PD Member LEAPs Ahead
by Mona Tucker. CP
Linda Carrette, CP, TBLS, has
been selected as one of only 14
paralegals from across the U.S.
to participate in NALA’s 2008-2009 LEAP
(Leadership Enhancement and Preparation)
class. Class members were introduced
at the 33rd annual convention of the
National Association of Legal Assistants at
Oklahoma City, July 24–August 2, 2008.
Linda applied for the inaugural LEAP
class last year, but because the class size is
so limited, didn’t get in until this year. She
visited with Ruth Conley, a Houston PD
member, about her experience with the
2007–2008 LEAP class, and decided it was
a good opportunity. She was very happy
when she received notification that she
had been selected for the 2008–2009 class.
Linda expects to learn more about the
inner workings of NALA and hopes to be
entrusted with a position of responsibility
with NALA. She is excited about the networking
possibilities.
LEAP for prospective leaders is based
on the common-sense notion that it is better
to acquaint volunteers with the concepts
and challenges of NALA leadership
before they are elected to national positions
rather than to rely on “orientation” sessions
after elected leaders take office. Early
leadership training and support will reinforce
the strength and progress of the
Association as new leaders assume their
roles prepared to take charge right away.
LEAP offers participants the opportunity
to develop leadership skills beyond
what they may have acquired through local
association or community experience.
Members will benefit from an insider’s
view of the structure and programs of
NALA while gaining first-hand experience
working with volunteers to find ways to
get things done.
LEAP members and discussion leaders
will work together during a 12-month program
and meet via web-based lectures,
group discussion, and research.
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee,
Linda has been a Texas resident since 1980.
She and her family (husband Ed, and sons
Jeremy, 16, and Tyler, 11) moved from
Houston to Rockwall a year ago, and at
the time of this interview, were packing to
move back to Houston. Ed is the General
Manager of the University of Houston
Conrad Hilton School of Hotel and
Restaurant Management.
The Ole Miss graduate once considered
going to law school, but she got married
instead. At the time, she was working at an
oil and gas company with someone who
was attending Southwestern Paralegal
Institute in Houston. That paralegal convinced
her she should also enter the legal
field, and the rest is history.
Linda earned her NALA certification in
1980, passed the TBLS civil trial exam in
1995, is a past president of Houston Paralegal
Association, NALA Liaison for HPA
two years ago, and past director of the
Texas Paralegal Division, District 1
(1991–1994).
She is a busy lady, maintaining both
her CP and TBLS certifications and membership
in DAPA, HPA, NFPA, and NALA.
On top of all that, she is a contract paralegal
who owns her own company, Legal
Analysts and Consultants. For the past
year, she has been working with Curran,
Tomko & Parski, in Dallas, and will continue
that relationship after her relocation
to Houston. She works in civil litigation,
criminal and corporate law.
Way back in the day, Linda considered
anyone with ten years or more experience
as a role model. She wanted to emulate
them and find out how they had been able
to stick with it so long. Today, her role
model is Sharon Werner, NALA’s 2nd Vice
President. Linda’s idea of a role model is:
“Anybody who manages to have more than
2 or 3 kids, work full time, stay happily
married, keep everyone in clean underwear,
and still keep a smile on her face.”
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