Fall August 2012 Volume 2, Issue 1 Officers: President: Christine Villareal Vice President Pascalle Goddard August begins the fall term for all students new and existing. The Paralegal Student Association Officers would like to extend a big welcome and wish each of you success in your endeavors throughout the upcoming year!! Administrator/Secretary Dani Wisch Financial Officer/ Treasurer Samantha Thompson Board of Director: Michael Farber Vacant PR Executive Vacant Vice President, Distance Students Jackie Van Dyke Newsletter Editor Pamela Heathcote Ethics 2 PSA Officers 3 USPTO Puzzle 4 PSA Events 5 Jambo Bruchim Habayim Aloha Vitame vas irashaimasu Miscellaneous 6 International 7 De minimis defense A defense that excuses infringement when what is taken or infringed is trivial or slight. Droit de suite A doctrine in foreign countries that allows the authors of fine works to share in the appreciation of those works, even after they have parted with ownership of those works. Inter partes proceedings Literally between parties ; proceedings handled by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; may be oppositions, cancellations, interferences, or concurrent use proceedings.
Page 2 of 7 Two national organizations lead the standard for paralegals with regard to ethics: the National Association for Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). Our coverage of the canons continues: NALA s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility Canon 3. A paralegal must not: (a) engage in, encourage, or contribute to any act which could constitute the unauthorized practice of law; and (b) establish attorney-client relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice or represent a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that court or agency; and (c) engage in conduct or take any action which would assist or involve the attorney in a violation of professional ethics or give the appearance of professional impropriety. NFPA s Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility EC 1.3 A paralegal shall maintain a high standard of professional conduct. (a) A paralegal shall refrain from engaging in any conduct that offends the dignity and decorum of proceedings before a court or other adjudicatory body and shall be respectful of all rules and procedures. (b) A paralegal shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety and shall not engage in any conduct that would adversely affect his/her fitness to practice. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to: violence, dishonesty, interference with the administration of justice, and/or abuse of a professional position or public office. (c) Should a paralegal's fitness to practice be compromised by physical or mental illness, causing that paralegal to commit an act that is in direct violation of the Model Code /Model Rules and/or the rules and/or laws governing the jurisdiction in which the paralegal practices, that paralegal may be protected from sanction upon review of the nature and circumstances of that illness. Letters to the Editor (d) A paralegal shall advise the proper authority of non-confidential knowledge of any action of another legal professional that clearly demonstrates fraud, deceit, dishonesty, or misrepresentation. The authority to whom the report is made shall depend on the nature and circumstances of the possible misconduct, (e.g., ethics committees of law firms, corporations and/or paralegal associations, local or state bar associations, local prosecutors, administrative agencies, etc.). Failure to report such knowledge is in itself misconduct and shall be treated as such under these rules. (e) A paralegal shall not knowingly assist any individual with the commission of an act that is in direct violation of the Model Code/Model Rules and/or the rules and/or laws governing the jurisdiction in which the paralegal practices. (f) If a paralegal possesses knowledge of future criminal activity, that knowledge must be reported to the appropriate authority immediately. View NALA s Code: www.nala.org View NFPA s Model Code: www.paralegals.org We welcome your letters. We request that you limit your letters to one per month. We reserve the right to edit your letter for length and content. Please include contact information in your letter. **** Write to the Sentinel s Editor at: pam57@gwmail.gwu.edu****
Page 3 of 7 Meet the Student Paralegal Association Officers Christine M. Villarreal, President Christine Villarreal is currently a full-time graduate student in the Paralegal Studies Program at George Washington University where she is attaining her Master s degree. She is a congressional intern on Capitol Hill for Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen at the U.S. House of Representatives. Christine is the President of the Paralegal Student Association (PSA) and also holds the position of Student Representative for the GWU Paralegal Studies Advisory Board. If you would like to contact Christine, email her at cmv6686@gwmail.gwu.edu. Pascalle Goddard, Vice President Pascalle Goddard is currently a Senior Litigation Paralegal at a law firm in Washington, DC, recognized by The National Law Journal Mid-size Hot List. Pascalle is a graduate of Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY where she holds an Associate s Degree in Social Behavioral Science and a Bachelor s Degree in Psychology. Pascalle is currently pursuing her Master s degree in Paralegal Studies at The George Washington University and maintains the position as Vice President of the program s Paralegal Student Association.. If you would like to contact Pascalle, email her at pgoddard@gwmail.gwu.edu. Dani Wisch, Executive Administrator Dani Wisch is currently a full-time graduate student in the Paralegal Studies Program at George Washington University where she is working towards her Masters of Professional Studies. Dani's concentration in her paralegal education is on Healthcare Corporate Compliance. Dani is a certified Juvenile Arbitrator and was involved in the Charleston County Solicitor s Office s Juvenile Arbitration Program during her undergraduate career. She currently works as a Legal Secretary in a Workers Compensation defense firm. If you would like to contact Dani, email her at dwisch@gwmail.gwu.edu. Samantha Thompson, Treasurer Samantha Thompson is currently a graduate student in the Paralegal Studies Program at George Washington University where she is attaining her Master s degree. Samantha is the Financial Officer of the Paralegal Student Association (PSA). Samantha holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensics from the University of Maryland University College. Samantha currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area. If you would like to contact Samantha, email her at sthompson1106@hotmail.com. Continued on page 6
