in a team environment, work independently, have a desire to serve the elder population, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. The administrative assistant will work with two attorneys in a small office environment.
The general duties of the administrative assistant include:
• Update and manage online case management system;
• Organize and manage client files;
• Answer phones, screen potential clients, and make client appointments;
• Greet clients before meetings;
• Manage case calendar;
• Keep track of significant to-do items and deadlines;
• Manage and protect attorney time;
• Prepare and file documents with the Court;
• Run errands for Scout clients;
• Assist with intake for Scout clients;
• Maintain adequate amount of office supplies;
• Maintain the office in a neat and professional manner.
The candidate must possess the following skills:
• Excellent organization;
• Able to work independently and stay on top of tasks without being reminded;
• Professional demeanor;
• Desire to serve the elderly population;
• Proficiency with computers (preferably Macintosh);
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products;
• Desire to gain more skill and responsibility;
• Ability to multi-task;
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
Please send your resume, cover letter, and references to Sara McClammer at sara@bennettmcclammer.com. We will conduct interviews on a rolling basis. Every applicant will receive a response from us.
Bennett & McClammer & Scout Guardianship Services are seeking a full-time administrative assistant. Bennett & McClammer is an elder law firm in downtown Indianapolis focused on trust and estate planning and adult guardianship services. Scout Guardianship Services provides professional fiduciary representation, including guardianship, power of attorney, and healthcare representative services.
The ideal candidate will be able to work in a team environment, work independently, have a desire to serve the elder population, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. The administrative assistant will work with two attorneys in a small office environment.
The general duties of the administrative assistant include:
• Update and manage online case management system;
• Organize and manage client files;
• Answer phones, screen potential clients, and make client appointments;
• Greet clients before meetings;
• Manage case calendar;
• Keep track of significant to-do items and deadlines;
• Manage and protect attorney time;
• Prepare and file documents with the Court;
• Run errands for Scout clients;
• Assist with intake for Scout clients;
• Maintain adequate amount of office supplies;
• Maintain the office in a neat and professional manner.
The candidate must possess the following skills:
• Excellent organization;
• Able to work independently and stay on top of tasks without being reminded;
• Professional demeanor;
• Desire to serve the elderly population;
• Proficiency with computers (preferably Macintosh);
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products;
• Desire to gain more skill and responsibility;
• Ability to multi-task;
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
Please send your resume, cover letter, and references to Sara McClammer at sara@bennettmcclammer.com. We will conduct interviews on a rolling basis. Every applicant will receive a response from us.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Day at the Statehouse Announcement
Justice David of the Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to meet with us tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in the Supreme Court's conference room. Woot!
Monday, February 8, 2016
Appeals on Wheels Reminders
Please let me know if you plan to:
- Attend the Appeals on Wheels luncheon with the judges;
- Attending the oral argument itself; or
- Assist with greeting visiting judges and attorneys before the oral argument.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
State Street Redevelopment, West Lafayette
Tonight--tonight!--you have a chance to see government in action in West Lafayette, and acquire some off-campus engagement points while you're at it. You need not be a resident of West Lafayette. Governmental meetings (the vast majority of them, anyway) are open to the public, and this is no exception.
An informational meeting regarding the State Street Redevelopment Project
will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 at Happy Hollow Elementary
School, 1200 N. Salisbury St.
The event, which is open to the public, is designed to further inform the public on the highlights and timeline of the collaborative project to transform State Street into a more desirable destination for the local community and visitors
.
For more information about the State Street Redevelopment Project and to view project documents, visit www.statestreetwl.com.
.
Tax Season Announcement
As a former VITA volunteer (while I was in law school), I can vouch for the quality of this program. If you need any help with your taxes, this is an excellent resource.
Ivy
Tech students provide free tax filing assistance under IRS volunteer program.
LAFAYETTE
(February 4, 2016) — IRS-certified Ivy Tech accounting students and
faculty will provide free tax help to qualified income tax filers. Tax
assistance will be available on the second floor of Ivy Hall in Room 2331,
located on the Ivy Tech campus at 3101 S. Creasy Lane in Lafayette. Tax filers
must make an appointment by calling 765-269-5848. No appointments will be made
during the college’s spring break held March 13-20.
Last
year, Ivy Tech students helped over 4000 families receive $740,000 in net
federal and state refunds and helped local taxpayers save an estimated $89,000
in tax preparation fees. Filing federal and state tax returns now will also
help students meet the March 10 FAFSA filing deadline for financial aid.
Both
students and volunteers have been trained and certified under the IRS Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program offers free assistance to
filers with household incomes under $50,000 who cannot prepare their own tax
returns. Volunteer students will also help filers with any special credits such
as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly.
Returns
will be electronically submitted to the IRS at no cost. To electronically file
a joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
Tax filers can expect to receive any tax refunds within 7 to 14 days in most
cases.
