Paralegal Potpourri Friday
Happy Friday, everyone! We hope this last week before the unofficial start of the holidays has been productive. Before you kick off your weekend, check out these recent announcements of interest.
Electronic Filing with the U.S. Supreme Court
On Nov. 13, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court’s electronic filing system began operation. While paper remains the official form of filing as under existing practice, parties represented by counsel will also be required to submit most documents through the new electronic filing system. Attorneys who expect to file documents electronically will need to register in advance for the system. Click here for additional information and to register.
N.C. Court System Launches Online Request for Reduction of Speeding Offenses Statewide
Citizens may now request online reductions of speeding offenses in every county with the statewide launch of the N.C. courts’ newest online service, the AOC reported last week. The efficient, user-friendly service provides 24/7 convenience for motorists who receive a speeding ticket and meet eligibility criteria to potentially reduce and process their citation without ever having to appear at the courthouse. Click this link for details, as well as other news from N.C. Courts.
FREE CPE opportunity regarding Online Trust Account Management
Yes, FREE CPE! Be sure to check your email for a Nov. 2 announcement from the Board of Paralegal Certification that N.C. certified paralegals may now access two online, interactive one-hour trust account management CLE/CPE courses on the North Carolina Bar Association’s website. A joint project of the North Carolina State Bar and the North Carolina Bar Association, the two courses provide the most current explanation of the management duties for a lawyer’s trust account, and each one-hour course satisfies the provision in Rule 1.15-2(s) of the Rules of Professional Conduct requiring anyone with trust account signatory authority to complete a one-hour trust account management CLE course. Each one-hour course includes great content and helpful resources, and is available, through the financial support of the Board of Paralegal Certification, free of charge to North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegals until further notice. The production of the courses was sponsored in part by Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company.
It’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Time
The N.C. Guardian ad Litem program’s annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Campaign is underway in an effort to collect 10,000 plastic jars of peanut butter and jelly through January 20, 2018. The campaign raises awareness for this vital program and supports local food banks in their effort to help feed hungry North Carolinians. It also serves as an excellent reminder that the 2018 YLD Legal Feeding Frenzy is right around the corner, so access the link for details on the PB&J drive and set your sights on supporting the Legal Feeding Frenzy when it kicks off March 1.
If you plan to participate or organize a collection with your firm or company, please let us know. We’d love to share the news of your efforts!
Run For NC LEAP
Finally, a little fun on Friday. Have you heard about the Ugly Sweater Holiday 5k? The Young Lawyer’s Division (YLD) is hosting this event on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh to benefit NC LEAP. The North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (NC LEAP) is a statewide, donor-supported program of the North Carolina Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports low-wealth entrepreneurs and inventors. Registration includes a T-shirt and a color-changing water bottle. Plus, prizes awarded to top finishers and ugliest sweater. Check out the event on Facebook for additional detail on prizes, including chocolate from Videri Chocolate Factory and free ice cream scoops for the first 70 finishers. Click here to register.
The YLD also needs day of volunteers to help with decorations and set up as well as volunteers to help spread the word about the 5k. Volunteers mean everything to this race. To volunteer please e-mail Nihad Mansour at [email protected].
If you plan to participate or volunteer, email Leslie Pegram. We want to get a picture with our fellow paralegals in those awesomely, ugly sweaters!