2012 Spring Seminar
Posted on: Apr 9, 2012
Title: 2012 Spring SeminarLocation: King Edward Hotel
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2012-04-19
End Time: 13:30
Voter ID in Mississippi
Posted on: Apr 1, 2012
According to the Mississippi Secretary of State "HB 921, sponsored by Rep. Bill Denny, passed the House on March 14 and was transmitted to the Senate. It faces an April 3 deadline for opposite chamber committee action in the Senate Elections committee. Voter ID: Provides for the implementation of a voter identification program as required by the Mississippi Constitution. Outlines acceptable forms of photo identification to satisfy Mississippi’s new voter identification requirement.”
This may soon be law in the State of Mississippi. That means that each person who wishes to vote must show some “acceptable” form of identification in order to cast a vote in the Mississippi electoral process. The passing of this bill is meant to help cut down on voter fraud: Mississippians voting twice in the same election, deceased persons voting, and non-residents voting in our elections. Is Mississippi ready for this? There has been strong opposition and support for this measure. Other states have adopted this idea and it seems to be working. There are currently 16 states that have enacted some form of voter ID laws; however not without strife. In many states, like Wisconsin and Texas, lawsuits have been filed challenging the new laws. As with most political issues voter ID support and opposition fall along party lines: “Republican supporters say the rules are needed to ensure honest elections, while Democrats say it's part of a concerted campaign to suppress the vote. They say minorities, students, the poor and disabled — those most likely to vote Democratic — will be hurt the most.” according to Pam Fessler of NPR.
What do you think? Is Voter ID right for Mississippi, or is it a waste of time and money?
Mississippi Paralegal
The United States Supreme Court in Action
Posted on: Mar 30, 2012
The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week on the massive Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The Justices are considering the constitutionality of the individual mandate that requires people to get health coverage or pay a fine. At issue Wednesday was whether all the law's 450 plus provisions would be invalidated if the individual mandate were found unconstitutional.
This has monumental consequences for all citizens of our country. Because of the ever present fight regarding the power the national government wields over states, a high court decision could either strengthen or limit congressional authority and potentially change the American way of life. A ruling could come as early as this summer.
Here are some of the Pros and Cons on the Health Care Act:
Pros:
1. The Physician Payment Sunshine Act under health care reform requires drug, device or medical supply companies to report annually certain payments or things of value that they've given physicians and teaching hospitals.
2. More breastfeeding rooms and breaks - Employers must provide "a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk."
3. Caloric reality posting at every major chain restaurants
4. Abstinence-only education
5. Flexible spending accounts restricted to prescription drugs and purchases that may still qualify include condoms, contact lens solution, home diagnostic tests, and bandages.
6. Tanning will cost you a 10% tax penalty
7. Support for wellness programs at work - incentives given to companies to start wellness initiatives.
8. Free preventive care services - Mammograms, physical exams, colonoscopies, vaccinations.
9. Home visits to expecting families to reduce child abuse and neglect, promote the health of mothers and their children, and prioritize high-risk populations.
10. Health plans you can read with concise and understandable information about the plan and its benefits.
Cons:
1. Cuts in Medicare.
2. Costs. It will add approximately another $940 billion to the deficit.
3. No new incentives for primary care physicians. This means longer wait times, more obstacles, and potentially higher specialist costs for consumers.
4. More taxes.
5. Individual Mandate to purchase health insurance.
6. Abstinence-only education.
What do you think? Did the Health Care Act overreach its authority? Was it a good idea? Do you care about this issue?
Mississippi Paralegal
Jury Duty
Posted on: Mar 27, 2012
After a long and very stress filled day, you arrive home to find a notice from the Chancery Clerk of your county in the mailbox. You have been served: Jury Duty. If you are a registered voter in the State of Mississippi, you could be summoned to serve on a jury. What is the first thing that pops into your mind? Is it “Oh no, I can’t take off work for this.” or is it “I don’t know if I can serve on a jury, someone’s life is in my hands.” or it is “Yea, I am glad to do my civic duty.” Whatever your reaction, serving on a jury is a very solemn undertaking never to be taken lightly. In the United States, everyone accused gets their day in court, usually in front of a jury. For civil cases, a jury is impaneled to hear cases of liability and/or neglect. As paralegals, do we stand a better than average chance of being chosen to serve on a jury? On the other hand, being so familiar with law are we not picked to serve? What has been your experience with jury duty?
