By the Scholarship Committee and Communications Committee

The Scholarship Committee had several excellent student essays submitted for the Spring 2024 Paralegal Division Student Scholarship. This fall’s topic was “The Importance of Networking: Building Connections in the Working World.” The Paralegal Division is proud to announce that Lathie Forrester is the winner of the Spring 2024 Scholarship. Below, you can learn more about Lathie and read her essay.

Thank you to all the students who submitted essays. We look forward to your submissions for the 2024 Fall Scholarship!

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By Tina Dadio and Kimberly M. Johnson

The NCBA Paralegal Division is thrilled to announce the members of the Survey Committee, a dedicated team focused on gathering and analyzing feedback from our members across the state. This initiative aims to ensure our members’ needs and interests are at the forefront of our programs, events, and resources. We believe that by listening to our members, we can create a more vibrant and supportive environment for professional growth and development.

Meet the Survey Committee

Our Survey Committee is composed of experienced paralegals who are passionate about enhancing the paralegal profession. Each member brings unique insights and expertise to the table, ensuring a comprehensive approach to gathering and interpreting survey data.

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By the Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee would like to thank those who took the time to submit applications for the 2024-2025 Premier Pass Giveaway. We had a total of 90 applications submitted!

What is the Premier Pass?

The Premier Pass is valued at $350 and is an exclusive NCBA member benefit providing you unlimited CLE/CPE, including access to hundreds of On-Demand programs throughout the bar year (July 1 to June 30). Access more information on the Premier Pass here. Premier Pass is credited as “one of the best investments, not only for your business, but for your practice and being able to serve your clients the best way possible.”

With all that being said, can I have a drumroll, please . . . the winners of the two 2024-2025 Premier Pass Giveaways are Meredith Sawyer of James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A., and Jennifer Vaden Poe of Gordon Law Offices!

Thank you again to all who applied – please try again next year! Could there be an easier way to get free CLEs for a year?

By the Communications Committee

On June 21, 2024, Margaret “Peggy” Pardue was recognized as the 2024 Distinguished Paralegal Award recipient by the North Carolina Bar Association (“NCBA”).

Pardue was nominated by Kristin Hampson, her attorney for whom she has spent the past 21 years supporting at Hampson Family Law in Raleigh. Hampson was proud to nominate Pardue for a well-deserved award.

Recently seen on Hampson Family Law’s Facebook post was the following description of Pardue’s role:

“An ear to listen . . .

A heart to help . . .

An eFile phenom . . .

An organizing beast . . .

A schedule master . . .

A document demander (but in the nicest way) . . .

A client wrangler . . .

An all-around irreplaceable and amazing paralegal . . .

Most definitely a DISTINGUISHED PARALEGAL!”

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By Kimberly M. Johnson

Is there a reason why you have not registered and viewed the latest Power Hour?

Is it the time?

It always starts at noon.

Is it the topic?

The Power Hour sessions look into an interesting array of topics. In our most recent Power Hour, Judge Dietz shared his knowledge about appellate work. Previously, Attorney Kayla Britt, our  #FairyLawMother, talked to us about LinkedIn etiquette. There have also been other Power Hour sessions about inclusion in the workplace and skills to become a better negotiator. If you have ideas for speakers or power hour sessions, you can email the NCBA Paralegal Division to submit your suggestions.

Is it the location?

All Power Hour sessions are available in a virtual space with other paralegals and students.

Is it all the things?

I know. I know. You are pulled in many directions at work: managing attorneys, legal assistants, admin staff, the copier guy, etc.; organizing workflow processes and court schedules; calming down frantic clients; and more.

It can also be that you do not have the bandwidth, or quite frankly, the energy to learn a new concept, refresh your knowledge base or engage with people you don’t even know. Each session gives you the opportunity to improve your work and become an even bigger asset to your firm.

An “In Case You Missed It” video replay is a great way to see our most recent sessions and catch your interest. You can check one out, such as the #FairyLawMother and The Art of Negotiation.

Here’s the deal: you are a paralegal of the 2000s. When you attend Power Hour sessions, you will get the opportunity to catch up with the latest trends, tools, and ethics content. You get the chance to interact with speakers and other paralegals. And you get to learn and implement new skills to better your paralegal work.

So, when the next Power Hour e-flyer is sitting in your inbox, ask yourself: who needs it?

The answer: you do.

Kimberly M. Johnson is a member of the Paralegal Division Council. She is the Chair of the Ethics Committee. She is a member of the Pro Bono and CPE Committees, along with Women in the Profession and the Elder Rights and Special Needs Committees.

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The Paralegal Division Blog is managed by the Division’s Communications Committee. Via the blog, the Communications Committee provides information written by attorneys, paralegals, and other experts designed specifically for paralegals in the areas of substantive law, ethics, technology, paralegal practice advice, and more. If you are interested in signing up to submit a blog post on a future date, you can do so here. When you are ready to submit a blog post, you can do so by using this form.

You may also wish to participate in the Division by using our virtual suggestion box to submit suggestions/ideas to the Division Council, nominating a paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight, or completing the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself. If you are interested in volunteering with the Communications Committee, please contact the Communications Committee Chair at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining other division committees, you can review a list of committees and sign up here.