About Me

I started this blog as a way of building an online community of current and past Ivy Tech paralegal students, as well as letting people interested in our program know what we're up to. This blog is not sponsored by Ivy Tech. No way, no how.

My name is Linda Kampe, and I'm the program chair of Paralegal Studies in Lafayette, Indiana. My office is in Ivy Hall 1166. Stop by and chat. For best results, make an appointment, so I know to expect you. And if you bring your own cup, I'll make you tea. Because hey, we're not animals.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Entymology and the Supreme Court

 Today, this news. I lifted the Yahoo article because it had a good picture of Justice Ginsburg's jabot, but the information is being reported all over. To my knowledge, Justice Ginsburg is the first to have an insect named after her.

Researchers name praying mantis species after Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her fancy collar

June 1, 2016
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Leaving a legacy is important to many people, and some would be honored to have anything to carry on their name — a street, a town, maybe even a bug?
Well, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known to all as the Notorious RBG, was just honored with her very own species of praying mantis. 
According to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, scientists have successfully used female genitalia to identify different species of praying mantises. Using this process, they have discovered a new mantis, which has been named Ilomantis ginsburgae, in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ginsburg, a beloved 83-year-old supreme court justice, active feminist and oldest member of the highest court in the country was honored "for her relentless fight for gender equality."
Additionally, the bug's neck plate sort of looks like a jabot, which Ginsburg is well known for sporting around her neck. 
View photos
Image: Washington Post/Getty Images


To read the full article, click here.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Writing Correspondence

The ABA Journal just published a wonderful piece with tips on writing legal correspondence. The article is written by Bryan Garner, whom some of you may remember as the author of one of the Legal Writing books we have used. If you want to send out letters with some polish (and why wouldn't you?) check it out.

Legal Correspondence

Our International Community

I've been on vacation--and enjoying it immensely--for the past couple of weeks, and not posting any entries. But our Russian friends have not let that stop them. A total of 21 Russians checked in last week!

Spacibo!

Job Opening--Indianapolis

Looking for a job in Indy? Fluent in Spanish? Know someone who is? (Reaching out and helping your fellow paralegals is an important part of networking, too, you know.)



Job Title
Paralegal – Immigrants' and Language Rights Center

Job Location
Indianapolis, Indiana

Organization Information
Indiana Legal Services, Inc.

Position Description
Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is seeking a paralegal for a full-time position at its Immigrants' and Language Rights Center (ILRC). Job duties will include conducting client intake interviews over the phone, post-intake follow up, case management, translating documents between English and Spanish, and assisting with immigration and immigrants’ rights cases. Most of the client interviews will be with non-English speakers and will be conducted in Spanish or through an interpreter.

The Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center was established to ensure that limited-English proficient (LEP) clients have equal access to services provided by Indiana Legal Services, in spite of the language barrier. To help accomplish this, the call center conducts interviews for limited English speakers who wish to apply for legal services. This position offers a great opportunity for those who are committed to poverty law, in general, and working with immigrants and LEP clients, specifically.

This position will be located in Indianapolis but will be part of the statewide Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center.  The paralegal will work under the direct supervision of the Center’s staff attorney, and the supervision of the Director of the Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center.

ILS is a non-profit organization which provides free legal assistance throughout Indiana to low income people in civil matters. It has eight offices throughout the state in Indianapolis, Merrillville, South Bend, Ft. Wayne, Lafayette, Bloomington, Evansville and New Albany. In addition to its 8 offices, ILS has several special centers and projects, including: Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center; Migrant Farmworker Center; Consumer Law Center; Housing Law Center; Community Economic Development Project; Homeless Legal Project; Marion County Ex-Offender Community Reintegration Project; Low Income Taxpayer Clinic; Senior Law and Nursing Home Ombudsman Projects and the Military Assistance Project.

Requirements
Applicants must be fluent in Spanish and English (written and spoken).  Fluency in other foreign languages is helpful but not required. Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Applicants who are certified for interpretation and/or translation are preferred but not required.  Previous paralegal experience and experience working with immigration cases is also preferred but not required. Must be computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.


Hours and Location
The position will be located in Indiana Legal Services' Indianapolis office. Applicants will be required to work from 8:30AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. Position to be filled ASAP.

How to Apply
Please send a resume, cover letter, and a list of three (3) references with email addresses, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers to the following addresses (email submission is strongly preferred):

Christen Christian
Staff Attorney
Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center
Indiana Legal Services, Inc.
151 N. Delaware Street, Suite 1800
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Aimee Heitz
Directing Attorney
Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center
Indiana Legal Services, Inc.
151 N. Delaware Street, Suite 1800
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Submission Deadline:
Open until filled.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate on experience. ILS offers an excellent fringe benefits package including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx), disability insurance, life insurance, a 401k plan (after one year), a flex benefit plan, and generous vacation and sick leave. ILS will pay up to $2,500 in moving expenses if the successful applicant needs to move from another state.

Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer
Minorities, women, LGBTQ-identifying individuals, and persons with Spanish-speaking ability are urged to apply.