brpa swears in new executive board - Baton Rouge Paralegal ...

Volume 22, Issue 1 2009-2010
B R P A O F F I C E R S
P r e s i d e n t :
D a n i e l M a j o r , J r .
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
1 s t V i c e P r e s i d e n t :
J a s o n P . M i l l e r
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2 n d V i c e P r e s i -
d e n t :
B r o o k e A v e r y
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T r e a s u r e r :
D e n y M a l e s i c
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S e c r e t a r y :
K a r e n L e s s a r d
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P a r l i a m e n t a r i a n :
B o n n i e B o u d r e a u x
I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :
May Luncheon 2-4
Job Bank 7
Treasurer’s reports 8-9
Calendar 10
Minutes 6
Bd. Contact Info. 5
The Herald
T h e P r e s i d e n t ’ s D i c t u m
My fellow paralegals, I believe we are in for an exciting and fun year. You know
you’re off to a good start when things go your way. Much like the LSU baseball team,
winning the regional and super-regional to return to the college world series; the swearing
in of the 2009-10 executive board by the attorney general of the state of Louisiana marks
the beginning of what looks to be a great year. Besides being the feature of a press release
issued by the Louisiana Department of Justice, a photo of the executive board was in June
7, 2009 edition of The Sunday Advocate.
Okay, enough with the obligatory whoop-la, it is time to get down to business. I
want to make this year one of the best years to be a member of the association. We grind
through documents, pleadings, depositions, and calendars every day, before and after
lunch. It is my goal to make our monthly meetings an informative and entertaining respite
from that daily grind. I don’t want to spill the beans on our speaker lineup. I’ll leave that
to the capable hands of our 2 nd V.P., Brooke Avery. All I am going to say is that she is
putting together a great lineup.
Another goal to bring in more to the monthly meetings and to join the association
is to bring down the cost of attending the meetings. The economic downturn has finally
arrived in Baton Rouge. Cuts are not only being made to state government, where I am
employed, the private sector is also feeling the ripple effect with job cuts. If you’re like
me, you are holding on to every dollar you make from what seems like an endless line of
“deals” and “bargains” to get you to part with you money. Not so fast, I say. The best
way for me to save my money, is not to spend it on things I don’t need. I tell that line to
telemarketers every single day…then hang up and kiss my wallet. That is just one reason
we are looking to make attendance more affordable for members. In addition to affordability,
you are going to want to join and attend every meeting, if for no other reason, than
the chance to win a valuable “President’s” door prize.
Finally, as I said in my opening remarks, I do not take myself seriously. I do,
however, take my work seriously. To that end, I pledge to work hard to serve the membership
and advance the mission of the BRPA.
Dan Major, President
June, 2009

