American Alliance of Paralegals Annual Summit
Date: September 23, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sandra M. Herdler, AACP, Secretary
Tel: (816) 285-6006
E-mail: sherdler@krigelandkrigel.com
American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.
4001 Kennett Pike, Suite 134-146
Wilmington, DE 19807-2000
On Friday, September 18, 2009, the American Alliance of Paralegals, (the “American Alliance”) hosted the Fourth Annual National Paralegal Summit via Webinar. The three-hour presentation was attended by paralegals from 14 different states who listened to various presentations and interacted with the hosts during the question and answer period.
Peggy O’Neill, JD, CPA of Widener University, Delaware presented various ethical issues while she focused on paralegal education and how it is increasingly more important that all paralegals follow the same ethical rules as proscribed for lawyers. Comments by attendees also affirmed the need for some type of regulation for the profession, which was already in evidence by the fact that a number of the
paralegals had a certification such as AACP and RP.
Lawrence A. Schultis, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, McLean, Virginia highlighted the area of contract administration for paralegals and other professionals. He shared his various experiences with the group pointing out that those who have an interest in negotiating contracts need strong English language skills, including grammar and style. He reminded us not to “write like a
lawyer” but to use short, simple, active voice sentences.
The final presentation was made by Peter S. Saucier, partner at Kollman & Saucier, PA, Timonium, Maryland. He covered a number of employment law topics which may or may not be implemented during the Obama administration. Saucier began the presentation with the “oldest” of the legislative topics on the agenda, the National Labor Relations Act and progressed through the most recent of changes involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and the new amendments.
The American Alliance directors held its Board meeting the day before the Webinar, with the meeting being open to any American Alliance member.
Lessons from Top Paralegals
LESSONS from the Top Paralegal Experts is a unique and much needed reference as there is nothing else like it for paralegal students and professionals on the market. It not only covers success stories about paralegal professionals but also shares their insights on how they do their work.
