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www.lapa.org
FEBRUARY 2015
IN RE VIE W...
1 2015 LAPA Board of
Directors and Officers:
Announcing: LAPA’s Officers &
Board of Directors for 2015
1 President’s Message:
An Invitation for Everyone
2 Feature on Cover Letters:
An Oh, So Different and
Effective Way to Write a Strong
Cover Letter
3 Student’s Perspective:
Finding Your Niche in the
Legal Field
7 LAPA WestlawNext Legal
Research & Beyond
Seminar Review:
LAPA’s First Educational
Seminar of 2015 Sells Out!
LAPA Seminar
2014 California
Legislative Roundup
A Review of Laws Affecting
Estate Planning, Probate and
Conservatorships
TUESday, FEBRUARY 10th
at the Olympic Collection,
West Los Angeles
see ad on page 14
register online at www.lapa.org
Also In This Issue:
Calendar of Events
3
LAPA Member News
6
LAPA Career Center Info.
9
LAPA Members Only Benefit Ad
12
LAPA Member Benefit Health Insurance 13
LAPA 2014 CA Legislative Roundup Seminar Flyer14
LAPA Santa Clarita Section Ethics Seminar Flyer 15
Public Counsel’s 2015 Run for Justice Flyer16
LAPA CLA Review Course Flyer
17
LAPA 19th Annual Spring Career Conference Flyer18
New & Renewing Members
19
Working Advantage LAPA Member Benefit19
Board of Directors Listings
20
Sections, Committees & Other LAPA Info. 20
LAPA Member Benefit Dental Insurance 20
reporter
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02
2 015 L A PA B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S A N D O F F I C E R S
Announcing: LAPA’s Officers
& Board of Directors for 2015
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE V.P.
V.P. MEMBERSHIP & POLICY
TREASURER PRO TEM
Bobby T. Rimas
Michelle Tabb, ACP
Donna Reznick-Goodich
Bogdana Koiso, ACP
NALA Liaison
Kai Ellis, ACP
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Maria Teresa Bravo
Yvonne Kubicek
Molly Mesaros
Anthony Sipp
Terry Wright, ACP
Unnur Fridriksdottir
Tamara Loveland
Catherine Peck
Larry Thigpen
Ivan Zogovic, CP
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
An Invitation for Everyone
by Bobby T. Rimas – LAPA President
As your newly reelected President, I would like to thank
you for your continued support of the Los Angeles
Paralegal Association in its 43rd year. 2014 proved to be
another productive year for LAPA with its successful and
often sold-out events. Other accomplishments in 2014 include receiving
recognition from the National Association of Legal Assistants with the
“Making a Difference Award” for LAPA’s significant contributions to the
paralegal profession and to the greater Los Angeles Area through its student,
pro bono, fundraising, networking, and educational programs.
continued on page 10
F E AT U RE O N C O V E R L E T T E RS
An Oh, So Different and
Effective Way to Write a
Strong Cover Letter
to detail, am organized, an expert in research, and
a team-player. I am seeking a position where I can
utilize my background and skills.
by Chere B. Estrin
As an employer, here’s all I can say: Blech! This
person does not stand out from the crowd. He/she
sounds just like everyone else. (Let’s not even talk
about the resume.)
Cover letters are usually boring. About 98% of the
time it’s entirely possible that your cover letter is just
like the last one that the employer read. In fact, while
not word-for-word, I’ll bet it goes something like:
To whom it may concern:
“I noticed your ad for a litigation paralegal. I am an
experienced paralegal with 10 years of experience. I
have attached my resume for your review.
I am seeking a challenging position which offers me
the opportunity for growth. I have extensive litigation
experience and excellent skills: I have great attention
LAPA’S OFFICE HOURS
Direct your inquiries to LAPA’s Administrative Manager, Tracey
Booth, at 866.626.LAPA: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Join LAPA on...
& www.lapa.org
L APA REP ORTER
The Reporter is published monthly by the Los Angeles Paralegal Association. The news and views presented express the authors’ views
and not necessarily those of LAPA. Publication of any article or advertisement does not imply endorsement of the opinions, products or
services offered. LAPA assumes no responsibility for verifying facts offered by contributing authors or in reprinted articles. Readers should
consider information contained in these articles as guidelines to be
independently confirmed as to timeliness.
©2015 Los Angeles Paralegal Association. All rights reserved.
THE ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL DEADLINE IS THE 5TH OF
THE MONTH PRIOR TO PUBLICATION.
Articles and news items should be directed to LAPA at editor@lapa.org.
Inquiries about making a submission should be directed to LAPA at
info@lapa.org, or call Tracey Booth at (866) 626-LAPA.
Inquiries about advertising placement, applications, membership
materials and address changes should be directed to Tracey Booth,
LAPA Administrative Manager, at (866) 626-LAPA.
Articles will be published as space permits. The Newsletter Committee
reserves approval and edit rights on any article submitted.
The Los Angeles Paralegal Association is a non-profit, mutual benefit
corporation within the meaning of section 501(c)(6) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Membership dues and donations to LAPA are not tax
deductible as charitable gifts, but may be deductible as related business
expenses. LAPA suggests that you consult your tax advisor in this regard.
I can be reached at (213) 555.1212. I will call you
next week in order to schedule an interview. I look
forward to hearing from you soon.”
Here’s a little known secret: A resume only talks
about 20% of the information you need to impart in
order to get a job. It reveals none of the remaining
80% of the information upon which hiring decisions
are based. These decisions are primarily based upon
emotion. Do I like this person? That’s the first thing
that goes through an employer’s mind. The resume
does not speak to your personality, creativity, work
style, work habits or critical thinking. Rarely will a
resume tell a hiring authority you are precisely the
right candidate. Only a letter can reveal these things
about you – and more.
Here are some basic rules:
1.Write a letter addressed to an individual. Call, if
you have to, and find out to whom the letter should
be addressed.
2.Don’t use standard openings. “In response to your
ad in the Daily Journal” gets a big ho-hum. Stand
out from the competition! Weave information into
the opening to suggest that the letter was written
specifically for the opening at-hand.
3.Don’t use legal terminology or try to sound
“lawyerly”. You’ll sound silly instead. Using
terms such as “this position is not de facto”,
“Responsibilities include but are not limited to” are
unlikely to impress the reader. Frankly, my dear,
“tacky” comes to mind.
4.Keep it brief. Three – four paragraphs MAX!
Explanations as to what has occurred in your career
are not necessary. Save that for the interview.
