
The 2018 Iowa Paralegal Association Fall Seminar will be held in West Des Moines, IA at Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel! Our featured speakers bring an abundance of educational information to help you learn and develop your professional skills.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
Members: $125 ($110 Early Bird)
Non-Members: $150 ($135 Early Bird)
Students: $50 ($35 Early Bird)
Early Bird Discount Ends August 23, 2018!
If you have multiple people from a given law firm or company you will receive a discount.
Please contact Shari Wood, ACP-IPA Seminar Director at education@iowaparalegal.org if this applies prior to registering for this event to obtain the priority code for this discount.
Please register today and join us at the state's largest paralegal conference! For this seminar, please note that we are only accepting online registrations, but you will still be able to either pay your registration fees online or receive an invoice to send in your registration fees via mail.
IPA Seminars are approved for attorney and paralegal CLE credit by the NALA Certifying Board, and the Iowa Supreme Court Commission of Continuing Legal Education. An announcement regarding the assignment of credits will be made at or following the seminar and will appear in the Original Notice newsletter.

IPA is pleased to announce our partnership with Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude sends Care Packages filled with entertainment, hygiene, and handmade items, non-perishable snacks, and personal letters of appreciation to Deployed Troops, New Recruits, First Responders, Veterans, Military Families, and Wounded Heroes & their Care Givers. Operation Gratitude needs donations and IPA will be collecting donations at this seminar, please see below for additional information.
IPA was able to collect the following at the 2018 Spring Seminar: 4 pairs of socks, 1 beanie baby, 1 Wells Fargo tote bag, 38 packs of facial tissues, 4 packs of cotton swabs, 5 foot powders, 8 packs of wipes, 3 razors, 75 deordorants, 28 tooth brushes, 10 dental flosses, 14 tubes of toothpaste, 9 chapsticks, 4 earbuds, 37 packs of gum, 5 breath savers, 2 flashlights, 8 packs of AA batteries, 176 cards/envelopes, 1 card, 20 envelopes, and 6 letters of gratitude!
Click here to view thank you letter IPA received

By Attending This Event, You Will Have The Opportunity To:
Network with people who are knowledgeable and passionate about the paralegal profession.
Learn how to use your skills to advance in your career.
Identify technologies that could help ease your amount of work.
Meet and talk with various businesses and organizations from all around the state.

LOCATION / HOTEL

1800 50th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
The Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and also within a three-mile radius of the hotel. Work up a sweat at Sheraton Fitness, featuring new cardio equipment and free weights. Open 24 hours and free for all guests, the gym is equipped with two recumbent bikes, two stair steppers, one elliptical machine, three treadmills, free weights, a universal machine. All items are equipped with TVs for added convenience. After a long day, take a dip in our indoor pool or relax on our sundeck, open 6am until 11pm.
Check-in time 3PM - Check-out time 12PM
Reservations: call the Sheraton Wes Des Moines Hotel directly at (515) 223-1800. Ask for the Iowa Paralegal Association group room rate. The cut-off date for the IPA room block is August 24, 2018.
Room Rates: $124/night plus tax (Traditional King), this includes parking.

Need help convincing your company to let you attend?
Download our example letter.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS!

