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HomeThe Lookout November 2024

THE LOOKOUT
November 2024


So Much to be Thankful For!

Many recently celebrated National Paralegal Day on October 23, as they have in year’s past. The IPA marked the day by hosting our 2nd Annual State of the Paralegal Profession webinar. We were honored to have Michael Houlberg, Director of Special Projects for IAALS, and Nitasha Miller, an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional, join us. Michael enlightened us on the status of paralegal regulation across the country. Nitasha intrigued us with her journey to paralegal licensure and her current role as a legal paraprofessional. Thanks to both of them for their time and thanks to all who participated.

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New IPA Merch Store

The new merch store is open! Browse a selection of apparel, office supplies, and more, designed for IPA members and supporters. Whether you're looking for something to wear, something practical for work, or just a way to show off your paralegal pride, take a look at what’s new in the store!

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Thank You for a Successful Fall Education Conference!



Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our Fall Education Conference! We are incredibly grateful to our outstanding speakers, who shared invaluable expertise across nine diverse seminars covering Ethics, Immigration, Litigation, Corporate Law, Workers' Compensation, Estate Planning, and advancements in Artificial Intelligence. Their dedication to educating and inspiring others is what makes events like these so impactful. 

To our attendees, thank you for your active participation, engagement, and commitment to elevating the paralegal profession. It’s your passion for growth and excellence that drives these educational gatherings, and we’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to come together to expand our knowledge and skills in a supportive community.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors. Your partnership and support play a crucial role in bringing our conference vision to life, making it possible to deliver high-quality, impactful sessions that empower our community of paralegals.

Following the conference, we continued our celebration at Exchequer Restaurant and Pub to honor Paralegal Day in Illinois. We enjoyed an evening of cocktails, dinner, and lively conversations, connecting with fellow paralegals and celebrating the contributions of our profession. 

Thank you again to everyone who helped make this event memorable and meaningful. We look forward to continuing this tradition of growth, learning, and camaraderie next year!

     
     

Tips from the Trenches Lunch

Due to Thanksgiving, Tips from the Trenches will be meeting on the 3rd Wednesday in November.

Join us on your lunch hour for our final 2024 Tips from the Trenches where Gordon Ferguson will discuss "5 Minutes to File". What are those last minute items you ALWAYS check, no matter how little time you have, before submitting an e-filing? We’ll take a look at some things you can take a second look at to avoid annoyance, embarrassment, or even disaster.

 

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December 4 - Inside the Judicial Process: Legal Writing and Decision-Making

Join the Illinois Paralegal Association for an insightful presentation with Justice Michael B. Hyman of the Illinois First Appellate District. Justice Hyman will dive into the intricacies of judicial decision-making and the role of legal writing in the judicial process. Drawing on his extensive experience as both a trial and appellate court judge, Justice Hyman will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how judges approach cases, form legal reasoning, and communicate their decisions effectively. 

 

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December 5 - The Corporate Transparency Act – A Refresher

Few corporate compliance challenges have captured the US legal word’s attention quite like the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This new federal law has a number of implications for many small/midsized companies and the attorneys that assist them. This session will examine a number of the key points of the CTA including beneficial ownership, corporate applicant, and substantial control. This presentation will not have the benefit of any case law or administrative rulings due to its newness so this will be mainly a statutory review.

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December 10 - Medicare Secondary Payer Update: Liability Edition

This one hour lunch and learn session will discuss the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Compliance and the new MSP Compliance Changes that we must keep in mind when plaintiffs are Medicare recipients in liability cases.

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December 12 - Maximizing Litigation Graphics

This program will address various practical issues on the use of graphics in adversarial proceedings. Tied in with examples of graphics and the strategic impact of their use will be a range of topics from the field of jury research and consulting. Various types of graphics from still images to animations will be demonstrated with the intent of explaining the interaction of strategic graphic design and the connection to case themes. Evidentiary issues surrounding the use of graphics at trial will also addressed. Finally, pitfalls and graphical “tricks” will be addressed.

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Career Corner

One of IPA's purposes is to advance the paralegal profession. In so doing, we will be featuring articles on Career Development in this section of The Lookout.

Do you have any articles that you would like to share with everyone? Send an email to IPA@ipaonline.org and we will add to our next issue of The Lookout.

Non-IPA CLE Opportunities

CLE opportunities listed are provided for informational purposes only.  Contact the provider to determine if the seminar is suited to your skill level and for its applicability.
NALA has just launched a comprehensive Tort Law Series designed to deepen your knowledge in this key area of law. Courses within the series can be purchased individually, or you can buy the full bundle at a discounted rate—$150 for members and $200 for non-members.
 
Part one took place on 10/31, but do not worry if you missed it! If you are interested in the bundle, make the purchase, then reach out to elearning@nala.org to be moved to the on-demand session for part one. Easy peasy!
Sustaining and Educational Institution members of IPA can list their upcoming CLE opportunities in The Lookout by emailing the information to IPA@ipaonline.org.
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Are You Looking For A New Paralegal Position?

Are you aware that the IPA's website lists Employment Opportunities? Employers throughout the state post job listings on our website. New listings are added almost daily. If you are looking for a job, this is the first place you should look!

Is Your Firm Looking To Hire A Paralegal?

If your employer is seeking to hire a paralegal, please remind your HR department that listings can be placed on the IPA's website.  There is no fee to place a listing.

Find Your Next Job Here

How To Post A Paralegal Position