Louisiana State Paralegal Association

Founder and Administrator of the LCP Certification
NEWS AND EVENTS

LOUISIANA STATE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION

Summer 2018 Report to NALA

      The Louisiana State Paralegal Association was faced with a unique issue this year.  Louisiana House Bill No. 748 proposed legislation that would have prohibited Certified Paralegals in Louisiana from using the word “Certified” in their credentials.  The LSPA Board members stepped up to fight against passage of this legislation by contacting their legislators and by urging LSPA members and other paralegals in Louisiana to contact their legislators and urge they vote against, or amend, this legislation.   

     Working with a public policy law firm out of Washington, DC, LSPA worked to defeat the bill, or at a minimum to revise it to remove the provisions restricting CPs, ACPs, and LCPs from including the word “certified” in their title.  On Wednesday, May 9, the bill was on the agenda to be heard before the Senate Commerce Committee.  LSPA President (and former NALA President), Karen Greer McGee, attended the committee hearing to stand up for LSPA members and all paralegals of Louisiana. (Karen in wearing a white jacket in the photo below taken at the hearing.)  Senators were overwhelmed with the response and returned with amended legislation which included only a provision that the governor review agencies engaged in regulatory and licensing activities within the next five years. We were elated at the outcome.

     Throughout this process, the board of LSPA worked together as a team to get results; it appeared the board had worked together for years, although elections had been held only days before learning of the pending legislation.  

     Officers of LSPA elected on April 21, 2019 are:

                   President:                                                           Karen Greer McGee, ACP

                   First Vice President:                                              Rhonda K. McManus

                   Second Vice President:                                          Christine Midkiff, CP

                   Treasurer:                                                           Sandy M. Pourciaux, ACP

                   Secretary:                                                           Lescee Mills

                    NALA Liaison:                                                     Deborah P. Fontenot, ACP, LCP

                    Chair, LCP Certifying Board                                  Jessie Cormier, CP, LCP

 

 

Submitted by:  Louisiana State Paralegal Association

NALA Liaison, Deborah P. Fontenot, ACP, LCP



LSPA Celebrates 30 Years!

On September 18, 2015, in conjunction with its Annual Conference, LSPA celebrated its 30th Anniversary at The Petroleum Club in Lafayette, LA. 2014-15 President, Sandy Pourciaux, ACP presented awards and recognized the contributions of her Board of Directors. Bob Jullens and his band, Rock-It Sound Company rocked the house!
 

CONGRATULATIONS
KAREN GREER McGEE, ACP


Recipient of the Meritorious Service Award
a/k/a "The Jimmie"
during the 2015 Awards Reception

RENEE GRISSOM
named the
2015 Outstanding Paralegal
of the Year
at LSPA's Awards Reception
on September 18, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS, RENEE!

The Rock-It Sound Company
of Baton Rouge, LA



Some of LSPA's past presidents
celebrated our 30th Anniversary.
 

LSPA Past Presidents

Front row: Jimmie W. Murvin, LSPA's First President and Charter Member
Back row from left: Rebecca Maum,
Jessie Cormier, CP, LCP, Sandy Pourciaux, ACP,
Karen McKnight, CP, Karen Greer McGee, ACP
and Sandra Smith, CP.



No celebration is complete without a cake!
 

President Sandy Pourciaux recognized Bob Jullens, CP, LCP for his service as chairperson of the Technology Committee during the 2014-15 membership year.



President Sandy Pourciaux recognized Karen McKnight, CP for co-chairing LSPA's 30th Anniversary Celebration during the 2014-15 membership year.



Debbie Billiot, Awards chairperson, presented the President's Plaque to Sandy Pourciaux, ACP, in recognition of her service to LSPA as President for 2013 - 2015.

The following members were recognized for their contributions but were not present: Camille Moran, CP for her service as chairperson of the Marketing Committee; Rhonda K. McManus for her service as chairperson of the Sponsors/Vendors Committee;Leslie Baiamonte for her service as chairperson of the LCP Review Course.

President Pourciaux presented "Lady Justice" statues to Board Members for their service during the 2014-2015 membership year. Karen Greer McGee, ACP served as NALA Liaison.




Renee Grissom was presented with "Lady Justice" for her service as Second Vice President during the 2014-15 membership year.



Debbie Fontenot, ACP, LCP was presented with "Lady Justice" for her service as Treasurer during the 2014-2015 membership year.

Renee Grissom was named the Outstanding Paralegal of the Year. The Meritorious Service Award a/k/a "The Jimmie" was presented to Karen Greer McGee, ACP in recognition of her service to both LSPA and NALA and to the paralegal profession. Photographs of both honorees are on the Home Page.


Debbie Billiot was presented with "Lady Justice" for her service as First Vice President during the 2014-2015 membership year.



Jessie Cormier, CP, LCP was presented with "Lady Justice" for her service as LCP Certifying Board Chairperson during the 2014-2015 membership year.


Not pictured: Cindy Haggerty-Horne was presented with "Lady Justice" for her service as Secretary during the 2014-2015 membership year.