PACO NEWS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGECan you believe it's almost September?! We hope this summer has brought ample opportunities for rest and relaxation. Now it's time to get back into the swing of things, and we are kicking off September in a big way! We're getting back to our monthly General Membership Meetings and Legal Insights sessions and we're continuing the opportunities for continuing legal education with our biennial Education Day! We've got a fabulous lineup of speakers and topics and can't wait to see you all there. More information below!
Also coming in September is the quarterly OSBA Paralegal Committee meeting on September 22, 2025 from 4-5:30PM. Co-chairs John Hance IV, Esq. and Miranda West are gearing up for the fall meeting, and we encourage all of our members to attend.
At the national level, NFPA has a lot coming up as well! We hope you're planning to attend tomorrow's webinar Public Defenders and Their Angels, a.k.a. Paralegals, presented by Mary Katherine Mayer, ACP. More webinars will be coming in the months ahead, so keep an eye out for more information. NFPA is also gearing up for its annual convention from October 9-11. This year's convention is fully remote and there are lots of interesting CLEs available.
September is a busy month! There are so many opportunities for paralegals, and we can't wait to get started!
EDUCATION DAY
PACO's biennial Education Day (formerly known as the BWE - Biennial Workshop and Exhibition) is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025 from 8:30AM - 4:30PM (registration begins at 8AM) at the Quest Conference Center at Polaris. We're planning an exciting day of speakers and topics that will appeal to paralegals across the board and plan to offer no less than 6 hours of CLE for the day!
Registration is open! Regular price tickets are available through September 19, 2025.
Members: $50
Students: $20
Guests: $60
Table of Six: $275
Here's another sneak peak at what to expect for the day: Our second session of the day will be a panel discussion on labor and employment topics. Joining us: Brigid Heid, Esq. of Eastman Smith Ltd (and past president of the CBA); Ashley Hetzel, Esq. of Freeman, Mathis & Gary LLP; and H. Devon Collins, Esq. of Dinsmore. Our panel will be touching on topics such as EEOC enforcement priorities, new rules regarding independent contractors v. employees, guidance from the EEOC on harassment, reverse discrimination, and the status of the recent FTC ban (non-competes).
Also, Valerie Jama, Esq. will be joining us as keynote speaker. Valerie is senior assistant general counsel at OSU Wexner Medical Center and a member of the OSBA Wellness Committee. She will be sharing insights about wellness for paralegals.
We will be applying for CLE approval through both the NFPA and OSBA - this is a fantastic way to get your CLE credits completed for those of you who need to submit biennial reports to the OSBA or NFPA for your certifications and for those who are planning to sit for a certification exam next year (plan ahead!). We can't wait to see you there!
EDUCATION DAY SPONSORS
Thank you to the following for sponsoring Education Day! We can't wait to see you all at the event!
OBLIC, Boerger Investigative Services, Spectrum Reporting LLC, Key Companies, Ohio Reporting Company
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Join us on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 when Manson Ho, Legal Director of Litigation Solutions at Magna Legal will present Social Media Can Help Win Your Case. Registration is available on the website.
LEGAL INSIGHTS
Join us on Thursday, September 25, 2025 when members of the staff from Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, Clerk of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas will provide updates on what's new at the Clerk's office. Registration is available on the website.
OSBA STUDY GROUP
PACO's OSBA Certification Exam Study Group is back! Randi has handed over the reins to Ashley Harris this year, including ALL her study materials! Please contact Ashley Harris (harris.ashnic@gmail.com) to join the study group and continue Randi's excellent track record of helping people pass the exam. The first session will be held September 30, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. All sessions will be held virtually. The study group is open to all Ohio paralegals planning to sit for the OSBA Certification Exam. There is no cost.
OSBA PARALEGAL COMMITTEE FALL MEETING
Scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025 from 4-5:30PM. For registration: https://www.ohiobar.org/2025-events/paralegal-committee-meeting-fall-2025/
PACO MEMBERS PUBLISHED
Congratulations to Miranda West and Garth Rowbotham, who both recently had articles published in the CBA Lawyers Quarterly! Miranda's article recounts her experience in South Africa, and Garth's article reflects on his experience serving on a jury. Links to the articles are below:
Miranda West - “A One Year Reflection on My Time in South Africa”:
https://issuu.com/columbusbarlawyersquarterly/docs/spring_2025_columbus_bar_lawyers_quarterly
Garth Rowbotham - “A Juror’s Perspective”:
https://issuu.com/columbusbarlawyersquarterly/docs/summer_2025_cblq
NFPA HAPPENINGS
NFPA is offering a webinar on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 1PM EST titled Public Defenders and Their Angels, a.k.a. Paralegals, presented by Mary Katherine Mayer, ACP. Paralegals are essential in assisting Public Defenders and their clients who cannot afford attorneys but deserve representation. This is especially true when defending inmates accused of a capital offense. Cost is $25 for members. For more information and for registration: https://www.paralegals.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1985129&group=
NFPA's Annual Convention - Paralegals Adapting to Change - will take place from October 9 - 11, 2025. This event is fully remote, so plan to register today! Ear up to 11 CLEs over three days, master emerging trends, build your skills, and connect with colleagues from across the country! Early bird rates close on August 28, 2025. For more information and to register: https://www.paralegals.org/page/2025-annual-convention
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES WITH LASCO
The Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio is holding the following pro bono events:
Asylum Clinic - Thursday, September 11, 2025 AM Shift 9AM-1PM and PM Shift 1-5PM - Vineyard Community Center, 6000 Cooper Road, Westerville, OH 43081. To register or for additional information: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/mq5q1bh0o5nipi/
Driver's License Clinic - Thursday, September 18, 2025. You may select the morning shift, the afternoon shift, or all day. To register or for additional information: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/2025-franklin-county-drivers-license-event/
Wills Clinic - Wednesday, September 24, 2025 4-8PM Linden Community Center, 1350 Briarwood Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211. To register: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/myw1x9n0yjb51r/
In addition, LASCO is holding the following CLE:
Tuesday, 11/18/25 from 9AM-12PM: Preparing Wills, Advance Directives and Transfer on Death Affidavits for Pro Bono Clients. This CLE is being offered in partnership with the CBA. Registration information is not yet available.