Mississippi Paralegal
A Time to Kill or a Time to Heal?
Posted on: Mar 22, 2012
There are/were two executions scheduled in Mississippi this month. One was carried out on Tuesday and one will be today. Larry “Matt” Puckett and William Mitchell both face(d) the ultimate punishment under Mississippi Law – execution.
As Mississippi paralegals, some of us work in the criminal litigation (prosecution/defense) area of law. This can be a difficult area of law to work in, as well as very rewarding. Working in this area of law, capital punishment is a very real possibility often faced. Debate rages across the nation regarding this type of punishment – is it an archaic cruel method of punishment or is it a way to punish as well as a deterrent to others? Should we be focused on the acts of the convicted or the possible innocence of the condemned?
DNA and other new technologies have helped prove that some convicted people are innocent of the crimes they have been convicted of committing, while it has helped to confirm the guilt of others. Once the sentence is carried out, it matters little to the deceased that they are proven innocent; however, to their family and friends it may mean the world (but the loss remains).
Does society need capital punishment? Could healing really begin at the death of another person? The families of the victim may argue that “yes” it does bring healing and an end to their nightmare and ordeal. It closes the chapter on a horrible time in their lives and helps them to move forward. What about the population of Mississippi? How do we see capital punishment? Justified, right, good for society, or the law does/does not need to be changed. With our state prison system overcrowded, and crime increasing, is killing “the worst of the worst” a truly viable option? Does it really deter crime? Then there is the expense, to the state (taxpayers), is it really worth the cost? Should our tax dollars go for more useful purposes?
An eye for an eye? Do you see it that way? Are there other options? Is Mississippi’s capital punishment system still viable in this day and age? How would you – do you – handle this type of case and the emotional pressure brought on by Mississippi’s capital punishment law? Where do you stand? How would you cope with this situation?
Mississippi Paralegal
Earth Day
Posted on: Mar 20, 2012
Earth day was first observed in 1970. Some organizations schedule Earth Day for March 20, while others set the date for April 22. For some, Earth Day is when people from all nations, religions and cultural backgrounds celebrate their similarities: living on earth. For others, Earth Day is observed to promote the protection of the natural environment from pollution and other destructive forces. Earth Day activities include planting trees, cleaning roadside rubbish and conducting recycling and conservation programs. There is more to being a paralegal than the day to day office routine – volunteering and making a difference in our communities. Are you one of those paralegals? Make a difference in your community and help save our Earth!
Mississippi Paralegal
To Pardon or Not to Pardon… that is the question
Posted on: Mar 20, 2012
We certainly live in interesting times in Mississippi. Today, Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that some pardons issued by former Governor Haley Barbour are valid.
Former Governor Barbour pardoned 198 people, some of which included four convicted murderers and a robber, before leaving office in January. These men all worked as inmate trusties at the Governor's Mansion. Ten of the people pardoned were in jail at the time of their pardons.
Although Attorney General Jim Hood challenged the pardons saying “that some pardons didn't meet the requirements of the Mississippi Constitution, which says people seeking pardons must publish notices for 30 days in a newspaper”, the Mississippi Supreme Court did not rule in his favor. In a 6-3 opinion, the justices wrote, “we are compelled to hold that — in each of the cases before us — it fell to the governor alone to decide whether the Constitution's publication requirement was met.”
As paralegals, we need to stay abreast of all the current news-making events in Mississippi, as well as nationally, and it can’t get much bigger than this issue. It has garnered vast national attention. It has been argued the governor's pardon power cannot be challenged. What do you think? Do you think the pardon process in Mississippi needs to change because of Former Governor Barbour’s actions? What about the trustee program at the Governor’s mansion, should it have been changed? Moreover, how much will these changes cost the tax payers of Mississippi?
Mississippi Paralegal
Paralegal Stress
Posted on: Feb 8, 2012
A deadline looms; you are under pressure to make sure everything is “perfect”, it is 5:00; time to leave because you are not allowed overtime, but the job is not finished for the early morning meeting, or a clerk is telling you that something you have done a thousand times cannot be done. Pressure. Some attorneys and/or bosses have the attitude “I have a paralegal so I can pile it on him/her. At least it will take some of the pressure off me. After all, what are paralegals for than to be accommodating to their attorneys/bosses by making sure that all deadlines are met, all documents are perfect, all clients are happy, and all cases proceed smoothly? Been there, done that? Me too, but I have some suggestions that may help take a little pressure off you:
- Manage your timekeeping. For those of you lucky enough not to have the timekeeping responsibility, kudos; for the rest of us it is an important daily task. Make it a habit to do time billings daily (if not than at least weekly) that way you get your billings in on time and those small tasks, that only take a few minutes, get billed (instead of forgotten). Remember that small amounts of time add up to large amounts over the course of a day.
