4/15/09

The State Bar of Michigan Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section and the Michigan chapter of the Association of Litigation Support Professionals are working together to host a unique Annual Day of Education, scheduled for Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1 in Grand Rapids.

The event kicks off Thursday evening with a networking social at Crush Nightclub at The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids. Appetizers and cocktails will be served.

Friday's session at Davenport University consists of three daylong tracks—two focused on paralegals and one on electronic litigation support. The paralegal tracks will include presentations on corporate succession planning, constitutional law, career advancement, legal research, drafting contracts, alternative dispute resolution and negotiation, and mortgages and foreclosures. The litigation support track will center on corporate litigation support, the litigation support/paralegal team, new ESI MI court rules, ethics in e-discovery, and new tools and resources. Participants will be able to switch tracks depending on their educational objectives.

Friday's lunch is highlighted by speaker Marcy Jankovich, a paralegal who initiated Paralegal /Legal Assistant Day. Jankovich will talk about its inception and importance, and present the Governor's 2009 proclamation.

The Friday session costs $40 for members, $60 for non-members, and $15 for students. The price includes breakfast, course materials, and a box lunch. There is a separate charge of $15 to attend the Thursday night social. A block of hotel rooms have been reserved at the Grand Rapids Ramada Plaza. To reserve a room, go to www.ramadaplazagr.com or call (616) 949-9222 and mention the State Bar group.