Fundamentals of Legal Assisting in Michigan
DISCLAIMER
Before undertaking any on-demand effort, you should review the rules of your licensing/certifying entity.
It’s your responsibility to determine whether this on-demand course meets your continuing education requirements.
You must take and pass a quiz to receive credit. You can take the quiz as many times as needed and there is no time limit on the quiz.
Once the quiz is completed, you will be asked to download your certificate.
**Any on-demand programs that qualify for AIA or LACES credit will require an additional 2 business weeks for processing.
**AIA credit is not available in USB format.
Streamable MP4/PDF
You will receive an automated email letting you know when your On-Demand package is available approximately 3 business days after the date of the live event or the date of your order, whichever is later. This email will contain links to the video recording, materials, and program quiz.
To track your purchase, you will need to create an account on the website using the email address used for your registration.
For AIA requirements only, the on-demand recording will have occasional question prompts that will not allow the video to progress unless they are answered, and you will not be able to skip forward while watching the video.
Please note, if you attempt to resume watching the video on a separate device, your progress will not be saved.
Click the link which appears at the end of the video to be taken to the course quiz.
You will have unlimited access to the on-demand video recording, and it will never expire.
**Any streamable on-demand programs that qualify for AIA or LACES credit will require an additional 2 business weeks for processing.
USB MP4/PDF
HalfMoon will mail these materials via USPS.
USB orders ship approximately 3 business days after the program takes place or after the order is placed, whichever date is later. Please allow an additional 7-10 business days for shipping.
The link to the quiz will be available in a PDF in your USB drive marked QUIZ.
HalfMoon will contact you and issue a full refund if the product you ordered is not available. However, refunds will not be issued if completion certificates are requested.
Please contact HalfMoon Education if you have any questions during the process of taking this course. (715) 835-5900 or qchapman@halfmoonseminars.org
**Any USB on-demand programs that qualify for LACES credit will require an additional 2 business weeks for processing.
**AIA credit is not available in USB format.
Agenda
Webinar instructions will be emailed before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before the start time.
Thursday, February 1, 2024
8:30 am – 4:00 pm EST
Basics of Law Office Management and Operation in Michigan
Presented by: S. Bowman
- Law office organization
- Staff roles and responsibilities
- Awareness of attorney regulation and ethics rules
- Managing contacts with potential clients and other law firms
- Participating in client intake process
- Creating, organizing and maintaining files
- Client communications
- Client billing and accounting practices
Locating Sources of Michigan Law
Presented by: S. Bowman & T. Wernette
- Sources of Federal laws and regulations
- Sources of Michigan laws and regulations
- Finding case law
- Using secondary sources
- Evaluating sources and information obtained
Legal Ethics for Law Practice Management
Presented by: T. Wernette
- Attorney and paralegal ethical rules
- Specific areas of concern for legal support staff:
- Conflicts of interest
- Confidentiality
- Ex-parte communications
- Avoiding the unauthorized practice of law
- Working with clients, courts and opposing counsel
Basics of Michigan State Civil Litigation
Presented by: J. Savaya
- Types of civil matters
- State court vs. federal court practice
- Prerequisites for litigation
- Alternatives to litigation: mediation, arbitration, negotiation
- The civil discovery process
- Preparing for trial
- Civil trials
- Post-judgment matters and appeals
Document Drafting and Editing
Presented by: J. Savaya
- Legal terminology
- Drafting legal documents
- Editing legal documents
- Updating legal references
- Proofreading skills
Webinar Instructions
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited.
Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher.
Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email.
GoToWebinar App requirements:
Windows 7 – 10 or Mac OSX Mavericks (10.9) – macOS Catalina (10.15)
Web Browser:
The two most recent version of the following browsers:
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge
Internet Explorer v11 (or later) with Flash enabled.
Internet connection: Minimum of 1Mbps Hardware: 2GB RAM or more
For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com
Credits
Paralegals:
6.5 CLE Hours (Incl. 1.0 Ethics Hour)
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA):
6.5 Total CLE Hours
4.0 Substantive CLE Hours
1.5 Non-substantive CLE Hour
1.0 Ethics CLE Hour
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA):
6.5 Total CLE Credits
5.5 General CLE Credits
1.0 Ethics CLE Credits
Continuing Education Credit Information
This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 CLE hours for paralegals in Michigan. Paralegal certification is not required to participate in this webinar.
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has approved this course for 6.5 total CLE hours, which includes 4.5 substantive CLE hours, 1.0 non-substantive CLE hour, and 1.0 legal ethics CLE hour.
This National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) has approved this course for 6.5 total CLE credits, which includes 5.5 general CLE credits, and 1.0 legal ethics CLE hour.
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).
On-Demand Credits
The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format may not be eligible for the same credits as the live presentation; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate.
Speakers
Sara E. Bowman
Program Director, Oakland Community CollegeMs. Bowman was born and raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan attending Farmington public schools. She next attended New York University and obtained a bachelor’s degree. Upon returning to Farmington, she took classes at Oakland University, earning a post-bachelor Certificate in Paralegal Studies. After spending several years working in various practice areas, Ms. Bowman ultimately landed with the regional insurance defense firm Kopka Pinkus Dolin in 2005. Over her 18-year career with KPD, she transitioned from trial paralegal to Litigation Manager, and was ultimately the legal operations manager in which she oversaw three Michigan offices and managed 70 direct reports. Ms. Bowman began the next phase of her career in January 2023 where she now serves as the program director of Paralegal Studies at Oakland Community College. She served on the Farmington Planning Commission from 2008-2015 before being elected to the Farmington City Council in 2015. She served as mayor on the Council from 2019-2023. Ms. Bowman lives in Farmington with her husband of 23 years. They share a love of motorcycles, golf and travel. Their son is an explosive ordnance disposal technician in the United States Navy.
Janel Savaya
Litigation Manager with Seva Law FirmMs. Savaya was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit. She has always had a passion for helping others. She attended Oakland Community College where she received her degree in Paralegal Studies in 2011. Shortly after, she began working in the legal field. Ms. Savaya has over 10 years of experience and knowledge working in civil litigation, criminal and traffic law, corporate transactional work, and Michigan no-fault litigation. She is hard-working, dedicated, and has a keen sense for organization. Ms. Savaya is committed to providing excellence both in and out of the workplace and loves what she does. She joined the Seva Law Firm in July 2016 with a primary focus on no-fault and bodily injury litigation. Ms. Savaya is the litigation manager at the Seva Law Firm, and in that role, she not only handles a full docket of cases, but also trains and teaches other paralegals how to handle their own dockets. On a given day, she will manage the firm’s calendar and docket, resolve most motions for the entire firm, and communicate with clients and defense attorneys. In addition, she manages all appeals, reviews court transcripts, and prepares all appellate court filings. Ms. Savaya also handles all paralegal assistance for trials. She is also a leader in the MAJ paralegal association and is active in many other paralegal associations. Ms. Savaya has hosted lectures at paralegal seminars. She is on the advisory board for the Macomb Community College Paralegal Program, and she is the vice chair for the Oakland County Bar Association paralegal committee.
Tonia D. Wernette
Director of the Paralegal Program at Oakland University in Rochester, MichiganMs. Wernette teaches Ethics and Law Practice Management. Ms. Wernette is a dedicated public servant and educator with 30+ years of experience, including leadership roles in various settings. This includes positions as a middle school English and history teacher, manager for a multi-location healthcare company and paralegal at private law firms and Oakland Schools ISD supporting the legal needs of 28 school districts. Ms. Wernette has a bachelor’s degree in English from Oakland University and an ABA paralegal certificate from Oakland Community College.