2014 REGISTRATION BROCHURE
NFPA® Annual
Convention
& Policy Meeting
October 9-12, 2014
The Fairmont Dallas
Dallas, Texas
National Paralegal Reporter, NFPA, PACE
Registered Paralegal, RP, PACE, the PACE
design logo, NFPA – The Leader of the
Paralegal Profession and the NFPA design
logo are all Registered Trademarks/Service
Marks of NFPA; NFPA – Your partner in your
profession, PACE – The Standard for
Excellence, Paralegal CORE Competency
Exam, PCCE, PCC Exam, CORE Registered
Paralegal, CRP and PCCE design logo
are Trademarks/Service Marks of NFPA.
Corporate Partner Program sponsor logos
used with permission.
®
Proudly Hosted by:
Dallas Area Paralegal
Association, Inc.
BENEFITS OF ATTENDING
PERSONAL CONTACTS – A personal connection, resulting from face-to-face contact, generates a
higher level of trust. Come build your business relationships with others in the profession.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES – A convention provides a great opportunity to expand your network and
make valuable connections.
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION – The educational sessions are designed specifically to provide
paralegals with continuing legal education. Attending the educational sessions will enhance your
knowledge in specific areas, which can often directly impact your professional status.
GET INSPIRED – Many paralegals find that they have a significantly renewed passion for the profession
and an increased level of confidence in building the paralegal profession after attending an NFPA
convention.
Come see what NFPA’s Annual Convention & Policy Meeting is all about!!!
Go home with amazing, infectious energy!!! See you at the
NFPA 2014 Annual Convention: October 9-12
NFPA CONVENTION CHARITY
Denim Up!
Please support this year’s charity, the North Texas Food Bank, by donating
$5 (or more if you choose) to wear your best denim on Friday, October 10.
The North Texas Food Bank is a Dallas-based non-profit that pursues a
hunger-free community. They provide approximately 130,000 meals a day
spread across 13 Texas counties, and support the nutritional needs of children,
families and seniors through education and advocacy. This association has a
large and strong impact. Every dollar donated to NTFB provides three meals
to hungry north Texans, and out of every dollar, 94 cents goes directly to hunger
relief programs. To learn more about NTFB, please visit their website
– www.ntfb.org.
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Register Today - Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 9, 2014 | www.paralegals.org
NFPA CONVENTION 2014 PROGRAM AT-A-GLANCE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
7:30am – 5:00pm
Registration
11:15am – 12:00pm
Meet the Candidates Panel (Members Only)
7:30am – 7:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Coordinator Appreciation/ Networking Lunch
8:30am – 9:45am
Concurrent Education Sessions
1:30pm – 2:00pm
Exhibitor Door Prize Drawings
9:45am – 10:15am
Morning Break + Visit with Exhibitors
2:00pm – 4:30pm
NFPA Region Meetings
10:15am – 11:30am
Concurrent Education Sessions
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Treasurer’s Meeting (Members Only)
11:30am – 1:00pm
Keynote Luncheon
6:30pm – 10:00pm
Social Event at The Sixth Floor Museum
1:00pm – 2:15pm
Concurrent Education Sessions
Student Sessions
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
2:15pm – 2:45pm
Afternoon Break + Visit with Exhibitors
2:45pm – 4:00pm
Concurrent Education Sessions
Student Sessions
4:15pm – 5:30pm
NFPA Workshops
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Exhibitors’ Reception/
40th Anniversary Reception
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Board of Directors’ Meeting
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
7:00am – 5:00pm
Registration
7:30am – 2:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open
7:30am – 8:30am
First Timer’s Meeting
8:30am - 11:15am
NFPA Region Meetings
9:30am – 10:45am (staggered 15 minute
breaks by region)
Morning Break + Visit with Exhibitors
8:00am – 9:00am
Registration
9:00am – 5:30pm
Policy Meeting
10:30am – 10:45am
Morning Break
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Awards Luncheon
3:15pm – 3:30pm
Afternoon Break
8:00pm – 12:00am
Caucus Meeting(s) (if necessary)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
9:00am – 1:00pm
Policy Meeting
10:30am – 10:45am
Morning Break
3:00pm – 10:00pm
Board of Directors’ Meeting
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
9:00am – 12:00pm
Board of Directors’ Retreat
(NFPA Board Members Only)
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KEYNOTE LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
Thursday, October 9 | 11:30am – 1:00pm
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WAR: ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL
Harriet M
Featuring Keynote Speaker Harriet Miers, Esq.
iers, Esq.
