1997-98 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wendi A. Rogers, CLA
Wendi is a senior litigation paralegal with the firm of Hyatt, Crabtree & Moore, P.C. in Dallas, Texas. She has been a litigation paralegal for 10 years specializing in personal injury trial law. Wendi is board certified in Personal Injury Law through TBLS and has her CLA designation through NALA. She is a frequent speaker and author on various litigation topics and on the paralegal profession. She is an instructor at Southeastern Paralegal Institute in Dallas. She has held several positions with the Dallas Area Paralegal Association and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

Wendi and her husband Steve live in a small town just outside of Dallas with their golden retriever. They enjoy traveling and outdoor sports such as softball, mountain biking, snow skiing and scuba diving.

Jim Buchanan
Jim is a litigation paralegal with the Williams - Bailey Law Firm, L.L.P. in Houston. He works in the area of personal injury, primarily concentrating on toxic tort and products liability. Jim received his B.S. degree from the University of Houston and his paralegal certificate from Southwestern Paralegal Institute. He is a former director from District 2 and is currently serving on the Division Board as President-Elect.

Jim is also a member of the Houston Legal Assistants Association where he serves as Second Vice-President for Programs. He also serves as a member and committeemen of the Board for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Jim is a frequent speaker on continuing education topics for non-lawyers.

Melissa D. Sherman, CLA
Melissa has lived in Forth Worth, Texas her entire life and she and her husband Mike are raising their three daughters there. She graduated Cum Laude from Texas Women's University with a Bachelor of Science in Government emphasizing legal Assistance and a Minor in Business Administration. She received her CLA designation in 1992 and became board certified in Civil Trial Law through TBLS in 1995.

Melissa works for Amis, Bell & Moore, an in-house legal office for Farmers Insurance Group and she has worked in all aspects of personal injury litigation . Melissa became the Director from District 3 in January, 1996. The assumed the position of Division Secretary in September, 1996. She is also on the Board of the Fort Worth Paralegal Association and volunteers in her church and various children's activities in her community

Dawn Crider, CLA
Dawn is a legal assistant with McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P. in Austin. She has been a legal assistant for 12 years, and currently works in the area of civil litigation, specializing in oil and gas, insurance and construction litigation. Dawn received her CLA certification through NALA in 1992 and became Board Certified in Civil Trial Law through TBLS in 1995. She has been the Director for District 4 since 1995.

Dawn is also a member and former officer of the Capital Area Paralegal Association and is involved in several community projects. She is active in the Austin Adopt-A-School program through her firm, and is a board member of the Eanes Education Foundation.

Dawn married her high school sweetheart who has been a custom home builder for 15 years. They just recently finished their dream house west of Austin. Dawn shares here new home with her husband Lyndon, her children Alan and Audrey, and three very special pets.

Melinda Hicks
Melinda has been employed as a paralegal for over seven years and she is currently employed by the Galveston firm of McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel, P.C. She is currently serving her third term as Director from District 13 and she served on the Public Relations and Membership committees before joining the Board. Melinda is a founding member of the Galveston Area Legal Assistants Association and has held the offices of treasurer and secretary for that association.

Melinda lives in Santa Fe, Texas with her husband Jay and their two children, Candace, age 14 and Dallas, age 10. They enjoy golf and are active in the local youth football association.


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