The Kansas Paralegal Association is hosting a CLE Lunch-N-Learn through Zoom on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm CST.
TOPIC OVERVIEW: Our guest speaker, Alice L. Waker, Deputy Disciplinary Administrator with the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator will be presenting on the topic: Bacon’s Law Using the Rules of Professional Conduct to Identify Conflicts.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OVERVIEW:
The theory behind Bacon’s Law, or six-degrees of Kevin Bacon, rests on the theory that all human beings are six or fewer social connections away from each other. In the span of a legal career, there are undoubtedly times when this theory proves true for lawyers who are confronted with conflicts of interest. How does a lawyer detect the conflict? How does a lawyer navigate the conflict? Is the conflict waivable? Is the conflict imputed to the lawyer’s law firm? All of these questions require a review and understanding of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct related to conflicts. Reading the rules separately and together will help you navigate and identify the degrees of the conflict.
SPEAKER BIO:
Alice L. Walker, JD is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law. Alice currently serves as a Deputy Disciplinary Administrator, having joined the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator in April 2021. Alice has spent her career in public service, practicing as a criminal prosecutor for over a decade. She began as an Assistant County Attorney in Leavenworth County, where she prosecuted juvenile offender and domestic violence cases. Alice then practiced as an Assistant District Attorney, and later as a Senior Assistant District Attorney, in Douglas County. There she prosecuted a wide array of criminal cases including domestic violence, major felony crimes and crimes against children. Alice and her husband live in Topeka with their two young daughters. Alice is a member of the Topeka Bar Association, Women Attorney’s Association of Topeka, and the National Organization of Bar Counsel. Alice volunteers her time with several organizations, her favorite being her daughters’ elementary school and girl scout troop.
Remote attendance only!
Please register no later than April 15, 2025
1 hour of CLE credit through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) is approved for this session.
***You will be sent the Zoom meeting ID and password information upon successful registration for the event. ***
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact KPA Education Director, Linda Jorgenson, CRP at educationdirector@ksparalegals.org
The KPA welcomes all members to attend our upcoming Board of Directors meeting, scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025, starting at 9:00AM. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and your presence would be greatly valued.
This is an excellent opportunity to stay informed about association developments and contribute to our ongoing initiatives by sharing your insights.
Please RSVP by Friday, April 18, 2025 to receive the Zoom link and Meeting Agenda.
The Kansas Paralegal Association is hosting a CLE Lunch-N-Learn through Zoom on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm CST.
TOPIC OVERVIEW: Our guest speaker, Rebekah Gaston, Legislative Staff Attorney, Kansas Board of Indigents' Defense Services will be presenting on the topic: Navigating Kansas State Agency Resources
Clients who hire attorneys are often in the midst of crisis and may not know how to locate resources that can help. Attorneys and support staff can often help clients achieve better legal outcomes when non-legal needs are met. This presentation will cover resources available (as well as application and appeal processes) through various Kansas state agencies, including DCF, KDHE, KSDE, KDADS and KDOL.
Rebekah Gaston is the Legislative Staff Attorney at the Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services. She was previously employed at the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, and in nonprofit law firms. She has devoted her career to advocacy on behalf of underserved individuals, families, and children.
Please register no later than May 13, 2025
The KPA welcomes all members to attend our upcoming Board of Directors meeting, scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2025, starting at 9:00AM. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and your presence would be greatly valued.
Please RSVP by Friday, June 6, 2025 to receive the Zoom link and Meeting Agenda.
The 48th Annual KPA Membership Meeting is open to all KPA members.
The purpose of the Annual Meeting is for the KPA Board of Directors to inform our members of previous and future activities, to demonstrate accountability to the membership and showcase this past membership year’s accomplishments. It also serves as an opportunity for the KPA members to review fiscal information for the past year and ask any questions regarding the direction the association will take in the future.
We ask for members who wish to attend to register for the event. Zoom log in information, with reminders, will be sent one week prior to the meeting.
KPA 48th Annual Meeting & Seminar
DATE:
LOCATION:
EVENT SCHEDULE: - VIEW THE SEMINAR BROCHURE FOR MORE DETAILS
8:00-9:00 KPA 48th Annual Membership Meeting (Members Only - separate registration required)
9:00-10:00 Workshop #1 - Paralegal's Guide to Filing in the Kansas Federal District Court, presented by Karen O'Keefe, Operations Analyst, United States District Court, District of Kansas
10:00-10:20 Break - Vendor Session
10:20-11:20 Workshop #2 - HIPAA/PHI Law Update, presented by Maureen Brady, McShane & Brady, LLC
11:20-11:40 Break - Vendor Session
11:40-12:40 Keynote Speaker - The Impact of Digital Addiction, presented by Danielle Hall, Chief of Professionalism and Outreach, Office of Judicial Administration (*1 Hour Ethics Credit)
12:40-1:00 Presentation of Awards, Induction of New Board Members
1:00-1:20 Break - Vendor Session
1:30-2:30 Workshop #3 - Marijuana Law Update, presented by Jennifer Johnson, Fagan & Emert, LLC
2:30-2:50 Break - Vendor Session
2:50-3:50 Workshop #4 - SCOTUS and Native American Rights, presented by Ande Davis, Teaching Fellow and Chris Carey, Visiting Assistant Professor, Washburn University School of Law
4:00-5:00 Social Hour
ANNUAL MEETING
REGISTRATION
CLE CREDIT
PAYMENT
ZOOM LINKS AND LOG INS:
DOOR PRIZES AND VIRTUAL SOCIAL HOUR:
The Kansas Paralegal Association is hosting a CLE Lunch-N-Learn through Zoom on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm CST.
TOPIC OVERVIEW: Our guest speaker, Danielle Merrick with the Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts will be presenting on the topic: Copyright – Can I use it? Am I stealing it? Isn’t everyone?
Danielle Merrick has been the associate staff director of the Entrepreneurial Legal Services Clinic since 2004, and the Executive Director of the Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts since 2010. Professor Merrick earned her bachelor of social welfare from the University of Kansas and her J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from UMKC.
Previously, she was employed with American Century Investments in the Tax Department and worked on individual and corporate tax forms. She was also involved with the launching of the state of Kansas’ 529 plan.
Please register no later than June 30, 2025
The Kansas Paralegal Association is hosting a CLE Lunch-N-Learn through Zoom on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm CST.
TOPIC OVERVIEW: Our guest speaker, Holly A. Dyer, Partner with Foulston Siefkin, LLP will be presenting on the topic: "Bar"-Benheimer! A Bright Pink Nuclear Explosion of Ethical Do's, Don'ts, and Lessons Learned
TBA
Holly Dyer practices in the areas of commercial, complex, and general litigation. Her litigation experience includes multiple jury trials and administrative proceedings involving a wide array of subjects including trade secrets, tortious interference, commercial transactions, breach of contract, noncompete agreements, attorney ethics, consumer protection, and employment matters. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Law Institute. Holly has also been selected for inclusion in the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® list and The Best Lawyers in America® for her work in the areas of commercial litigation and professional malpractice law. Benchmark Litigation has named Holly a Kansas “Litigation Star” since 2013 and one of the Top 250 Women in Litigation in the United States in 2013, 2016, and 2017.
Holly has served as President of the Wichita Bar Association and is a member of the Wichita Bar Association’s Ethics and Grievance Committee. She also serves on the firm’s Ethics Committee and is a member of the Sedona Conference Working Groups 1 (ESI) and 12 (Trade Secrets), and the Defense Research Institute (DRI).
Please register no later than August 18, 2025
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Kansas Paralegal Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. PO Box 1902, Topeka, KS 66601