Harriet Miers is a member of the Litigation and Public Policy sections and a former managing
partner of Locke Liddell & Sapp. She returned to the firm in May 2007 after serving in
the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001-2007 as Staff Secretary, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Counsel to
the President. Prior to joining the White House, Ms. Miers had a distinguished career in her commercial litigation practice,
representing a broad range of clients in varied industries. She is well-known throughout the United States and has offices in
Dallas, Austin and Washington, D.C. She is licensed to practice in Texas and the District of Columbia.
Over the years, Ms. Miers also served in many leadership roles in the American Bar Association, including Chair of the Board of Editors
of the ABA Journal and the Texas State Delegate. Among her many recognitions and awards: in 2005, Ms. Miers received the Sandra
Day O’Connor award from the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism and the Robert G. Storey Award for Distinguished
Achievement from the SMU Dedman School of Law. She also has received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both SMU and the SMU
Dedman School of Law. In 1979, she was honored as the Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers.
Ms. Miers received her J.D. from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1970 where she was a member of the Barristers,
Comments Editor of the Southwestern Law Journal, a member of the Moot Court Board, and member of Kappa Beta Pi. She
received her B.S. in Mathematics from Southern Methodist University in 1967.
2014 SOCIAL EVENT
Friday, October 10 | 6:30pm – 10:00pm
$67 per person
(Price includes one complimentary wine/beer/margarita,
dinner buffet and access to the sixth floor permanent
exhibit, John F. Kennedy and the Memory of a Nation.)
The Friday Night Social Event will give the word “social” a
new meaning. Guests will enjoy a margarita machine, a
photo booth, good ole’ Tex Mex, and the Sixth Floor Museum. Before we lose everyone to the museum, the night will
start off with an ice-breaker called the “Selfie Speed Meet
and Great” (SSMG). It is similar to the old style cake walk.
Guests will move around the room when the music stops,
meet someone new (we will tell you where to meet), take
a selfie if you want, and upload it to DAPA’s convention
Facebook page. Once your meet-up card is full, you can
enter for a prize. Bring your cell phones and your smiles.
The
the
the
and
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Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles
legacy of President John F. Kennedy; interprets
Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District
the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza; and presents
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
www.jfk.org | 411 Elm Street
(Within walking distance from the Fairmont Dallas)
contemporary culture within the context of presidential
history. Explore history through one of the world’s most significant repositories of original photographs, film and video
footage, documents and artifacts related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy – a continually growing, multifaceted collection of approximately 40,000 items.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT!
Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.visitdallas.com
Register Today - Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 9, 2014 | www.paralegals.org
DON’T MISS OUT ON THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, NFPA WORKSHOPS
PCCE/Certification Workshop
(Workshops are free for students!)
Workshop will review the basics about the PCC Exam and
will also review the eligibility criteria and how candidates
can determine which eligibility option is the right one for
them. Participants will have a great opportunity to ask questions about the PCC Exam and certification in general.
WENDI ROGERS, CLA
Identifying Your Association’s Leadership DNA
In Wendi’s “Software/Hardware Must Knows,” she will
discuss different software programs and applications
available to paralegals, common program skills requested by potential employers, suggest ideas for training
and skill building, and technology issues such as confidentiality and other ethics related concerns. Wendi
will provide students an opportunity to ask questions regarding the topics presented. Her expertise comes from
over 25 years of assisting attorneys in the courtroom with
trial presentation and management of hardware. This is
an invaluable workshop for new paralegals.
Have you ever wondered what leadership skills your
members are afraid to disclose to you? How many of
you have surveyed your membership about their desire
to assume leadership roles within your Association? The
workshop will provide you with ideas of identifying potential leaders and the various generational approaches to
leadership styles within your own Association. There will be
small group activities related to the concept of collaboration among all members and discussion of the various
pros and cons of delegating leadership responsibility and
avoiding leadership mistakes. Come and share your
ideas that were successful and some ideas you are fine
tuning for the benefit of your membership.
NFPA Student Sessions
1:00pm – 2:15pm and 2:45pm – 4:00pm
JANET HUSETH
Janet will make a presentation regarding interview skills, techniques and resumes.