5.Link your strengths and qualifications to the job.
Do not leave out your passion for the field. Cover
letters that do not address the “pain” that needs to
be fixed or the needs of the firm are likely to come
continued on page 4
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
2
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY
3 - LAPA Board Meeting – Contact Bobby Rimas at bobby.
rimas@alumni.ucla.edu.
10 -LAPA Probate & Estate Seminar – 6-8:30 p.m., The Olympic
Collection, West L.A., 2015 California Legislative Roundup:
A Review of Laws Affecting Estate Planning, Probate and
Conservatorships, Featuring James R. Birnberg, Esq.,
Contact Bobby Rimas at bobby.rimas@alumni.ucla.edu,
see ad on page 14.
26 -LAPA Santa Clarita Section Ethics Seminar – 6-7:45 p.m.,
El Torito, Valencia, Featuring Dana Nasser, Esq., Associate
Professor, College of the Canyons and Santa Monica
College, Contact Emily Lanza at emilyeliza24@yahoo.com,
see ad on page 15.
MARCH
3 - LAPA Board Meeting – Contact Bobby Rimas at bobby.
rimas@alumni.ucla.edu.
14 -Public Counsel’s 2015 Run for Justice 5K Marathon – 7 a.m.,
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Contact Bobby Rimas at
bobby.rimas@alumni.ucla.edu, see ad on page 16.
17- LAPA Executive Committee Meeting – 6 p.m., Contact
Bobby Rimas at bobby.rimas@alumni.ucla.edu.
APRIL
7 - LAPA Board Meeting – Contact Bobby Rimas at bobby.
rimas@alumni.ucla.edu.
9 - LAPA CLA/CP Review Course– National University (near LAX);
see page 17 for contact and other information.
11 -LAPA CLA/CP Review Course– National University (near LAX);
see page 17 for contact and other information.
16 -LAPA CLA/CP Review Course– National University (near LAX);
see page 17 for contact and other information.
18 -LAPA Spring Career Conference – TBD, Contact Bobby
Rimas at bobby.rimas@alumni.ucla.edu, see ad on page18.
21- LAPA Executive Committee Meeting – 6 p.m., Contact
Bobby Rimas at bobby.rimas@alumni.ucla.edu.
23 -LAPA CLA/CP Review Course– National University (near LAX);
see page 17 for contact and other information.
25 -LAPA CLA/CP Review Course– National University (near LAX);
see page 17 for contact and other information.
30 -LAPA CLA/CP Review Course– National University (near LAX);
see page 17 for contact and other information.
Be sure to check www.LAPA.org
for upcoming and new events!
S T UD EN T ’s Perspective
Finding Your
Niche in the Legal
Field
by Jonathan Dang – LAPA Student
Member
Many of you will be happy to hear that the Paralegal
profession is growing faster than many other jobs
in the United States. Paralegal jobs are estimated
to have a 17 percent increase between 2012 and
2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics. In the fall of 2012, I was excited to begin
my studies on a new career path of becoming a
Paralegal. Upon completing the program, I gained a
great amount of respect for Paralegals, as they play
a crucial role in the daily functions of a legal office.
Often times, my peers and professors would ask me
what type of law I wanted to work in. Each time,
I found myself in a dilemma, as I could not quite
find a definite answer for them. The legal field has
numerous of areas of law and just as many different
opportunities for those seeking employment as a
Paralegal. I began exploring different avenues and
became proactive to learn about different types of
practice areas. In doing so, I found areas that would
capture my interest for my future profession. Here
are some useful tips for those who are looking to
find their niche.
Take specialized law classes
Most paralegal programs offer a variety of other
classes aside from the core courses. These courses
can help you figure out ultimately what area of law
you would like to work in. Classes include Family Law,
Estate Planning and Probate, Criminal, Corporate,
Intellectual Property, Bankruptcy, Immigration,
Real Estate and Litigation, just to name a few.
These classes could help you figure out if certain
areas of law do or do not spark your interest. Thus,
taking these courses could potentially help you
find your perfect role. From experience, I enjoyed
Litigation, but not Family Law because it involved a
large amount of time communicating with clients,
a high amount of distress, and dealt with complex
mathematics. Even though this type of law did not
continued on page 5
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
3
F E AT U RE O N C O V E R L E T T E RS - cont. from page 2
across as narcissistic. Me, Me, and more Me. Let
the employer know you understand what it takes to
fit the bill.
6.Do not use standard cover letters right out of a
book. Believe me, employers can quote the book
you used.
7.Make the letter easy to skim. No one reads
anything thoroughly anymore.
8.If it’s broken, fix it! Don’t use a cover letter over
and over that is not working! It’s not the number of
resumes you send out, despite coaches telling you
that you have to send out hundreds. It’s the quality
of the cover letter and the resume.
9.Use numbers, percentages and revenue. People
are much more impressed. You’ll see below.
Here are a couple of samples. Use your own tone
and style. (Don’t copy!)
#1 Re: Corporate Paralegal Position: I am a certified
paralegal with excellent references!
(OPENER) I have been fortunate to have found the
occupation I love – paralegal. Although I do not have
extensive experience in this field, the experience I
do have has only furthered my commitment. As an
entry-level paralegal and intern, I have developed a
skill for detail that incorporates a thorough, flexible
work plan, along with a healthy dose of a see-itthrough attitude. I am devoted to continuing my
own education with the many seminars I take. I
believe my enthusiasm to become an effective and
committed paralegal is my greatest asset.
UCLA’s
PARALEGAL
TRAINING
• ABA-approved
• 5- and 11-month program options
• Taught by judges, attorneys, paralegals,
and other legal professionals
• Financial aid available
• In 2 locations — Westwood and
Downtown LA
Details at uclaextension.edu/LAPA
or call (310) 825-0741.
(PASSION PARAGRAPH) One reason I have chosen
to apply for a position at your firm is because it is
rated in the National Law Journal as one of the top
10 firms in the country. If hired, this fact will give
me a great opportunity to incorporate my personal
goals of becoming a high-quality paralegal with
those of the firm’s.
(ACTION PARAGRAPH) If after reviewing my resume,
you believe there might be a match, please call me.
I am available Monday – Friday at 213.555.1212.
Otherwise, please leave a message anytime.
(SIZZING CLOSER) Becoming a paralegal is more
than a job to me. It’s a lifetime commitment to
education.
continued on page 6
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
15764-14
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
4
S T UD EN T ’s Perspective- continued from page 3
fit my personality, it would be ideal for someone
who has great people skills and a background in
math. I highly suggest one to take as many classes
in different specialized areas of law during their
paralegal studies. These specialized classes can
peak your interest and help you find the type of law
you are most passionate about.