BRPA SWEARS IN
NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD
The 2009-10 Executive Board was sworn in during the May, 2009 monthly meeting at Juban’s Restaurant. Louisiana
Attorney General James D. “Buddy” Caldwell presided over the swearing in of each officer. The new
board held a joint Executive Board meeting with the outgoing board at the offices of McGlinchey Stafford earlier
in May. During this time, files were transferred to the new officers and the boards discussed ongoing projects,
which has led to a mostly smooth transition. The bios of the officers and Parliamentarian, Bonnie
Boudreaux are located below:
DAN MAJOR, President:
Education:
B.A. in Political Science in 1984 from LSU in Baton Rouge (Met wife at LSU in
1983)
A.B.A. approved paralegal certificate in 1987 from the Institute for Paralegal
Training in Philadelphia, PA.
BRPA:
Member of the BRPA since October 1996.
Employment:
Dan has been a paralegal since 1987. He worked in Los Angeles, Ca. for various law firms and corporations from ’87 till ’96.
Most notable work included working on the probate of Rita Hayworth’s estate; reviewing original contracts signed by J. Paul
Getty, the largest landfill environmental claim cases in the U.S., and specialized in locating municipal insurance policies. He once
found old insurance policies in a jail being used as storage that was built by the same people who built Alcatraz. Upon return to
Louisiana in 1996, Dan was employed with the Kean Miller law firm in the utility group until 2007. During his tenure, he developed
specialties in the areas of electric utility and telecommunications law at both the state and federal level. In 2007, he joined
the Louisiana Department of Justice as a paralegal for the Civil Division. Since then, he has traveled around the state locating
missing cemeteries, performing title abstracts back to when land grants were issued from the King of Spain, and worked on a host
of post-Katrina cases, to mention a few.
JASON P. MILLER, First Vice-President:
Jason has been a member of the Baton Rouge Paralegal Association for 2 years.
He served as Co-Chair on the 2008 Social Committee for the BRPA. Jason is
employed as a paralegal at Kean, Miller, Hawthorne, D'Armond, McCowan &
Jarman, LLP, working with Partner Barrye Panepinto Miyagi in the Asbestos
Litigation Group.
Jason has earned multiple degrees in various fields over the years. These include:
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law from
the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on December 13, 2003, Bachelor of Arts
in General Studies from Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical
College on May 20, 2005, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana
State University Agricultural and Mechanical College in May 2006, and a Certificate
of Paralegal Studies from Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical College on July 26, 2006. Jason is currently
working towards a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Jason also makes time to contribute to his community. He is currently volunteering with The Ronald McDonald House & St. Jude's
Children Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. These organization are a necessity for children in need of severe medical assistance.
Jason works to raise awareness and money for children suffering from cancer with insufficient health care coverage.
According to Jason, the Baton Rouge Paralegal Association provides the opportunity to meet many new friends and associates in the
paralegal field. It is extremely beneficial to be able to discuss similar topics with others in related work environments. Jason will
have these valuable connections from the Baton Rouge Paralegal Association for the rest of his life.
N. BROOKE AVERY, Second Vice-President:
Brooke has been a member of the Baton Rouge Paralegal Association for
three years. She recently served on the 2007-2008 Executive Board as
Secretary for the BRPA. She also chaired the Community Involvement
Committee for the 2007-2008 year and co-chaired the Membership Committee
with Alisa Janney for the 2008-2009 year. She is a Real Estate
Paralegal employed with the Jones Walker law firm. Her practice focuses
mainly on commercial real estate transactions.
She earned her B.A. degree in International Relations from Idaho State
University in Pocatello, Idaho, graduating in 1999. After college she
moved to San Francisco, CA where she worked as Research Assistant to
two partners at a hedge fund, Standard Pacific Capital. She then moved to
Seattle, WA where she worked as the Director of Client Services for a
separate account firm. Given her adventurous nature and desire to travel, she decided to move to Nashville, TN, and earned her paralegal
certificate from Southeastern Career College in March 2004. Shortly after graduating and settling into life in Nashville, she met
her husband, A. Brock Avery, an attorney for the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, while traveling in Florida. The
two were married in New Orleans on August 7, 2004. They have a daughter, Audrey Grace Avery, who was born on September 22,
2008.
DENY MALESIC, Treasurer:
Deny Malesic considers herself a native of Baton Rouge even though she was
born in Georgia. She graduated from LSU in English Literature. Deny has been
a licensed Notary Public since 2002. Deny is a nontraditional paralegal and has
worked in the real estate/abstracting field for over 40 years. She has been with
the firm of McGlinchey Stafford since 2002. She’s also worked for and with
many other law firms and abstract/title companies over the years, starting with
the old Sanders, Miller firm. Her experience is vast and she handles all types of
research in every parish of the State of Louisiana. At McGlinchey, she handles
abstracts for the real estate section and also assists attorneys and paralegals with
all types of courthouse research. On a personal note, Deny enjoys traveling the
world, gardening and reading a good murder mystery.