Janet’s
expertise comes from her experience both as a paralegal with Haynes and Boone and as Senior Business
Development Director for Special Counsel. She will
discuss a paralegal’s road to success through interviewing tips and techniques and provide advice on
navigating the job search. Janet will also take time to
answer questions regarding resumes and interviews.
The student workshops will also include a resume writing contest. If you think you have a great resume
(it’s about quality not quantity), then we want to see
it. A panel of experts will review submitted resumes
and will provide feedback. The top three resumes will
receive honors.
NFPA 40th Anniversary Celebration –
5:30pm – 7:00pm
In 1974, in response to a growing interest in the development of the paralegal profession, eight paralegal
associations joined together and founded NFPA - the
first national paralegal association. Created as a
non-profit federation of paralegal associations, NFPA
is an issues-driven, policy-oriented professional organization directed by its membership. Today, NFPA
remains true to its founders’ grass roots philosophy
as it continues its efforts to advance the paralegal
profession. Join NFPA members, leaders and past
presidents as we toast NFPA’s past, present and future at the Cocktail Reception!
NFPA Concurrent Workshops
4:15pm – 5:30pm
OCTOBER 10 AND
Introduction to Wild Apricot Member Management Software OCTOBER 11 –
This workshop will review the basics about Wild Apricot 7:00AM – 7:30AM
Membership Management software. This is designed for
local associations interested in learning more about Wild
Apricot’s features and how to streamline membership
management. We will review basics on website builder
templates, integrated event registration, online payments,
and email templates used with the contact database.
Breakfast
Option
–
DAPA and NFPA have
arranged to have a Breakfast Taco truck at the hotel both mornings. Come and experience authentic
Tex Mex tacos from Rock and Roll Tacos.
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CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
All sessions are approved for 1.25 CLE credits. Those approved for Ethics CLE credits are noted with an asterisk.
CLE is also approved for 6.0 hours of Civil Trial Law by the
Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
8:30 TO 9:45 AM
*Session A – Technology and Ethics: Inadvertent Disclosure
of Confidential Information
Tammy Middleton, Esq.
With the growth of digital media, the opportunity to inadvertently disclose client confidential information has
increased. Ms. Middleton will discuss the ethical rules outlining the treatment of confidential information and discuss
practical tips guiding paralegals in helping their supervising
attorney in maintaining confidentiality.
Tamara “Tammy” Middleton is a General
Attorney at BNSF Railway Company. In
her position at BNSF, Ms. Middleton serves
as regional claims counsel for the Central
Region and is responsible for BNSF personal injury claims litigation – focusing on FELA, crossing
accident, derailment, and trespasser cases. Prior to joining the claims team this past April, Ms. Middleton oversaw
and assisted with a broad portfolio of commercial litigation
ranging from large-scale multi-party litigation to smaller
cost-recovery matters and contract disputes. She also
provided counseling to a broad array of internal BNSF clients regarding commercial matters, risk avoidance and
pre-litigation negotiation strategies. Before she joined
BNSF, Ms. Middleton was a member of the Trial Practice
group at Jones Day in Dallas, Texas. She is a graduate of
SMU’s Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas.
Session B – Writing Persuasively for Paralegals
Neil Sobol, Esq.
Learn by doing. Professor Sobol will present an interactive and entertaining approach to writing persuasively.
Participants will learn effective techniques to make persuasive arguments even when representing unsympathetic
parties.
Neil L. Sobol is the Director of Legal Analysis,
Research & Writing and an Associate
Professor at Texas A&M University School
of Law. In addition to teaching Legal
Analysis, Research & Writing, Professor
Sobol teaches Legislation & Regulation
and Elements of Legal Studies. He joined the full-time
law faculty at Texas Wesleyan University in 2003 after
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serving since 1997 as an adjunct professor and following fifteen years of private practice. He has been voted
Legal Writing Professor of the Year for 2005-06, 2006-07,
2008-09, and 2009-10 as well as Outstanding 1L Night
Writing Professor for 2001-02 and 2002-03. Professor Sobol
began private practice with a large firm in Dallas and
opened his law partnership in 1992. Professor Sobol’s
practice consisted primarily of bankruptcy-related work.
*Session C - Ethical Considerations and eDiscovery Issues
with the Internet, Social Media, & Cybersecurity
Peter Vogel, Esq.
