CERTIFICATION FOR PARALEGALS LITIGATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS Susan Kavanagh

CERTIFICATION FOR PARALEGALS & LITIGATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

Susan Kavanagh, RP, Ce. DP Mariana Fradman, MBA Jessica M. Mieles ACEDS, Director of Client & Nixon Peabody, LLP Enstar, Senior Paralegal Member Services Paralegal New York City Paralegal Association, Inc. , NFPA Association, Inc. Primary Representative and Treasurer, Mentor Program Certification Ambassador and CLE Chairperson Dr. Chase C Cunningham CEO Crusade Partners US Navy CPO (Ret. ) CEH, ECSA, LPT, ATAB Author of The Cynja Patricia (Patty) Maxwell Arnold & Porter LLP Legal Assistant Manager IPMA, Board of Directors PANELISTS

PARALEGAL CERTIFICATION, CREDENTIALING, LICENSING AND HAVING A PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? ü If you have completed a paralegal education program for which you have a certificate hanging on your wall, you could say you are certificated. This is different from being certified. ü Licensing is how a governmental authority controls certain professions. There is no single authority in the United States which oversees the paralegal profession. Also, at the time of this writing, no state has paralegal licensure.

WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? ü A document or credential attesting something to be true. ü Formalizes a specific interest, talent, specialty, permission, right or status granted to its bearer

WHY CERTIFICATION? INDIVIDUAL BENEFITS ü Potential to increase your career options across industries, professions. ü Potential to elevate standing in the e-discovery field. ü Validate your skills to clients, co-workers, and superiors, and potential employers. ü Fulfills condition of employment. ü Potential to justify an increase in your billing rate. ü Potential to increase career earnings. ü Open new career paths (consulting, sales, mediation)

EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT STEPS 1. Test Definition 6. Virtual Technical Review 2. Job Task Analysis Workshop 7. Beta Testing 3. Online Test Blueprint Survey 8. Psychometric Analysis 4. Item Writing Workshop 9. Passing/ Cut Score Study 5. Psychometric and Grammar Edit 10. Score Beta Test Takers

CERTIFICATION VALUE ü Responds to the need for professionals with diverse skills and knowledge across the various spectrums ü Facilitates sound hiring practices, advances careers and gives a competitive advantage to individuals who earn it and their employers. ü Often validates knowledge and skill in area of high risk and cost ü Helps employers and clients sleep at night

MARKET DEMANDS ü Foundational Knowledge Base ü Skillsets ü Job Requirements ü Changes in Law ü Changes In Technology

CHANGES IN LAW & CHIEF DRIVERS ü Searcy v. The Florida Bar Assn (FL) ü Limited Licensed Legal Technician (WA) ü Ethical Duty of Technical Competence Per ABA (23 States) ü Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

CERTIFICATION OPTIONS FOR PARALEGALS & LITIGATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS Certified EDiscovery Specialist (CEDS) Certified e. Discovery Professional (Ce. DP) Registered Paralegal (RP) Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE)

Theresa Johnson, CEDS Theresa Johnson, RP WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

CERTIFIED EDISCOVERY SPECIALIST (CEDS) ü 145 four-item multiple choice scenario based questions ü 4 hour examination ü New sections on the exam ü Emerging technology ü Updated FRCP – as of March 2016 ü Early case assessment ü Passing Rate about 70% ü Over 700 Licensed Testing Centers Worldwide

TOPICS COVERED (CEDS) ü Information Management ü Litigation Readiness Data Processing ü Data Culling ü Ethics ü Data Production ü Technology ü ü Budgeting ü ü Litigation Hold Implementation ü ü Collection Planning ü ü Predictive Coding ü Document Review Project Management Legal Framework & Obligation International Discovery Technology ü

CEDS CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ü Document at least 40 CEDS credits in e-discovery and closely related fields based on experience, training, and professional certifications in the field. ü Credits can be obtained through a combination of the following: ü Professional Experience (Max 20 Credits) ü Highest Level of Education (Max 15 Credits) ü Training (Max 25 Credits) ü Other Certs (5 Credits Each) ü RP & CP are pre-approved certifications ü Two professional references

CEDS CERTIFICATION | PROCESS & PREPARATION ü Register for CEDS Certification & Training ü ACEDS E-Discovery Essentials ü CEDS Exam Preparation Manual ü On. Demand 24/7 CEDS Exam Webinars Live Online CEDS Exam Webinars – Review Questions Schedule the CEDS Exam through Kryterion Submit CEDS Candidate Application Upon Passing ü ü ü Maintenance of CLE (40 credits over 2 years) ü Recertification

PARALEGAL ADVANCED COMPETENCY EXAM® (PACE®) The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam® (PACE®) is for those with not only a comprehensive education in paralegal studies but also years of practical experience. Earning the RP® designation by passing the PACE Exam shows that you are one of the best in the field!