KAREN LESSARD, Secretary:
Karen has been a paralegal for over 22 years, and has been with Kean Miller since
1999. She is the Intellectual Property Paralegal, but also supports the environmental
group, and assists with corporate, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy. She has been
a Notary Public since 1991. She has been a member of the BRPA since 2000, and has
previously served as a Treasurer. She has enjoyed being a part of the Baton Rouge
Paralegal Association and wants to be instrumental in working towards its continued
growth and presence in the community.
BONNIE F. BOUDREAUX, Parliamentarian:
Bonnie has been a voting member of the Baton Rouge Paralegal Association since 2006, and maintained a
student membership from 2002 - 2004. She began working for Jones Walker Law Firm in 2006 as a litigation
paralegal, working primarily in the areas of complex commercial defense and corporate transactions. In March
of 2009, she transitioned into Jones Walker's I.T. department as Practice Support Specialist, where her focus
shifted to bridging the gap between the legal and technology fields. Prior to joining Jones Walker, she worked
as a compliance specialist in the Commercial Division of the Louisiana Secretary of State for five years. She
is a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology and a minor
in Sociology. She also earned a certificate of Paralegal Studies from LSU in 2004.She and her husband,
Jason Boudreaux, are both natives of Baton Rouge.
Below is a picture of the Executive Board with Attorney General Caldwell.

P a g e 5
Executive Board Contact Information
President:
Dan Major, Jr.
326-6041
majorda@ag.state.la.us
1st Vice President:
Jason P. Miller
382-3496
Jason.Miller@keanmiller.com
2nd Vice President:
Brooke Avery
248-3459
bavery@joneswalker.com
Secretary:
Karen Lessard
382-4626
Karen.Lessard@keanmiller.com
Treasurer:
Deny Malesic
382-3696
dmalesic@mcglinchey.com
Parliamentarian:
Bonnie Boudreaux
248-3465
bboudreaux@joneswalker.com
V o l . 2 2 , I s s u e 1
T h e H e r a l d

By The Minute
May Meeting Minutes
Baton Rouge Paralegal Association, Inc.
Cindy Shotwell, President, welcomed everyone to the May 19, 2009, Baton Rouge Paralegal Association, Inc. meeting at
Juban’s Restaurant. The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m.
Shotwell introduced the 2008-2009 Executive Board, welcomed all guests to the meeting, and announced that we would be
recognizing those individuals that volunteered on committees during the past year. In addition, the 2009-2010 Executive Board
would take their oaths for office.
Shotwell called forward our First Vice-President, Shonnie Broussard. Broussard announced that the Association had received
two new applications for membership since the last meeting. Broussard asked for a motion that the applicants presented be
approved for membership. Jason Miller made the motion, which was seconded by Archie Kranske. Shotwell asked if there
was any discussion on the matter. There being no discussion, Shotwell moved for a vote. All votes were in favor and the motion
carried. Shotwell welcomed the new members to the Association. Broussard also informed that the association currently
has 143 members.
Shotwell called forward our Secretary, Shelby Guidry. Guidry advised that the minutes from the March and April meetings
were published in The Herald (April and May editions) and asked for a motion to approve the minutes as published. Rebecca
Maum made the motion, which was seconded by Brooke Avery. Shotwell asked if there was any discussion on the matter.
There being no discussion, Shotwell moved for a vote. All votes were in favor and the motion carried.
Shotwell advised that the Treasurer’s report was not available for publication in The Herald and that the report would be held
over until the next meeting.
Shotwell presented certificates to all members that served on committees during the past year. Shotwell then presented the
2008-2009 Executive Board with awards in appreciation for their service. Shotwell presented the President’s Award to Dorothy
Sullivan for her many contributions to the Association during the past several years. Shotwell was then presented with an
award and flowers in appreciation for her service as President.
Shotwell introduced Attorney General Buddy Caldwell to come forward and administer the oaths for the 2009-2010 Executive
Board. Oaths were administered as follows: Karen Lessard, Secretary; Denise Malesic, Treasurer; Brooke Avery, Second
Vice-President; Jason Miller, First Vice-President; Daniel Major, Jr., President. After all oaths were taken, the Attorney General
commented upon the importance of paralegals and his appreciation for their work.
Shotwell congratulated the new Executive Board and then turned the meeting over to the new President, Dan Major. Major
made a few comments and announced that the June meeting would be held at the LSU Faculty Club. Major adjourned the
meeting at 12:37 p.m.
Submitted by
Shelby Guidry, Secretary