All evidence is now electronic and paralegals and lawyers have ethical responsibilities to understand eDiscovery.
Since all clients and paralegals rely on the Internet to store
evidence, communicate by email, and use social media,
in the wake of reports of cyber-attacks, the vulnerability
was not so clear. As a result of reports for the governments
in the United States and around the world, lawyers now
need to be vigilant to protect their law firms and clients.
Peter Vogel chairs both the Electronic
Discovery Group and the Internet, eCommerce, & Technology Team at Gardere,
where he helps clients maneuver business
and technology issues through the legal
mazes of electronic evidence, social
media, intellectual property, contracts,
government regulation, and litigation. He assists many clients with ESI (Electronically Stored Information) issues and
related creation, development and implementation of records retention policies.
Session D - Domestic and International Trademark
Prosecution Tips
Molly Buck Richard, Esq.
This topic will cover some tips for successful trademark prosecution through the USPTO, including when to file based
on use or intent to use, selecting appropriate specimens,
and arguing around various rejections. Additionally, it will
cover some filing strategies outside the United States, including pros and cons of broadened descriptions of goods
or services in various countries.
Molly Richard is the founding partner of
Richard Law Group, a certified women
owned business, located in Dallas, Texas.
Ms. Richard has practiced exclusively in
the field of trademark and copyright law
since 1981 and was named one of the
Top 250 Women IP Lawyers for 2013 in
Managing Intellectual Property, one of Texas’ Top 50 Female
Attorneys in 2008 and 2013, and one of the Top 100 Attorneys
Register Today - Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 9, 2014 | www.paralegals.org
EDUCATION SESSIONS
in Texas in 2013 in Texas Monthly. She was also selected as
one of the top trademark attorneys in the world in the 2001
through 2013 editions of World Trademark Review and has
been named a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2003.
10:15 TO 11:30 AM
Session E – Consumer and Collection Law
Doug Scott, Esq.
Mr. Scott’s presentation concentrates on collecting on or
enforcing judgments: abstracts of judgment, post-judgment discovery, garnishments, writs of execution, turnovers
and receiverships.
Board Certified in Consumer and
Commercial Law by the Texas Board of
Legal Specialization, Mr. Scott litigates
matters in state and federal courts. His
particular expertise in domestication of
foreign judgments and writs of garnishment have attracted sizable national
businesses, such as Dollar Rent a Car, Oak Street Funding,
and Hertz Equipment Rental to refer their Texas litigation
to him. Mr. Scott handles a large volume of collections
matters from diverse areas of businesses located in all areas of the country, including garment bag manufactures,
churches, record labels, country clubs, tarp producers,
formwork providers, and car dealerships.
Session F – Witness Interviews and Techniques for
Paralegals Stephen E. Fox, Esq.
Mr. Fox will provide guidance on how paralegals can assist
their attorneys in preparing witnesses for testimony. His presentation will focus on techniques that the paralegal may
use to ensure that witnesses are fully-prepared.
Stephen Fox is a Principal in the Dallas office of Fish
& Richardson, and chairs the firm’s
Commercial Litigation Practice Group.
Mr. Cox has spent more than 25 years
representing clients in boardrooms and
courtrooms across the country, focusing
on complex commercial and employment litigation and counseling, particularly
in the areas of trade secret theft, corporate espionage, unfair competition, collective and class actions, employment
discrimination, and wrongful termination.
Session G – Federal Appellate Law: Formatting Briefs,
Hyperlinking, Table of Contents
Hilaree A. Casada, Esq.
Ms. Casada will walk you through the process of properly formatting and e-filing an appellate brief in the federal appellate
courts. This presentation will include an update on recent developments and rules related to e-briefs, as well as tips and
best practices for creating an e-brief that is easy to read and
easy to navigate through the use of hyperlinked Tables of
Contents, Tables of Authorities, appendices, record citations,
and citations to legal authorities.
Hilaree Casada is a Senior Attorney in
the Appellate Law section of Cowles &
Thompson, with her practice principally
focusing on the areas of civil appeals and
litigation support. Ms. Casada is Board
Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas
Board of Legal Specialization.