- Manage your calendar. Avoid missing deadlines by having a calendar system in place to help you meet deadlines without waiting for those last minute emergencies that can cause mistakes. The key is to faithfully use whatever calendar system that works for both you and your attorney.
- Manage those files. Develop and maintain a system that indexes, organizes, identifies, and tracks firm files. If you can’t find the materials contained in files (or the file itself), what good is the system?
- Manage your clients. Help keep the client informed about their case which helps to ease the client’s fears and decrease stress level of not only you but your client as well.
- Be professional. Pay attention to your behavior in and out of the office, dress in a professional manner, and speak professionally and politely and you will soon be regarded as a professional.
- Start your day with good nutrition (breakfast, people!), planning, and a positive attitude. If you run on empty, soon you fail to run. Start the day off right with breakfast and a plan, this will help you attain and keep a positive attitude.
- Know exactly what is required of you each day. If you are unsure, ask your supervising attorney. Make a plan then work your plan.
- Avoid interpersonal conflict among co-workers, gossip, oversharing of your personal life, and avoid political topics (even office politics).
- Get organized and stay organized. You will be surprised at how much stress clutter and disorganization can cause.
- Exercise every day to avoid the pitfall of a sedentary lifestyle. Walking at lunch is a good way to get in that recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day. Not only does walking help manage stress it also elevates your disposition and could help you reach or maintain your ideal weight.
- Watch out for the perfectionism trap by knowing that you may not be able to do everything perfectly. You may surprise yourself with results actually better than you expected with the pressure to be perfect turned off.
- Do something you enjoy. Doing little things for yourself can help ease stress. A small piece of good chocolate, listening to music on the drive home, reading a good book, taking nap, or just doing nothing can go a long way to help reduce stress in your life.
Try a few of these stress relief tips and see how far they will take you on your paralegal career path and in your personal life.
Mississippi Paralegal
It’s your Association why not make it great!
Posted on: Feb 3, 2012
You may be thinking, I am a member of MPA, great! Now what? Well, there are lots ways to participate within the Association. You could volunteer to serve on a committee. We have over 18 different ones from which to choose. From Audit to History, we have them all. You could write an article (or comment on a previous article) for the new eZine, the Paralegal Pûblicum, which publishes four times a year. You could serve on the convention committee, which is trying hard to bring the NALA National Paralegal Convention to the Great State of Mississippi. By helping with the Bar Relations committee, you could be instrumental in helping attorneys and paralegal work better together. If you are an avid social media buff, you could even volunteer with the Public Relations committee which reports on all MPA activities, both in the Paralegal Pûblicum, on Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail blasts. Although, you may just want to comment on the postings and that’s ok. MPA invites you to comment, the good, the bad, and the ugly; they want to hear about it. Attending monthly membership meetings is a great way to network, meet new people, and keep current on all the latest tips and tricks of the paralegal trade, plus earn those all-important continuing legal education (“CLE”) credits. If your desire is to help people, MPA also offers a variety of ways to give back by scheduling Pro Bono events all throughout the year. The choice is yours. Become involved and help make our Association the best it can be!
Mississippi Paralegal
Are you tech savvy?
Posted on: Jan 20, 2012
Do you know the latest “tech” information, gadgets, software, devices, or toys? We, as paralegals, need to stay abreast of all the current technology out there. It may take a little time; however, technology information is all around us. Just doing a Google search for technology brings up around 3,270,000,000 hits. This can be a daunting task, but if you review one new thing a month by the end of the year, you have learned 12 new technologies that you would have otherwise probably not known. Just think you could become the “tech guru” that everyone turns to for information or advice. Try it today, and see how far “tech” will take you.
