On October 20, 2001, SJALA again held its Fall Educational Seminar.  If you were unable to attend, you missed a wonderful program.  Although October 20^th has come and gone the thanks and gratitude will go on and on.

     First, thanks to our gracious host site, San Joaquin College of Law.  Pam Ramirez was great at helping us with arrangements and providing a room which was both spacious and comfortable.  Let us not forget the student volunteers from the SJCL’s Paralegal program, Fred Vonbgehr and Joshua Thornton.  Both gentlemen were there at the school bright and early to help carry, tote and direct traffic or anything else we had need of. 

   Certainly we must thank our speakers.  James Emerson and Daniel Baradat who started off the program with “The Trial is Over - Win or Lose, What Do You Do Next,” post trial details faced by both sides.  These two had an act which rivaled Hope and Crosby.  For those younger readers, the duo from Rush Hour.  Following the dynamic duo was Steven Appleby with his presentation, “Managing Imaged Documents” complete with magic tricks.  A difficult act to follow, but done effortlessly (even with a power point presentation) by Brian McCully, the keynote luncheon speaker on “Ethics - The Difficult Choices.”  Imagine eating lunch while discussing ethics.  Closing the program and seminar lineup was David McNamara, “To Test or Not To Test, Drugs in the Workplace and Other Employment Issues.”  Mr. McNamara not only kept us awake, but was able to generate genuine interest leading to a lively question and answer session.  All who attended would like to thank each of our speakers for giving so generously of their time and their support of paralegals in the community.

     As a post seminar benefit, we were informed by the State Bar of California that our seminar was approved for 5.50 hours of MCLE credit, including 1.50 hours for Ethics and 1.50 for Substance Abuse.   We have Fern Bernett to thank for guiding our application through the maze and gaining our approval. 

     The following companies once again gave generously to our fund raising effort: Presentations, Inc.; Esquire Deposition Services; Appleby & Company; Valley Document Solutions; Yohman, Parker, Kern & Nard; Fresno City College Paralegal Studies Program; J2 Engineering; Doug Out Cookies; Attorney’s Diversified; Legal Video Solutions; Eggebraaten Court Reporters; and  Sir Speedy/Fresno location. 

    A special thanks must be given to all the people who worked on the seminar committee.  Kathy Fleenor, Gael Storm, Sharon Warmuth, and Lisa Madden.  These people not only worked tirelessly but made it fun while we were doing it.  I would not have a committee without you.