CALDA Conference

By Debra I. Hollis
Professional Standards Chairperson
professionalstandards@calda.org

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the annual conference in Sacramento October 19-21. What a great conference! We had Judges, attorneys, Court specialists and fellow CALDA members as speakers. I managed to attend most of the classes while still helping with registration, among other things.

The classes gave us ideas on how to make our business grow. We were told what judgment clerks at the Court look for. We listened to family law from an attorney’s perspective, learned estate planning for domestic partners and so much more.

Marty Omoto was our keynote speaker and he was very enthusiastic and had great ideas to help our profession. Lois Isenberg talked to us about the history of LDAs, which was so interesting. I have always had so much admiration and respect for those who “fought the fight” so that we could have the right to do what we do today, but even more so now after hearing an account of those tough times from Lois. Thank you Lois!

Connie Crockett put together a very moving video honoring Steve Elias, which brought most of us to tears. He and Catherine were missed so very much at the conference this year. It just wasn’t the same without them.

Richard Lubetzky’s class on Sunday morning was certainly eye opening. He had a young lady come speak to us about her battle when she was accused of UPL. Nothing like hearing it first hand to make you come home and review what you do, to be sure that doesn’t happen to you. And who can forget our president, Ian Duncan role-playing with Terri McCracken, one of the attorneys on our advisory board, as well as one of the speakers, about the right and wrong way to talk with our customers. Terri’s portrayal of a customer was hilarious!

Commissioner Oleon, from Alameda County closed our conference with a very entertaining, interesting and helpful class. He spoke at our Spring Seminar this past year in Foster City and we all loved him. After that seminar he graciously offered to come to the conference and speak. We are so grateful for people like him, who are so supportive of LDAs. I know I haven’t mentioned all of the classes or speakers, but they were all INCREDIBLE!

The food at the Hyatt Sacramento was amazing! The staff couldn’t have been nicer. And the rooms were beautiful. Networking with others, putting faces to those we talk to or see on the forum was great! So many fellow board members worked very hard to make sure that the conference came off without a hitch.

I hope after reading this article, everyone will be so excited that we will all start now saving our money, in hopes of attending the next conference, being held October 25-27, 2013. We have already begun the planning. Be sure to keep an eye on our website for information.

Debbie Hollis, Professional Standards Chair

This past weekend, CALDA had a great conference, held in Sacramento. Wonderful speakers, good food and networking made the weekend exciting. Our newly installed board is excited about the coming year. Board meetings are open to the membership and have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:

January 19, 2013 in Hayward
April 27, 2013 in Hayward
August 17, 2013 in Ontario
October 24, 2013 (Southern California; exact location to be determined)

To see more pictures, visit our Facebook page.

Maureen McCready, Legislative Chair

With the annual CALDA conference just a couple of weeks away I am reminded of the first CALDA conference I attended which took place at Asilomar in 2010. A veteran in the paralegal field, but new to the LDA profession, I was seeking a better understanding of what services an LDA may offer to the public and how to do so without crossing the line of legality. While this is definitely an on-going learning process for me, the availability of information regarding the profession and the level of support in the form of camaraderie and pertinent class content offered was pivotal to my resolve to develop my LDA business. I felt that I had I caught a glimpse of the heart and soul of CALDA, and the opportunity that exists in the profession. Since that first conference I am a believer and have made a commitment to attend every conference and seminar I can reasonably make it to.

One of the members of the Bay Area Chapter recently shared with me the benefits she has enjoyed as a result of attending their monthly chapter meetings. She said that she didn’t know how anyone could succeed in this business without that kind of on-going support. This, because, even though it is not currently a legal requirement for LDAs to provide proof of continuing education to renew our registrations every two years, it is on us to stay abreast of procedure, law and forms changes, and trends relative to how we may offer services to the public. The CALDA annual conference is an excellent means to keep those skills up and to accrue MCLE in the process.

It’s an extraordinary gift to be a part of this community. I am grateful and look forward to a weekend of LDA immersion on October 19 – 21. See you there!

Elizabeth Fleischer

I cannot believe the October Conference is almost here! And it did not seem that long ago that we started preparing for this conference. I know time flies, but wow, not this fast! We have many vendors attending the conference this year who will again, be showcasing their products and services that are beneficial to the business needs of an LDA and that of their clients.

Our vendors range from those who provide forms software, insurance bonds, and consumer credit counseling, to Attorneys who are a part of the newly formed Elias Referral Network. The attorneys’ part of this network, provide the much needed legal advice an LDA’s client may need to fill the gap; providing a more comprehensive and affordable service for the Self Represented Litigant.

There will be additional products for sale that are also an integral part of an LDA’s business; some of which include: LDA Disclaimer Plaques, Informational flowcharts for various legal topics written or approved by an Attorney, and letter openers; commemorating the 25th anniversary of CALDA, and providing a tool that makes it much easier to get to that all important mail that comes in.

Hope to see you there, and come check out the vendors at the conference!