Indulge yourself in MCLEs
Paralegals are required under California Business
and Professions Code Section 6450 to complete four
hours of continuing legal education in legal ethics
and four hours in general or an area of specialized
law, every two years. MCLEs are also a great way
to figure out what type of paralegal you want to
become one day or to improve your skills you already
possess. The LAPA October Conference served as a
perfect opportunity to meet MCLE requirements, as
it offered MCLEs in numerous areas of law. Some
MCLEs provided further education on Criminal,
Intellectual Property, and Immigration Law. The
conference also offered more specialized courses
on improving technical skills in such areas as
E-Discovery and Legal Research. MCLEs are offered
all year round in multiple locations and some are
even free.
SOLUTIONS
FOR YOUR
PRACTICE
Parasec offers a variety of legal-industry services
designed to assist you with a variety of needs,
including:
• Entity Formations, Research & Retrieval
• Intellectual Property
• UCC Filings, Searches & Monitoring
• Independent Director Services
• Business License Services
• Registered Agent Services
• Annual Report Management
• Real Property Research & Filing
Discover how Parasec can help make
your job easier, contact us today!
800.533.7272 • parasec@parasec.com
Apply for a variety of internships
Internships are a great way to acquire real world
legal experience, while expanding your network and
building lasting relationships. There are hundreds
of internships offered and they can give an aspiring
paralegal student worthwhile practice in an area
of law they were previously unacquainted with.
Additionally, internships can lead to permanent
employment based on performance as an intern.
From experience, after interning at a legislative
office and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office,
I have found my passion in Criminal Law and
conducting legislative research.
Global Document
Filing & Retrieval
Jonathan Dang is currently attending the University of La Verne and completed Mt. San Antonio
College’s ABA- Accredited Paralegal Program in 2013. He is expected to graduate with a
Bachelors Degree in Legal Studies in June 2015. Mr. Dang’s legal experience includes interning
at California State Senate Carol Liu’s Office and is currently at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s
Office. He also has 7 years of military experience serving in the United States Marine Corps. G
Be sure to check www.LAPA.org
for upcoming and new events!
Visit us at www.parasec.com
to learn more about our services!
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
5
L A PA MEM BER NE WS
Your New LAPA Board
Members, Ivan Zogovic, CP
and Molly Mesaros
This month, we would like to introduce you to two
new LAPA Board Members: Ivan Zogovic, CP and
Molly Mesaros.
Ivan Zogovic, CP decided to join
LAPA a few years ago because of
his belief that every professional
has to be involved in his or her
professional association. The
added important incentives were
LAPA’s long and ongoing quest
for professional excellence, and
its dedication to continuous
professional and personal improvement. These
shared objectives are reflected in Ivan’s academic
and work history: before earning his Certificate in
Paralegal Studies from UCLA Extension Paralegal
Training Program, Ivan received a Bachelor of Laws
degree from the University of Belgrade, Serbia. Most
recently, he earned a Certified Paralegal designation
from NALA, a Certification in e-Discovery from
OLP, and a Certificate in Litigation Support from
DTI/LitWorks. Ivan currently works for the Office of
the California Attorney General as a Legal Analyst.
Previously, he worked with the Legal Department
of Parsons Corporation, volunteered with Public
Counsel Law Center and ACLU, and held a litigation
support assignment before the International
Tribunal in The Hague. Besides serving on LAPA
Board and assisting in the organization of its
programs, he volunteers as an instructor for LAPA’s
CLA/CP Exam Review Courses, and mentors new
and less experienced paralegals and students. Ivan
is an avid reader, and a basketball aficionado. He
can be reached at zogovic.ivan@gmail.com or at
www.linkedin.com/in/ivanzogovic.
Molly Mesaros is currently
employed as a Senior Litigation
Paralegal with the law firm
of Yoka & Smith, LLP in Los
Angeles. Ms. Mesaros earned
her Associate Degree from
Victor Valley Community College
in 1996 and her Paralegal
Certificate in Litigation from the
UCLA Extension Attorney Assistant Training Program
in 1997. She has worked as a Paralegal since
1998, and has experience in the areas of products
liability, premises liability, complex tort litigation,
business litigation, construction litigation, criminal
prosecution and defense, intellectual property, and
tax and estate planning. Ms. Mesaros trained and
mentored paralegals during her tenure at Murchison
& Cumming, LLP from 2000 to 2007. Molly can be
reached at mmesaros@yokasmith.com.
Welcome, Ivan and Molly! G
F E A T U R E O N C O V E R L E T T E R S - cont. from page 4
#2 I’m available immediately and highly interested
in the Paralegal/Database Coordinator position for
Coffee, Coffee & Wine.
For the past three years, I have had the opportunity
to become an expert in Recommind, Nuix, Nutcase
and CompuLegal which I truly love. I am now
looking forward to applying my skills and knowledge
in a new setting with an established law firm where
I can continue to grow in this field. In addition to
my skills, my fifteen years of experience with all
aspects of the eDiscovery life cycle will make me
a valuable asset to both your firm and your clients.
After recently researching Coffee, Coffee & Wine’s
vision/mission, along with your recent high-profile
travel industry win, I believe that my abilities can
make an immediate and positive impact on your
bottom line. Particularly, with my experience
leading 8 litigation teams, working on cases of 2
million documents and above along with a 93%
accuracy rate, I can help with providing valueadded Summation coordination. I can deliver quality
performances that will lead to success stories for
your clients and additional business for your firm.
The position of Litigation Paralegal/Database
Coordinator is more than a job to me—it’s my passion
in life; understanding legal problems, providing
recommendations for training non-attorney staff,
continued on page 10
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
6
L A PA westlawnext legal researc h and Be yond Seminar Review
LAPA’s First
Educational
Seminar of 2015
Sells Out!
by Alex Hoch – LAPA 2014 Volunteer of the Year
& 2014 Student Member Scholarship Recipient
This year, the Los Angeles Paralegal Association
began their slate of continuing education seminars
with a bang! LAPA’s first sold out event of the year
featured Attorney MacKenzie Hunt and Luke Vetter
of Thomson Reuters.