*Session H – Focus on Paralegal Ethics – Panel
Kristen Hensley, Esq., Brian Webb, Esq., Kay Redburn, Justice
Kerry Fitzgerald
Professionalism and ethical behavior require more than merely
avoiding the violation of laws and rules. This panel will discuss
Paralegal Ethics as it applies to the practice of law, specifically
corporate and family law, and in the Courtroom. As part of this
panel, there will be a discussion on some of the challenges that
paralegals face in various areas including corporate in-house
environments and how to overcome these challenges. The attorneys and paralegal on the panel will also address preserving
confidentiality, and paying attention to details.
The presentation will cover three topics. The first may be
generally called “Integrity,” and it will encompass subtopics such as truth versus “spin” and honesty in dealing with
money. The second may be generally called “fear,” and
it concerns both the paralegal’s fears (overstepping the
line into the unauthorized practice of law and “understepping” by falling short of what is expected of him or her) and
how the paralegal can help the overcome client’s fears.
The third topic will be “The Courtroom” and will cover the
various ways in which a paralegal can aid lawyers and anticipate problems in the courtroom setting.
Justice Fitzgerald has served as a Justice
on the Fifth District Court of Appeals since
original appointment by then Governor
George Bush in 1999. Previously, Justice
Fitzgerald served as Trial Section and Chief
of the Appellate Section of the Dallas
County District Attorney’s Office.
7
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
Kristen Hensley has over ten years of legal
experience with the last four years spent
working in-house. Over the past ten years,
Ms. Hensley has spent a substantial amount
of time providing advice and guidance to
clients on multiple business issues including
formation, day-to-day operations, and termination of various legal entities.
Brian Webb is an attorney with The Webb
Family Law Firm and an Adjunct Professor
on Texas Matrimonial Property at Southern
Methodist University Dedman School of
Law. He has been listed as one of the Best
Lawyers in America, the Top 100 Texas Super
Lawyers (Texas Monthly), Top 100 Dallas/Fort
Worth Super Lawyers (Texas Monthly), Best Lawyers in Dallas
and Best Family Lawyers in Dallas (Texas Monthly).
Ms. Redburn has been a Board Certified
Paralegal in Family Law by the Texas Board
of Legal Specialization since 2003. She has
been a Senior Paralegal to Brian L. Webb at
The Webb Family Law Firm, P.C. since 1996.
Ms. Redburn served as the NFPA Ethics and
Professional Responsibility Coordinator from
2005-2007, is a Founding Member of the Paralegal Advisory
Commission in Family Law to the Texas Board of Legal
Specialization, which was in 1993, and ultimately served as
the Chair of the Committee in 2007-2011 and again from 2013
to the present. She has served in many roles on various committees related to the paralegal profession and family law.
1:00 TO 2:15 PM
Session I – An Overview of Patent Prosecution and the AIA for
Paralegals
Edwin S. Flores, Esq., Ph.D.
Dr. Flores will present an overview of patent prosecution and
the American Invents Act (AIA) for paralegals. The presentation will include practical tips regarding patent prosecution
under the AIA.
Dr. Flores is the managing partner and
founder of the Intellectual Property law firm
of Chalker Flores LLP in north Dallas where he
focuses his practice on biotechnology patent law. Dr. Flores helps universities, individual
inventors, small and medium companies
protect their intellectual property via patents, trademarks,
copyrights, trade secrets and contracts. He also works with
trial lawyers as a consultant in patent litigation matters.
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Session J – Everything a Paralegal Wants to Know About FOIA
Abigail Moore, Esq.
Information held by federal agencies and governmental entities is often relevant to case assessment, litigation strategies,
and overall business strategies. As a result, corporate and
law firm paralegals are sometimes called upon to make requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act.
This presentation will give an overview of the Act, and give
practical tips about navigating the FOIA process, including
considerations in crafting requests and in dealing with federal
entities once a request has been made.
Abby Moore is a senior counsel in the
business litigation and dispute resolution
practice group of Locke Lord LLP. Ms.
Moore’s practice provides high-quality
legal representation and services to clients
involved in commercial litigation and
arbitration in a broad range of industries,
and in particular, the banking, financial institutions, and
consumer finance industry, the business technology and
telecommunications industry, and the insurance industry.
Session K – Demystifying CM/ECF in U.S. District, Bankruptcy
and Appellate Courts
Pamela J. Starr, CBA, J.S.M.
