CALSPro - California Association of Legal Support Professionals

Harassment Prevention Training. It’s the Law in CA. Are You in Compliance with AB-1825?

Posted March 7, 2013 in Education, Legislation, Membership

Assembly Bill 1825  (Government Code 12950.1) states that at least once every two years, each supervisory employee in CA is mandated to undergo at least 2  hours of classroom or other effective interactive education and training regarding the recognition, prevention and correction of sexual harassment. 2013 is a compliance year!

CALSPro provides an inexpensive ($25) online resource for providing the training and education; which includes a test and a certificate upon successful completion of the program, meeting the requirement set forth by the statute.  Simply click on this link:  http://www.myeglearn.com/CALSPro/ , or go to www.CALSPro.org , and at the top “EDUCATION” tab click the drop-down for Online Programs.  Then click on “Harassment Prevention” on the left side.  You will see a list of courses, the first of which is:

Preventing Harassment and Illegal Discrimination for Supervisors [California] – AB 1825 Compliant [Updated for 2013]

Then do the program and print the certificate.  While you’re there, check out some of the hundreds of other courses available on the site.

Cliff Jacobs
CALSPro Vice President
Continuing Education Chair

LA’s Judge Wesley’s, Statement to Governor Brown’s Proposed Budget Plan

Posted January 15, 2013 in Education, Legislation, Membership

Governor Jerry Brown’s budget proposal, released Thursday, preserves previous
budget reductions to the California trial courts and, by doing so, confirms the need for
the Los Angeles Superior Court to implement a plan to close ten courthouses by June
30... CLICK HERE FOR FULL STATEMENT BY JUDGE DAVID S WESLEY

New Witness Fees for Government Employees in 2013

Posted January 4, 2013 in Education, Legislation, Membership

CALSPro Members –

Effective Jan 1, 2013 the witness fee required to be tendered with service of a subpoena to a qualifying witness under GC§68097.2 will increase from the current $150.00 to $275.00 per day.

The CHP sponsored AB 2612 increasing the witness fee that must be paid at the time a subpoena is served to a qualifying government employee (CHP, Police, Fire, certain County employees, etc.).  The current fee of $150.00 was established in 1986 and of course costs and salaries have increased since then.

Thank you

Steve Janney, CALSPro Legislative Chair

The Winter Issue of the CALSPro Press is out!

Posted December 19, 2012 in Conference, Education, Legislation, Membership

The winter 2012 issue of the CALSPro Press is out with great articles regarding new laws & lawmakers, sewer service, technology in the field and a conference recap with pictures.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Shining a Light on Process Server Assault

Posted December 14, 2012 in Conference, Education, Legislation, Membership

Recently, Serve-Now put together and began promoting a new program in order to shine a “global light” and in so doing, promote awareness of assault on process servers.  The program, PAAPRS, which stands for “Promoting Assault Awareness and Protective Regulations for Process Servers,” also includes advice and tips from industry professionals and veterans, and is endorsed by NAPPS as well as other state process server associations.

The board endorsed the project at the last board meeting in December, and as Assault Advisor I’ve been asked to work with Serve-Now in providing some content, as well as to research how the site can help our members and how we can utilize its reporting and other capabilities.  I’ve already offered an update on one of the tips (which was enthusiastically received by Serve-Now) and have spoken with Trent Carlyle and his staff several times.   As you’ll see when you visit the site, there is an assault reporting capability, embed code for a badge (see below) you can then embed put on your website, a national map of process server assaults, assault prevention tips, and more.

For those of you who’ve been following my writings, one in this blog and many more in the CALSPro Press, you know we’ve been working for some time on trying to figure out the best way to raise awareness about this obviously important issue.  Do you think PAAPRS would be a step in the right direction?  So I’m asking you, fellow member, what do you think?  Please email me your thoughts.

-Mark Schwartz

Congratulations to Mike Belote, this year’s recipient of the Bert Rosenthal Memorial Award!

Posted December 1, 2012 in Conference, Education, Legislation, Membership

“Mike Belote is one of the most generous, intelligent and funny people I know.  He has served for over 20 years as our advocate, advisor and friend and has done more for this Association, and many of our members, than I could recount in this post.  It was my honor to present the award to him at the Annual Conference in Anaheim, on October 6^th.  Thanks for all you have done for us Mike, and congrats!”  –  Mark Schwartz, outgoing Rosenthal Committee Chairman

We would like to congratulate the other nominees, Wendy Bowman, and Brett Peters, as well.  Their names too will be added to the list of recipients someday.

From the Conference Program…

This year, we thought it would be fun to ask members of the committee to write just a couple sentences about each nominee and I tossed in a few as well.