During this one and a half hour educational
seminar which took place on January 15th at the
LA Law Library in Downtown Los Angeles, Ms. Hunt
and Mr. Vetter managed to cover legal research,
public records and investigative research, hosted
practice management, efficient document drafting,
and an introduction to eDiscovery. This seminar
also emphasized how to perform global search
capabilities, Microsoft Office integration, and the
status of your opponents’ documents.
Their knowledge and related discussions provided
wonderful insight into WestlawNext features that
many of us may not have access to due to our
respective firms’ subscriptions. I walked away with
more than a few reasons why law firms should
pay more attention to features that will increase
efficiency and simplify all of our lives with regard
to citation generation, drafting tables of authorities,
ease of access to previously identified case law, and
much more.
continued on page 8
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
7
L A PA westlawnext legal researc h and Be yond Seminar Review- cont. from page 7
Our hosts, Malinda Muller and Richard Ortega of the
LA Law Library, provided gorgeous accommodations
and were extremely helpful during setup and
execution of the event. They and Catherine Peck,
LAPA Board Member, truly did an amazing job with
this one. On behalf of LAPA, I’d also like to thank
our event sponsor, Express Network, for making this
event a success. Finally, I’d like to give a shout out
to our event volunteers, Donna Reznick-Goodich,
Michelle Tabb and Ivan Zogovic.
Alex Hoch, LAPA’s 2014 Volunteer of the Year and 2014 Student Member Scholarship Recipient,
is in possession of a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Sacramento State University where
he interned with former California Governor Schwarzenegger Administration’s Communications
Department. Alex recently completed a certificated paralegal studies program at West Los
Angeles College and continues to volunteer with LAPA in a variety of capacities. G
JHill’s Staffing Services takes a unique approach to recruiting. We believe recruiting is about creating strategic partnerships that allow for long-­‐term relationships. We take the time to get to know each client and candidate so that we can effectively make a match that lasts. We specialize in supporting law firms and Fortune 500 companies with filling their direct hire and temporary positions. JHill’s Staffing Services 11400 W. Olympic Blvd. # 200 Los Angeles, CA 90064 310.914.0140 www.jhccs.com VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
8
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA
9
F E A T U R E O N C O V E R L E T T E R S - continued from page 6
creating improvements, and providing technology
solutions that support your firm’s objectives is what
I can offer Coffee, Coffee & Wine.
There you go! Tweak these, use your own style,
make each cover letter unique to the job advertised,
and test market to see what’s working, what’s not.
I will follow up with a phone call in a week to make
sure you have received my application as well.
Best of luck in your new adventures!
#3 “I took a moment to match my skills with your
requirements. You may find the following table
helpful in your assessment of my abilities.”
Job Qualifications
My Skills
Experience with trial
preparation, document
organization, Recommind,
team leader.
I have full understanding
and knowledge after
working on many highprofile cases leading a
team of 10 temporaries
utilizing Recommind and
other databases.
Preparation of subpoenas
Excellent oral and written
communication skills.
Exceptional time management, problem solving and
analytical skills.
I am familiar with and
have regularly prepared
subpoenas both in the
U.S. and abroad.
I possess excellent and
proven communication
skills.
I have outstanding time
management, problem
solving and analytical
skills. My billable hours
consistently exceed 1800
hours per year.
Using the Skill Matching Technique has many strong
advantages:
• It will get your cover letter and resume noticed
quickly.
• It focuses your set of skills into a brief and easy
to read strong summary.
• It helps the reader quickly skim your cover letter.
• It helps your cover letter and resume get decided
upon immediately.
It has been shown, believe it or not, that the color of
your signature can improve the response. If possible,
always sign your letter using blue instead of black.
Be sure to make it legible.
Chere Estrin is the CEO of Paralegal Knowledge Institute, a training and staffing company
specifically for paralegals across the country. She is the author of 10 books about the paralegal
career including The Paralegal Career Guide 4th Ed. and she is a LAPA Lifetime Achievement Award
recipient. She has been interviewed by the Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Forbes.com
and other prestigious publications. She has written her blog, The Estrin Report, since 2005. G
Are you looking for a job? If so, please be
sure to view LAPA’s Career Center webpage
and consider submitting your resume!
http://p.ca.la.associationcareernetwork.com/Common/HomePage.aspx
P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E - cont. from page 1
I would also like to take the opportunity to remind
you about your invitation to attend LAPA’s upcoming
events in 2015:
•Tuesday, February 10th: Probate & Estate
Planning seminar @ The Olympic Collection in West
Los Angeles
•Thursday, February 26th: Ethics seminar @ El
Torito Restaurant, Santa Clarita
•Saturday, March 14th: Join the LAPA Team at
Public Counsel’s Run for Justice @ Dodger Stadium
•Thursday, April 2nd: Ethics seminar @ the Los
Angeles Athletic Club, Downtown L.A.
•Saturday, April 18th: APA’s Annual Spring Career
Conference @ National University
Registration for most of these popular events is
available now via the LAPA website, www.lapa.org,
and more great events will be announced in the
near future. In addition to this, please remember
that you can renew your membership via the LAPA
website. I ask that you please consider reminding
your colleagues and friends that they too can register
for LAPA membership, which includes discounts to
LAPA events, shopping, insurance, access to the
LAPA membership database, and much more. A
complete listing of LAPA membership benefits can
be found at www.lapa.org/membership.
continued on page 13
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 10
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 11
Members Only Benefits
Regional
and
Networking
Sections
LAPA has many opportunities for meeting and
connecting with your paralegal colleagues and other
legal industry professionals. Such opportunities include
seminar and networking events based on geographical
locations such as Downtown (Los Angeles), South Bay,
West L.A., the San Fernando Valley, and more. LAPA
also provides educational seminars in various legal
specialties, including, but not limited to, Litigation,
Probate Law, Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Law,
Immigration Law, and Ethics. Additionally, with the
support of our legal industry partners, LAPA also hosts
other networking and charitable events and mixers. Your participation in LAPA is encouraged, so be sure to reach out to a LAPA
Section or Committee Chair, develop your leadership and networking skills, and make LAPA an even better association.
Vital Savings
This benefit provides LAPA members a discount program for dental and vision services, long term care, as well as many
pharmaceuticals. LAPA has been able to obtain special pricing of Vital Savings discount cards through Aetna. By using the discount
cards and Aetna approved providers, LAPA members can save dramatically on the services provided by these professionals. For
more information, please visit LAPA’s website, www.lapa.org.
Working Advantage
LAPA members may join a program that offers discounts up to 60% on tickets, travel, shopping, and more. LAPA helps you save
money on items from clothing to theater tickets to flowers. This benefit is available by logging onto the LAPA website “Members
Only” section.
