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Sacramento, CA 95841		 Announcements
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  • The Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association (SVPA) meets at lunch time, the fourth Wednesday of each month. You may contact them by snail mail: 
      • Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association
      Post Office Box 453
      Sacramento, California 95812-0543

      by telephone: (916) 763-7851 


    REGULATION ALERT!

    Effective January 2004.  Business & Professions Code section 6450.  Read it in full by clicking here!

    The pertinent sections for ARC students and graduates:

    (c) A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following:
       (1) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.
       (2) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
       (3) A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a
    minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision
    of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of
    California for at least the preceding three years or who has
    practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the
    preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney
    stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.
       (4) A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a
    minimum of three years of law-related experience under the
    supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State
    Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has
    practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the
    preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney
    stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.
    This experience and training shall be completed no later than
    December 31, 2003.

       The RED print: Our program has required the minimum number of units for the certificate or the degree since the 1996-97 catalog. All graduates whose catalog rights are 1996-97 or later qualify under this section.

       The BOLD print: This is the "grandfather clause" for those who are currently working but do not meet any one of the first three criteria.  ARC graduates without a degree, whose catalog was earlier than 1996-97 qualify if they have been working for three years under a qualified attorney by the end of 2003.

      Books listed below are for your interest and consideration only. No recommendations are being made, all prices are as known at the time of this publication and subject to change.

      California Style Manual, 4th Ed.  West Publishing.
        It is a soft bound book, ISBN 0-314-23370-9.  It is also available on CD-ROM, SA #28887
    Using the California Style Manual and The Bluebook: A Practitioner's Guide. The flyer received says it "clearly outlines the required citation format for each California county." [State code says either Bluebook or CA Style Manual, just be consistent. California Rules of Court 313(e).] It also "compares and contrasts the legal styles ... between the two manuals."  SA #31390, $15 + tax.

    Both of these are published by West. I cannot locate an on-line order site so use the following:

    Call 1-800-344-5009 to order using a credit card.
    Paralegal Careers, Angela Schneeman, West Legal Studies Thomson Learning, 2000. 320 pages, including index. 
      Chapter topics include: the Paralegal Profession; Employers; Specialties; Salaries and Benefits; Skills and Traits; Your Job Search. Appendices include: State Adopted Definitions of Paralegal and Legal Assistant; How to Choose a Program; Directory of Associations; and Sample Resumes and Cover Letters.

      Many charts, career track advice, profiles of working professionals and other information to help you craft your own successful path.

      This book is available in the library at ARC.

      Publisher's web site: www.westlegalstudies.com

    Paralegal Success, Going from Good to Great in the New Century, Deborah Bogen,  Prentice Hall, 2000. 295 pages, including index.
      Chapter topics include: Going from Good to Great: What's the Big Deal?; Planning Your Job Search; First Day on the Job; First Month, a Solid Start; Dealing with Difficulties and Boosting Your Own Morale; Your Five -Year Plan and Other Career Building Files.  22 Chapters in all. Four Appendices including Forms and Time Sheets, Books and Web Sites.

      Not as graphically oriented as Paralegal Careers, above, but full of practical advice on a day-to-day basis.

      This book is available in the library at ARC.

      Publisher's web site: www.prenhall.com

  • Book: California Legal Assisting Handbook, James Publishing. Loose-leaf with annual updates. Forms on Diskette. Approx. $90. ISBN#: 0-938065-95-5. Publisher offers free 30 day review. Call (800) 440-4780 or look for it in the ARC library, legal section, lower shelves of the CA stacks.
  • Book: California Legal Secretary, James Publishing. Loose-leaf with annual updates. No diskette (at least as of '98). Approx. $100. ISBN#: 0-938065-13-0. Publisher offers free 30 day review. Call (800) 440-4780 or look for it in the ARC library, legal section, lower shelves of the CA stacks.
    • Book: The Professional Paralegal Job Search: A Guide for Launching Your Legal Career, Christofer Ulmont French, Aspen Law & Business, 1995, 224 pages. $24.95 Paperback. ISBN #: 0-316-29436-5

      • Check online booksellers Barnes and Noble and Amazon for competitive pricing. 

     e-mail the Program Coordinator