Mike Belote

Ted Dietz wrote:  “Mike is a very approachable and likable guy who will give you guidance and his professional opinion.  He sincerely represents our association and its members. “

Jerry Topolos says:  “Mike is very bright, has a great sense of humor and is one of the bright spots at the Annual Conference.”

“I have tremendous respect and admiration for Mike and the way he represents CALSPro.  He has helped take us to places we couldn’t have arrived at on our own.   When Mike speaks, I listen!” – Chad Barger

Connie Melvin says this about Mike:  “I first met Mike at a meeting in 1990, and I am sure he thought:  “What have I got myself into?”  I thought:  WOW what a handsome man and he has such a twinkle in his eye!  Mike is a friend to all and I have never heard him say he couldn’t or wouldn’t do something.”

Andy Estin wrote this:  “I’ll never forget the time our bill for the year came up for a vote while the Board was on a conference call and Mike had us listen live as the bill was voted down!  And then he ran to the Capitol and got the bill passed.” Brett Peters offered this insight:  “As a lobbyist, Mike Belote seems to have a sphere of influence in the Capitol that is unrivaled. Yes, Mike and his firm are paid for what they do, but he has contributed in ways that are immeasurable, beyond what any contract calls for.  Mike is honest, intelligent and one heck of a storyteller.  He is one of a handful of people that I’ve been truly glad to know in my lifetime.”

“Mike is one of the most giving and generous people I know.  Anyone that knows Mike knows he is a killer lobbyist with one of the best reputations in the capital, and he has the rare quality of being both a fighter and a realist.  His insight and love for the people in CALSPro is obvious and we are lucky to have him on our side.” – David Nill

Wendy Bowman

“Working with Wendy for several years now has been a true pleasure.  Her sense of warmth and humility brings a personal touch to our association.  Wendy works to ensure that we strive to do what’s best for all of our members.”  – Brett Peters

David Nill offered this:  “Wendy is a great friend to everyone in CALSPro.  She has done most jobs and done them well and she has the benefit of coming from the legal sector, which makes her opinion and thoughts incredibly valuable.”

“Every group needs a member like Wendy.  She is very professional, willing to do whatever is asked and never expects to be rewarded.” – Connie Melvin

Chad Barger had this to say:  “The definition of a hard worker is one who is industrious and diligent in carrying out tasks or duties.  Those words describe Wendy exactly.  She is extremely smart, a devoted mother and a person I’m glad to call my friend.”

“Tom is a very lucky man.  You have to admire a woman, who many years ago said, “I will never work with my husband.” [Obviously, she changed her mind.] – Jerry Topolos

Ted Dietz offered this:  “She not only married into our association, she has taken the torch, ran with it and excelled!  She is someone you can easily talk to about the complexities of a writ and then her kids playing soccer.”

My thoughts about Wendy:  “Wendy is a fantastic Chair and more importantly to me, a wonderful friend.  My wife and I love spending time with her and her sidekick, Tom.”

Andy Estin had this to say about Wendy:  “Anyone who has to work with Tom Bowman EVERY DAY deserves an award.”

Brett Peters

Jerry Topolos had this to say about Brett:  “If I ever went to battle, I would want him by my side.”  You and me both, Jerry!

“He used to be a Los Angeles Motorcycle Police Officer and he’s a married father of five (neither one easy to do).  A true professional who works hard for the association and its members.” – Ted Dietz

Here are Chad Barger’s thoughts about Brett:  “When Brett walks into a room he commands respect.  He is a very honorable man and always puts what’s best for CALSPro first.  He’s my go to guy and he always gives sound advice, even when I don’t want to hear it.  Brett has raised the bar very high for those of us striving to be the best.  If there’s one word to describe Brett, it’s consistent.”

Connie Melvin says:  “He more or less started getting really active when I was ready to stop.  I know he has the respect of all the active members and he does a great job at whatever he is asked to do.”

“As a former Leg. Chair, I know how hard and time consuming the job can be.  And I only did it for three years!  Brett was Chair twice as long and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude for what he has done, and continues to do, for CALSPro.” – Mark Schwartz

“Brett is one of the best legislative chairman’s we’ve had at CALSPro and he has the ability to be both serious and witty, certainly a job requirement for our legislative chair!” – David Nill

Andy Estin wrote:  “One year he ran for President and lost.  He was obviously not happy.  We have had others in that situation that then, by their conduct, proved the members had made the right choice. Brett kept working hard, though, and was elected President another year.”

Steve Janney, last year’s recipient, had this to say and so we thought it appropriate that he was the closer:

“Mark – Rather than write what is unique about each nominee, I thought I would write about qualities they share that have led to their nominations.