Page 4 of 7 USPTO Across 4. a trademark or service mark 5. unused marks 6. unreasonable delay asserting one's rights 7. limited transfer of rights 9. unauthorized acts that blur distinction 10. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 11. patent specification defining invention scope 13. preliminary record search 15. design used as trademark 17. owner of trademark registration Down 1. written communication 2. Trademark Electronic Application System 3. a new unknown patent invention 4. Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 6. 15 U.S.A. Sections 1501 et seq 8. Federal Trade Commission 9. display of the mark 12. between parties 14. Trademark Electronic Search System 16. first sale creates ownership
Page 5 of 7 GWU Student Paralegal Association Upcoming Events RSVP to Christine Villarreal for all events at: cmv6686@gwmail.gwu.edu NCAPA News NCAPA is taking applications for their PACE and PCC scholarships. Scholarship recipients will win a one-time award to cover the cost of PACE or PCC registration, exam fee, candidate s handbook, study manual, online practice exam, and online review course. Application deadline Wednesday October 31 st. For more information visit www.ncapa.com Look for Paralegal Week Event Itinerary 1 st week in October to celebrate the contributions and dedication of paralegals to the legal community. NCAPA joins the Mayor of DC and governors from VA and MD who have focused their attention on this event! USPTO Tour Thursday, August 30 th at 1:00 p.m. Alexandria, VA Interested members, students or faculty should include full name and date of birth. RSVP deadline Wednesday, August 29th Everyone is Invited!! Ice Cream Social Thursday, September 13 th at 5:00 p.m. at the Marvin Center in Room 307 PSA Professional Development Event Paralegal Cover Letter and Resume Writing Workshop Learn what recruiters, managers & employers are looking for in a paralegal and tips to improve your writing skills. Thursday, October 18 th at 6:00 p.m. GWU Foggy Bottom Campus RSVP by Wednesday, October 17th ***Event will be videotaped and placed online*** PSA is partnering with NCAPA s Pro Bono Committee for the launch of the Officer Buddy Bear Program. Fire, police and emergency departments will carry teddy bears donated by the paralegal community. The bears will be given to children who have suffered through a disaster or upsetting domestic situation. Join PSA and CPS Career Services for a presentation by former NYU paralegal professor, Eric Matusewitch, on Careers in Equal Employment Opportunity for Paralegals. Thursday, September 27, 2012 6:00 p.m. Marvin Center, Room 403 RSVP by Wednesday, September 26 th ***Event will be videotaped and placed online*** Christine Villareal is the winner of the PSA Logo Design Contest. Congratulations Christine!!
Meet the Student Paralegal Association Officers CONTACT Jackie Van Dyke hoope70@gwmail.gwu.edu Or Michael Faber michael.w.faber@gmail.com Annual Membership Dues: $20 Welcome New Members Daniel McOwen Jackie Van Dyke, Vice President of Distance Learning Students Jackie Van Dyke is currently attaining her Master's Degree in Paralegal Studies at the George Washington University. Jackie holds the position of Vice President of Distance Students and also serves as Membership Chair for the PSA. If you would like to contact Jackie, email her at hoope70@gwmail.gwu.edu. Michael Faber, Board of Director for Distance Learning Students Michael Faber currently sits on the Board of Directors Distance Learning for the George Washington Paralegal Student Association. Michael holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice and American Government from Widener University and a Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies from Peirce College. Additionally, Michael is certified as a Registered Paralegal through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. If you would like to contact Michael, email him at michael.w.faber@gmail.com Pamela Heathcote, Newsletter Editor Pam Heathcote is the current Newsletter Editor and a full-time student in pursuit of a Master s Degree in Paralegal Studies at The George Washington University. Writing is a passion of hers right alongside the paralegal profession. If you would like to contact Pam, email her at pam57@gwmail.gwu.edu. Across 4. Mark 5. Deadwood 6. Laches 7. License 9. Dilution 10. GATT 11. Claim 13. Knockout 15. Logo 17. Registrant Down 1. OfficeAction 2. TEAS 3. Novelty 4. MPEP 6. LanhamAct 8. FTC 9. Drawing 12. InterPartes 14. TESS 16. FirstSale
Page 7 of 7 lawyer who had studied in England and was returning to Tanzania to give back to her nation. Upon completion of the program, the Vice Chancellor of the University selected Naemy to be the director of the new program, making her the first and only paralegal studies program director in the nation of Tanzania. Paralegals are of tremendous importance in Tanzania, as they are the only point of access to justice for a vast majority of people. Just last week, Professor Marsh had the privilege of accompanying her former students from the inaugural class at the University of Bagamoyo, as they spent two days in villages in the Serengeti region teaching the people about a new constitutional initiative. On the international scene, our story of interest unites us with a woman named Naemy Sillayo who is from Tanzania. Last March, Professor Toni Marsh traveled to Tanzania to design the very first formal paralegal education program at the University of Bagamoyo. Naemy was one of the students in that inaugural class. She is a young The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) is the premier organization for paralegal educators and program directors in the United States. AAfPE is holding its annual national conference in Savannah, Georgia in October 2012. They have graciously agreed to waive the conference fee for Naemy. Now we need to raise $5000 to pay for her flight, visa, food and lodging to attend the conference. Please help bring Naemy to Savannah so that she can learn to create a thriving, sustainable paralegal studies program and continue the work Professor Marsh began. Donations can be made online via PayPal at http://bringnaemytosavannah.blogspot.com or by check. Please make checks payable to George Washington University and mail to: Toni Marsh, Esq. Director, George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program 2101 F Street NW, Room 100 Washington DC 20052