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North Carolina Paralegal Association, Inc. Spring 2012PCertificatearalegalProgramOne-Day Courses forCle CreditEnter the exciting and rewarding legal field with professionalism and acumen in ourpost-baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate Program.Looking to earn your CLEs? Our ProfessionalDevelopment Series offers a handful of one-daycourses for CLE credit every fall and spring.For detailed information, visit ourwebsite at ContinuingEd.uncc.eduor call 704-687-8900.4

North Carolina Paralegal Association, Inc. Spring 2012This issue kicks off my third year asSenior Editor of the NCPA FORUM, andwe’re still plugging away doing whatwe can to make sure you get the mostcurrent and beneficial information tokeep you up on all the happenings in ourprofession. I continue to receive positivee-mails from members after each issue.Editor’s CourtBrandon L. Ruth, NCSB/CPwill be helpful to you. As always, if there have been anystatutory or case law driven change in your specific area oflaw that was not referenced in this issue, please write to usand let us know, and we will be sure to mention it in our nextissue. This issue will also provide tips on making yourselfindispensable to your attorney and some ways to handlethose piles of files that always seem to build up and blockour view of the other side of the desk. Finally, we would liketo welcome Incorporating Services, Ltd as a new SustainingMember. Please check out their ad and see if what they haveto offer is right for you.Over the past year ourArticles Editor, MelissaClayton Jones, hasmade sure each issue ispacked with fantasticAs always, please be sure to check out the Calendar of Events,and don’t forget to register for our 32nd Annual Meetingand Seminar, coming up on March 22-24 at the Holiday InnResorts in Wrightsville Beach. I had a phenomenal time thelast time Annual was held there, and I‘m looking forward togoing back! The schedule of events and registration form areposted in this issue, as well as on the NCPA web site, and itshould be a great weekend. I hope to see everyone there!content, and of course all our regular contributing membersthat help make FORUM what it is today. Hopefully in 2012we can catch the eye of a new advertisers, and continue tomake the FORUM a “must-read“ for all North Carolina legalprofessionals.In keeping with previous Spring issues, this issue will featurea rundown of changes in the laws that took effect recently,and hopefully some of the changes mentioned in this issueRegards,Brandon L. Ruth, N CSB/CPwww.case-closed.net5

North Carolina Paralegal Association, Inc. Spring 2012MPAParalegal of the Year AwardNominationsThe Metrolina Paralegal Association in Charlotte is now acceptingnominations for the MPA Paralegal of the Year Award. The awardis given to a paralegal who has exhibited a commitment toprofessionalism and to the advancement of the legal community.Nominations are due by Friday,March 30,2012. For more informationincluding the eligibility criteria and nomination form, go to the MPAwebsite, 2Paralegal-of-the-Year-Award.pdf.Assisting Legal Professionals Since 2003OnBonnie Ruffin, NCCP Court Reporting across the entire State of North Carolina withconvenient ordering for court reporting nationwide!Transcription 24/7 – NC Administrative Office of Courts ApprovedDigital online uploadingWorker’s Compensation Hearing Transcripts - online orderingFAST TURNAROUND TIMEInterpreting – COURT CERTIFIED - online scheduling –Spanish/English – entire State of North CarolinaTranslation (upload documents via website) Spanish/EnglishDeposition Transcript and Trial Transcript Summaries (page/line)DIRECTDIAL:252- 243- 9000or24/7RECEPTIONIST866- 209- tary.com- ationwide–Woman- Owned6

North Carolina Paralegal Association, Inc. Spring 2012NALA NEWSBy Kaye Summers, NCPA NALA LiaisonAs I wind up my year as your NALA Liaison, I would first liketo say – boy it has been a busy year. I have enjoyed servingas your NALA Liaison and have declared my candidacy for2012-2013 as well.I attended the NALA Annual Meeting and Seminar in Dallas,TX in July along with our President, Stephanie Elliott, NCCP,and several other members of NCPA. North Carolina waswell represented and it really made me proud of our stateand our organization.2012 Annual Meetingand Seminarpresented by theI was shocked and humbled to be awarded the 2011 AffiliatesAward, an award given by NALA based on submissions fromthe affiliate associations. Again, I wish to thank all of you asmembers of NCPA for believing in me, and supporting methroughout my many years serving as a member of the NCPABoard.North CarolinaParalegal Association, Inc.On behalf of NCPA, I submitted our Mentor Program tobe included in the NALA Affiliate Exchange Program. Thisprograms affords the selected affiliate association anopportunity to highlight the important work that it is doingthroughout the state to support and improve the paralegalprofession. I am happy to say that our Mentor Program waschosen by NALA to be presented to the affiliate associationsat the Affiliate Associations Meeting held at the NALA AnnualMeeting and Seminar in Omaha, Nebraska in July.Attention allCLAs & CPsMake plans to attend theCLA/CP BreakfastHere is a copy of the e-mail notice that I received from NALAannouncing the selection:I am delighted to advise that yourassociation’sAffiliateExchangepresentation entitled “Shaping the Future:NCPA’s Mentoring Program” has beenselected as the presentation for the 2012NALA Affiliated Associations Meeting. Theprogram has been scheduled for a 30-minutepresentation on Thursday afternoon, July26th at the Hilton Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska.Saturday, March 24, 20118:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.Karen McGee, ACPNALA PresidentWill be our guest speakerWe commend you for your contributionto the 2012 NALA Affiliated AssociationsMeeting. I am really looking forward tohearing your presentation, and believeit will be an excellent addition to ourconvention offerings. See you in Omaha!Debra L. Overstreet ACPNALA Affiliated Associations DirectorStephanie Elliott, NCCP and I will be attending the conferenceand presenting the program on behalf of NCPA (and PattiClapper, ACP, NCCP if we can get her on an airplane).Cost is 20 and includes a breakfast buffet.Register on your seminar registration form.I look forward to seeing everyone at our Annual Meeting andSeminar at Wrightsville Beach in March.7

