WRIT
WCALSP
PUBLISHED BY
THE
WASHTENAW
COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF
LEGAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
June 2001 Issue
WASHTENAW COUNTY ASSOCIATION
OF
LEGAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
2001-2002 OFFICERS:
President ................. Brigid Lossing ............ (734) 665-4036
Vice President ............ Lucinda M. Malocha ........ (734) 622-7615
Treasurer ................. Janette Seile Carras ...... (734) 668-2200
Recording/
Corresponding Secretary ... Karen L. Levinski ......... (734) 973-1222
Governor .................. Maureen K. Proffitt ....... (734) 954-0100
Executive Advisor .........
Parliamentarian ........... Jane A. Slider, PLS ....... (734) 481-1234
2001-2002 COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
Audit ..................... Karen L. Levinski ......... (734) 973-1222
Awards & Appreciation ..... Karen L. Levinski ......... (734) 973-1222
Bar Liaison ............... Kyeena Slater ............. (734) 996-3229
Bylaws/Standing Rules ..... Jane A. Slider, PLS ....... (734) 481-1234
Employment ................ Arita B. Sims Damroze ..... (734) 973-2708
Finance ................... Brigid Lossing ............ (734) 665-4036
Holiday Party ............. Maureen K. Proffitt ....... (734) 954-0100
Membership ................ Lucinda M. Malocha ........ (734) 622-7615
Nominations & Election .... Jane A. Slider, PLS ....... (734) 481-1234
Program ................... Janette Seile Carras ...... (734) 668-2200
Public Relations .......... Kyeena Slater ............. (734) 996-3229
and Brigid Lossing ........ (734) 665-4036
Publication
("Writ")....... Lucinda M. Malocha
........ (734) 622-7615
Reservations .............. Janette Seile Carras ...... (734) 668-2200
Seminars .................. Jane A. Slider, PLS ....... (734) 481-1234
and Janette Seile Carras .. (734) 668-2200
The WRIT is
the official publication of the Washtenaw County Association of Legal Support
Professionals (WCALSP).
WCALSP assumes no responsibility for the
opinions or points of view expressed by contributors to the WRIT.
Report on NALS of Michigan Awards Banquet and Oath of Office
Report on NALS Annual Meeting Third General Assembly
Report of the
Recording/Corresponding Secretary (Minutes)
Treasurer's Report (distributed at meeting)
NALS
Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
“It
is not impossibilities which fill us with the deepest despair, but possibilities
which we have failed to realize”
– Robert Mallett, 1915 -
Our
speaker for May was Lore Rogers, from Safe House in Ann Arbor. Lore spoke to us about her role legal
advocacy coordinator for Safe House. I’m
sure that all in attendance would agree that she had some very interesting
information to share with us. We had
two guests at our meeting and a fairly good showing by “usual suspects” in the
general membership.
After
having presided over my first meeting, I must say that our immediate past
president, Terry Comeau, made it look a lot easier than it actually is. I had an opportunity to discuss briefly my
vision for PLS certification of every member who is interested in attaining
that goal. Registration for the March
2002, PLS examination must take place in January 2001. I firmly believe that this is a highly
attainable goal if we work together as a team.
I have done some research about certification on the NALS website, and I
have written to Kathy Amirante, PLS, our Certification Chair, to see if we can
get some more specific direction with regard to forming a study group. Please give serious thought to participating
in this activity. The short term
sacrifices are obvious and easily enumerated, the long term professional and
personal gratification is invaluable.
Our
very own Arita Sims Damroze will the guest speaker for our June 19, 2001, meeting.
I look forward to seeing all of you at that time.
Brigid
A. Lossing
WCALSP
President
July 17th - PLEASE MAKE
SUGGESTIONS FOR A TOPIC/SPEAKER
August
- Member and Guest Picnic
Awards
Banquet and Oath of Office
Dateline
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
One
of the many highlights of our 2001, Annual Meeting was the awards banquet on
Saturday, May 5, 2001. The setting for
the evening was truly elegant. The
banquet was held in the Imperial Ballroom, with its sweeping staircases and
balcony. In keeping with the theme of
Annual Meeting, there were red roses at every place setting. At the end of the evening all in attendance
were presented with bud vases as a keepsake for the occasion.