United Insurance Partners
LAPA has teamed with UIP - United Insurance Partners - to bring LAPA members the opportunity to purchase health, dental, and/or
vision insurance. When you access UIP through the link provided on the Benefits webpage, you will find an array of insurance
products available for you to purchase with companies such as Blue Cross, Aetna, and many other top insurance companies. Please
visit LAPA’s website, www.lapa.org, for more information.
NALA Affiliation
LAPA is an affiliated member of the National Association of Legal Assistants. NALA is the nation’s leading professional association
for paralegals. As a member of an affiliated association, the initiation fee for individual membership in NALA is waived for LAPA
members. NALA boasts some of its own benefits. Access its NALA Campus Live for online continuing legal education, self-study
courses, and preparation for the CLA/CP Exam. Its annual educational convention in July allows you to expand your network
beyond your state’s borders as you network with other paralegals from around the country, attend educational institutes and
member related activities.
Freelance/Contract Paralegal Listing
LAPA provides a “Freelance Paralegals” section on its website to assist LAPA members who are freelance, contract, or independent
paralegals, as defined by California Business and Professions Code Section 6450. For a nominal fee of $60, you can post your
contact information on LAPA’s website for six months. You can sign up online through the Members Only section of the website.
Membership Database
Available only to LAPA members, the Membership Database is a valuable tool in locating other paralegals or legal professionals with
whom you have worked or networked. The Membership Database also provides up-to-date contact information as well as members’
legal specialties and geographical areas.
Credit Union
LAPA members are eligible to join Southland Credit Union. Southland Credit Union, with over $435 million in assets, offers an online
presence, a new full-service branch in downtown Los Angeles, an upgraded ATM network and five new proprietary ATMs. Southland
Credit Union has expanded its product line by introducing a new high-yielding certificate of deposit, a Rewards Plus program and a
market-leading high interest yielding checking account. Southland Credit Union prides itself on outstanding service to its members
and has recently earned a 95 percent Member Service satisfaction rating.
Lorman Education
LAPA is dedicated to providing cost-effective continuing education opportunities that meet the needs of our members and enhance
their skills, knowledge, and competencies. LAPA has partnered with Lorman Education to provide continuing education in a variety
of topic areas. LAPA members receive a 20% discount on all orders.
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 12
P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E - cont. from page 10
LAPA provides a variety of opportunities to make
your networking efforts work for you. Bring and
exchange business cards at LAPA events, learn
about other specialties, expand your horizons, join
or chair a committee, get involved with one of the
charities that LAPA supports and make friends.
You have chosen a rewarding career in a profession
for which demand is increasing. Be the best you
can be through continuing education, networking,
and active membership in LAPA. Every effort you
make to network through LAPA can translate into
valuable connections that can add to your existing
opportunities for success. And finally, on behalf of
the 2015 LAPA Board of Directors, I wish you a very
Happy New Year!
Mr. Bobby T. Rimas is a Paralegal at OneWest Bank where he assists its Corporate Legal
Department with intellectual property law, employment law, and immigration law matters. He is
currently the Los Angeles Paralegal Association President and served as the 2014 LAPA October
Conference Chair, Board Advisor, and Pro Bono & Community Services Chair. Mr. Rimas is also an
Adjunct Associate Professor at California State University, Los Angeles, College of Professional
and Global Education, and an Adjunct Instructor at Fremont College’s Paralegal Studies Program.
He co-presented NALA’s Intellectual Property Law Institute at NALA’s July 2014 Convention in
Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Rimas also serves as Scholarship Director for the UCLA Pilipino
Alumni Association and an Advisory Board Member for the University of La Verne’s Legal Studies
Department. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History from UCLA and his Paralegal Certificate
from the UCLA Extension Attorney Asst. Training Program. He can be reached at Bobby.Rimas@
alumni.UCLA.edu. G
If you are interested in making a difference,
please be sure to visit www.LAPA.org to
connect with LAPA Chairs or Co-Chairs of
committees and sections. Being involved with
a LAPA committee or section is a great way to
network, develop leadership skills, and ensure
that 2015 is even a better year for LAPA!
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 13
TO ALL ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS & LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
2014 California Legislative Roundup: A Review
of Laws Affecting Estate Planning, Probate and
Conservatorships
Featuring James R. Birnberg, Esq.
Mr. Birnberg will present his popular annual legislative update. Mr. Birmberg will discuss
new California legislation and its effects on estate planning, trusts, probate,
conservatorship and guardianship proceedings. He will also give his predictions for the
year 2015 and his recap of 2014.
James Birnberg, Esq. Mr. Birnberg is a partner of the firm of Oldman, Cooley, Sallus, Gold, Birnberg & Coleman, LLP, in
Encino, California. Mr. Birnberg received his undergraduate degree from Pomona College, a Master of Arts degree from
Stanford University and his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Birnberg has been an active member in
the California State Bar, the Los Angeles County Bar and the Beverly Hills Bar, having been the member of Trusts and Estates
Executive Committees for each in charge of state legislative matters. He is also a member of the Probate and Mental Health
Advisory Committee to the State Judicial Council, where he is the legislative chair. Mr. Birnberg has received awards for service
from the California State Bar Taxation Section (V. Judson Klein Honorary Award, 1986), the Los Angeles County Bar Estates
and Trusts Section (Arthur K. Marshall Award, 2000) and the Beverly Hills Bar Estates and Trusts Section (Timothy A.
Whitehouse Award, 2008). He is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been selected as a
Super Lawyer for each of the past several years. Mr. Birnberg is a frequent lecturer on legislative developments and estate, gift
and inheritance taxation. He has prepared legislative update materials for the California State Bar, local bars and other groups
for the past 20 years, has written articles for the U.S.C. Institute on Taxation, the U.S.C. Probate Institute, and has written a
chapter on estate taxes for the California Continuing Education of the Bar Estate Planning text.
MCLE approval for this seminar is currently pending. Participants will be advised when approval is received.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
The Olympic Collection
11301 Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90064
6:00-7:30 PM: Registration and Dinner
7:30 to 8:30 pm: Presentation
$47 registration fee for LAPA members (if registered by February 3, 2015)
$62 non-members and late registration
For registration information, please call 1-866-626-LAPA.
To register by mail, please make checks payable to “LAPA” and mail to:
Probate/Estate Planning Section, Post Office Box 71708, Los Angeles, California 90071
No refunds or cancellations.