Each nominee is committed, and not just to the legal support profession.  They are committed to the important part we play in our system of due process.  This commitment shows in their reputations, developed and seen over decades of involvement.

Each nominee is sacrificial, willing to give what is theirs for the greater good of our profession.  They have sacrificed personal time and money to serve and move this association forward.

Each nominee is trustworthy.  Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines trustworthy as “worthy of confidence.”  They have earned our confidence, not over the short term but over a period of time fraught with changes that have forced other associations to limit vision and lose influence.”

Congratulations to each of you on your nomination!

Footnote:  The first Bert Rosenthal Memorial Award was awarded to Bert himself, In Memoriam, in 1978.  Bert was one of the founding members of CALSPro and as such, is represented by one of the thirteen diamonds in the pin that Mike received at the Conference.  Mike also received the perpetual trophy, which has every recipient’s name inscribed upon it, and has been held by each of them (except Bert and Jack Janney, the only two posthumous recipients), since 1979.  Mike will exchange it at next year’s Conference for a smaller version so that it can continue to be handed down for years to come.  The award plaque on both trophies reads:  “Awarded for outstanding and dedicated service toward perpetuation and elevating the photocopy and process serving industries.”

CALSPro Conference Highlights from Anaheim

Posted October 17, 2012 in Conference, Education, Legislation, Membership

CALSPro would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the CALSPro Annual Conference in Anaheim, “The Happiest Conference On Earth”. ServeNow has posted a short “Conference Highlights” article that you can read here:

“On October 7th, the California Association of Legal Support Professionals (CALSPro) concluded yet another successful annual conference. Over 125 attendees from across the country were present in Anaheim…”

Stay tuned to our Blog, Twitter and Facebook for updates and information about next year’s conference. And again, thank you for supporting CALSPro!

CALSPro Members – Don’t miss our annual Conference this weekend!

Posted October 3, 2012 in Conference, Education, Legislation, Membership

ONLINE REGISTRATION & BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE!

Here are some highlights for Saturday, October 6^th

CONTINUING EDUCATION SESSION

Case Law Presentation – Four speakers will provide information on past  and present case Law.

• Gary Hansen will present Ludka  v. Memory, and Crescendo v. Shelted;
• Tony Klein will address Carol Gilbert, Inc. v. Haller (2009), and Palm Properties v. Yadegar (2011);
• Andy Estin will cover Trujillo v. Trujillo, and In Re: Ball (drop service);
• Jeff Karotkin will discuss Rio Properties, Inc., Plaintiff-Appellee v. Rio International Interlink, Defendant-Appellant, and how it helped shape electronic service of process over the past decade.

Copy Industry Presentation — Mick Isbell will focus on where the industry is headed, recent legislation/bills that threaten the industry and other informative updates. Our copy industry members will truly benefit from Mick’s expertise in this field of legal support service.

SEO Marketing – ServeNow will get us up to speed on Search Engine Optimization for your company.  Internet marketing is the fastest way to reach your target market and Adam Camras/Trent Carlyle will be at Conference to inform you in this very important, rapidly changing arena of marketing.

Stephanie Sayler
Conference Chair

CHANGES TO JURY FEES

Posted September 19, 2012 in Education, Legislation, Membership

AB 1481 was signed into law on Sept. 17, 2012 and takes effect immediately.

CCP§631(b) is amended to read:

At least one party demanding a jury on each side of a civil case shall pay a nonrefundable fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150), unless the fee has been paid by another party on the same side of the case. The fee shall offset the costs to the state of providing juries in civil cases. If there are more than two parties to the case, for purposes of this section only, all plaintiffs shall be considered one side of the case, and all other parties shall be considered the other side of the case. Payment of the fee by a party on one side of the case shall not relieve parties on the other side of the case from waiver pursuant to subdivision (f).

Key points are that the fee is nonrefundable and the clerkcan only collect one fee from each side of a case.

Brett Peters
Legislative Chair

SUPPORT NATIONAL DUE PROCESS DAY: September 25, 2012

Posted September 17, 2012 in Education, Legislation, Membership

About National Due Process Day

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution introduced on September 25, 1789 is the hallmark of the American legal system, guaranteeing that no person shall be “deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” The 14th Amendment expanded those rights. The National Association of Professional Process Servers honors this essential and sacred element of our way of life with National Due Process Day – a public awareness campaign designed to ensure that each and every American’s right to a fair trial is forever preserved.

Due Process plays an important role in the legal process. In serving legal notice that a person is facing a lawsuit, private process servers are instrumental in protecting the rights of every American during a trial. Should you ever face legal action or be involved in a court case, due process ensures that you will be alerted within a reasonable time. It is a right that continually protects the freedom of every American in the United States.

To see the full article, click here