I
must say that our chapter representatives were extraordinarily coiffed and
magnificently attired! I, for one, was
proud to be a member of WCLSP.
Our
meal consisted of grilled tenderloin of beef with shallot sauce AND cider
marinated breast of chicken with apple-cranberry compote. These main dishes were accompanied by potato
tart, steamed asparagus and boston Bibb salad.
The meal was concluded with an exquisite presentation of chocolate silk
pie with marinated strawberries. As I
shared with my dinner companions, the meal was almost as good as my
rendition of these creations.
The
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was William J. Jack, Jr., Esq., of Smith
Haughey Rice & Roegge. William G.
Hegarty, former Grand Rapids Chief of Police, presented a talk entitled “Our
Very Smart, Violent Children.”
Immediately following was a recognition of past State and Chapter
Presidents which I found to be inspiring.
Next we had the presentation of Scholarship Awards to two well deserving
young women. Unfortunately, neither recipient was able to attend the
ceremony. Kay Rushton, PLS, made presentation of Legal Professional of
the Year to Pam Bryson, PLS, of Calhoun County.
Finally,
Beverly L. Points, PLS, was presented as our incoming State President, by
Bonnie J. Miller, one of the three attorneys Beverly works for. I am certain that all in attendance will
agree that the tribute given by Ms. Miller was one of the most inspirational
ever given by an employer to an employee.
Beverly was distinguished in a glowing light by all of her employers
that the listener was left feeling equal parts envy and respect. The oath of office was administered to
Beverly who then ended the evening with a gracious speech.
Overall,
the evening was magical and inspirational.
And while I was delighted to have the company of our chapter members in
attendance, the evening could only have been enhanced by the presence of every
one of you. I sincerely hope that next
year our chapter will fill an entire table at the Awards Banquet.
Brigid
A. Lossing
President,
WCLSP
NALS Code of Ethics and
Professional Responsibility
Members of NALS are bound by the objectives of this association and the standards of conduct required of the legal profession.
Every
member shall
·
Encourage respect for
the law and the administration of justice;
·
Observe rules governing
privileged communications and confidential information;
·
Promote and exemplify
high standards of loyalty, cooperation, and courtesy;
·
Perform all duties of the
profession with integrity and competence; and
· Pursue a high order of professional attainment.
§ Integrity and high standards of conduct are fundamental to the success of our professional association. This Code is promulgated by the NALS and accepted by its members to accomplish these ends.
Canon 1. Members of this association shall maintain a high degree of competency and integrity through continuing education to better assist the legal profession in fulfilling its duty to provide quality legal services to the public.
Canon 2. Members of this association shall maintain a high standard of ethical conduct and shall contribute to the integrity of the association and the legal profession.
Canon 3. Members of this association shall avoid a conflict of interest pertaining to a client matter.
Canon 4. Members of this association shall preserve and protect the confidences and privileged communications of a client.
Canon 5. Members of this association shall exercise care in using independent professional judgment and in determining the extent to which a client may be assisted without the presence of a lawyer and shall not act in matters involving professional legal judgment.
Canon 6. Members of this association shall not solicit legal business on behalf of a lawyer.
Canon 7. Members of this association, unless permitted by law, shall not perform paralegal functions except under the direct supervision of a lawyer and shall not advertise or contract with members of the general public for the performance of paralegal functions.
Canon 8. Members of this association, unless permitted by law, shall not perform any of the duties restricted to lawyers or do things which lawyers themselves may not do and shall assist in preventing the unauthorized practice of law.
Canon 9. Members of this association not licensed to practice law shall not engage in the practice of law as defined by statutes or court decisions.
Canon 10. Members of this association shall do all other things incidental, necessary, or expedient to enhance professional responsibility and participation in the administration of justice and public service in cooperation with the legal profession.