Name: ________________________________
Firm Name: ____________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: __________________
Facsimile: _____________________ E-mail: _______________________________
LAPA member? (Circle one) Yes No Amount enclosed or to be charged: $___________
Credit Card No. (Visa/MC/AmEx): ____________________________ Expiration date: __________
Name of Credit Card, if charging: ______________________________________________
To join LAPA today and attend this meeting and subsequent meetings at member rates, enclose an additional check for one year’s dues:
Voting Member $77 __ Associate Member $77 __ Student Member $62 __ Benefactor Member $202 __
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 14
TO ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS and OTHER LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
The Los Angeles Paralegal Association’s Santa Clarita
Section Presents 1.0 CLE Ethics
By: Dana M. Nasser, Esq.
The seminar will cover the ethical issues surrounding attorney and paralegal advertising. The
presentation will specifically focus on internet use and ethical issues specifically relating to internet
marketing. Some of the key points to be covered are: jurisdictional issues, developing the attorney
client-privilege and the prohibition against solicitation.
Dana Nasser, Esq. is an associate professor at College of the Canyons and Santa Monica College. As
well as an adjunct professor at Los Angeles Pierce College and Los Angeles Valley College. She teaches
legal ethics and business law. Ms. Nasser initiated College of the Canyon's online business law
program. She was nominated for outstanding instructor of the year by the International Students
Association at Santa Monica College. Prior to becoming a college professor, she practiced civil
litigation
MCLE approval for this seminar is currently pending. Participants will be advised when approval is received.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
El Torito – Cantina Auténtica
27510 The Old Road
Valencia, California 91355
Registration: $30 for LAPA Members (if registered by February 9, 2015)
$30 for students (students must show a current student ID)
$35 for All Others and Late Registration
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Registration/Networking
6:30 to 6:45 p.m. – Announcements/Introduction
6:45 to 7:45 p.m. – MCLE Presentation
No refunds or cancellations
To attend the February 26, 2015 Ethics seminar, please complete below and mail with your check or credit card information to
LAPA, P.O. Box 71708, Los Angeles, California 90071; OR register online at www.lapa.org. For registration questions, contact
the LAPA Administrator (admin@lapa.org or 866-626-LAPA). For additional information, contact Emily Lanza
(emilyeliza24@yahoo.com).
Name: ___________________________________ Firm:_______________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ________________________________ Email:______________________________________
Amount enclosed/to be charged:$______________ Credit Card No.:_______________________________
Expiration Date: ____________________________ Visa:___ MasterCard:____ American Express:___
LAPA Member: Yes:____ No:____. To join LAPA today and attend this meeting and subsequent meetings at LAPA
Member rates, please enclose an additional check for one year’s dues and indicate the membership category: Voting
Member $77.00:____ Associate Member $77.00:____ Student Member $62.00:____ Benefactor Member $202:____
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 15
JOIN THE TEAM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Run for
Justice
at the
L.A. Big
5K
Join the LAPA Team at
PUBLIC COUNSEL’S
2015 RUN FOR JUSTICE
Please join the Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA)
Pro Bono & Community Services Committee and its
supporters at Public Counsel’s “Run for Justice” in
conjunction with the ASICS LA Marathon’s LA Big 5K on
Saturday, March 14th at Dodger Stadium! This event will
raise funds for Public Counsel, the nation's largest public
interest law firm specializing in delivering pro bono legal
services to low-income communities. At this event, you
can network with paralegals, attorneys, and other legal
professionals from some of the largest law firms in Los
Angeles. To find out detailed information on how to
officially register for the LAPA Team, or if you would like
to help the LAPA Team raise funds for Public Counsel’s
pro bono programs, please e-mail LAPA President Bobby
Rimas at:
Bobby.Rimas@alumni.ucla.edu
SATURDAY
MARCH 14TH
7:00 a.m.
@
DODGER
STADIUM
JOIN THE
LAPA TEAM!
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 16
CLA REVIEW COURSE – CO-SPONSORED BY LAPA & NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
2015 SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
04/09
04/11
7-9 p.m.
NALA Introduction/Ethics
9-11 a.m.
Communications
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Legal Terminology &
Human Relations
WEEK 2
04/16
7-9 p.m.
Study Course Designed
to Prepare Paralegals for
the 2015 CLA/CP Exam
WHEN:
Thursdays & Saturdays
April 9, 11, 16, 23, 25, 30, May 2
COST:
$125.00 Members
$175.00 Non-Members
$20.00 Per Individual Class (Members)
$25.00 Per Individual Class (Non-Members)
Substantive Law
WEEK 3
04/23
04/25
7-9 p.m.
Civil Litigation
9-11 a.m.
Judgment & Analytical Ability I
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Judgment & Analytical Ability II
WEEK 4
04/30
05/02
7-9 p.m.
Legal Research
9 -11 a.m.
Business Organizations
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Study Guide/Mock Exam
Review
CLASSES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WITHOUT NOTICE
WHERE:
National University
Los Angeles Campus (near LAX)
5245 Pacific Concourse Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045-6905
Phone: 310.662.2000
www.nu.edu
REQUIRED TEXT:
CLA/CP Review Manual 4th Ed.
Virginia Koerselman Newman
AVAILABLE FROM:
www.nala.org amazon.com
www.cengage.com/community/paralegal
RECOMMENDED TEXT:
CLA/CP Study Guide and Mock Examination, 5th Ed.
The Bluebook-A Uniform System of Citation
The Elements of Style, 4th Ed., Strunk and White
QUESTIONS:
Kai Ellis, ACP at 310.282.8088
kellis@btlawla.com
To register for individual classes, please contact
LAPA administrator Tracey Booth at 866.626.LAPA
REGISTRATION FORM
Name:
Street Address:
City/State/Zip:
Business Phone:
Home Phone:
E-mail:
■
LAPA Member: $125.00
Check
Visa
Non-Member: $175.00
Mastercard
Am Ex
Credit Card #:
Expiration Date:
Card Holder Name:
Signature:
Register on-line at lapa.org, or return a completed Registration
Form and payment, which can be made by check or money
order payable to “LAPA,” or by credit card. Mail to:
LAPA/NU, CLA Review
P.O. Box 71708
Los Angeles, CA 90071
I M P O R T A N T : You must also register for the CLA exam through NALA.
Applications may be obtained by contacting NALA at: NALA, 1516 S. Boston,
#200, Tulsa, OK 74119 (918.587.6828; fax 918.582.6772; www.nala.org).
