Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed Friday, October 23, 2020, North Carolina Paralegal Day! A proclamation is an official document issued by the governor to commemorate a specific time period (for example, a day, week, or month). It brings recognition, awareness, or appreciation to an issue, cause, milestone, or noteworthy event that is relevant and important to North Carolina.
North Carolina Paralegal Day is a day to celebrate the contributions of paralegals and paralegal students throughout the state. If you employ a paralegal or you are a paralegal, then you already know the indispensable role they play in the practice of law. Read more
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The Communications Committee has just made it easier for members to submit nominations for Paralegal Spotlight and proposed blog posts. Here’s the scoop.
Nominate a Paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight
Paralegal Spotlight is a monthly blog publication designed to inspire virtual networking by showcasing paralegal division members on the Paralegal Division blog. This is a great opportunity for members to share more about their personal and professional goals, technology tips, interests, great accomplishments, volunteer work, and the like. Our paralegal members have a wonderful variety of talents, skills, and interests, and we look forward to learning more about you!
To make the process easy, we’ve created two forms: a Paralegal Spotlight Nominations Form and a Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire. Complete the nomination form if you are nominating another paralegal in the Division. In that case, the paralegal you nominate will be contacted to complete the questionnaire. Complete the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself.
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Process servers are an important part of the legal process. Hiring an experienced process server can mean the difference between having your matter heard or having your matter continued or dismissed.
In some situations, process servers provide defendants with notice of a pending lawsuit and uphold due process of law. Other times process servers serve amended pleadings, orders, hearing notices, subpoenas and other tools of discovery, or “other papers.”
Many times process servers are hired to meet a procedural requirement. Other times they are hired in an abundance of caution to make sure the opposing party receives a demand letter, pre-litigation notice, or even motions and orders.
Don’t We Have Sheriff’s Deputies for That?
When procedural rules allow the use of process servers, they can work closely with an attorney or paralegal to plan a course of action that increases the chance of a favorable outcome. Process servers have much more flexibility than a sheriff’s deputy or delivery service. A sheriff’s deputy or delivery service will have other duties and are usually unable to serve your target at the precise time needed, especially if there is a narrow window of opportunity. Process servers also have the ability to wait for targets to show up at designated locations if the target is not immediately available.
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The text of the Order includes changes to mailing and cover sheet requirements that affect any filings you make with North Carolina courts. I am including the tracked changes in this blog post, but you can also see a PDF of the order at the link provided above:
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2020-10-02 10:33:162020-10-05 11:56:41Read Before You File – Supreme Court of North Carolina Amends Rule 5 of the General Rules of Practice
Do you have a great suggestion? Leadership wants to hear from you!
The Council for the North Carolina Bar Association, Paralegal Division encourages all members to offer suggestions for resources, services, activities, or other potential benefits related to your Division membership.
The Communications Committee oversees the Paralegal Division Virtual Suggestion Box by receiving suggestions from membership and forwarding them to the Council prior to quarterly meetings. The Council discusses each suggestion to ensure fair and appropriate consideration. Although member suggestions are given careful consideration, the Council reserves the right to accept, delay, or reject the implementation of a suggestion based upon what is cost effective, practical, constructive and beneficial to Division membership as a whole and what is permissible according to NCBA guidelines and/or bylaws.
The Council also reviews suggestions that identify areas of opportunity for improvement. If a suggestion identifies a problem or area of opportunity for improvement, members are encouraged to recommend a solution or action.
Suggestions must be received at least 10 days before a council meeting in order to be considered at that meeting. If any suggestions are received less than 10 days before the next council meeting, that suggestion will be held over and considered at the following quarterly meeting.
If you have any issues with this form, please contact the Communications Committee via email at [email protected].
Paralegal Spotlight is the Division’s monthly publication designed to share Division members’ stories with colleagues, inspire present and future paralegal professionals, and strengthen awareness of the profession and Association.
Each month, we select one amazing paralegal from among our membership and ask them to share a little about their personal and professional life. Join Paralegal Spotlight as we learn more about member talents, skills, personal and professional goals, technology tips, accomplishments, volunteer work, and more.
This month’s Paralegal Spotlight is on Brittany Mitchell, NCCP.
Position Title: North Carolina Certified Paralegal and Office Manager
Major Duties: I assist lawyers with comprising information and documents for mediation, arbitrations, trials, real estate closings, etc., serve secretarial duties and communicate with clients and potential new clients in reference to auto accidents, business and corporate law, construction litigation, dog bites, fire loss & casualty claims, improperly built or maintained premises, inadequate premises security, lemon law cases, medical malpractice, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, nursing home abuse/neglect, personal injury, slip and fall, traffic violations, trucking accidents, unfair and deceptive trade practices, real estate closings and wrongful death matters. I help manage client files, perform basic office duties, complete banking and office accounting and oversee administrative duties.
Becoming a FINRA arbitrator is a great way to leverage your skill set and expand your professional career. If you are a paralegal or other legal professional working in securities litigation and/or arbitration, you have likely heard of FINRA.
What is FINRA?
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is an independent, nongovernmental organization that writes and enforces the rules governing registered brokers and broker-dealer firms in the United States. FINRA, overseen by the SEC, writes rules, examines brokerage firms, and enforces compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws.
FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity by regulating brokerage firms doing business with the public in the United States. If brokers break the rules, FINRA has the power to fine them, suspend them or bar them from the industry. In addition, FINRA monitors trading market activity in the U.S. equities, options and fixed-income markets.
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As the U.S. general election draws near, here are a few tips for preparing for election day and volunteering if you want to work at the polls.
Important Dates
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The deadline to register online to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020. The deadline for registering by mail to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020 (registration must be postmarked by this date). The deadline to register in person to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020.
After the regular voter registration deadline of Friday, October 9, 2020, you can register and vote in person at one-stop sites during the early voting period, which runs from Thursday, October 15, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020. Read more
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2020-09-08 14:16:342020-09-08 16:55:27Important Voting Information: View a Sample Ballot Lookup Tool and Volunteer at the Polls
The North Carolina Court System has launched a free, online document preparation tool that is available for self-represented litigants, paralegals, and attorneys.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch has announced the launch of eCourts Guide & File, a new service that allows attorneys and the public to prepare court documents online in just a few easy steps. With free, 24/7 online access and easy-to-understand interview questions, Guide & File will eliminate barriers and simplify the legal process, particularly for the hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who come to court without an attorney every year.
“North Carolina’s courts must be available to everyone who needs them. No one should feel locked out by complicated forms and processes that are difficult to understand, particularly when one cannot afford an attorney,” said Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. “Guide & File is another way that we are making our court system more efficient, more equitable and more accessible.”
Under the leadership of the 2019-2020 North Carolina Bar Association’s Paralegal Division (NCBA PD) and former Chair, Leslie Pegram, the 2019 Survey Committee was formed. The 2019 Survey Committee was composed of NCBA PD Council Members Mollie Schwam and Jennifer Smith-Sutphin, Co-chairs, and Tina Thacker. The goal of the survey was to build upon the results of the previous survey (the last survey was completed in 2010) and to share the general composition of the NCBA paralegal community. The survey covers credentials, practice areas, and other information, which may be of interest to the paralegal community. While the original survey included questions regarding compensation and benefits, those results have been omitted from final publication at the request of the NCBA; otherwise, survey results are presented here in the original form.