TOPICS
The IPA Seminar Committee is lining up terrific speakers who will be ready to provide you with a wealth of knowledge!
Please be sure to check back for additions to our great topic listing!
Ethics: Infinity War - The Never Ending Battle for Truth, Justice and an Ethical Legal Practice - Mark Lambert, Ames City Attorney
Iowa Secretary of State's Fast Track Filing System - Kyle Phillips & Christy Wilson, Iowa Secretary of State
Mergers & Acquisitions - Tim Hall, Executive Vice President of Business Development American Enterprise Group
Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals Creation and Case Law Updates - DeDe Abbott, Attorney & DMACC Professor
Out of State Subpoenas - Michelle Hinke, Legal Assistant Hammer Law Firm, P.L.C.
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) - Kevin Schnoebelen, CASA Coordinator Iowa Child Advocacy Board
Employment Law Updates - Jill Jensen-Welch, Attorney Dickinson Mackaman Tyler & Hagen, PC
Emotional Distress Damages in Employment Claims - Patrick Smith, Attorney Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C.
Workers’ Compensation Update - Ashley Grieser, Attorney McKinney Law Office, P.C.
The Fundamentals of Uninsured and Uninsured Motorists Claims - Thomas Hillers, Attorney Hupy & Abraham
eDiscovery Basics - Angie Brenizer, Paralegal Belin McCormick, PC
Complexities of Technology and Production of Electronic Data - Connie Martin, Martin Litigation Support Services
Estate Planning Documents - Breanna Young, Attorney Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.
Drafting for Estate Planners: How to Make Fiduciaries Happy and Avoid Litigation - Jana Weiler, Attorney Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.
Cybersecurity/Managed Services or TAR/CAR - Marco Nasca, United Lex
Trademarks 102 - David Breiner, Attorney BrownWinick Law Firm
If you have speaker recommendations, please reach out to Shari Wood, ACP-IPA Seminar Director at education@iowaparalegal.org, or click here to fill out IPA’s online “Call For Speakers” form.
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CREDIT
IPA Seminars are approved for attorney and paralegal CLE credit by the NALA Certifying Board, and the Iowa Supreme Court Commission of Continuing Legal Education. An announcement regarding the assignment of credits will be made at or shortly following the seminar and will appear in the Original Notice newsletter.
HANDOUT MATERIAL
This seminar is paperless. Handout material will be available for download on your laptop or mobile device approximately one (1) week prior to the seminar.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
5:30PM – 6:30PM: Meet-and-Greet - Please join us in the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel Park Place Restaurant and Waterfall Grill & Lounge. This is a come-as-you-are networking event and is your opportunity to visit with old friends, and break the ice with seminar newcomers.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
7:45AM - 8:30AM: Breakfast
8:30AM-8:40AM: Opening Remarks
9:00AM – 10:00AM: Breakout Sessions
10:00AM – 11:00AM: Breakout Sessions
11:00AM – 12:00PM: Breakout Sessions
12:00PM – 1:00PM: Lunch
12:30PM – 1:00PM: Annual Meeting of Membership (the meeting of membership is an opportunity that members have to participate directly in decisions affecting the future of IPA.)
1:00PM – 2:00PM: Ethics Session
2:00PM – 3:00PM: Breakout Sessions
3:00PM – 4:00PM: Breakout Sessions
4:00PM – 5:00PM: Breakout Sessions
Meet Board Members – These people can be identified by their name tags, and they are truly interested in talking with you. Don’t miss an opportunity to chat with them.

Meet the Seminar Director
If you should have any questions or would like to join the Seminar Committee, please reach out to Shari Wood, ACP - IPA Seminar Director at education@iowaparalegal.org.

Shari is a Paralegal at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company. Shari is responsible for managing and assisting with board and committee governance, general corporate governance, insurance and other governmental regulatory reporting. She assists with board preparation, monitoring of officer changes and necessary correspondence and regular reporting with regulators, drafts board and committee meeting resolutions and minutes, maintains records and corporate minute books, and provides a wide range of support and administration to the General Counsel and Executives of the Company. Shari is a member of both IPA and NALA and is an Advanced Certified Paralegal. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law & Politics from Drake University.

DISCOUNT ON SEMINAR REGISTRATION FEES
MEMBER DISCOUNT:
IPA Members receive a discount regarding seminar fees and many other benefits. If you would like to become a member, please contact Sarah Kennedy, IPA 2nd Vice President-Membership Director at membership@iowaparalegal.org for more information, and/or click on the Membership Application below to join today!
MULTIPLE PEOPLE FROM SAME FIRM/COMPANY:
If you have multiple people from a given law firm or company you will receive a discount. Please contact Shari Wood, ACP-IPA Seminar Director at education@iowaparalegal.org if this applies prior to registering for this event.
- Member 1 - $125/registrant ($110 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)
- Member 2 - $115/registrant ($100 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)
- Member 3+ - $110/registrant ($95 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)
- Nonmember 1 - $150/registrant ($135 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)
- Nonmember 2 - $140/registrant ($125 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)
- Nonmember 3 - $130/registrant ($115 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)
- Nonmember 4 - $120/registrant ($105 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)
- Nonmember 5+ - $110/registrant ($95 Early Bird-Register Before 08/23/18)

SAVE THE DATE
2019 IPA SPRING SEMINAR
TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR
APRIL 26-27, 2019
STORM LAKE, IOWA

