President's Message
Javan Johnson, ACP, TBLS, Board Certified Legal Assistant, Civil Trial Law,
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
This is a very exciting time for the Paralegal Division. As you are receiving
this Fall issue, the Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar (TAPS) is being presented
September 20-22, 2006, and is again an excellent seminar. Many of you may have
attended, but if you have not, I encourage you to watch your next issue of this TPJ
magazine for a report so you can see what you have been missing.
The Division has been celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout this past
year, which is culminating with a final celebration, and a 'toast' to the next
25 years of growth and advancement for Texas paralegals. The past 25 years has
seemingly blown past those of us who can remember when this Division was first
formed. For those of you newer to the profession, and yet even newer to the
Division, you may not have yet had the experience of seeing how far this
paralegal profession has grown since 1981 when this Division was first formed by
the State Bar of Texas.
October 23rd denotes our official "25th Anniversary" and is also
Paralegal Day in the State of Texas. All across the state the Division leaders
are organizing celebrations for this special day. Our hope is that you can join
in this celebration by attending one of these events.
The goals for the Division for this year is based upon the theme
"Advancing the Profession through Empowering Paralegals." You may have
seen the recent electronic e-mail blast which was sent out to all members
regarding the new "Paralegal Standards" which have been approved by
the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. If for some reason you missed that
blast, the standards are printed for you in full text following this message.
Also, you may visit and go to the top left corner "About PD," and the
drop down menu will show you the link to the new definition and standards.
What does this mean for our profession? For the first time, attorneys are
being given a guideline for both the hiring of paralegals, the utilization of
paralegals, and the delegation of substantive legal work as that relates to
billable time for paralegals in order to be able to recover same as a part of an
award for attorneys fees. The standards also encourage attorneys to promote
continuing legal education and certification for paralegals, as well as
membership in the Division.
We are embarking upon a campaign of educating the attorneys, legal
administrators, paralegal schools, paralegals, and the judiciary as to these
standards. If you have not yet read them, then please take time and do so now.
Share them with everyone you know who has a voice and who has any influence on
your career. Also share with them your copy of this edition of the TPJ so
others may learn about all the things going on with the Division. You may reach
me anytime with any questions or concerns at
Advance yourself in this profession. By empowering yourself with these
new standards, you will be the one to reap the rewards!
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