Mississippi Paralegal
A Mississippi Paralegal
Posted on: Jan 9, 2012
What does it mean to be a paralegal in Mississippi? It can mean as many different things as there are paralegals in Mississippi. Even though paralegals work in litigation, each one may have different roles, duties, and responsibilities in a litigation case. Paralegals who practice in the area of business may not all do work in mergers, acquisitions, business formation, trademarks, patents, securities, corporate compliance and many other duties. Whatever the differences, we are Mississippi Paralegals and we should be proud of all we, as a group, have accomplished. WE are changing the way paralegal work is performed in our state. WE are volunteering and attending paralegal meetings and functions that advance us in our chosen profession. WE are charting new directions for the paralegals that follow us. WE are the face of paralegals in Mississippi that others see. Whatever being a paralegal in Mississippi is to you, show your pride in this profession and know that all the paralegals that came before helped get you where you are today; so too will you light the way for others to follow.
Mississippi Paralegal
New Year – New Resolutions (?)
Posted on: Jan 3, 2012
Happy New Year! It is 2012, a brand new year, full of new beginnings and possibilities. Have you made or are you going to make a new year’s resolution? At some point in our lives, most of us have made a resolution or two. Some of the standard ones include losing weight, making more money, getting fit, paying off debt, purchasing a new item, and/or traveling more. Have you considered making resolutions that can have an impact on your paralegal career? Do you remember that old saying “…same things inputted, same things outputted” or “same old, same old”? Why not shake things up this year? Instead of the standard “make more money”, how about making (and keeping) resolutions to ensure that can happen. Everyone has an area or two that needs brushing up on; such as learning a new computer program, getting familiar with social media; learning a new area of law; or taking a class. You know where your strengths and weakness lie. So for example, if your paralegal practice is litigation, maybe you could learn the basics of business organizations or if you work in contracts, maybe you could learn trademark and patent laws. There are many ways to update your skill set and make you more valuable to your (an) employer. Take a few minutes, this first week in the New Year, to reflect on your paralegal practice to see where you could improve your skill set and make you even more attractive and/or productive to your employer. We can all afford to learn something new. Without learning, we stagnate and wither on the vine. This is a NEW year full of possibilities and promise, go and conquer it!
Mississippi Paralegal
A Time to Reflect
Posted on: Dec 15, 2011
Alas, Summer has gone and Fall approaches. Schools are back in session again and football season is gearing up. Soon the leaves will start to change and the scorching hot Mississippi weather will give way to milder, nicer temperatures. Now is a good time for reflection, reflection on your life, your relationships, and your paralegal career. Whether you are a seasoned professional paralegal or a newbie, we all can afford to take a good look at ourselves and make a few goals for the future. Where do you want to be in a year, two years, or five years? Are you doing what you love (or love what you are doing)? If not, is there something that you could do to help make what you are doing better? Is there a class or certification that you would like to take? Would you like to learn a foreign language or do volunteer work? Do you need to brush up on software or computer skills? On the other hand, do you need to learn to slow down and take things a little slower? We all have something or somewhere we can afford to improve. To stop learning is to stop growing. Challenge yourself to learn something new each week, such as learning a new word and its proper usage. Building an extensive vocabulary is more valuable than it may seem. Maybe you need to learn to just stop and breathe in the day. That is a great stress reliever. Whatever you decide to do (or not do), now is the time, life is too short. Who knows, next year you may even surprise yourself with how far you have come.
Mississippi Paralegal
Making A Difference
Posted on: Dec 1, 2011
Do you “make a difference”? In your life, on your job, at church, in an association, or civic group do you “make a difference”? NALA has recently reinstated the Making a Difference award “to recognize outstanding achievements of a NALA Member or NALA Affiliated Association who has made a difference in the paralegal profession or in their communities. This recognition is designed to inspire and motivate, as well as to celebrate who paralegals are and what paralegals have accomplished.” In the September issue of Fact & Findings the first two award winners were announced and our very own Sarah O’Neal, ACP made the grade.
Have you ever wanted to be more involved? It’s very easy. Share an idea, voice an opinion, run for office, volunteer, or mentor. These are just a few of the ways to “make a difference” right where you are and probably doing what you are already doing. Think about it, if everyone did just one small thing; big things would be happening all over.
So pick a place, organization, association, or someone in need of mentorship and start right where you are with what you already know. It will make a big difference in someone’s life whether you can see it or not.
