Apr
2
Tue
CLE: April 2, 2024 – Virtual Isolation @ Zoom
Apr 2 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Join the Montgomery County Paralegal Association (MCPA) for a CLE on April 2, 2024

Virtual Isolation:

Is Hyperconnectivity Helping or Harming the Legal Professional?

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

via Zoom

presented by Brian S. Quinn, Esquire

If we stop to think about what we look at most during the day, the answer would probably not be our family or friends, nor our clients or colleagues. The most feasible option would be our mobile phone. Smartphones are now our companions for work, social, leisure and even family life.

However, excessive use can lead to problems of dependence, addiction and fear. We find ourselves simultaneously connected and alone. Workers today are never “turned off.” Like our mobile phones, we only go on standby at the end of the day as we crawl into bed, exhausted.

Gradual, incremental increases in responsibilities, duties, pressures and demands upon lawyers. at home and at work, combined with long work-days and weeks has placed our profession at risk. At some point work may dominate our lives and keep us at a chronically high level of distress; yet we are often unaware that we have lost balance in our lives. Since it doesn’t appear that the “always-on” culture will be switching off any time soon, we need to develop key strategies that can help safeguard our personal life.

Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.

And Technology? What role does it play in perpetuating this public health crisis?

***

Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania. Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug
addiction and mental health disorders.

Mr. Quinn obtained his undergraduate degree in 1970, his law degree in 1973 and a certificate in Drug and Alcohol counseling in 2012, from Villanova University. A member of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations, he has been a private practitioner for over 40 years, having litigated both civil and criminal matters
during his career.

Mr. Quinn also worked in the field of Alcohol and Drug Counseling in suburban Philadelphia from 2011 to 2017, allowing him to gain both practical and clinical experience with individuals suffering from alcohol, substance use and mental health disorders.

Mr. Quinn is a past member of the Board of Directors of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania and served as a peer volunteer for over six years prior to accepting his current role as the organization’s Educator in 2017. He has written articles and made presentations on many lawyer wellness topics to law firms, Bar Associations, professional organizations and legal education providers on a state, national and international level.

May
14
Tue
CLE: May 14, 2024 – Utilizing Skilled Interpreters @ Live Webinar
May 14 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Join the Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association (CPPA) for a CLE on May 14, 2024

Utilizing Skilled Interpreters

Live Webinar

presented by Karina De Le Cruz

Explore the various language certifications available in the State and the distinct designations for interpreters. Differentiate between interpreters and translators, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding in advocacy. Delve into the three modes of interpretation, the interpreter’s code of ethics, optimal times to hire interpreters, and the criteria for a translation to be deemed “certified.”

  1. Comprehend the pivotal role of interpreters in legal proceedings, recognizing the necessity of employing certified or professional interpreters for optimal communication.
  2. Acquire insights into diverse cultures, enabling participants to leverage cultural knowledge as a means to advocate more effectively for their clients.
  3. Differentiate between dialects and accents, enhancing language proficiency and promoting accurate interpretation.
  4. Recognize the importance of avoiding litigation through the strategic use of professional interpreters, minimizing misunderstandings in legal settings.
  5. Explore the ethical considerations surrounding attorneys interpreting or translating on behalf of their clients, and evaluate the concept of a diligent search in legal language services.

By the conclusion of this course, participants will possess a nuanced understanding of the interpreter’s role in legal contexts, cultural competence, linguistic distinctions, and the ethical considerations related to attorney involvement in interpretation.

***

Karina De La Cruz is Founder and CEO of Horizon Legal Solutions, Inc., a firm dedicated to translation and interpretation services, especially in the legal and medical communities.  Karina has an extensive background in the legal field.

Karina earned an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies from Cooper Career College. She then worked almost ten years as a legal assistant and as a paralegal.

Karina is bi-lingual, and during this time recognized the demand for excellence in language services. 

She pursued her education, earning a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration with a focus on International Business at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, FL. 

She continued even further, earning an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

Karina then transitioned from paralegal to CEO, and founded her own company, Horizon Legal Solutions, Inc., eighteen years ago, in 2006. 

Karina has worked with some of the most prestigious law firms in Florida. Horizon has grown nationally – providing service to every state in America – and internationally, providing translation and interpretation services worldwide in over 175 different languages (and counting).

Besides being an entrepreneur and CEO, Karina is a mother of two and of a fluffy fur baby named Coco. She likes exercise, wine and a good movie.