PRESIDENT MESSAGE - Capital Area Paralegal Association
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PRESIDENT MESSAGE
Dear CAPA Members,
Happy October! There is so much to look forward to in October; cooler temps, pumpkin spice (for
some), ACL. Are you weekend one, weekend two or a weekend away from the madness
Austinite? Of course, Halloween, decorations are already up in my neighborhood and the candy
has already disappeared from my house. Most importantly, Friday, October 23rd is National
Paralegal Day. We are looking forward to celebrating it with you a few days early at our Paralegal
Day & Halloween Party on October 20th, because it’s never too early to celebrate paralegals! We
are excited to be collaborating with the Paralegal Division for this event so please join us via Zoom
for some trivia, costume contests, fun and prizes! If you’re not registered yet you can do so HERE. It’s
free and there are lots of goodies for everyone including a gift bag which may be picked up the weekend prior.
On that note, our Paralegal of the Year winner will be announced at the Paralegal Day Party so don’t forget to nominate
your favorite paralegal. Nomination guidelines may be found HERE. Nominees must be current CAPA members in good
standing; the deadline is October 13th so don’t delay. I’d like to give a big thank you to Nicole Cloutier for assisting in the
collection and organization of applications. Nicole was awarded the Paralegal of the Year award last year. Submissions are
reviewed and chosen by an independent review board of legal professionals such as attorneys and judges assembled by
Nicole.
The beginning of the festive season and end of the year can come with a lot of stress and anxiety. Paralegals (at least those
that I know) are always putting others first. I heard someone say recently, think of it like flying, if there’s an emergency you
are supposed to put your mask on first before helping others. So, please remember to take care of you first so that you can
continue to take care of those around you. I recently had a weekend away with old friends that definitely recharged my
batteries. Make a plan and commit to it, this time of year tends to get away from us quickly.
Okay, if you’re ready for some of the latest CAPA swag shoot me an email
IN THIS ISSUE
at president@capatx.org with answers to these trivia questions. The first correct
response will receive some of CAPAs finest! 1) What Canadian holiday is celebrated in • Board Member Spotlight – Brittany
Posadas, Treasurer
October? 2) The F1 is returning to COTA this month; what year did F1 first come to
Austin? 3) What band has played every single ACL festival? There was no winner for • Committee Spotlight – Celeste
September’s trivia but the correct answers are below. Rodriguez, RSVP
• CAPA Member Spotlight - Kathy
ANSWERS: 1) What year did the US first officially celebrate Labor Day? 1882 2) Where Mendoza
did Gary Clark, Jr, our famous Austinite, go to high school? Austin High School 3) What
festival is celebrated near the end of September in Asia (and around the world) where • CAPA Student Member Spotlight -
Lindsey J. Baker
you might find lanterns, candles, dragon dances and family dinners? Mid-Autumn
Festival 4) It’s football season. Where will Super Bowl LVI be played? SoFi Stadium, • October CLE - Texas Appellate
Procedures
Inglewood CA.
• Paralegal Day - October 20
Have a fabulous month!
• Paralegal of the Year Nominations
Ariane Walton
2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT TREASURER
Ariane Walton Brittany Posadas, MBA, TBLS-BCP
president@capatx.org treasurer@capatx.org
PRESIDENT-ELECT PARLIAMENTARIAN
Laura Kliman, TBLS-BCP Celeste Rodriguez
pres_elect@capatx.org parliamentarian@capatx.org
SECRETARY IMMEDIATE-PAST PRESIDENT
Catherine Mackoy Amber Haney
secretary@capatx.org past_pres@capatx.org
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
CLE SEMINARS NETWORKING & SOCIAL EVENTS
Ad Hoc Committee Brittney Melancon
CLE@capatx.org Lindsey Ford
Heather Zoric
SUSTAINING MEMBER LIASION social@capatx.org
LUNCH & LEARN COMMITTEE
Alice Lineberry, PLS, CP PRO BONO & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Amber Haney Amber Haney
Tove Sebring, TBLS-BCP Liz Garcia
sustaining@capatx.org probono@capatx.org
brownbag@capatx.org community@capatx.org
CP/CLA STUDY GROUP PROGRAMS-SPEAKERS
Brittney Melancon, ACP Amber Haney
studygroup@capatx.org programs@capatx.org
TBLS STUDY GROUP PROGRAMS-RSVP & DOOR PRIZES
Catherine Mackoy Celeste Rodriguez
tbls-study@capatx.org programs@capatx.org
COMMUNITY SERVICES PUBLIC RELATIONS
Amber Haney Francesca Romans, ACP, TBLS-BCP
Liz Garcia pr@capatx.org
community@capatx.org
PUBLICATIONS
ELECTIONS Kellie Balli
Carli Collins, TBLS-BCP publications@capatx.org
elections@capatx.org
RULES & BYLAWS
JOB BANK Francesca Romans, ACP, TBLS-BCP
Amanda Garcia Jennifer B. Rogers, CP
job_bank@capatx.org rules@capatx.org
MEMBERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
Francesca Romans, ACP, TBLS-BCP Lindsey Bentley, MA
Paloma Gimenez scholarship@capatx.org
membership@capatx.org
SCHOOL & STUDENT LIAISON
MENTOR & INTERNSHIP Brittany Posadas, MBA, TBLS-BCP
Catherine Mackoy liaison@capatx.org
Laura Kliman
mentor@capatx.org WEB TEAM
Carli Collins, TBLS-BCP
Jennifer B. Rogers, CP
webteam@capatx.org
MESSAGE FROM VELVA L. PRICE
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
BRITTANY POSADAS, MBA, TBLS-BCP, TREASURER
Meet Brittany Posadas, your
CAPA Treasurer. If you want to
learn more about Brittany or
have any questions, please
reach out via email to
treasurer@capatx.org.
COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT
CELESTE RODRIGUEZ, RSVP
Hi CAPA!
I am Celeste Rodriguez, your RSVP Committee
Chair. I am a probate paralegal at The Haney
Law Firm, PLLC. The RSVP committee receives
and processes RSVPs for various CAPA
functions such as monthly luncheons, special
events, the annual holiday party, etc. RSVP is
also in charge of the
door prizes on behalf of CAPA. At
events, we are always located near
the entrance to assist our fellow
CAPA members with check-in.
Should you have any questions
concerning event registration, please
contact me at rsvp@capatx.org.
October 2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Nomination October
Deadline Board Meeting
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
CLE
31
UPCOMING EVENTS
(CLICK THE LINKS FOR DETAILS/REGISTRATION)
Oct. 13 Nomination Deadline -
Paralegal of the Year
Oct. 16 October Board
Meeting
Oct. 20 Paralegal Day Virtual
Trivia Night &
Halloween Party
Oct. 27 October CLE - Texas
Appellate Procedures
Nov. 4 November Board
Meeting Did we miss your birthday?
Log in and update your member profile, or let us know.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & KATHY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: NEWS MENDOZA
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT&(CONT’D) ANNOUNCEMENTS NEWS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: LINDSEY J. BAKER
1. Nickname if any: “Mama!!!!" Where is my__?"
2. Which paralegal program you are attending: The University of Texas at
Austin - Center for Professional Education Paralegal Certification Program
3. Estimated date of completion: February 2021
4. How has your experience in CAPA’s mentor program been? Fantastic.
I'm fortunate to have several mentors because I made the effort to reach
out to many people on an as needed basis for specific needs based
upon their niche or skill set. Being assigned a mentor is great but the
benefit of a large network is finding people who have skills or experience in
different areas. Brittany Posadas for example, my favorite professor at UT,
has been invaluable for so many reasons and so grateful for her
knowledge, responsiveness and expertise. Perhaps in the future I can
pass on my own experience since I'm a little unique with my diverse
background, this is my 3rd career and I'm practicing in a non-traditional
way.
5. Area of law which interests you and why: Initially family, criminal and contract law were my areas of interest. I explored them
all in a very circuitous way. I became a paralegal after a difficult divorce. Instead of getting angrier, I empowered myself with
more knowledge and COVID offered the time to go to school via Zoom. I wasn’t sure exactly the area I wanted to focus upon
graduation but I knew I liked helping people. I applied to the Lone Star Justice Alliance, a non-profit which advocates for
juveniles in the justice system, for an internship and worked on the Mitigation Investigation team for 8 months. While I had little
experience in criminal law, I had an interest and found it to be life changing. I learned how 14-year-olds can be prosecuted as
adults, girls can be prosecuted for the crimes of their "pimps" even if they are being sex trafficked against their will, but
organizations like LJSA are out there to help and trying to change the laws. It was difficult but meaningful. While I no longer
volunteer there full-time, I'm dedicated to advocating for juveniles, and supporting changes in Texas laws. Ultimately I
decided criminal law full time was taking a toll. With my other interest in contract law and 15 years in digital marketing and
advertising, I was hired this month by Let's Move Austin, a real estate brokerage firm right in my neighborhood. Theresa, my
boss, is also a Certified Divorce Real Estate expert, something we both have experience with and want to be able to help
others during that difficult time. It all came full circle and I'm excited to have found a great hybrid role!
6. Are you involved with CAPA in other areas in addition to the mentor program (i.e. volunteering, etc.)? If not, would you like to
be? With an active 11 and 13-year-old and as a school and activity volunteer (or voluntold sometimes) and Ambassador for
High Five Events for triathlon and marathons I'd love to clone myself so I could be more involved in CAPA; however, with my
current job and all of the other commitments, I don’t have a lot of free time but happy to help on a special project or yes
potentially be a mentor.