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North Carolina Paralegal Association, Inc. Spring 201210 Tips10 Tips for Handling Those Piles of FilesBy: Vicki Voisin, ACP10 Tips for Handling Those Piles of Filesfor Handling Those Piles of FilesIdeally, you workonematterBy:onVickiVoisin,ACPat a time with onlymaterials relating to that one matter on your desk. Thekey here is 'ideally.'Ideally, you work on one matter at a time with onlyBy: Vicki Voision, ACPmaterials relating to that one matter on your desk. Thekeyhereis 'ideally.'Thisprinciplemight work in a perfect world, butthelegal environment is far from perfect. A paralegal's realThis principle might work in a perfect world, but theworldincludes deadlines,chaos, interruptions,legalenvironmentis far from perfect.A paralegal's realemergencies(actual andimagined),last minute projects,worldincludes dimagined),lastminuteprojects,trials and, worst of all, other people's disorganization.trials and, worst of all, other people's disorganization.Piles,oftenoftenof ourdoing,becomepartPiles,notnotof ourdoing,becomepart oftheof thelandscapeofof youryour desk.project,anotheris dumpedon otheris dumpedonthenyou, thenanother,andand eventuallyeventually you'rein inlayers.It's amazingthat layers.It's amazingthat paralegalsproductive at all. If it weren't for our innate abilities to organize and prioritize.asproductiveat all. If it weren'tfor beournonexistent.innate abilities to organize and prioritize.aswell as juggle.productivitywouldwell as juggle.productivity would be nonexistent.What can you do to deal with this madness? Here are 10 tips that will help youremain organized through the chaos and come very close to having only one file onWhatcan you do to deal with this madness? Here are 10 tips that will help youyour desk at a time:remain organized through the chaos and come very close to having only one file on1. Placean incline file sorter. Instead of piling files on top of each other soyourdesk filesat a intime:that you can barely tell one from the other, stand them in an incline file sorter on ornear your desk. With this simple organizational tool, you'll be able to locate files in a1.snap.PlaceThisfilesin an inclinefile forsorter.Insteadof pilingonfilesonnexttop dayof eachis particularlyhelpfulfiles you'llbe workingin theor so.othersothat you can barely tell one from the other, stand them in an incline file sorter on or2. Takewhatyouneedto getthe job done. tool,Encourageworkers(as in files in llfellowbe ableto hofthefileasisnecessarysnap. This is particularly helpful for files you'll be working on in the next daytoor so.complete an assignment. For instance, you don't need the client's entire red rope fileto schedule three IME's in that Work Comp case. If you have a deposition to2.summarize,Take onlyyou'llwhatprobablyyou needget thethetranscript.job done. Encourage fellow workers (asonlytoneedinthe attorney(s) you work with) to give you only as much of the file as is necessary to3. Try to control when you're given work. Receiving work all day long as the spiritcompletean assignment. For instance, you don't need the client's entire red rope filemoves your boss is inefficient. Instead, try to schedule regular meetings with yourtoboss,schedulethreein thethatmorningWork CompIf you havedepositiontosuch asfirst IME'sthing inand/orcase.immediatelyafter alunch.At thosemeetings, youshouldreceiveonlyworkneedassignments,discuss any assignments you aresummarize,you'llprobablythe transcript.working on, etc.3.4.Tryto controlwhenyou'rework.Receiving worklongletteras theCreatetemporaryfiles.If an givenassignmentis accompaniedonlyallby daya looseor spiritmovesyour thonyourdocument,makeisa inefficient.temporary filefor it. Useto writeenoughinformationthe labelthethingfront inso thethatmorningthe item and/orcan be easilyidentifiedafterand won'tbeAtlostinboss,such orasonfirstimmediatelylunch.thosemeetings, you should receive work assignments, discuss any assignments you are9working on, etc.