Whether you are new to CM/ECF or a veteran user, this
seminar will demystify some of the intricacies (or perhaps
annoyances) of the e-filing and file management platform
utilized by the U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate Courts.
Learn valuable tips, tricks, and best practices for successful,
and painless, e-filing.
Pamela J. Starr, CBA, J.S.M., CEO &
Paralegal
Extraordinaire
of
STARR
Paralegals, LLC, provides 21st century
paralegal support to attorneys throughout
the United States in Bankruptcy & Creditors’
Rights, Commercial Transactions, UCC,
and all things ECF. Ms. Starr, a daughter
of the GSOT, serves on NFPA’s Ethics Board, blogs as her alter-ego Pamela the Paralegal, provides Career Mitigation©
services to transitioning professionals at ‘Sessions with a Starr’,
and attends grad school.
Session L – Drafting Promissory Notes
Emeline Yang, Esq.
This presentation will provide an overview of certain key elements of a promissory note and several of the issues related to
the drafting of this “simple” instrument.
Register Today - Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 9, 2014 | www.paralegals.org
EDUCATION SESSIONS
Emeline Yang is a Shareholder with
Winstead. Ms. Yang has been involved in a
wide variety of commercial lending transactions on behalf of lending institutions
and business entities in various industries
since 1995. She has been a member of
Winstead’s Finance & Banking practice
since she joined the firm in 1997.
2:45 TO 4:00 PM
*Session M – No, She Did Not Just Say That? Role Playing with
Ethics (acted out by Committee Members)
Marsha Griggs, Esq., Moderator
Ms. Griggs has many years of experience teaching paralegals and teaching ethics. She will host a panel of
paralegals acting out ethics skits and critique each situation.
Marsha Griggs is the Assistant Dean for
Academic Support and Bar Readiness
at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Ms.
Griggs has more than 14 years of experience with standardized test and bar exam
preparation. Prior to joining the Thurgood
Marshall School of Law, Ms. Griggs served
on the faculty at Collin College where she chaired the
Business Administration and Paralegal Studies departments.
Session N – An Overview of the Hague Convention on the
Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra-Judicial Documents
in Civil and Commercial Matters, the Legalization and
Authentication of Foreign Public Documents
Bruce Akerly, Esq.
Mr. Akerly will explore the procedure for obtaining service
of process outside the United States and strategies relating
thereto.
Mr. Akerly is a partner at Cantey & Hanger
LLP, where he heads the firm’s Creditors’
Rights, Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice
Group. His primary areas of practice include commercial litigation, bankruptcy
and financial restructuring, and creditor
rights. Mr. Akerly is a frequent writer and
lecturer in the areas of commercial litigation and procedure, creditor rights, collection of debts and judgments, and
insolvency proceedings.
Session O – Litigation Update – FRCP
Bruce Flowers, Esq.
This will be a discussion encompassing both statutory updates and updates through case law interpreting Federal
Procedure. Also, Mr. Flowers will look at how these updates
affect the different geographical regions.
Mr. Flowers, a director of the Firm, practices in the Litigation, Environmental, Energy,
Construction and Insurance Sections, and
has significant experience drafting contracts and litigating contractual disputes. For
more than 20 years, Mr. Flowers has aggressively represented clients in prosecuting and
defending against claims in both state and federal courts,
and in a diverse number of matters.
Session P – Comparison of International and Domestic
Corporate Entities
Wilson Chu, Esq., Simon Raftopoulos, Esq., and James
Stephens, Esq.
As the world gets smaller and flatter, Cayman and other
offshore countries occupy more and more boxes in the corporate structure. But it takes more than a Texas Two-Step to
navigate the twists and turns of unfamiliar corporate formalities of offshore companies. Our expert panelists will give you
the survival kit essentials to offshore companies that will make
you the hero of your next global transaction, worthy of a CEOappreciation trip to the beaches of Bermuda.
Wilson Chu is a partner in the Dallas office
of K&L Gates, LLP and serves as global cohead of the firm’s M&A Practice Group.
His practice focuses on United States
and cross-border M&A and other strategic transactions for clients ranging from
Fortune 500 serial acquirers to private equity funds to high- growth, high-impact emerging technology
companies in the United States and abroad.