ABOUT PACE® ü At the 1994 mid-year meeting the NFPA membership voted overwhelmingly to develop an exam which could become a standard used by state legislative bodies to gauge the competency level of experienced paralegals. The PACE program launched in 1996. ü The exam was developed by a professional testing firm in conjunction with an independent task force including paralegals, lawyers, paralegal educators and content specialists from the general public who are legal advocates. It is administered by computer in a proctored testing facility, consists of 200 multiplechoice questions and must be completed in four hours, although many candidates complete it in two.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE PACE®? Candidates must submit a completed application and $225 NFPA member fee (or $250 Non-member fee) to re-take PACE. If a candidate does not pass PACE, there is a six (6) month waiting period, from the date PACE is taken, before the paralegal becomes eligible to re-take PACE. Candidates must submit a completed application and $225 NFPA member fee (or $250 Non-member fee) to re-take PACE. It is now possible to waive this waiting period at your own risk.

PARALEGAL CORE COMPETENCY EXAM (PCCETM) The Paralegal CORE Competency Exam™ establishes your education has prepared you for many types of paralegal work and helps you stand out from others whose schooling and experience are otherwise similar. Those who have passed the PCCE may proudly display the CRP™ designation after their name.

WHAT IS THE PCCE EXAM? OR WHAT IS THE CRP DESIGNATION? The Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCETM) was developed to assess the knowledge, skills and ability of early career and entrylevel paralegals. It became available in November of 2011. The exam is administered by computer at Prometric Test Centers throughout the United States and Canada. For brochure information or test center information please visit the NFPA Website: www. paralegals. org

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PCCE? An associate’s degree in any subject, a paralegal certificate, no experience or CLE An associate’s degree in paralegal studies, no experience or CLE; An associate’s degree in any subject, no paralegal certificate, 1 year of experience and 6 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics taken in the year preceding the exam application date Candidates who are within two months of graduating and registered for the PCC Exam by a Director of a paralegal studies program participating in the PCCE Assurance of Learning (Ao. L) Program at the Partner level A bachelor’s degree in any subject, no paralegal certificate, 6 months of experience and 1 hour of ethics taken in the year preceding the exam application date A paralegal certificate from a program that meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in NFPA’s Short Term Paralegal Program Position Statement , 1 year of experience and 6 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics taken in the year preceding the exam application date A bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, no experience or CLE A bachelor’s degree in any subject, a paralegal certificate, no experience or continuing legal education (CLE); Active duty, retired or former military personnel qualified in a military operation specialty as a paralegal and 1. 0 hour of Ethics CLE within the year preceding the exam application PCC Exam A high school diploma or GED, 5 years of experience and 12 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics taken in the 2 years preceding the exam application date

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE PCCETM? Effective March 1, 2016, the exam fee is $215 for members and $250 for non-members. All candidates must take the exam within 90 days from when the application is accepted.

TOP 10 REASONS TO TAKE PACE® OR PCCETM Shows commitment to the profession Billable hours not written off Billable hours approved by court Reflects achievement Can lead to higher salary Can lead to career opportunities Can lead to greater job responsibilities Improves skills and knowledge Builds self confidence Validates paralegal skills

SOME ADDITIONAL REASONS TO TAKE PACE® OR PCCETM Professional Credibility National recognition for your accomplishment The right to use the trademark Protection of trademark States with voluntary regulation recognizing PACE® and/or PCCETM Paralegal fees awarded by courts Higher billing rates Higher salary Personal/Professional Goal Greater job responsibilities

PARALEGAL CREDENTIALING – RENEWING YOUR CREDENTIAL A paralegal who took and passed the PCCE or PACE, is required renew credential (CRP or RP, respectively) every two years beginning on the two-year anniversary of the exam date (also called the anniversary date). Submitting renewal entails showing proof that a paralegal completed the required number of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits. RPs need to complete 12 hours of CLE (including 1 ethics hour) every 2 years. CRPs need to complete 8 hours of CLE (including 1 ethics hour) every 2 years. The CLEs submitted in conjunction with the renewal must be NFPAapproved.

A GOOD PLACE TO BE…. .

CYBER HAS ALL KINDS OF CERTS

MORE TECHNICAL/LESS CONCEPT

COMPLETE CERTIFICATION PATH

OTHER INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION ü Georgetown**, ASU Arkfeld**, Bryant ü Ralph Losey** ü OLP** ü Paralegal Associations* ü Vendor specific* ü University and community college programs** ü Lexis, Fastcase, Kaplan, Ci. Lex, *certifications **certificates No clear market leader

QUESTIONS?

Susan G. Kavanagh, RP, Ce. DP ACEDS, Director of Client & Member Services susan. kavanagh@barbripa. com Mariana Fradman, MBA NYCPA CLE Chairperson cle@nyc-pa. org Chase Cunningham, Ph. D. CEO, Crusade Partners chase@crusadepartners. com Jessica M. Mieles NYCPA Certification Ambassador nfpaprimary@nyc-pa. org Patricia Maxwell Legal Assistant Manger Arnold & Porter, LLP Patricia. Maxwell@aporter. com CONTACT US!