JOB BANK REPORT
1. Babcock Law Firm, LLC is looking for a paralegal with defense experience. Please feel free to contact
Stephen Babcock by phone or email.
Phone: 344-0911; email stephen@babcockfirm.com
2. Roedel Parsons is looking for a paralegal to work in the area of Casualty/ Insurance defense. Please contact
Sandi Dias at 929-7033 to set up an interview.
3. Breazeale, Sachse, & Wilson, is looking for a paralegal with 5+ years experience. Must have paralegal certificate
from an ABA approved program. Excellent compensation and benefits package for qualified applicants. Construction
experience is a plus. Email resume to hr@bswllp.com Visit us at www.bswllp.com
4. Opening Back on the Market: Blue Cross Blue Shield has an opening for a paralegal. To apply, visit the
website, www.bcbsla.com, and click on the Careers link. Please submit your resume online.
5. Kean Miller is looking for a litigation paralegal. Applicants must be professional, detail-oriented, team
player, creative thinker and able to work in a high-energy, fast paced environment. Must be able to handle several
tasks simultaneously, prioritize work, and maintain confidentiality at all times. Strong computer and analytical skills
needed. Four year college degree and paralegal certificate preferred.
Benefits include: Competitive salary, great work environment, paid parking, generous paid time off, paid holidays,
401(k) and full paid health, life and long-term disability benefits. Send confidential resume with cover letter to:
hr@keanmiller.com or fax to (225) 215-4088
6. Law Office of J. Arthur Smith, III is looking for a litigation paralegal. For more information please email
Mr. Smith at J_asmith@bellsouth.net. (J underscore)
7. Marionneaux & Marionneaux , 23615 Railroad Avenue, Plaquemine, Louisiana (small law firm of 6 attorneys
), is looking for an experienced litigation paralegal to work primarily in the area of toxic tort defense.
Applicant should be proficient in Word and Excel and have experience with electronic filing in Federal Court.
Experience in Access a plus. Salary is dependent on experience and skill level. The firm pays full health insurance
premiums and dental insurance premiums. They also offer participation in a retirement system after 3 years of employment
with the firm. Please contact Amy Marionneaux to set up an interview. Amy can be reached at
Amy@marionneauxlaw.com
Submitted By,
Dorothy L. Sullivan
Job Bank Chair
Email: dsullivan@stonepigman.com
Direct Dial 225-490-5814

TREASURER’S REPORT
APRIL 2009
Balance brought forward from 3/31/09 $4,025.06
INCOME:
EXPENSES:
Luncheon-April $1,071.30
Luncheon-Prev. mos. 281.00
Total Income(+) $1,352.30
Payments/Reimbursements
Committee:
Luncheon $1,221.22 Café Americain
Total Expenses (-) $1,221,22
Balance Forward $4,156.14

TREASURER’S REPORT
MAY 2009
Balance brought forward from 4/30/09 $4156.14
INCOME:
EXPENSES:
Luncheons- $687.26
Total Income(+) $687.26
Payments/reimbursements
Committee:
Luncheon $1483.27 Juban’s
POY 32.00 LAT
Board 769.46
Social Committee 59.95 Woman’s History Month
Program 150.42
Website 105.00
Misc Expenses 111.00
Total Expenses (-) $2711.10
Balance Forward $2132.30

P a g e 1 0
S c h e d u l e o f E v e n t s
• Executive Board Meeting– July 14
• BRPA Monthly Meeting– July 21
• Happy Birthday to all paralegals
born in July
• July Newsletter articles due by noon
on Tuesday, July 7
2009—2010 Calendar
Monthly meeting - Third Tuesday of each month
[Calendar To Be Updated Next Month]
Happy
Birthday
JULY, 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
_________________________________________________________________________________________
REMINDER
It is time to renew your BRPA Membership. If you need a Membership Renewal form, please email or call Jason
Miller at jason.miller@keanmiller.com or 382-3496. The completed form and dues can be sent to
BRPA
BRPA
ATTENTION ATTENTION 1ST 1ST VICE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT
P.O. P.O. BOX BOX 306
306
BATON BATON ROUGE, ROUGE, ROUGE, LA LA 70821 70821-0306
70821 70821 0306 0306
V o l . 2 2 , I s s u e 1 ,
T h e H e r a l d
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31