Dear Members:
Just a reminder, if you are sponsoring a child back-to-school items, the items are due on Tuesday, July 31. Please contact me at dorothy.huskey@mgclaw.com or call me at (864) 239-4034 to make arrangements to either drop off to me or let me know how to pick up from you. If you did not get a child but want to help with just an item or two, send me an email and I can assist you with needed items.
Thanks to all who have participated in this project. The folks at A Child's Haven are so very grateful for our support. Without this project, these children would not get the shoes and clothing items that are so very needed.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Dorothy Huskey, CP
Pro Bono Chairperson
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The SCUPA Scoop: Vol. 10
At our July luncheon, Dorothy Huskey announced that SCUPA would be sponsoring 14 children from A Child's Haven. Rather than typical school supplies, the children are in need of items such as clothing and nap mats. Those interested in participating were asked to contact Dorothy.
As NALA Liaison, Dorothy also announced that SCUPA would not be sending delegate to teh national convention at the end of this month for a number of logistical reasons.
Barbara Spearman announced that Nicole Turner had graciously agreed to chair the Mentor Committee. If anyone is interested in becoming a mentor or would like a mentor for themselves, please contact Nicole at NTurner@GWBlawfirm.com to get the ball rolling.
As a reminder, the application for Paralegal of the Year is on the SCUPA website. If you know if anyone who may be a good candidate for the award, please complete the form and submit it to Barbara at BSpearman@collinsandlacy.com.
Alan Cochran of the Cochran Law Firm served as this month's luncheon speaker. He provided an entertaining presentation on teamwork in the office. As we all know, it can be very difficult to be civil in civil practice. Mr. Cochran acknowledged that his paralegals essentially run his office. In a successful firm, he stated that the paralegal and the attorney work together on a team rather than one working for the other. To keep an office running, everyone must work together. He stated that when a problem arises, it is important to step in and do what you can to resolve the issue yourself. While the attorney is often the face of the firm, he stated that the paralegal is the heart.
Mr. Cochran touched on the fact that clients often have to be educated and taught a little bit about the law in order to establish reasonable expectations. He also emphasized the importance of listening. In his own practice, his clients will often tell his paralegals things that they are reluctant to tell him. It is often the paralegal's responsibility to dig out unsavory information and encourage the client to tell the truth. In this role, paralegals have to be extremely sensitive to the feelings of others. It is their ultimate responsiblity to arm their attorney with enough facts from the client so that the attorney can make educated decisions.
SCUPA thanks Mr. Cochran for his presentation and taking the time out of his schedule to attend our luncheon.
As NALA Liaison, Dorothy also announced that SCUPA would not be sending delegate to teh national convention at the end of this month for a number of logistical reasons.
Barbara Spearman announced that Nicole Turner had graciously agreed to chair the Mentor Committee. If anyone is interested in becoming a mentor or would like a mentor for themselves, please contact Nicole at NTurner@GWBlawfirm.com to get the ball rolling.
As a reminder, the application for Paralegal of the Year is on the SCUPA website. If you know if anyone who may be a good candidate for the award, please complete the form and submit it to Barbara at BSpearman@collinsandlacy.com.
Alan Cochran of the Cochran Law Firm served as this month's luncheon speaker. He provided an entertaining presentation on teamwork in the office. As we all know, it can be very difficult to be civil in civil practice. Mr. Cochran acknowledged that his paralegals essentially run his office. In a successful firm, he stated that the paralegal and the attorney work together on a team rather than one working for the other. To keep an office running, everyone must work together. He stated that when a problem arises, it is important to step in and do what you can to resolve the issue yourself. While the attorney is often the face of the firm, he stated that the paralegal is the heart.
Mr. Cochran touched on the fact that clients often have to be educated and taught a little bit about the law in order to establish reasonable expectations. He also emphasized the importance of listening. In his own practice, his clients will often tell his paralegals things that they are reluctant to tell him. It is often the paralegal's responsibility to dig out unsavory information and encourage the client to tell the truth. In this role, paralegals have to be extremely sensitive to the feelings of others. It is their ultimate responsiblity to arm their attorney with enough facts from the client so that the attorney can make educated decisions.
SCUPA thanks Mr. Cochran for his presentation and taking the time out of his schedule to attend our luncheon.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The SCUPA Scoop: Pro Bono update
Dear Members,
Our suit drive to benefit Safe Harbor concludes tomorrow at the SCUPA luncheon but I will continue to take donations through Friday. Any suits or business clothing you wish to donate may be delivered either to the luncheon tomorrow or to my office located at 75 Beattie Place, Suite 300, Greenville, SC 29601 until end of day on Friday. My thanks to all who have participated so far.
Annual School Supply Drive for A Child's Haven
This year we are doing something a little different. Due to budget cuts, the needs of the "graduating" students have changed. This year, we have 14 children who have the need for various school supply items. We would like to fulfill as many items on each child's wish list as possible. If you would like to sponsor a child, I will have the wish lists with me at the luncheon tomorrow. If you cannot attend the luncheon but wish to sponsor a child, please contact me and I can provide you with the information. This is a project where friends can team together for a child, offices can team together for one or more children, or you can provide just one or two items to be used where there are missing items.
We'd like to get each child one outfit. Remember the excitement of that back to school outfit?
In some cases, a book bag is needed, in others a nap map. For the most part, the basic school supplies are being donated at another source, except in some cases. The needs list will appear on each child's wish list.
Sample List - one child: (receipts for clothing helpful - leave tags on)
Boy - age 5
Shirt - size 5/6
Pants - size 5
Underwear - Size 5/6
Socks - small (6- 7 1/2 shoe size)/med
Shoes - 13
Other - Hoodie - size 6
Book bag needed - yes
Nap mat needed - no
Let's make this year's drive the best ever! We have 14 children who need our assistance. I will have complete wish lists with me at the luncheon, or I can email you one if you are unable to attend. I would ask that if you take a child's name and then find you are unable to participate, please return that child's name to me so that we can find another sponsor.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My number is (864) 239-4034 and my email is dorothy.huskey@mgclaw.com.
Thank you,
Dorothy Huskey, CP
Chairperson, Pro Bono Committee
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