Mississippi Paralegal
A Season of Thanksgiving
Posted on: Nov 15, 2011
No matter who or where you are, there is always something for which to be thankful. Your job, family, good friends, health, freedom, or even beautiful sunsets on the drive home are all things that many people count as blessings. Whether we realize it or not, we all have things that make us happy and wealthy, maybe not financially wealthy, but wealthy in spirit, and we should all reflect on them from time to time. Take a few moments each day to be thankful for something wonderful in your life and you will be happier and wealthier in spirit than you can possibly imagine.
MPA wishes each of you a great Season of Thanksgiving!
Mississippi Paralegal
Our Third Blog Post!
Posted on: Nov 12, 2011
Alas, Summer has gone and Fall approaches. Schools are back in session again and football season is gearing up. Soon the leaves will start to change and the scorching hot Mississippi weather will give way to milder, nicer temperatures. Now is a good time for reflection, reflection on your life, your relationships, and your paralegal career. Whether you are a seasoned professional paralegal or a newbie, we all can afford to take a good look at ourselves and make a few goals for the future. Where do you want to be in a year, two years, or five years? Are you doing what you love (or love what you are doing)? If not, is there something that you could do to help make what you are doing better? Is there a class or certification that you would like to take? Would you like to learn a foreign language or do volunteer work? Do you need to brush up on software or computer skills? On the other hand, do you need to learn to slow down and take things a little slower? We all have something or somewhere we can afford to improve. To stop learning is to stop growing. Challenge yourself to learn something new each week, such as learning a new word and its proper usage. Building an extensive vocabulary is more valuable than it may seem. Maybe you need to learn to just stop and breathe in the day. That is a great stress reliever. Whatever you decide to do (or not do), now is the time, life is too short. Who knows, next year you may even surprise yourself with how far you have come.
Mississippi Paralegal
Live from the NALA Convention
Posted on: Aug 14, 2011
MPA’s delegation at the 2011 NALA Convention is representing Mississippi proudly. The convention has gone to an all institute format and the delegation is in the Corporate, Litigation Technology, Essential Skills, and Social Security institutes. Not too bad, guys, we want a full report on your return. For the early bird reception the hosting affiliates held a “Texas Big Hair Contest” and the winner (I kid you not) had a red Marge Simpson Beehive - complete with fake bees. She was awarded the Queen of the Big Hair award; only in Texas!! The opening night reception was a big hit, line dancing to country music, Texas style! Yesterday, our very own Zenda Hefner, was inducted into the 2011-2012 NALA LEAP Class and inducted in style. All of the LEAP class inductees entered wearing overcoats and dark shades searching the room for a lost item all to the theme song from the old Perry Mason. It was a sight to see. Next our NALA Liaison, Sarah O’Neal, gave her candidate speech for the Region III Directorship. I might be biased, but she was awesome! We are rooting for her to win, go Sarah! Yet to come in convention activities is the Affiliate Presentation, plans are underway, rehearsals have been held, and everything is ready. I’m sure our delegation will do us proud. Everyone is excited and anticipating what MPA has to say. Although NALA will not allow filming of the presentation, we will be providing you all the details later this week.
Mississippi Paralegal
Welcome
Posted on: Jul 18, 2011
Wow, have you seen the transformation on MPA’s website. It has received a much needed facelift for its 30th Anniversary. 21st Century watch out, here we come. The new web design is awesome. It features pictures from all over the State of Mississippi. It allows members to inner act with MPA more easily and has features, like this blog, that the old site could only dream about. Remember those member numbers that were assigned in 2010? They are useful to you now. Members can now register online, with those numbers, for the member’s only section where the Job Bank, Membership Roster, and special member’s only information will be posted. And here comes MPA with innovation: be watching for special bar codes headed your way soon. These bar codes will allow you to enter reserved webpages to see announcements, both in writing and video, about upcoming MPA events and news via your smartphone. Way cool! Now we have an interactive calendar that will allow you to see MPA events at a glance so you will never miss an event or monthly meeting again. Another great feature is the news feed. It will be broadcasting news and announcements on a scroll, awesome. Check it out! MPA is posting more and more online CLE in the store and soon MPA products like T-Shirts, mugs, and post-it notes, etc. all with the new MPA Logo. How great is that? And speaking of the MPA Logo, it has had a facelift as well, and we love the new design; sleek, modern, and totally Mississippi. Check out the easy access links to our corporate sponsors. Visit them; see what they are all about, and how they can help you. Transformation and innovation, MPA is on the move, spreading Enthusiasm Fever everywhere. Have YOU caught it yet?
Mississippi Paralegal