Taxpayers
should bring a government-issued photo identification, Social
Security cards and birth dates for all persons listed on the tax return, income
and tax forms (W-2, 1099, pension, Social Security), information on property
taxes or any rent paid, any IRS notices, a copy of last year’s tax return,
amount paid for child care and child care provider’s tax ID number, any college
tuition statement or college bookstore receipts, and a blank or cancelled check
if direct deposit is desired.
The IRS
provides the computer software used to prepare the tax returns. Volunteers
complete an IRS training and certification course in income tax return
preparation. Training includes how to set up a tax preparation office, interact
with clients, and prepare individual returns. Special training is provided to
help older Americans with the proper method of reporting pension and Social
Security income. Students are also enrolled in an independent study accounting
course and receive college credits.
Each return
is reviewed. Students must complete a verification checklist before submitting
the return electronically. At the end of the program, the students will
evaluate their efforts and make recommendations for future programs.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Dog Lawyers?
(Not to be confused with the dogs on the Supreme Court thing.)
How can I not post this? From today's ABA Journal:
Boston Dog Lawyers specializes in the defense of canines deemed to be recalcitrant.
That can be a tough gig: At least once, attorney Jeremy Cohen told the Boston Herald, a client bit him.
“It’s kind of hard to advocate for a dog in a dog-biting case when he bites you,” Cohen said, “but I don’t have to disclose it. Attorney-client privilege.”
However, owners can be very attached to their pets, treating them as family members, so such legal representation is much-needed.
And it isn’t only dogs who benefit from his services: The owner of a parakeet sought his help in recouping some $5,000 in veterinary bills that resulted from claimed malpractice.
Due to improper restraint of the bird during treatment, he essentially bit off its own toe, Cohen says, which is a significant problem because the parakeet needs to sleep while perched.
“The woman said to me, ‘I don’t have any children. This is my baby.’ ” Cohen recounted. “So it’s serious to her.”
How can I not post this? From today's ABA Journal:
Dog lawyer also advocates for parakeet
Posted Feb 02, 2016 05:00 pm CST
Boston Dog Lawyers specializes in the defense of canines deemed to be recalcitrant.
That can be a tough gig: At least once, attorney Jeremy Cohen told the Boston Herald, a client bit him.
“It’s kind of hard to advocate for a dog in a dog-biting case when he bites you,” Cohen said, “but I don’t have to disclose it. Attorney-client privilege.”
However, owners can be very attached to their pets, treating them as family members, so such legal representation is much-needed.
And it isn’t only dogs who benefit from his services: The owner of a parakeet sought his help in recouping some $5,000 in veterinary bills that resulted from claimed malpractice.
Due to improper restraint of the bird during treatment, he essentially bit off its own toe, Cohen says, which is a significant problem because the parakeet needs to sleep while perched.
“The woman said to me, ‘I don’t have any children. This is my baby.’ ” Cohen recounted. “So it’s serious to her.”
Paralegal Society Minutes from January 28
Date: 01/28/2016
Location: Conference Room 1130
Time: 6:00 pm – 6:20pm
Attendance:
Ashley Jones Catherine
Trent Mirranda Knotts Emily Clarke
Alex DeLong Tricia
Jenkins Christy Whitley Annie Hegarty
Dave Stanton (Linda
Kampe)
Agenda:
1.
Officers
a.
President – Alex DeLong
b.
Vice President -
Ashley Jones
c.
Secretary/ Treasurer – Elisha Hollandbeck
2.
Dues
a.
President Alex stated there are no dues this
semester
b.
Everyone present verbally understood and was
excited
3.
Appeals on Wheels
a.
February 16, 2016 @ 1:00pm
i.
Open to the public
b.
Paralegal Society invited to lunch with the
judges
i.
Location will be held in the Lilly Rooms
1.
Members to wear professional wear. (wear to a
job interview)
a.
NO FLIP FLOPS!!!
2.
Members to arrive at 11:00am to help guide court
staff to correct locations. If cannot be here by 11am, please be here by
11:30-11:45 for lunch.
ii.
We will need a head count. Email Linda Kampe by
February 12th to RSVP
1.
Lunch will be served at 12:00pm
c.
Letters for Appeals on Wheels
i.
Catherine (Katie) volunteered to take letters to
the Tipp. Court House in place in the lawyer’s boxes.
ii.
Annie volunteered to make a PowerPoint/ Poster
with relevant information. She will be emailing the final project to Linda
Kampe.
4.
Student Life
a.
Need to be represented at the meetings
b.
Meet every 4th Wednesday
c.
Next Student Life meeting is February 24, 2016 @
4:30pm in the conference room
d.
Ashley volunteered to attend this meeting
5.
Meeting Times
a.
Everyone agreed that Thursday’s at 6:00pm worked
best
6.
Next Meeting
a.
February 18, 2016 @ 6:00pm Conference Room
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