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 17
SPRING
your
FORWARD with
CAREER
LAPA’s 9TH ANNUAL SPRING CAREER CONFERENCE
Join us at the Spring Career Conference for tips from successful legal
professionals who will inspire you to move forward in your career.
The Professional Certification Panel
will explain the impact that professional
certification can make in your career.
Meet and network with senior paralegals and top recruiters who
The Alternative Career Panel will
will inspire you to decide the next step in your career path.
provide tips on optimizing your skills
so that you can “step outside the box”
of traditional paralegal roles into
alternative career paths.
The Recruiting Professionals Panel will provide insight on how
agencies work to match highly qualified candidates with the right
position in the right firm, agency or other entity.
DATE: Saturday, April 18, 2015
LOCATION: National University, 5245 Pacific Concourse Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045
TIMES: Breakfast, networking and registration from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Program from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
COST: $20 LAPA members and students; $25 non-members and at-door registration (if available).
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 10, 2015 - For more details, please email LAPA at info@lapa.org.
Questions? Please contact LAPA Spring Career Conference Chair at Bobby.Rimas@alumni.ucla.edu.
LAPA members and non-members may register online at www.lapa.org via the “Events” tab.
Name:
Firm Name:
Telephone:
LAPA Member (circle one):
Fax:
Yes
No
Credit Card # (Visa, MC or AmEx):
Name on Credit Card:
E-mail:
Amount enclosed or to be charged: $
Expiration Date:
Signature:
Please make checks payable to “LAPA.” Mail registration & fees to: LAPA, P.O. Box 71708, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
To attend this and all subsequent meetings at member rates, add your registration fee to the appropriate annual membership dues:
Voting Member $77
Associate Member $77
Student Member $62
Benefactor Member $202
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 18
WELC OME NE W & RENE WING L APA MEMBERS
The following is a listing of legal professionals and paralegal students who joined or renewed their
membership in Los Angeles Paralegal Association within the last 30 days. The employer and work
telephone number also are included when available. If any information is incorrect, please fax
corrections to 866-460-0506, call LAPA at 866-626-LAPA or e-mail updates to info@lapa.org.
VOTING
Kimberly Bradley, ACP
(909) 396-2964
Nan Buchanan
Nan Buchanan, Probate Consultant (310) 372-9663
Aileen Candlish
Bowman & Brooke, LLP
(310) 768-3068
Tina Lund Cartwright, ACPRichardson, Fair & Cohen
(626) 354-6111
Sergio F. Chacon- HoffmannEt Seq Limitada
(818) 438-8119
Dana Chan
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
(213) 612-2427
Pat Chesney
Law Offices of Caren R. Nielsen
(818) 793-5622
Linda Chow-Fortune
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP(909) 548-4884
Allyson Crow
Harman International Industries, Inc. (818) 895-5712
Patrisha Ann Davis
Northrop Grumman Corp.
(661) 256-8554
Nohelia Maria Decker
(310) 470-6010
Pilar B. Del Rosario
John B. McIlroy
(213) 627-5001
Lisa Diaz
LA Law Center, LLP
(818) 281-4238
Eleanor M. Farber
Independent Legal Assistant
(818) 991-1708
Lisa Fonseca
LA Law Center, LLP
(818) 241-4238
Marti Gerardi, CLA
(310) 221-0776
Scarlet Guevarra
(760) 533-2046
Nicolette Hachem-SawayaAdli Law Group P.C.
(213) 623-6546
Jennifer Herron
(818) 309-6445
Elizabeth Jutila
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
(310) 203-4059
Susan Karo
Hoffman Sabban & Watenmaker
(310) 470-6010
Jason Klassi
Levene Neale Bender Rankin & Brill (310) 229-1234
Adam Kummins
Latham & Watkins
(714) 755-8087
Emily Lanza
(661) 717-4327
Christina Larson Gits
(310) 991-7664
Suzanne Lauderback
Sea Launch Company
(562) 499-4703
Matthew Bonaccorso McPeck
(626) 399-8250
Angela Meyers-Avery
Angela Meyers-Avery
(323) 903-5636
Andrea Mitchell
Hansen, Jacobson et al Law Firm
(310) 248-3161
Janice Okanishi
Pollard Mavredakis Cranert Crawford (626) 793-4440
Michele Ordaz
Blecher Collins Pepperman & Joye (213) 622-4222
Laurie Paul
Los Angeles Paralegal Association (310) 454-8541
Susan J. Perry
Jones Day
(213) 243-2845
Linnea V. Praml, CLA
Goodson Wachtel & Petrulis
(310) 208-8282
Robert Rodriguez
Schwartz, Steinsapir, Dohrmann (323) 655-4700
& Sommers
Judith C. Ross, ACP
Goodwin Procter LLP
(626) 794-2004
Kristina Roth
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
(213) 633-6800
Gail Shatsky
Bloom, Hergott, et al.
(310) 859-6825
Teresa M. Sinclair
Christie Parker & Hale, LLP
(626) 795-9900
Laverne Smith
Hinojosa & Wallet
(310) 473-7000
Mark D. Smith
(714) 890-0772
Philip Smith
Blecher & Collins
(213) 622-4222
Kathryn Tamer
American Honda Finance Corporation (310) 972-2411
Anna Thursland
The Reape-Rickett Law Firm
(661) 288-1000
Maryann M. Tomkovicz Wakeman Law Group, Inc.
(805) 379-1186
Alice Toy
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. (626) 405-5634
Andy Vizcarra
Theodore A. Cohen
(310) 271-1764
Jeanne Bixler Way
Del, Shaw, Moonves
(310) 979-7913
Nicole Wherry
Sheppard Mullin
(213) 830-2063
Lori H. Young
Thompson Von Tungeln, A.P.C.
(661) 945-5868
Anthony Zabala
(213) 309-8254
Heidi Sharon ZimmermanZonder Family Law
(805) 777-7740
A ssociate c o n t .
Tracey Booth
Los Angeles Paralegal Association
Jacquelyn Brown
Wilson Mill Legal Overload, LLC
Kim Marie Brown
Jennifer Crary
Kari Cruz
Robert Donnelly
Dawn E Hartman
Law Office Of Cynthia R. Pollock
Sigi Hinojosa
Buchalter Nemer
Jennifer MacDonnell
Law Office of Kathleen D. Crane, ALC
Linda Moore
Hersh, Mannis & Bogen, LLP
Martha Moreno
Flintridge Capital Investments
Vivian Rahe
Law Offices of S. Syd Rahe
Lani N. Suzuki
City of Hope
Kathy M. Ussery
Arthur B. Wood, Esq.