North Carolina Paralegal Association, Inc. Spring 201210 Tips for Handling Those Piles of Files - continuedthe next wave of files that appear on your desk. Put this temporary file in the inclinefile sorter until you're ready to work on it.5. Become an instant decision maker. When an assignment, a document or a filecomes into your office, decide immediately how to deal with it. Never place it in the'put it here for now' pile. That pile will just continue to grow.If whatever you've been given to do won't take long, take care of it right then andthere. You've already been interrupted so you might as well complete the task beforeyou go back to your work. If you don't need to do it immediately, put it away, orplace it in the incline file sorter.Do you have a stack of professional journals, magazines and newspapers on your deskthat you intend to read 'some day'? Unfortunately, the stack keeps growing and 'someday' never comes. Again, review those materials as soon as they come into youroffice. If there's an article you want to keep, tear it out and file it. If there's nothingof interest, throw the material away or recycle it. Remember that most of thisinformation is available on the Internet should you need it so there's probably no needto keep articles.6. Prioritize throughout the day. As work comes in, make a decision about when youwill act on it. Don't just put it in a pile to think about later. If you allow the chaos toaccumulate, it will quickly overwhelm you. The disorder may stop you from gettingyour work done because it's such a mess you don't know where to start. Theperfectionist in you will just give up. It's easier to make a phone call or check youremail than to figure what's in that swelling stack of papers and files.7. Ask for clear deadlines. Your work will probably fall into one of three categories:do it right now, do it in the next few days and do it sometime in the future. Do it right now. Close up what you are working on, place the material in theincline file sorter, and begin the new work. This interruption is not the mostefficient but it's the way the real world operates. Do it in the next few days. Note the deadline in your planner or on yourcalendar and place the file in the incline file sorter. Do it sometime in the future. If something isn't due for a couple of weeks,you're probably safe to put it away in the file drawer. However, be sure tomake a note on your calendar when the work has to be done and when youshould begin working on it.8. Never trust your memory! Take copious notes when someone gives you anassignment but do not use sticky notes! Sticky notes just multiply and either get lostor you become so accustomed to them that you don't even see them. Instead, use ashorthand notebook for your notes. Begin a fresh page every day, placing the date atthe top. On the left side of the line, write the name of the client, client number, orwhatever information you need to identify the work you'll be doing. On the right sideof the page, make your notes.10Again, be sure to ask for clear deadlines. If you do receive an assignment with adeadline of two or more weeks away, you'll probably want to put the file away so that

shorthand notebook for your notes. Begin a fresh page every day, placing the date atthe top. On Norththe leftCarolinaside of theParalegalline, writeAssociation,the name of theclient,clientnumber, orInc.2012 Springwhateverneedto identifythe workdoing.On the dateright atsideshorthand informationnotebook foryouyournotes.Begin a orofthepage,makeyournotes.10 Tips for Handling Those Piles of Files - continuedwhatever information you need to identify the work you'll be doing. On the right sideof the page,makeyourAgain,be sureto askfornotes.clear deadlines. If you do receive an assignment with adeadline of two or more weeks away, you'll probably want to put the file away so thatAgain,sure upto spaceask foronclearIf youondoend.receivean assignmentait'snot betakingyourdeadlines.desk for daysBe sureto enter probablywanttoputthefileawaysothatyour calendar for the date you need to begin working on the project. Never put a fileit's nottakingspace onyour deskfor days toon yourselfend. Be sureentera reminderonoutof sightin upa drawerwithouta reminderto dotothatwork.The theproject.Neverputafile'out of sight, out of mind' applies when you're very busy.out of sight in a drawer without a reminder to yourself to do that work. The adage'outGetof sight,mind'toapplieswhen you're9.those outfilesofbacktheir 'owners'!Asverysoonbusy.as you finish a project, move thosefiles off your desk. Don't let them languish there for one minute more than you need9. Get Ifthosebackto theirAs soon as you finish a project, move thosethem.they filescan beclosed,all 'owners'!the better.files off your desk. Don't let them languish there for one minute more than you needthem. If they can be closed, all the better.10. Establish routines. The importance of establishing routines for beginning andending your work day can't be overstated.10. Establish routines. The importance of establishing routines for beginning andending your work day can't be overstated.At the beginning of your day, review your list of work to do, retrieve the file you willworkfirst and ofgetyourgoing.Asreviewother filesyoutothroughouttheday,putAt theonbeginningday,your comelist of toworkdo, retrievethefileeitheryou willthemin yourfile getcabinetor Asin oth

Community College, Miller-Motte College-Wilmington Feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions about membership in NCPA. Beverly K. Moore, NCCP . Daniel T. Macemore, Clemmons, NC (S) Charlotte A. Mangum, NCCP, Cary, NC (G) Stephen R. McCorkl e, Lenoir, NC (S) Arryn J. Morris, Arden, NC (S) Ashley M. Norris, NCCP, Asheville, NC (G)