Non-profit Organization | Richmond, Virginia

Recently I was sitting in the bleachers watching my oldest daughter play soccer and as the sun beat down and the breeze brushed my hair, my mind wandered to the first day she climbed the stairs on the bus full of dreams and ambition. The blast of the whistle suddenly jolted my dazed mind, and I grudgingly returned to the state of daily life.

Daily life is comprised of routines and rituals . . . putting the kids on the bus or letting the dog out one last time before heading to your favorite coffee shop before work. Most of us derive great pleasure in the stability that our daily routine affords us. Then change rudely parades through our routine and affects the rhythm of daily life. Don’t allow yourself to embark on negative feelings associated with change, revel on the opportunity for reexamination, stimulating thinking, and reinvigorating movement towards fulfilling perceived holes in daily life. By not seizing opportunities, life can become passé.

Widening your social sphere can enrich your daily life. We are each part of a series of social communities, and it is important to actively participate in them. Being a member of RPA is one of your social communities. By being active in RPA you will be meet like-minded professionals, be surrounded by a great support system, and derive knowledge from a basic foundation. Many members seek more skill than brown bag lunches or dinner meetings can afford; therefore, the study group has been formed to provide a free learning opportunity to members. By mastering the materials in the CLA Review Manual, paralegals will broaden their knowledge in legal terminology, improve their written communication skills, and improve judgment and analytical abilities, gain a better understanding of legal ethics, human relations, and brush up on legal research. Reading over the general law will bring back memories from history and government classes already taken.

The study group is open to you whether you plan to sit for the CLA exam or if you just want to broaden your knowledge. All members are encouraged to join the study group to be part of the RPA community and have an opportunity to learn. Learning should be fun whenever possible, and it is my goal to make sure members of this study group know how to have fun while learning. Please email me at avaughan@bealelaw.com to join the study group.

Amy C. Vaughan, NALA Liaison
Richmond Paralegal Association

2009 CLA/CP Study Group Schedule
Dates
Wednesdays
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Topic Instructor Location
Beale, Davidson, Etherington & Morris PC
701 E Franklin St
Richmond, VA 23219***
June and July – Self Study, NALA CLA Review Manual
August 19 Communications Carla Nagel Winters ***
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – Communications
August 26 Human Relations/Ethics Carla Nagel Winters ***
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – Legal Ethics
September 2 Judgment and Analytical Ability Ginny Butler, CLA
***Please note this will be a 3/hr session
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – Judgment and Analytical Ability
September 9 Substantive Law – General, The American Legal System Yvonne Berry, CLA
***
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – The American Legal System
September 16 Legal Research Teresa Clark, CLA
***
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – Legal Research
September 23 Civil Litigation Kitty Bice, CLA ***
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – Civil Litigation
September 30 Family Anna DiGrazia ***
Application Deadline for Exam
October 7 Contract Teresa Clark, CLA
***
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – Contract Law
October 14 Real Estate Anna DiGrazia ***
Self Study Weekend Practice, Take NALA Self Study Course – Real Estate
October 21 Business Organizations ***
October 28 Estate Planning and Probate ***
November 4 Bankruptcy
***
November 11 Criminal Law and Procedure Teresa Clark, CLA ***
November 18 Administrative Carla Nagel Winters, CLA ***
December 4-5 NALA Exam University of Richmond
Do not become overwhelmed and think that you have to sit for the exam in December 2009. If you have been studying and are confident that you are ready the application deadline and exam dates are included on the schedule for your reference.