(916) 791-0355
(323) 779-1832
(818) 398-6951
(310) 435-6753
(562) 243-9562
(818) 726-7547
(310) 798-6150
(213) 891-5913
(310) 753-3116
(213) 399-6775
(818) 863-8604
(310) 322-3322
(626) 471-3729
(213) 760-5095
STUDENT
Mary Bellomy
J.H. Snyder Company
Travis M. Chow
Hunter Molloy & Salcido, LLP
Donna Cooper
Konami Digital Entertainment
Ashley Langill
Zuber Lawler & Del Duca, LLP
Erica Monroe
R. Rex Parris Law Firm
Patricia A. Quinn
David Sanepour
Psalms Slavaic
Fullerton College
Carey von Wartburg
Mimi Yan
LAUSD - Office of General Counsel
(626) 568-2500
(310) 220-8093
(626) 676-4239
(661) 949-2595
(626) 321-2725
(714) 992-7000
(626) 922-0464
(818) 502-0265
B E N E FA C T O R
Jennifer Hill
Arline Melkonian, Esq.
Martin Ramey, Esq.
JHill’s Staffing Services
Fremont College
Mt. San Antonio College
(310) 914-0140
(562) 977-6051
(909) 274-5189
A ssociate
Brian D. Alexander
(323) 755-0350
Rita M. Amendola
The Unfurnishers
(310) 828-3639
Eileen A. Becker
Oldman Cooley Sallas Gold Birnberg (818) 986-8080
& Coleman
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 19
L O S A N G E L E S PA R A L E G A L A S S O C I AT I O N - 2 015 B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Name
Bobby T. Rimas
Donna Reznick-Goodich
Michelle Tabb, ACP
Bogdana Koiso, CP Kai Ellis, ACP
Title
President
Executive V.P.
V.P. Membership & Policy
Treasurer Pro Tem
NALA Liaison
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Name
Maria Teresa Bravo
Unnur Fridriksdottir Yvonne Kubicek
Tammi Loveland
Molly Mesaros Catherine Peck
Tony Sipp
Larry Thigpen
Terry Wright, ACP
Ivan Zogovic, CP
Employer
OneWest Bank N.A.
Alston & Bird
United States Attorney’s Office
Litchfield Cavo LLP
Barbanel & Treuer, P.C.
Office #
213.952.9914
213.576.1002
213.894.2060
310.282.8088
Eddress
bobby.rimas@alumni.ucla.edu
donna.reznick-goodich@alston.com
michelle.tabb@usdoj.gov
bogdanakoiso@hotmail.com
kellis@btlawla.com
Employer
Law Offices of Neil Newsom & Assoc.
The Walt Disney Company
Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
Yoka & Smith, LLP
Litchfield Cavo LLP
Office #
310.278.7555
949.212.1713
818.560.4698
626.683.1100
Eddress
mtbravo@ix.netcom.com
unnur@unnur.com
ykubicek1967@gmail.com
tloveland@hotmail.com
mmesaros@yokasmith.com
ceepack@yahoo.com
takeasipp@yahoo.com
Dignity Health
626.744.2395
Office of the California Attorney General 310.259.7703
terry.wright@dignityhealth.org
zogovic.ivan@gmail.com
SE C TI O N S, C O M MIT T EE S & O T H E R L A PA IN F O RM ATI O N
Administrative Manager
Tracey Booth
866.626.LAPA
Advertising
Tracey Booth
866.626.LAPA
Advisory Board Members
Susan Oder, Esq. advisorymember@lapa.org
Bankruptcy Section Wayne Kiser vbas@virtualbankruptcyattorneyservices.com Mryna Richardson
mrrvaa@pacbell.net
Budget & Finance Committee Patricia Leedom
ppleedom@aol.com
CAPA Web Site
www.caparalegal.org
Compliance Committee
866.626.LAPA
Corporate/Real Estate Section
Terry Riggins okinawa62@sbcglobal.net
Corporate Sponsors
info@lapa.org/866.626.LAPA
Downtown Section
Tammi Loveland
tloveland@hotmail.com
Editor of Reporter
editor@lapa.org
Family Law Section
Sharon Fluxman sharonfluxman@yahoo.com
General Information
866.626.LAPA
Holiday Benefit Gala Committee
Tammi Loveland
tloveland@hotmail.com
Immigration Law Section
866.626.LAPA
Intellectual Property Section
866.626.LAPA
Legislative Committee
Maria Teresa Bravo maria.bravo3@gmail.com
Thomas Horlick thorlick@lasuperiorcourt.org
Litigation Section
866.626.LAPA
Marketing Committee
866.626.LAPA
MCLE Review Committee
Donna Reznick-Goodich donna.reznick-goodich@alston.com
Membership Committee
Michelle Tabb, ACP
michelle.tabb@usdoj.gov
NALA Liaison
Kai Ellis, ACP
kellis@btlawla.com
Newsletter Committee
editor@lapa.org
Nominations & Elections Committee Andrea Mitchell
am@hjth.com
Kimberly Bradley, ACP
October Conference Committee
Bobby T. Rimas
213.952.9914
Online Education Section
Tammi Loveland
onlineedu@lapa.org
PCC/CLA/ACP Committee Michelle Tabb, ACP
michelle.tabb@usdoj.gov
Kari S. Wenger kariwenger@hotmail.com
Probate & Estate Planning Section 866.626.LAPA
Pro Bono Committee
Bobby T. Rimas
213.952.9914
San Fernando Valley Section
Emily Lanza
emilyeliza24@yahoo.com
David Faulkner davidpaulfaulkner@gmail.com
Santa Clarita Section
Emily Lanza emilyeliza24@yahoo.com
Scholarship Committee 866.626.LAPA
Schools Liaison
South Bay Section
Speakers Bureau Coordinator
Spring Career Conference
Student Advisory Committee
Website Committee
Westside Section
866.626.LAPA
866.626.LAPA
866.626.LAPA
info@lapa.org/866.626.LAPA
866.626.LAPA
Bobby T. Rimas bobby.rimas@alumni.ucla.edu
Catherine Peck
ceepack@yahoo.com
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 20
Los Angeles
Paralegal Association
P.O. Box 71708
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Telephone (866)626-LAPA
Fax (866)460-0506
VOLUME 43 / ISSUE 02 / FEBRUARY 2015 LAPA 21