7. Highlight of your strongest paralegal traits (i.e. research, drafting, etc.): Tenacious researcher, project manager, technically
savvy; detail oriented, creator of structure and consistency on processes and procedures; organizer of chaos; Observer, able
to anticipate needs, communication style and deliverables as well as being proactive in order to avoid reactive situations as
much as possible; Resourceful, creative and empathetic.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not studying/working? I love spending time with my kids, Carson 13 is
an avid cyclist – road and mountain and on the Bowie MTB team. My daughter, Brooklyn is 11, plays tennis and is very active in
theater at Austin Educational Theater. I have been an athlete my whole life. I have done 6 triathlons mostly on relay teams in
three 70.3 IRONMANS as the bike leg, and I have done a few with my children. I’m also a professional photographer and have
owned my own business for 11 years, (www.lindsey baker.com). I love live music, travel and have an unhealthy trivia
knowledge of the TV Show “Friends”. I adore my 2-year-old Goldendoodle Rainey and I am an avid football fan. If not
watching the Texans with my person Josh of 3 years who works for Tecovas, I'm a Seahawks and WSU Cougs fan as a native
Seattleite.
9. Is there anything else you'd like to add? Thank you so much CAPA, I'm so honored to be featured. I’m grateful to be able to
share my Pro Bono experience at the Lone Star Justice Alliance. It was very eye opening for me. Changing laws is hard, but
helping children early on is often the difference maker. I applaud all parents out there doing their best, working, taking care of
kids and those who also volunteer their time...it’s not easy but it makes a difference!
OCTOBER CLE
ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS
Virtual Trivia Night & Halloween Party!
To continue to be as safe and inclusive as possible, we are excited to hang out with you all at
our online happy hour with cocktails, trivia, costume contest, door prizes, and more
on Wednesday, October 20th from 6:00-7:30 PM!
CAPA & Paralegal Division Members only, registration required
*The cutoff to register & reserve your swag bag is midnight on October 10th*
REGISTER HEREANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS (CONT’D)
CAPA's 2021-2022 PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations and Guidelines
Nomination Deadline: OCTOBER 13, 2021
The CAPA Paralegal of the Year will be announced at the Texas Paralegal Day Celebration on October 20, 2021 via
Zoom.
To nominate a paralegal (who must be a current member of CAPA in good standing) for the Capital Area Paralegal As-
sociation “Paralegal of the Year Award,” submit a nomination in narrative written form under the following guidelines:
• Nominations must be submitted by a CAPA member.
• Typewritten, but not longer than three pages.
• List name, address, telephone numbers and email address at the TOP of the nomination only. Do not put the nomi-
nee’s name in the body of the nomination.
• Include in the narrative why the person is nominated and should be selected (work skills, experience, community ac-
tivities, involvement in professional paralegal organizations, any offices held/committee involvement, awards, or any oth-
er information to be brought before the Selection Committee).
• Do not include any supporting letters or recommendations (narrative nomination only, is considered).
Return to:
Nicole Cloutier, ACP, TBLS-BCP
Chair, CAPA Paralegal of the Year Award Committee
nicole.cloutier55@gmail.comANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS (CONT’D)
SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Fun Facts - October Edition
Did you know?
• Tourmaline and opal are the official
birthstones of October.
• The birth flower of October is the bright
orange calendula, also known as the
marigold.
• The star sign of everyone born in
October is either a Libra or a Scorpio.
Libras are born between 23 September
to 22 October and Scorpios are born
between 23 October to 21 November.
• Shakespeare never mentioned
October in any of his plays or sonnets!
• October and January always start on
the same day of the week in common
years. In leap years, October doesn't
start on the same day of the week as
any other month. October and
February also always end on the same
week day!
ARE YOU JOINING US FOR THE
PARALEGAL DAY VIRTUAL TRIVIA NIGHT & HALLOWEEN PARTY?
Here is a fun recipe that will pair well with any costume!
Ingredients Instructions
1 cup white popcorn If popping popcorn on the stove using a Whirley-Pop, add your vegetable oil to the bottom of the pan
kernels along with 3 popcorn kernels and heat over medium heat. After hearing the 3 kernels pop, add the 1 cup
of popcorn kernels.
1 Tbsp vegetable or
Continuously turn the Whirley-Pop arm to keep the popcorn from burning. Once popping slows to an al-
canola oil most stop, turn off the heat and remove the popcorn popper from the stove.
1/4 tsp salt Pour popcorn into a bowl and add salt.
1 package Candy Melt your Candy Melts according to manufacturer's instructions. (I usually do mine in the microwave.)
Melts in your color of
choice Once Candy Melts are melted, add to the popcorn in the bowl and mix to combine.
Sprinkles Immediately pour candy melted popcorn onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and top with
colorful sprinkles and eyeball sprinkles.
Eyeball Sprinkles Enjoy!
MORE SPOOKY HALLOWEEN RECIPES HERE: https://www.brit.co/scary-halloween-recipes/THANK YOU FOR BEING A
MEMBER OF
CAPITAL AREA PARALEGAL
ASSOCIATION
Not a member? Visit the membership
page to apply online.
CONNECT WITH CAPA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The Brief is published monthly, in Austin, Texas.
For publication inquiries, email the Publications Chair at
publications@capatx.org. The Brief is designed to provide a
forum for reporting news and/or opinions of interest to
CAPA members and other subscribers. The opinions
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