President’s Message - Ventura County Paralegal Association · Bakersfield. However, they are a great group of people, and it was a pleasure to interact with them. A few updates

Ode to the Intern . . .

I was given the unique opportunity to start up a pilot internship program in my

office with the Ventura County Counsel. It was initiated by me in the beginning

to assist with my heavy workload in the probate assignment. The thought was

that a first or second year law student would be able to gain court experience

by attending the probate calendar every Tuesday in J6 where probate

conservatorships over the elderly and developmentally disabled are initiated;

attend the mental health calendar at the in-patient psychiatric courtrooms

where LPS reappointment hearings are heard; and observe jury trials at the Hall

of Justice when LPS conservatees contest their conservatorships. In addition, I

thought that it was a great opportunity to delegate some of my workload and

relieve a bit of my daily stress. In turn, the intern receives credit through their

school and can put on their resume that they worked at County Counsel’s

Office. A win-win situation. Well, it started that way. But now after four

years, I see it as an opportunity to mentor and teach. They are eager to learn

and take in everything like little sponges. I am very lucky to have a job I

genuinely love to come to. Teaching the interns the ins and out of probate is

rewarding, but what they teach me is more valuable. They inspire me with

fresh ideas and other ways to look at things that may be more productive.

What is also so gratifying is that these students will be our future lawyers. I can

only hope that their experience in my office will have some sort of impact on

their future. Who knows maybe they will become probate attorneys!

Thank you, Mike, Liz, Todd, Michael, Matt, Phillip and Katelyn!

President’s Message

COUNTY OF VENTURA The Verdict

Inside this issue:

President’s

Message

1

Membership

Corner

4

Programs 5

CAPA Report 9

Article—The Rea-

son the Best Para-

legals are Me-

thodical

12

Wine Tasting Infor-

mation

15

Treasurer Report 17

Article—Are You

Sitting on the

Bench?

18

Diana M. Mueller

Page 2 The Verdict

The Elected 2014-2015 Board Members:

President - Diana M. Mueller

1st VP Programs – Alana Robinson

2nd VP Membership - Denise Hansen

Secretary - Jennifer Larisey

Treasurer - Sacheen Swan

CAPA Primary Rep. - Alana Robinson

NALA Liaison - Heather Lindquist

The Committee Chairs:

Newsletter – Eric Bleuel

Historian – Vacant

Publicity – Marielena Solano

VCBA Liaison: Heather Lindquist, Co-Chairs

VCLSA Liaison: Vacant

Ways & Means:

Wine Tasting: Heather Lindquist

MCLE Conference: Vacant (Board to Co-Chair)

Education – Michelle DeRoche

Website/Social Media – Diana Mueller

Employment: Elvira Abdon

CAPA Secondary: Vacant

Page 3 The Verdict

Page 4 Volume XXVIII, Issue 3

VCPA currently has 53 members enjoying the member benefits VCPA affords, such as The Verdict newsletter and reduced rates at General Meetings and MCLE. We are happy to see so many new members! If you haven’t yet renewed your membership or wish to become a new member, please visit our website for an application (http://vcparalegal.org/). We are now looking forward to our VCPA Annual Wine Tasting event. Please feel free to email me or call me or approach me at any of our general meetings as we welcome your input, your comments, and any concerns that you may have.

Denise Hansen

Membership Corner


VCPA kicked off the year by hosting our MCLE Conference in February, at the Oxnard Courtyard Mar-

riott. We had a great turnout! Thank you all for showing up and keeping up-to-date with your education.

Chris Cohen, Esq., was the first speaker, who talked about "Corporate Law for Environmentally and

Socially-Responsible Business: The Benefit Corporation and B Corp Certification." Our second speaker

was Thomas W. Temple, who presented “Don’t Send Junk to Judges: Using Typography and Graphic

Design Principles to Create More Persuasive Documents.” Our third speaker was Michael McQueen,

Esq. He gave a presentation with this topic: "Probate and Trust Litigation: Traps for the Unwary."

Kathy Bower, Esq., was our fourth presenter, and she spoke on "Legal Procedure." Our keynote

speaker was Justice Steven Perren, who gave his presentation on “How Will You Know if the Attorney

has Screwed up an Appeal?”

In March, we decided to hold our MCLE meeting at Mimi’s Cafe in Ventura, close to the Pacific View Mall. We have had low turnout in Camarillo for awhile now, so we decided to try Ventura. We had great responses from people for our new location. Richard Martin, CEO of Directives Online, gave his presentation titled “Digital Asset Landscape: Preparation for Changes in Legislature.” It was geared towards attorneys and paralegals in estate planning, although relevant to everyone. No one realizes how much information, including family heirloom pictures, are kept digitally, with a passcode that could die with them. Rich offers digital storage for certain documents, which comes in handy, such as for travelers. This is his website: https://www.directivesonline.com/

Katarine Bonard-Plank was our speaker in April. We held this MCLE meeting at Mimi’s Cafe as well.

Katarine has a background in criminal justice. Currently, she is an adjunct ethics professor at Universi-

ty of LaVerne. The title of her presentation was: "Ethical Considerations in the Workplace and Society."

Everyone was excited to receive an MCLE in ethics!

There will be no MCLE meeting in May due to our 20th Annual Wine and Beer Tasting and Silent/Live Auction. Save the date!! It is set for Friday, May 20 at Cantara Cellers in Camarillo. Check out their website here: http://cantaracellars.com/videos/

Keep a lookout in your emails for our next MCLE meeting! And please, if you have any suggestions for speakers or topics, email me at [email protected].

Alana Robinson

VP Programs

Alana Robinson VP—Programs

PROGRAMS

https://www.directivesonline.com/

http://cantaracellars.com/videos/

mailto:[email protected]


Photos from MCLE


Photos from MCLE


Photos from MCLE


CAPA represents California paralegals. This is their website: https://www.caparalegal.org/ This association

has been instrumental in securing a name for paralegals. This longtime goal came to fruition in 2000, when the term “paralegal” was final-

ly defined in the Business and Professions Code, Section 6450. You can find the definition here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/

displaycode?section=bpc&group=06001-07000&file=6450-6456

Since you are a member of VCPA, and VCPA is a member of CAPA, you are also an affiliate member

of CAPA (California Alliance of Paralegal Associations). The way it works is: VCPA represents Ventura

paralegals; VCPA represents Ventura County paralegals in the eyes of CAPA; and CAPA represents

California paralegals.

I attended the CAPA board meeting in February 2016. As a newly-appointed CAPA representative for

VCPA, I did not know what I was getting into. I thought I would travel somewhere fun... I ended up in

Bakersfield. However, they are a great group of people, and it was a pleasure to interact with them.

A few updates on CAPA and California paralegals in general, that I learned at the February CAPA

board meeting:

CAPA announced that they have drafted language to add onto the definition of being a paralegal. They want to change the fact that there are no specifications as to when the two years for MCLE credits begins or ends.

CAPA is no longer a voting member of NALA (National Association for Legal Assistants); they are now just sustaining members. What does this mean? This means more freedom; they no long-er need to adhere to binding NALA rules-- only CAPA’s.

The governor is cutting the budget. More courthouses are opening up instead of more legal aid. However, California especially needs more legal aid because many people are turned away. For example, New York has $100 million of legal aid allotted per year; California has $10. In fact, the legal system is so backlogged that in San Diego, the courts have asked paralegal asso-ciations to participate in “filing parties.”

CAPA uses Robert’s Rules of Order, and they run on an informal basis. During this meeting, they decided that silence means consent: speak up if you do not agree!

The proposed CAPA bylaws will be voted on in the June board meeting.

The next CAPA board meeting will be June 25, 2016 at the Riverside Convention Center. It is a three-in-one event: board meeting, CAPA anniversary, and Educational Conference anniver-sary. The driving excitement of this event is that it is CAPA’s 40th anniversary! Happy anniver-sary, CAPA!!! (It also marks the 28th anniversary of the successful Educational Conference.)


CAPA REPORT

https://www.caparalegal.org/

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=bpc&group=06001-07000&file=6450-6456

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=bpc&group=06001-07000&file=6450-6456


More information is in the paragraph below.

The CAPA Educational Conference is June 25, 2016, at the Riverside Convention Center. This confer-

ence offers many diverse/rare CLE credits. For example, there will be a lot of ethics, a “Substance

Abuse” presentation, and “Elimination of Bias.” VCPA will help this event run smoothly, including help-

ing with decorations. This event is $120 for members (all VCPA’s members are also CAPA affiliate

members).

Here is a list of the 2016 Educational Conference speakers and topics: https://www.caparalegal.org/event-registration/?ee=12. You may also make hotel reservations and create your personal agenda for the speakers you want to hear through this above link.

We hope to see you at CAPA’s 2016 Educational Conference, but if not, stay tuned for updates from

me!

Alana Robinson

VP Programs


CAPA REPORT (cont.)

https://www.caparalegal.org/event-registration/?ee=12

https://www.caparalegal.org/event-registration/?ee=12


CUNNINGHAM LEGAL

771 E. Daily Drive, Suite 350

Camarillo, CA 93010-0785

(805) 484-2769

www.cunninghamlegal.com


As most of you know, I started my first job as a paralegal with no experience. Yep, make that a big, fat, under-

whelming zero. I wasn’t just slightly intimidated by the lawyers and the work; I was gripped in quiet terror. Calm

on the outside and screaming for mercy on the inside, pretty much on a daily basis. I mean, it’s not like I thought

they’d actually kill me or anything (okay, perhaps that’s not entirely accurate, after having made a mistake or

twelve in the twilight hour), but to say the learning curve for a newbie paralegal is arduous for the first few years

in a paralegal career is like saying paralegals kinda, sorta, might just a little, itty-bitty bit like chocolate and Fri-

days. Ha. The learning curve was epic. And not in a good way, either. Fun times. I remember every scar.

As a semi-sane paralegal who has now spent the past 19 years working for esquires in the legal trenches, looking

back, I’ve come to the realization there are some things that have saved my sanity along the way. That’s what

we’re going to talk about today. But before we get to that… I confess the following:

1. I am officially O.C.D., but not by the standard definition. In the legal realm, that actually stands for

“Occupationally Controlling Details.” That. Is. Me. I perform my routine tasks the same way each and every

time. (For the most part. We’ll get to why that is important later.)

2. If you touch the blue pen that is always conspicuously placed, at all times, about ½ inch to the right of my

square, black mouse pad on my desk—I will cut you. (Do I sound like I’m kidding? Death by paralegal is an

entirely viable way to die, people. No part of me is joking.)

3. As a paralegal, I’m kind of like a legal super hero and an assembly line worker, all conveniently rolled into

one caffeinated, black suited, high-heeled wearing package. (Most good paralegals are. Perhaps, without the

heels.)

But enough with the confessions. Let’s get to the good stuff.

At some point in my career, one thing became apparent to me. If I found myself enveloped in the midst of

stressed out esquires, impossible tasks, and a minefield of expiring deadlines, I needed to learn how to survive. I

never used to understand how an esquire would think that I, the newbie paralegal person, could possibly know

whether I (the now instantaneously clueless one, upon verbal prompting) sent out some random letter 12 days

ago to some fella on a case. I’d slept since then; 12 times. The truth is, to this day, I still don’t always know the

answer to the random questions straight out of the gate, but my systems and O.C.D. have saved my wea-

ry soul on many, many occasions. Daily, actually. So today, I’m here to tell you why it pays to be an O.C.D. para-

legal. (I’m pretty sure the best ones are.)

I control every aspect of all of the things I can control in my own personal work world for a reason. Things get

crazy. And fast. Not only do I know where everything is located on my desk, but I can confirm that the flaps on

my large mailing envelopes are always faced to the right, my blue pen is always in the same place on my desk, and

every single file I’ve ever created looks the exact same, with a few trial exceptions created after the fact. I once

had a coworker laugh when I asked her to train one of our newbie interns on how to properly open a file. She

turned to me and replied, “Uh, I think you’d probably better do it. I’m not nearly as O.C.D. as you are about

opening my files [insert coworker laughing, but being dead serious at the same time here].”

Jamie Collins “The Paralegal Society” “Just Being Jamie”

The Reason The Best Paralegals are Methodical


That’s left tab, middle tab, right tab, and so on and so forth, with uniform labels affixed to the front of each ma-

nila folder, a label on the front, completed Lawdex card taped onto the “Contracts and Authorizations” folder in

the front, etc. I refuse to open them any other way. If we’re out of left facing tabs, I’ll wait. It’s simply the way I

roll. I assumed every paralegal in the firm (and for that matter, on the planet) set up files the same way. Methodi-

cally. But I was mistaken. It turns out, there is a special club for O.C.D. paralegals like me, and you’re totally in-

vited. You can be my plus one.

When the chaos hits—and trust me—it will, the last thing you need to be is a paralegal on an island (not the

kind with sun, umbrella drinks, and cabana boys, but stranded on the type with florescent bulbs, freaked our es-

quires, and the fiery sands of hell) wondering which way her envelopes are facing or whether or not he did, in

fact, send a particular letter that is now of paramount importance, as the esquire sends the 100-yard-soul-stare

your way, perched in fury in your doorway or at your desk, like he’s about to pounce on the jugular of a certain

paralegal person standing in the fray. Yep, things get crazy fast. (Fun place, right?) The stress is real. The dead-

lines are unrelenting. The impossible tasks are endless. The attorneys are stressed out and about to flip out. And

it is for those reasons you must be organized like a stealth ninja with everything that is within your control ready

to roll out at any given time in the 8-5

The Reason The Best Paralegals are Methodical (cont.)


Envelope? Facing right. Pen? To the right. Everything you need to function from a supply capacity? Within 2 feet

of you. And if you always perform each type of task (especially routine ones or those involving multiple steps,

like preparing court filings, compiling trial binders, or scheduling depositions) the same way each and every time,

it’s easy for you to take a quick peek to see where you are on a particular task and whether or not you sent the

letter when the voice of authority bellows.

Be methodical. Form a routine and stick to it. Set up systems. Follow them. It will save you, and your sanity, at

least in part. Once the stress looms, you’ll be too far gone to control the things you can control proactively.

In the past, I’ve had interns look at me like a circus freak, when I clearly articulate how we’re going to always

ensure that envelope flaps face the same way and will perform each task I train them to do in a methodical man-

ner that likely borders insanity to an outsider looking in. But it’s not about control. It’s really to teach them

something beyond the lesson at hand. It’s to teach them how to be methodical and why it’s important. The mo-

ment that prowling esquire approaches and the stress hangs thick in the air, they will sure wish they knew which

way those envelopes were facing and whether or not they sent out the letter to James Doe on March 5th of

2010. It hits hard and fast. There is no warning. The time to think about envelope flaps and the location of Post-

It notes and tabbies is gone. Knowing how to quickly ascertain the status on a particular task is necessary. It’s go

time. Preparation and planning are key. You have to be ready for it before you need to be ready for it. The abil-

ity to do this will also be crucial to not only your sanity level, but your success as a paralegal.

As a paralegal, I’ve learned that I cannot control a lot of things swirling in the periphery around me: the person-

alities, the projects, the overabundance of work, the crazy hours required at trial time, the frustration of clients

because litigation takes a long time, and a wide array of other things. But what I have also learned is that I’m go-

ing to control the things I can. Methodically. And when that moment from hell presents itself to me, served up

with a fresh heap of pleadings, 2 impossible tasks, one stressed out attorney, and 3 deadlines looming—I’m your

girl. Sign me up. I stand ready, willing, and able to assassinate problems.

The reason for Occupationally Controlling Details? Survival. Sanity. Success. Besides, the blue ink pen conven-

iently located next to the mousepad also doubles as a makeshift weapon. After all, I am a paralegal ninja. I keep

my folder flaps to the right, the manila tabs alternating left to right, and my mind in the calm hanging just below

the fray.

I hope you’ll join me.

Jamie Collins is an awesome writer. She has two blogs. The Paralegal Society and Just Being Jamie. If you liked this article

go check out her others!

The Reason The Best Paralegals are Methodical (cont.)


It's that time of year...VCPA’s 20th Annual Wine & Beer Tasting &

Silent Auction Gala, which will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016, at the

stunning Cantara Cellars in Camarillo.

Don't miss out on the tax credit for sponsoring or donating for this

event! As a Sponsor, you will receive two admissions to the Wine &

Beer Tasting/Silent Auction Gala as well as space for your brochures

and business cards at the event. In addition, Sponsors will receive

advertising space in the event program and advertising on all promo-

tional flyers.

As a Contributor, you will be listed in the event program and your

brochures and/or business cards will be displayed with the donated

item. Donors will receive one free admission to the event.

If you are interested in being a Sponsor or Contributor, please con-

tact me, Heather Lindquist at (805) 445-9751.

Heather Lindquist Ways and Means

VCPA’s 20th Annual Wine & Beer Tasting

& Silent Auction Gala



The Springtime MCLE Conference on February 27,

2016 was a great event and resulted in a net positive to the

organization of $3,648.00.

VCPA has set up a new checking account at Bank of America, due to

its lower fees and more convenient banking hours and locations. As

all outstanding checks clear, we will transition away from City

National Bank and will close the account once all activity in that

account is wrapped up. The total balance in both checking accounts

as of March 31, 2016 is $32,610.03.

VCPA has paid venue and caterer deposits for the upcoming 20th

Annual Wine and Beer Tasting fundraiser to be held at Cantara

Cellars in May. We are excited for what is going to be a very fun and

exciting event and are certain that this fundraiser will be especially

successful this year!

Sacheen Swan Treasurer

Treasurer Report

Are you Sitting on the Bench? 6 Ways to Become a Real Player

Sitting on the bench is not a lot of fun. All the other team members are participating

in the excitement of the game while the bench warmers are just watching — and wishing

they could be more of a player.

Paralegals may experience the “bench warmer” malady, too, when they would like to play a

bigger role on the legal team and assume greater responsibility.

Wanting and wishing will not make it so. Instead, you have to take action to get off the

bench and out on the field. Here are 6 ways to make that happen:

Perception is everything. Be sure you are perceived as a person who can take on more

responsibilities. Is your office neat and organized? Even though you may know where every-

thing is among the piles of papers and files, you may appear overwhelmed and unable to take

on any more work. You may also appear disorganized and unable to keep track of a project.

Give some thought as to how you can project a better image in the office.

Upgrade your skills. If your employer will send you to continuing legal education classes,

always go. If that is not an option, learn on your own time and dime. Your local paralegal asso-

ciation may offer classes. There are excellent learning tools available on the Internet. Read

everything you can. Pay attention to how others in the office are doing their work and ask

them to teach you.

Become an expert. Has your office implemented a new software program? Learn it inside

and out and then offer to train others how to use it. You may also want to draft training man-

uals and checklists to save everyone time. Whenever you become the “expert” in any area,

you will be called upon to play a bigger part in the game.

Volunteer. Want to take a more active role in a case, perhaps one that is going to trial? An-

ticipate what has to be done and take a stab at completing the work.

For example, ask if you can prepare the witness and exhibit list or organize the trial note-

book. Many attorneys prefer to do this themselves but there is no harm in asking if you can

prepare a draft. When the final product is completed, compare it to your draft to learn how

you can improve for the next “stab”. You may find that the attorney will gladly turn more re-

sponsibilities over to you IF he thinks you more things well.

Are you Sitting on the Bench? (cont.)

Do good work and meet deadlines. When you are given work, be sure to ask when it

must be finished. Then do your best work and finish as soon as possible, perhaps beating the

deadline. A word of caution: Never hesitate to ask questions if you aren’t sure how to do the

work and never promise you will meet a deadline if you know you are not able to.

Cooperate and pitch in to help. Cooperation is the act of working with others to com-

plete a project. When you respond positively to requests for assistance, as well as take the

initiative to solve problems and get the work done, you demonstrate a cooperative spirit and

willingness to help everyone for the good of the team.

Team players do not come in any particular style or personality, nor are they al-

ways the “Yay, Team!” cheerleader types. While they may be soft-spoken, they are not passive.

They care about what the team is doing and they contribute to its success without being

asked or pressed into action.

Follow these 6 steps, to become an active and committed team player. You will find that

warming the bench is a thing of the past.s it just space you're occupying while you wait for

something better to come along ... or until it's time to retire?

Is it just a place to go each day, put in the required hours, do the necessary work, head out at

quitting time, and pick up a check on payday?

Or is it your home away from home? A very personal space filled with memories, laughter,

and co-workers who seem like family? A place with a feeling of community?

The time you spend at your office is one of the biggest investments you will make during

your lifetime. Whether you are in a corner office with a fantastic view or among a laby-

rinth of cubicles offering little privacy, your office should be more than four walls and a desk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other pro-

fessionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction

they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and

other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She

is the co-author of The Professional Paralegal: A Guide to Finding a Job and Career Success.

Vicki publishes Paralegal Strategies, a weekly e-newsletter for paralegals, and hosts The Para-

legal Voice, a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network.

VCPA ADVERTISERS, SUSTAINING MEMBERS and SPONSORS


COMMERCIAL PROCESS SERVICING, INC.

Esteban Pujol

674 County Square Dr., Suite 107

Ventura, CA 93003

(805) 650-9291

[email protected]

www.comproserve.net

CUNNINGHAM LEGAL

771 E. Daily Drive, Suite 350

Camarillo, CA 93010-0785

(805) 484-2769

Www.cunninghamlegal.com

COMPLEX LEGAL SERVICES

Corporate Headquarters

325 Maple Avenue

Torrance, CA 90503

Customer Service

888-326-6739

Thanks for taking the time to read through the newslet-

ter. If you would like to submit any articles for future

newsletters please email me at [email protected].

Note from the Newsletter Editor

Eric Bleuel

Newsletter Editor

(in his younger days)