Paralegal and Support Staff Training an Unqualified Success
Late last month we hosted a training entitled “Essential Skills for Paralegals and Support Staff.” I’m told that this was the first time in the memory of many that we’ve held a statewide training geared specifically toward our non-attorney staff in Florida. As a trainer at the event, I want to use my megaphone here to tell you all that this experience was important. And it should be repeated with regular frequency. I’m told that a special thanks is owed to Ronda Fuqua, Sharon Ferguson, and Kathy Grunewald for their vision and persistence in making this training happen.
We are normally limited to accepting about 32 students for these CLAE-led trainings. And at times we struggle to reach that number. Within three days of posting information about the Paralegal & Support Staff training, we had already filled all available slots. We had to ask CLAE to enlarge the student pool, which they graciously did, to nearly 50. We still had a wait list and many fine applicants did not get to attend the April event. Kathy Grunewald and Sharon Ferguson are looking for ways to repeat this training sooner rather than later. I’ll keep you posted on their efforts.
Since the end of the training, emails have been pouring in with thanks and gratitude from the students. Sarah Foweler of JALA stated the thanks first (and hopefully she won’t mind me sharing her words with all of you):
On behalf of the ’student body,’ we extend our sincere gratitude to FLS training staff, program attorneys, and all other administrative staff for developing this training curriculum for us. It was very instructive, enlightening, and challenging :) I’m sure everyone gleaned something constructive from just being there networking and conversing with other program staff members. It was definitely needed and much appreciated. Here’s to many more!
Also, a special ‘THANK YOU’ to SHARON FERGUSON for her persistant efforts in making this training a reality. It would not have been possible without you. Keep up the good work!
And, finally, to our program directors and supervisors for allowing so many of us to attend the training at the same time (in spite of almost closing up shop until we returned), we thank you!
I’m reminded of the sheer importance of our professional paralegal and support staff to the work that we do. My thanks and deep appreciation to you all. Fabulous photos after the break.
(right-click and select “view image” to see full-size)