IPA's PARTNERSHIP WITH OPERATION GRATITUDE

Overview
IPA is pleased to announce our partnership with Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude sends Care Packages filled with entertainment, hygiene, and handmade items, non-perishable snacks, and personal letters of appreciation to Deployed Troops, New Recruits, First Responders, Veterans, Military Families, and Wounded Heroes & their Care Givers. Operation Gratitude needs donations to show our Heroes they are not alone.
IPA is pleased to support this wonderful project. This project provides our associations with the opportunity to express our gratitude to those who serve. Additional information on Operation Gratitude is available at www.OperationGratitude.com.
Association Contribution
At the 2018 Spring Seminar in Coralville, Iowa on Friday, April 20, 2018, IPA collected many donations from seminar attendees. At the 2018 Fall seminar in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, September 21, 2018, we will be collecting donations again. We would encourage each attendee to bring at least one item from the wish list (listed below). We have been advised by Operation Gratitude that they are in great need of individual body wipes, sunscreen (1 ounce), lip balm (with a seal), and individual serving drink mix packet (Crystal Light, Kool Aid, etc.). Therefore, we would ask members to donate one of these items at the upcoming 2018 Fall Seminar in Des Moines, Iowa. After the donations have been collected from our wonderful seminar attendees, IPA will ship these items to Operation Gratitude and will keep everyone updated on the status.
In addition, IPA will have cards and/or stationary on hand for you to write a letter of gratitude. Every Operation Gratitude Care Package includes a bundle of letters from the American people, thanking Troops, Veterans, New Recruits, or First Responders for their service to our country. Care Package recipients tell us these letters, notes, and drawings are the most cherished items in their box. We have been advised by Operation Gratitude that they have a special need for letters specifically written to New Recruits, Veterans, and First Responders. IPA will have a collection box for you to put your card/letter after your completion.
Questions?
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact IPA.
WISH LIST
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- Lip balm/chapstick
- Tooth paste
- Dental floss
- Toothbrushes
- Deodorant (solid only, 3oz or less)
- Disposable razors (packs of 5 or fewer)
- Non-aerosol shaving gel in tubes
- Individual packets of moist towelettes (30 wipes or fewer)
- Hand/foot warmers
- Foot powder (travel size)
- Cotton swabs (packs of 50 or fewer)
- Facial tissue (travel size packs)
- Mini sewing kits
- Shop Operation Gratitude’s Amazon Wish List
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* All donated items must have a shelf-life/expiration date of at least 6 months from the date of Operation Gratitude’s receipt. Thank you for your understanding of this important requirement.
www.OperationGratitude.com - Questions? info@operationgratitude.com
A LETTER/CARD OF GRATITUDE
Write to a:
DEPLOYED TROOP
currently overseas in harm’s way |
VETERAN
served our country in the past |
NEW RECRUIT
just completed Boot Camp and has sworn to serve for the next 4 or more years |
FIRST RESPONDER
a firefighter, paramedic, or member of law enforcement |
All deserve to be thanked for their commitment and bravery!
- Start with a generic salutation, such as “Dear Hero” or “Dear Brave One.”
- Express your thanks for their selfless service.
- Avoid politics completely and religion in excess; however, saying you will pray for them is wonderful.
- Share a little about yourself: Family, Hobbies, Work, School, Pets, Travel, etc.
- Talk about life and interests: Sports, Weather, Music, Movies, Food, Books, etc.
- Adults: Include your contact information (mail or email) so the letter recipient can reply. (Recipients may or may not write back; please do not be disappointed if you do not receive a response.)
- Children’s Letters: Include first names only and do not include addresses (an adult’s address can be used).
- Can’t find the words? Consider drawing or painting a picture instead; please add a note to kids’ drawings with their age.
- No glitter or confetti please!
- Do not put your individual cards or letters in envelopes—they are not needed and create a burden for our letter screeners.
- Please don’t date your letters, sometimes it can take up to a few months for our Care Packages to be received after they are sent.

The Iowa Paralegal Association is a professional organization for paralegals providing activities on local, regional and statewide levels. Members of IPA include practicing paralegals, paralegal students, paralegal training program representatives and other interested individuals. IPA is an affiliated association of NALA.