Simon Raftopoulos is a partner and a
member of the Corporate Finance and
Insurance teams of Appleby in the Cayman
Islands. He joined Appleby in 2006 and was
made partner in 2009. Mr. Raftopoulos
represents clients in a wide variety of corporate finance transactions, including
private equity and fund finance, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, initial and secondary public
offerings, structured finance, asset securitizations and private
placements of equity and debt securities. He also represents
clients on large insurance transactions.
James Stephens is Managing Partner of the
London office of K&L Gates, LLP and group
team leader of the Banking & Asset Finance
team within the Corporate & Commercial
practice group. His practice includes all
aspects of corporate and commercial law
with specialist expertise in securitizations,
inversions, reorganizations, and mergers and acquisitions of
private and public companies.
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CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
HOTEL CONTACT INFORMATION
GROUP TRANSPORTATION
The Fairmont Dallas
1717 N. Akard Street
Dallas, TX 75201
GO Yellow Checker Shuttle of Dallas is offering a
special rate for the NFPA Convention when using
their pre-registration service.
Visit http://www.
yellowcheckershuttle.com/nfpa for details!
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY SEPTEMBER 17
TO RECEIVE THE NFPA RATE AND TO ENSURE
AVAILABILITY!
Make your reservations by calling 800-441-1414.
Identify yourself with the NFPA 2014 Annual
Convention.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Making its home in the Dallas Arts District, the Fairmont
Dallas is just minutes from the Central Business District
and the Financial District. Outstanding cultural and
entertainment activities abound in The Arts District, as
well as the nearby West End Historic District, Victory
Plaza (home of the American Airlines Center) and
West Village, all known for their shopping and lively
restaurants. Guest room amenities include a spacious
desk, multi-line telephone with voice mail, OnCommand Video featuring 24-hour in-room movies
and games, new premium pillow-top mattresses,
goose-down or hypoallergenic pillows, iron with
ironing board, coffee/tea and maker, plush terry
robes, in-room safety deposit boxes and refreshment
center. Enhanced technology adds another level
of convenient luxury through new high-definition,
flat-screen televisions in every room and wireless
high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel.
AIR TRANSPORTATION
NFPA is pleased to partner with American Airlines for
discounted travel to the NFPA Convention.
Book your discounted fare online at www.aa.com/
group. Search for your flight and enter the Promotion
Code 57H4BQ.
You may also call American Airlines reservations at
1-800-433-1790. A $25 ticketing charge will apply.
NFPA GIVES THANKS TO OUR
2014 CORPORATE PARTNERS
PRESIDENT LEVEL
esquiresolutions.com
800.211.DEPO
AMBASSADOR LEVEL
PATRON LEVEL
The group rates are as follow:
$179 plus tax Single/Double
$199 plus tax Triple
$229 plus tax Quad
To prevent complications upon check-in, please
provide all guest names when making your
reservations.
10
FRIEND LEVEL
Register Today - Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 9, 2014 | www.paralegals.org
2014 NFPA ANNUAL CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM
•ONLINE from NFPA’s website at www.paralegals.org using your credit card.
•FAX your completed form with credit card payment to (425) 771-9588. Our fax line is open 24 hours a day.
•Mail your completed form with check or credit card payment to: NFPA, 23607 Highway 99, Suite 2C,
Edmonds, WA 98026
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name:_______________________________________________ Certification:_______________________________________
Local Association: ____________________________________ Employer:__________________________________________
Daytime Phone:______________________________________ Mailing Address:___________________________________
E-mail:__________________________________________City:______________________ State:________ Zip:_____________
CHECK WHERE APPLICABLE:
o This is my first NFPA Convention
o I am attending the First Timers’ meeting
o I am attending the Student Workshops
o I am attending the Treasurer’s Meeting (members only)
o This is my first NFPA Convention as a Delegate
o I am attending the Region Meetings
o I am attending NFPA Workshops
2014 DEMOGRAPHICS SURVEY
Please take a moment to let us know a little about the work you do. This information will only be used anonymously and
in aggregate and will help our future Conventions be more relevant for those attending. You may select more than one
area of law if applicable.
