How many MCLE hours have you completed for the next compliance period?  It may only be February, but the MCLE compliance period for California paralegals ends on December 31, 2010.  Eleven months goes by in a flash for a busy paralegal.  One of the requirements of California’s Business & Professions Code section 6450 is that every two years: 
 

 “… any person that is working as a paralegal shall be required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in legal ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in either general law or in an area of specialized law.  All continuing legal education courses shall meet the requirements of Section 6070.  Certification of these continuing education requirements shall be made with the paralegal's supervising attorney.  The paralegal shall be responsible for keeping a record of the paralegal's certifications.”   
 

        It is easy to complete your MCLE requirements, both in general law and in ethics, by attending our monthly MCLE lunch meetings.  Paralegals have said to me that they don’t attend each of our luncheons because the topics do not apply to the area of law they work in.  My September message discusses learning about other fields of law.  In this day and age, it is a good idea to diversify.  Our luncheons’ one hour sessions will not give you all that you need to learn a new area, but the topic may pique your interest and you may decide to take some classes to learn more about it.  If you need a compliance log, one created in an Excel file can be obtained at the bottom of the home page our website  kcpaonline.org..  There is one sheet for general education and one sheet for ethics.  No more having to add up your hours at the end of each compliance period! 
 

        Continuing on the theme of education, if you haven’t done so, remember to submit your application for the Jeannie Conner Memorial Scholarship.  Any member is eligible, and that $250 scholarship would certainly come in handy for the CAPA Educational conference in June, a continuing education class that you have wanted to take, or for student members to help pay for classes.   
 

ANNUAL  JEANNIE  D. CONNER  MEMORIAL  SCHOLARSHIP

Jeannie D. Conner

(1952-2007)

      It is time to submit your application for the Jeannie D. Conner Memorial Educational Scholarship.  Jeannie was a valued member of KCPA from the beginning, and we honor her memory by encouraging paralegal education with a scholarship in her name.  You do not have to be a student to apply – all members are encouraged to apply.  The $250 scholarship can be used for any seminar or course related to a paralegal’s continuing education.  The funds can be used for more than one class or seminar if the cost of one of the chosen classes or seminars is less than $250. 

     The Kern County Paralegal Association is pleased to announce the Jeannie D. Conner Memorial Scholarship, an annual educational scholarship available to all members.

     Jeannie Conner was a member of KCPA since it was founded in 1987. She was a paralegal with Chain-Younger, working with Milton M. Younger.  She was a valued Chain-Younger employee and a highly regarded paralegal.  Jeannie was a Certified Legal Assistant and was also certified as a California Advanced Specialist in Civil Litigation by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). 

     Jeannie was on the KCPA Board for several years, holding several different positions.  In 2005, she was named Outstanding Member of the year for KCPA.    Jeannie was committed to her work as a paralegal.  She was always willing to share her knowledge with anyone who needed her help.  Throughout any given day, legal secretaries, paralegals and attorneys came to Jeanie seeking answers of all types.  She was a great teacher and mentor.  Her interest in the continuing education of paralegals is the reason KCPA has chosen to honor her memory with a scholarship bearing her name.   

     The $250 scholarships will be awarded to qualified KCPA member to help defray costs of paralegal classes or attendance at one or more MCLE events for the year in which the scholarship is awarded.  The application for the scholarship is available on the KCPA website.  The deadline to apply is May 15 of each year. 

Click here for a scholarship application.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

        The California Alliance of Paralegal Associations to Bakersfield! On Friday, February 5th, 2010, paralegals representing paralegal associations throughout California will begin arriving for a two-day board meeting in Bakersfield. CAPA provides a forum for the representation and cooperation of paralegals statewide, for the sharing and monitoring of developments in our profession, and for the promotion and betterment of the profession. As a kickoff, KCPA will host a reception in honor of CAPA President, Melisa Frick, ACP. As members of KCPA, we are all members of CAPA. All KCPA members are invited and encouraged to attend. Detailed information will be sent out via email just prior to the event. Mark your calendar!

PRESENTS  THE 22nd ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE