Registration Brochure NFPA ® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting October 20-23, 2016 Hilton Burlington, Burlington, VT 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
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.
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Benefits of AttendingPersonal ContactsA 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 OpportunitiesA convention provides a great opportunity to expand your network and make valuable connections.
Continuing Legal EducationThe 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 InspiredMany 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 a NFPA convention.
NFPA Convention: Charity Camp Ta-Kum-TaPlease support this year’s charity, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, by donating $5 (or more if you choose) to wear jeans on Friday, October 21. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta began in 1984, the vision of Ted and Debby Kessler, parents of a cancer survivor, and Sheara Billado, a child oncology nurse in Vermont, all who
witnessed children traveling long distances for this type of childhood experience (or miss it all together). While the area in which Camp now resides is rich in Native American history, the Camp name evolved uniquely, from a child….. A young patient receiving cancer treatment at the University of Vermont Medical Center was asked by a care provider what she would like to do that summer. The patient responded, “I would like a Camp-ta-come-ta” – in a sweet voice. And Camp Ta-Kum-Ta was born! That young patient is now one of many survivors volunteering on staff!
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta provides challenging, extraordinary experiences in a safe and loving environment for children who have or had cancer, and their families. Camp exists for Vermont and Northern New York children (including other out-of-state children who are treated in Vermont), between the ages of 7-17, at no cost to their families. Camp TKT has become a year-round camp, serving the child who has cancer AND his or her family through not only the
summer programs, but also a Moms’ Retreat, Siblings programs, and reunions of older campers.
Camp is a magical place that gives children who have or had cancer a place where they can reclaim their childhood. Oftentimes TKT campers don’t have the opportunity to go to Boy Scouts, hockey or horseback riding camps because of their illness, but at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, there is never a child who is too sick to come to camp. Camp’s full volunteer staff of pediatric oncology nurses provides anything from a band aid to chemotherapy.
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta puts smiles on these children’s faces, warms their heart and fills a room with laughter. It is truly a place of healing that every child needs – it is a place that gives them their childhood back.
The Siblings program has been chosen to be the beneficiary of the charitable donations. The Siblings Program offers a long weekend of activities, light-hearted fun, games, arts and crafts, field games, team-building, and opportunities for cancer patient siblings who often take the “back seat” to the cancer and its impact. Put a smile on a child’s face during an emotional and trying time in their lives. We hope you will give generously as cancer touches us all.
Come see what NFPA’s Annual Convention & Policy Meeting are
all about!!! Go home with amazing, infectious energy!!!
See you at the NFPA 2016 Annual Convention: October 20-23
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Keynote Luncheon PresentationFriday, October 21 | 12:00 am – 1:30 pmThe Millennial “First Global” Generation: Their View of the World & Impact on Politics / Legal IssuesFeaturing Keynote Speaker Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
Governor Howard Dean, former DNC Chairman, presidential candidate, six term Governor and physician, currently works as an independent consultant focusing on the areas of health care, early childhood development, alternative energy and the expansion of grassroots politics around the world.
Dean serves as a MSNBC contributor and is a strategic consultant for Dentons Law firm that has offices on five continents. Dean is also the founder of Democracy for America, a progressive online organization with one million members nationwide. DFA works to elect more progressive candidates to local, state and national office by providing the tools to create change.
He has extensive experience in Southeastern Europe including in Ukraine, Moldova, and the Balkans. He also has an extensive knowledge of Iraqi and Iranian affairs, and has spent time in China and Myanmar. He has been active in anti human trafficking efforts in Asia and in the United States. He lectures frequently in Europe, and is currently teaching a course on the Politics of American Foreign Policy at the Jackson Institute at Yale.
Dean began his career in public service in 1982 when he transitioned from a full-time practicing physician to an elected representative in Vermont. Dean served as Governor for 12 years - the second longest serving in the state.
Respected on both sides of the political aisle, Dean was chairman of the National Governors’ Association, the Democratic Governors’ Association, and the New England Governors’ Conference while he served as Governor of Vermont. Dean left office in Vermont to run for President in 2003 where he implemented innovative fundraising strategies such as use of the Internet.
As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dean created and implemented the “50 State Strategy” and the development of 21st century campaign tools. Dean is credited with helping Democrats make historic gains in 2006 and 2008. Under his leadership, significant resources were dedicated to revitalizing the Party by building and strengthening the organizational tools, technological capabilities and infrastructure required to win while laying the foundation for a long-term Democratic majority.
Before entering politics, Dean graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in political science in 1971, and received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City in 1978. Upon completing his residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, he went on to practice internal medicine in Shelburne, Vermont.
He is married to Dr. Judy Steinberg and they have two children, Anne and Paul.
Social EventFriday, October 21 | 5:30 pm – 9:30 pmThe Sunset Ballroom You will surely “Experience the Sweetness of Vermont” at the Friday Night Social Event. We will have a Premier bus making a couple of trips to get everyone to the Sunset Ballroom Event Center which sits atop the Comfort Suites and overlooks Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. The Sunset Ballroom Event Center is one of Vermont’s most unique special event facilities offering expansive views of the beauty of Vermont. The space consists of 80% windows and skylights and has an outdoor patio that will ensure you have the opportunity to socialize while witnessing some of the best views and sunsets imaginable. The Waterfront Catering Group will provide a meal you surely won’t forget!
We will have a social hour with appetizers and a dinner buffet but with various food stations versus a traditional buffet line. With multiple “stations” all conveniently located, guests will be able to choose multiple options thereby decreasing the overall wait time and increasing the guests’ experience.
Supersounds Entertainment will be providing a DJ for your favorite musical stylings and a photo booth for some extra fun with your friends. Come Experience the Sweetness and wear your dancing shoes!
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Continuing Legal EducationThursday, October 20All sessions are approved for 1.25 CLE credits. Those approved for Ethics CLE credits are noted with an asterisk.
Track Key:✤ Litigation▲ Ethics/ Professional✪ Corporate/ Employment✦ General
8:30 – 9:45 amSession A – ✤ Effective Witness Development: Thinking Outside the BoxSusan Randall, Investigator/Mitigation Specialist
Building trust with clients and witnesses is a key aspect of both civil and criminal work. A paralegal can greatly further the information gathering in a case through effective and creative witness contact - “thinking outside the box” as a key player on a litigation team. Ms. Randall’s presentation will include how to conduct effective interviews and perform follow-up research, develop that witness testimony, seize opportunities to explore other avenues of information, create Day-in-the-Life testimony, assist in pre-settlement negotiations, and even when to hire an outside investigator and what to look for in that individual.
Susan has worked as a licensed Private Investigator in Vermont for over 18 years, working closely with attorneys on civil, state and federal cases. She has also worked as a mitigation specialist on capital, federal and state cases. Susan has helped prepare countless cases for trial, and spent two years working
as an investigator and mitigation specialist with the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Burlington, Vermont. One of Susan’s real passions is investigating and creatively telling clients’ life stories, and weaving these stories into the bigger social picture for sentencing.
Session B – ▲ Become Your Own (Devil’s) Advocate: Making Your Writing Bulletproof and EffectiveFrancis Huessy, Senior Technical Writer, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Become Your Own (Devil’s) Advocate: Making Your Writing Bulletproof and Effective. How you write demonstrates your effectiveness as a paralegal. Your natural enemies are inaccuracy and a lack of clarity, but your natural friend is your professional intelligence. The path to greater accuracy and clarity—and persuasiveness—comes from the cues you gain when you listen intelligently to your audience’s critical, inner voice. This session helps you understand how and when to challenge yourself about what you have written, what it takes to get it right, and how to enjoy playing your own devil’s advocate.
Frances Huessy is a career editor / writer and administrative professional for competitive technical, research, and policy environments. She is the Senior Technical Writer at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, a leading “think and do” tank with a mission to reduce the economic and environmental costs of energy use. She is a member of VEIC’s Policy Department,
with responsibility for writing and editing large proposals, policy positions, plans, reports, testimony, and other mission-critical documents.
*Session C – ✦ An Overview of Bankruptcy LawHon. Colleen A. Brown, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Vermont
Bankruptcy is a specialized field of law that uses its own code, rules, forms and vocabulary. Judge Brown will help us understand the various types of bankruptcy relief available, the forms that are essential to each type of relief, and the tasks a paralegal might be assigned in connection with a bankruptcy case. She will also describe the recent overhaul of the national bankruptcy forms, introduce us to the key players in each type of bankruptcy case, and define commonly used bankruptcy terms. Since bankruptcy law often arises in the context of other areas of law, including divorce, real estate and foreclosure, the program will also explore the impact a bankruptcy case can have on actions pending in state court, and how the bankruptcy stay operates. The goal of the program is to increase understanding of this complex area of law, to build both skills and confidence. Judge Brown has served as the U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Vermont since 2000. Now is the time to ask those questions you never had the opportunity to ask!
Hon. Colleen A. Brown has served as the Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Vermont since April 10, 2000, and was reappointed to a second 14-year term on October 17, 2014. Judge Brown received a B.A., cum laude, with honors in philosophy, from Colgate University in 1979, and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of
Buffalo Law School in 1983.
Prior to beginning her judicial service, Judge Brown was a partner in the law firm of Lawrence, Werner, Kesselring, Swartout & Brown, LLP, where her practice focused on bankruptcy, debtors’ and creditors’ rights, foreclosure, workouts, and matrimonial-bankruptcy issues.
Judge Brown is also an active member of the Vermont Bar Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute, and is a frequent lecturer at legal education programs. She is an author for Collier on Bankruptcy, 15th edition revised, and an associate editor for the American Bankruptcy Law Journal. Judge Brown was the recipient of the New York State Bar Association’s President’s Pro Bono Service Award in 1992 and the Vermont Bar Association’s Pro Bono Service Award in 2006.
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Continuing Legal EducationSession D – ✦ Tax LawMark A. Langan, Esq.
This session will cover a past, present and future comparison of Vermont Estate Taxation with state estate taxation nationwide, as well as past, present and future developments of Vermont Probate Administration and Probate Courts. Mr. Langan will also present on Vermont Trust Code and Trust Administration, and a summary of some of the Uniform Acts that Vermont has passed in the area of trust and estates.
Mark A. Langan is a tax attorney at Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew in Burlington. Before joining the Dinse firm in 1996, he practiced law in Manchester, New Hampshire since 1981. Mr. Langan is the current chair of the Probate and Trust Section of the Vermont Bar Association, state chair of the American College of Trust and Estate
Counsel (ACTEC), and editor of A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Vermont. Mr. Langan is a former chair of the Tax Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association.
10:15 – 11:30 amSession E – ✤ Trends in Mobile Device ForensicsJonathan Rajewski, EnCe, CCE, CISSP, CFE, SANS Lethal Forensicator, Director of the Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigation at Champlain College
Business and commerce would not be what it is today without the use of mobile devices. Companies across the nation encourage the use of smartphones, tablets and similar devices to ensure that employees can remain nimble with regard to accessing information when they are not in front of their computers. Consider the notion that your phone syncs sensitive data to your car every time you use the bluetooth. This is a prime example of an opportunity legal professionals have in the midst of a civil or criminal investigation. Jonathan Rajewski, a digital forensic expert, will present on the trends of mobile device forensics and how the data can be used in litigation. This engaging presentation will cover topics including iphones, ipads, internet of things, wearable technology and android devices.
Jonathan Rajewski (EnCe, CCE, CISSP, CFE, SANS Lethal Forensicator) is the Director of the Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigation on Champlain College’s campus where he is responsible for strategic management, professional services, research and vision. He started his cyber security/digital forensic career working as a senior
consultant for a global consulting firm. Jonathan helped design and build the award-winning Computer and Digital Forensic undergraduate/graduate programs at Champlain College. He regularly presents at international conferences and appears on television to help others understand the world of digital forensics and cyber security.
Session F – ▲ Getting Legal with Paralegals; An In-depth Review of Paralegal Licensure in Ontario, Canada (Repeated during 1 pm Sessions)Robert Burd
In May 2007, Ontario became the first province in Canada to regulate its paralegals through licensure. During this session, Robert Burd, former President of the Ontario Paralegal Association and elected Paralegal Bencher, will provide an in-depth review of the history of paralegal licensure in Ontario, the current laws, proposed amendments, a review of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Paralegal Rules of Conduct and will explain how paralegal licensure has increased access to justice in Ontario. This session will help prepare you for the debate within your state, and the United States in general, as to whether paralegals should be regulated and what success might look like for paralegals in the future of legal services.
Robert Burd is a paralegal independently licensed to provide legal services in Ontario by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Mr. Burd has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and over twenty-five years of experience defending motorists in offenses ranging from speeding tickets to fatal automobile accidents. In addition
to his professional career, Robert is one of only five paralegals elected to serve as a Bencher for the Law Society of Upper Canada (2010-2016), is an originating and founding member of the Ontario Paralegal Association (2014-2016), and served as president of the Licensed Paralegal Association (LPA) for eight years (2006-2014).
Session G – ✪ Employment Law: Key Things All Paralegals Need to Know About Preparing a Wrongful Discharge ClaimKerin Stackpole, Esq.
In every unlawful termination claim, there are state and federal laws that impact claims made, evidence to be gathered, and damages that are available. Paralegals need to know what evidence is critical and how to gather it, and what legal theories can be applied to that evidence to maximize their value to the case. This engaging seminar will run the gamut in discussion of E-discovery, retaliation and whistle-blower claims, witness interviews and Section 7 rights, and social media searches.
Kerin Stackpole is a Director at Paul Frank + Collins, P.C. and is the leader of the Employment and Labor Law Group. She provides practical and proactive advice to senior leaders and management teams regarding a wide range of labor and employment issues, including workforce planning, hiring and on-boarding,
performance management, legal and recordkeeping compliance, leave management, employee engagement, policy development and implementation, union avoidance, and discipline and discharge. Kerin received a B.A., cum laude, in history from Wheaton College, and a J.D., cum laude, from Washington College of Law, The American University.
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Session H –✤ What You Need to Know About Medicare Set-AsidesApril Pettengill, RN, CRRN, CDMS, CNLCP, MSCC, CBIS
Medicare Set-Asides are an important consideration in any settlement involving a person who is a Medicare Beneficiary or likely to become a beneficiary within the 30 months after their settlement. Ms. Pettengill will review what a Medicare Set-Aside (MSA) is, when you need to get one, the process of developing a MSA, and the documents that are needed to complete the MSA. She will also discuss submitting to Centers for Medicare and Medical Services for approval, reporting the settlement, obtaining conditional payment information, and your obligations in a settlement.
April Pettengill formed ALP Medical Consultants, LLC in 2004. The company provides several services including life care plans, medical cost projections, case management services, case review, and Medicare Set-Aside allocations. Ms. Pettengill has been in the workers compensation arena since 1990 and has been a registered nurse
since 1987. She works on liability cases, medical malpractice and long-term illness cases for both defense and plaintiff attorneys.
1:00 – 2:15 pmSession I – ✤ Rule of Evidence 612 – What Everyone Should Know About Using a Writing or Object to Refresh a Witness’ MemoryStephen Soule, Esq.
Did you ever meet with a person before they testified in a deposition or in court? When you talked to that person did you show them any documents or photos? Did the person you talked to refer to documents or photos of their own in order to respond to you? Are you ready to give all those documents and photos to opposing counsel? You might have to turn them over. Be ready for that and for other pitfalls by reviewing Rule of Evidence 612 with Stephen Soule.
Stephen Soule is an AV-rated senior litigation lawyer at Paul Frank + Collins P.C. in Burlington, Vermont. Mr. Soule joined the firm in 1984 to focus on trials and appeals of complex civil lawsuits involving a multiplicity of parties, witnesses, issues and evidence after working with Judge Dale Saffels in the United States District
Court in Kansas City. He has worked for clients as diverse as natural gas companies, supermarket chains, furnace manufacturers, airplane and tire manufacturers, and individuals. Clients include institutions such as Underwriters at Lloyds, the State of Vermont, the University of Vermont, Peoples United Bank (formerly Chittenden Bank), Omya-White Pigment Company, and the Eden Park Nursing Homes
in product liability and property damage litigation. Mr. Soule has an active litigation practice in State and Federal courts in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Session J – ▲ Getting Legal with Paralegals; An In-depth Review of Paralegal Licensure in Ontario, Canada (Repeat Session)Robert Burd
In May 2007, Ontario became the first province in Canada to regulate its paralegals through licensure. During this session, Robert Burd, former President of the Ontario Paralegal Association and elected Paralegal Bencher, will provide an in-depth review of the history of paralegal licensure in Ontario, the current laws, proposed amendments, a review of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Paralegal Rules of Conduct and will explain how paralegal licensure has increased access to justice in Ontario. This session will help prepare you for the debate within your state, and the United States in general, as to whether paralegals should be regulated and what success might look like for paralegals in the future of legal services.
Robert Burd is a paralegal independently licensed to provide legal services in Ontario by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Mr. Burd has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and over twenty-five years of experience defending motorists in offenses ranging from speeding tickets to fatal automobile accidents. In addition
to his professional career, Robert is one of only five paralegals elected to serve as a Bencher for the Law Society of Upper Canada (2010-2016), is an originating and founding member of the Ontario Paralegal Association (2014-2016), and served as president of the Licensed Paralegal Association (LPA) for eight years (2006-2014).
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
* Session K – ▲ EthicsMichael Kennedy, Esq.
As Vermont Bar Counsel, Mr. Kennedy provides guidance for lawyers with ethical questions, but some of the ethical questions could also apply to paralegals. The use of email in our daily lives has brought up some ethical concerns, including the information that is shared via email or sent as an attachment, such as medical records or other documents with sensitive client or party information. Many firms are using the “cloud” for storage, and this can also add to ethical dilemmas encountered in a law practice. Mr. Kennedy will address these ethical concerns, and others, and also encourage some Q&A.
Michael Kennedy graduated from South Burlington High School, the University of Vermont, and the George Washington University Law School. He clerked in the Office of the Chittenden County State’s Attorney and then worked for five years as an Assistant Attorney General before accepting the position of Deputy Disciplinary
Counsel in 1998. Michael was promoted to Disciplinary Counsel in 2000. In 2012, he was named Bar Counsel, changing his focus from investigating and prosecuting disciplinary cases to providing guidance for lawyers with ethics questions.
Session L – ▲ Security and Privacy/ HIPAAJeffrey McMahan, Esq.
Management of protected health information (PHI) isn’t just an issue if you work on medical malpractice cases. PHI is also a component of working personal injury or employment law cases, and may be a frequent issue for a paralegal working in the legal department of a corporation with many employees. The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards for protecting medical records and other personal health information. Mr. McMahan will explain the HIPAA Privacy Rule and how the materials we collect for various cases should be managed to maintain the privacy of individuals whose PHI is contained in those materials.
Mr. McMahan, who serves as President and Managing Partner of Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C., is a corporate and intellectual property lawyer, advising businesses on issues related to formation, mergers and acquisitions, raising capital, technology licensing, trademarks and copyrights. Mr. McMahan’s clients range from
entrepreneurial start-ups to publicly-held companies. He has particular experience representing software vendors and purchasers in the negotiation of computer system implementation, license and support agreements. Mr. McMahan also advises healthcare clients regarding various security and HIPAA issues.
2:45 – 4:00 pmSession M – ✤ What Paralegals Should Know About the Uniform Law Commission, and the Interstate Depositions and Discovery ActRichard T. Cassidy, Esq.
Mr. Cassidy will discuss the purpose of the Uniform Law Commission, as well as explain the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA), which provides procedures for courts in one state to issue subpoenas for out-of-state depositions. Not all of the states have adopted the UIDDA; some have adopted it in part, and some have added their own twist to the procedure. Mr. Cassidy will explain the purpose of the UIDDA, and what paralegals should know about the issuance of subpoenas across state lines.
Mr. Cassidy is the current President of the Uniform Law Commission. He is a founder of the Hoff Curtis Law firm, and has more than 35 years of experience with the practice of law in Vermont. He has represented all sides in many kinds of disputes: plaintiffs and defendants, employers and employees, injured parties and insurance
companies.
Richard has significant experience with civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution involving higher education, public education, health care, and manufacturing. His clients have included college students, faculty, and administrators as well as individuals, businesses, governmental agencies, and not-for-profit entities.
His current practice focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury actions, unions and employees within and outside of collective bargaining relationships, and work as a mediator.
Richard has long been active with the American Bar Association where he served as a member of its House of Delegates from 1999 to 2016, served a term on its Board of Governors from 2005 through 2008, and chaired its Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services.
Vermont Governor Howard Dean appointed Richard as a Vermont Member of the Uniform Law Commission in 1994. He served as a member of the Drafting Committee on the Model Punitive Damages Act, the Drafting Committee on the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, the Drafting Committee on the Apportionment of Tort Responsibility Act, and he chaired the Drafting Committee on the Uniform Collateral Consequences of Conviction Act. He is a former Secretary of the Commission, and chaired its Scope and Program Committee and its Executive Committee before assuming the ULC presidency.
Richard received the 2015 VBA President’s Award for his work with the ABA and the ULC and the ABA’s 2009 Advocacy Award for Protection of the Attorney-Client Privilege.
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Session N – ✪ Developments in Intellectual Property LawMichael Wasco, Esq.
Intellectual property continues as one of the dominant legal topics for clients and law practices today. From the Supreme Court to the U.S. Legislature, we continue to see changes in the legal landscape around this complex area of the law. This seminar will provide a discussion of some of the more recent and potential developments affecting the fundamental aspects of IP protection - patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Michael Wasco leads the Patents and Intellectual Property practice at Paul Frank + Collins, P.C., and is a member of the Business Services team. Michael counsels clients on intellectual property matters, including securing patent, trademark, and intellectual property rights; intellectual property strategy; and litigation and adverse proceedings.
He works closely with clients to develop and procure copyright and trademark protection and to evaluate and broaden existing copyright and trademark portfolios. Michael also provides legal opinions on patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement, and validity, while representing clients before the United States Patent & Trademark Office to challenge and defend patents in proceedings under the America Invents Act.
Michael received a B.S. degree in 1996 and an M.E. in 1997, both from Clarkson University, and graduated from the University of New Hampshire School of Law in 2006.
Session O – ✪ Data Security and BreachesRyan Kriger, Assistant Attorney General
The seminar will cover the legal and regulatory framework around data security and data breaches. It will address how a business should respond to a data breach and how it might interact with the Attorney General’s office. It will also discuss steps that businesses and individuals can take to make themselves less vulnerable to data security incidents, and guidelines that should be in place in order to handle a data breach should one occur.
Ryan Kriger is an Assistant Attorney General in the Vermont Office of the Attorney General’s Public Protection Division. He handles antitrust and consumer protection issues, with a focus on technology and data security. Mr. Kriger has investigated several local and national security breaches, and is often called to testify before
the state legislature on issues involving competition and consumer protection. Mr. Kriger has also worked on telecomm issues and patent trolling, among other areas.
Session P – ✪ Employee Stock Ownership Plans:
What Paralegals Need to KnowTabitha Croscut, Esq.
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) continue to grow in popularity. Tabitha Croscut, Esq. will explain the reasons for this growth, how companies are using ESOPs, the practical aspects, and how they might impact individuals and clients.
Tabitha is the managing shareholder of Steiker, Greenapple & Croscut, P.C., a national law firm with a focus on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as succession and employee compensation strategies. In addition to counseling clients regarding transactional, compliance and fiduciary issues with respect to
their ESOPs, she has represented companies, sellers and internal and external trustees in ESOP transactions ranging from under a million dollars to over four hundred million dollars. She is a frequent speaker at ESOP conferences nationwide and presents regularly on how ESOPs can be an effective exit or transition planning tool for owners of closely held businesses. Tabitha serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Vermont Employee Ownership Center, is an active member of The ESOP Association and the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Employee Ownership Foundation.
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NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Student WorkshopThursday, October 202:30 pm – 4:00 pmStudent WorkshopWhat Employers Look for in Job ApplicantsThe Student Workshop will feature a panel discussion with human resource professionals moderated by a member of the Vermont Paralegal Organization. Students will hear from human resource professionals representing employers in the legal, corporate, educational, and non-profit arenas. Topics include what they look for when hiring, what students can do to make themselves more marketable, and other tips on getting the job or advancing careers. Our panel includes the following:
Rebecca B. Guenther, PHR, SHRM-CPRebecca earned her A.S. in Paralegal Studies and her B.S. in Business Administration from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. She is currently the firm manager of Paul Frank + Collins (“PF+C”), a 26-lawyer firm in Burlington.
Mark HeymanMark earned his BA in Political Science from the University of Vermont, including six months studying access to legal aid within the European Union in London, England through Boston University. Mark earned his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. Mark is currently the HR Director of Logic Supply and also serves as a Board member for the Vermont Technology Alliance.
Mary M. LeeMary has spent over 30 years in human resources and organizational development, with extensive background in organizational systems, talent acquisition and development and learning and development. As a member of the executive management team at Champlain College, Mary is the Vice President of People and Technology.
Coddy MarxCoddy Marx is the Human Resources Director at the Heritage Automotive Group (both Ford and Toyota), affectionately known as the H-Team.
Darcy K. TarteDarcy K. Tarte currently serves as a Sr. Market Manager, VP of People’s United Bank; a $32 Billion diversified financial services company based in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Kyla RathboneKyla Rathbone is currently the Human Resources Manager at ReSOURCE: A NonProfit Community Enterprise.
NFPA Workshops
4:15 pm – 5:30 pmOverworked to Under ControlMost small law firms spend 40% of their time on admin tasks. How do you go from overworked to under control?
As a Paralegal, you need to service clients, stay on top of deadlines and comply with rules and standards. You work hard to ensure the office runs smoothly, create positive client experiences, and create a fulfilling work environment with opportunity for growth. The legal landscape is changing – growing client expectations, new technologies, and business pressure are calling into question traditional approaches to law firm success. New data on smaller law firm trends provides insight into how challenges can be turned into opportunities. This session will provide information on market trends, and how successful firms are approaching the changing environment to create a path to long-term, sustainable firm success.
Amy RuegseggerAmy Ruegsegger grew up in South Dakota and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. She earned an MBA at American University in Washington, D.C. Amy began her legal industry career in public affairs for a non-profit law firm, and joined Thomson Reuters 15 years ago, holding marketing leadership
positions with academic, continuing legal education and small law firm businesses at Thomson Reuters. Currently, Amy focuses on researching small law firm trends, creating customer engagement strategies, and developing solutions for the challenges facing small law firms today. Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, hiking (or anything outdoors), and volunteering as an Academic Triathalon coach.
ABA 105: The Road to the FutureThe ABA House of Delegates adopted ABA 105, ABA Model Regulatory Objectives for the Provision of Legal Services, at its mid-year meeting in 2016. To date this is one of the strongest statements in support of access to justice and the non-traditional legal provider. This Workshop will provide attendees with an overview of the ABA Resolution 105 and its underlying Report. The program will discuss the correlating NFPA governance documents and how the ABA and the NFPA models work in tandem to provide access to justice for underserved segments of the population. In workshop format, this program will also feature an interactive portion where attendees can discuss access to justice in their state or jurisdiction and how the ABA 105 can be employed to assist with these goals. A paper will be prepared after the workshop session outlining the various ideas and concepts generated.
Allen Mihecoby, CLAS, RP®
Vice President & Director of Profession Development
Lynn-Marie ReveliotisVice President & Director of Positions and Issues
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY SEPTEMBER 27 TO RECEIVE THE NFPA RATE AND TO ENSURE AVAILABILITY!
Wireless Internet is included in the daily room rates.
NFPA Would Like to Thank our 2016 Corporate PartnersAmbassador Level
Patron Level
Friend Level
CAPITOLSERVICES
Thanks to these sponsors for their support!Bindertek
Capitol Lien
Creative Labels
Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, PC
Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel Hand
ESP Marketing, Inc.
Langrock, Sperry & Wool, LLP
The MCS Group
Paralegal Education Group (PEG)
Paul Frank + Collins PC
Pin Crafters
Premier Coach
Primmer, Piper, Eggleston & Cramer PC
Steiker, Greenapple & Croscut, PC
SymQuest
Vermont Attorneys Title
Vermont Law School
Vermont Realtors
Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities are still available! Contact Leslie Monahan at [email protected] or Corinne Deering at [email protected] for more information.
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY | EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE IS AUGUST 20, 2016 | WWW.PARALEGALS.ORG12
NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
2016 NFPA Annual Convention Registration Form• Online at NFPA’s Web Site at www.paralegals.org using your credit card.• Fax your completed form with credit card payment to +1-847-686-2253. Our fax line is open 24 hours a day.• Mail your completed form with check or credit card payment to: NFPA, One Parkview Plaza, Suite 800, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 USA
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Registration Fees Early Bird Regular After Totals By 8/20 By 9/20 9/20Thursday Education Seminars
Member All-Day Rate (includes lunch) $215 $230 $250 $______________
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY | EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE IS AUGUST 20, 2016 | WWW.PARALEGALS.ORG13
NFPA® Annual Convention & Policy Meeting
Check Where Applicable:❑ This is my first NFPA Convention ❑ This is my first NFPA Convention as a Delegate❑ I am attending the First Timers’ meeting ❑ I am attending the Region Meetings❑ I am attending the Student Workshop ❑ I am attending the Overworked Workshop❑ I am attending the Treasurer’s Meeting (members only) ❑ I am attending ABA 105 Workshop
2016 Demographics SurveyPlease take a moment to let us know a little about the work you do. This information will be used anonymously and in the aggregate, and will help our future Conventions be more relevant for those attending. You may select more than one area of law, if applicable.
Areas of Law Employer Type
❑ Bankruptcy ❑ Intellectual Property ❑ Corporate❑ Corporate/Business ❑ Labor/Employment ❑ Government/Military❑ Criminal ❑ Litigation ❑ Law Firm❑ Domestic Relations/Family Law ❑ Personal Injury ❑ Freelance/Contract❑ Environmental ❑ Real Property ❑ Other________________________________________________❑ Estate
Education Seminars (please choose your educational sessions, listed in this brochure)
(Thursday – 8:30 am – 9:45 am): ❑ A ❑ B ❑ C ❑ D
(Thursday –10:15 am – 11:30 am): ❑ E ❑ F ❑ G ❑ H
(Thursday – 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm): ❑ I ❑ J ❑ K ❑ L
(Thursday – 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm): ❑ M ❑ N ❑ O ❑ P
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Substitutions, Cancellations & Refunds
If you cannot attend you may send a substitute. Requests for substitution must be submitted in writing by e-mail to [email protected], 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 20, 2016 are subject to a $50.00 fee. Cancellations received after Monday, September 20, 2016 will forfeit all fees.
NFPA reserves the right to photograph and/or videotape the proceedings at the 2016 Annual Convention & Policy Meeting and to use the images for educational and promotional activities without compensation.
