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fall 2004 vol. 10 no. 2                                                                                                                             Return to Contents
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President's Message

Kim J. Cantu , CLA

As we approach our 25th anniversary and reflect on all that the Legal Assistants Division (LAD) has accomplished, I am reminded of Dorothy and her journey down the “yellow brick road,” seeking a brain for the scarecrow, a heart for the tin man, courage for the lion, and a way home to Kansas for Dorothy. In our case, (1) seeking opportunities for CLE throughout the State of Texas, reinforcement of the pride we take in our profession; (2) belief that we are armed with the ability, education, experience and knowledge to provide our attorneys and law offices with the best of substantive legal services possible; (3) the development of pride in being a member of a division of the State Bar of Texas and willing to serve our professional organization for purposes of aiding those entering the profession, changing careers or beginning to work in new areas of law; and (4) knowing and believing – there is no place like LAD.
As we begin the new year, we want to build on the accomplishments of the visionaries who laid our “yellow brick road” and provided us with more benefits and opportunities than ever before in LAD History.

A Brain for the Scarecrow . . . First, the Division hopes to debut on-line CLE in 2004-2005. This will provide CLE access to all our members from the sprawling metropolises to the farming communities, to ensure they have the resources to be an exemplary legal assistant/paralegal anywhere in the State of Texas. Second, LAD will continue to emphasize participatory CLE opportunities for members and non-members alike at the district level. In 2003, the Division began requiring LAD’s sixteen (16) District Directors to offer at least three (3) hours of CLE each year for their district members. And third, LAD will continue to improve its already successful three-day seminar — Legal Assistant University (LAU), to see that it stays the premiere statewide CLE offering for paralegals in Texas.

A Heart for the Tin Man . . . The Division always has an answer or resource via the LAD E-Group to solve problems or share ideas; MyTexasBar.com to WOW your attorneys with your ability to retrieve answers/information quickly; and the LAD Job Bank – always available to help you through career challenges. Through it all, LAD CARES!

Courage for the Lion . . . You will find that Division members are individuals possessing characteristics of “courage,” such as the ability to stand up and show that they are dedicated and educated professionals, individuals willing to stay on top of the ever-changing law through voluntary attendance of CLE, individuals knowledgeable on the direction of the profession, and individuals with opinions that matter.

For Dorothy – finding a way home to Kansas. . . . As a professional, you have a home in your Division – a place to find professionalism, networking, support, continuing legal education, leadership, integrity, honesty, ethical standards, and so much more. Yes, there is no place like LAD.

Texas Paralegal Journal © Copyright 2004 by the Legal Assistants Division, State Bar of Texas.

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