o Bankruptcy
o Corporate/Business
o Criminal
o Domestic Relations/Family Law
o Environmental
o Estate
o Intellectual Property
o Labor/Employment
o Personal Injury
o Real Property
o Other__________________
REGISTRATION
FEES
Thursday Education Seminars
Member All-Day Rate (includes lunch)
Non-Member All-Day Rate (includes lunch)
Member Half-Day Rate (seminars only)
Non-Member Half-Day Rate (seminars only)
Student Half-Day Rate (seminars only)
Student Individual Sessions (morning only)
Member Individual Sessions
Non-Member Individual Sessions
Policy Meeting
Local Association Delegates
(Primary & Secondary only)
Local Association Officers
(Permission of Local Association Required)
Policy Meeting Observer (Member)
Policy Meeting Observer (Non-Member)
Policy Meeting Observer (Student)
Policy Meeting Observer
(DAPA/NFPA Non Delegate Coordinators)
EARLY BIRD
BEFORE 8/9
o Corporate
o Government/Military
o Law Firm
o Freelance/Contract
o Other___________________
REGULAR
BEFORE 9/9
TOTALS
(After 9/9 add $20)
$230
$245
$265
$285
$145
$155
$175
$185
$95
$105
$50.50
$77.50
x___(Quantity)
$92.50
x___(Quantity)
$__________
$__________
$__________
$__________
$__________
$__________
$__________
$__________
$255
$270
$__________
$255
$270
$__________
$ 75
$200
$ 25
$ 80
$220
$ 45
$__________
$__________
$__________
No Charge
$__________
o I require AC power at the Policy Meeting
REGISTRATION FEES, CONTINUED...
11
REGISTRATION FORM CONTINUED
Lunch & Events (indicate number of people for each event)
o Member$40
o Thursday x ____o Friday x ____ o Saturday x ____
o Non-Member$50
o Thursday x ____o Friday x ____ o Saturday x ____
o Student Lunch$30
o Friday Social Event
o Thursday x ____
$__________
$67 x ____
$__________
o I will participate in Denim Up! (Minimum $5 donation) $__________
o NFPA 40th Anniversary T-Shirt
$22
Unisex Size:
oS
oM
oL
o XL
$__________
o XXL o XXXL
Total Registration
$__________
$__________
Dietary Restrictions
What do the caterers need to be aware of? (e.g. vegetarian, peanut allergy, gluten free, diabetic)
Dietary Restrictions (if applicable) ________________________________________________________________________
Education Seminars (please choose your education sessions, listed in this brochure)
(Thursday-8:30am-9:45am):
o A
o B
o C
oD
(Thursday-10:15am-11:30am): o E
o F
o G
o H
(Thursday-1:00pm-2:15pm):
o I
o J
o K
o L
(Thursday-2:45pm-4:00pm):
o M
o N
o O
o P
PAYMENT INFORMATION (There are additional fees for registrations received after September 8, 2014 as
stated above)
o Enclosed is my check
- OR Charge the specificied amount to my: o VISA /MasterCardo American Express
Total $_________
Card #:_______________________________________________________ Exp Date:______________________ CVV:______
Billing Zip Code: _______________________________________ Signature:_________________________________________
SUBSTITUTIONS, CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
If you cannot attend you may send a substitute. Requests for substitution must be submitted in writing by
e-mail, fax, or regular mail. If you must cancel, requests must be made in writing by e-mail, fax, or regular
mail. Cancellations received on or before Monday, September 9, 2014 are subject to a $50.00 Fee.
Cancellations received after Monday, September 9, 2014 will forfeit all fees.
NFPA reserves the right to photograph and/or videotape the proceedings at the 2014 Annual Convention &
Policy Meeting and to use the images for educational and promotional activities without compensation.
12
Register Today - Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 9, 2014 | www.paralegals.org
SAVE THE DATES!
2015 Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
October 8-11, 2015
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Honolulu, Hawaii
2016 Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
October 20-23, 2016
Hilton Burlington
Burlington, Vermont
2017 Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
New Orleans, Louisiana
NFPA’s 2015 Joint Conference
(Regulation, Leadership and Certification Ambassadors) will take place on May 1-3, 2015
in Portland, Oregon – the City of Roses! Hosted by the Oregon Paralegal Association, it will
be held at the Standard Insurance Center in downtown Portland. Make your plans to join
NFPA and many local leaders in attendance to network, learn about new developments in
paralegal regulation and See Your Career and Leadership Opportunities Blossom! More
information will be posted in the fall after Convention, check the NFPA website for updates.
If you have any questions, please contact: CoordinatingVP@paralegals.org.
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