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In 1990, while working as an office manager of a safe company in Boston, I
first heard of the paralegal profession. An assistant to the Chapter 13
Trustee, Joseph M. Szabo, who came in to get keys duplicated, asked me if I had
ever thought about becoming a paralegal. The next thing I knew I had accepted a
job offer and was researching paralegal studies programs. |
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| Once I received my paralegal certificate from the National Academy of Paralegal
Studies in 1992, I immediately joined the Massachusetts Paralegal Association
to learn about my new career. During the next seven years at the Chapter 13
office, I experienced many challenges as the Trustee of the Western District
was removed from office and several United States Trustees served as interim
until a new Trustee appointment could be made. Also, during this period, Judge
Labian, Judge Gabriel, and Mr. Szabo passed away leaving a quite a void in our
hearts and legal community. |
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| By 1997, I started my own business, Freelance Paralegal Services, utilizing the
knowledge of what I learned at the Trustee’s Office to assist attorneys in the
preparation of Chapter 7 and 13 petitions, adversarial motions, amended plans
and various other legal documents. |
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| Personal reasons brought me home to Louisiana in 2002, and although I revisited
the idea of self-employment, I accepted a position as senior paralegal at
Heller, Draper, Hayden, Patrick & Horn, LLC in 2003. My current employer,
whose practice focuses on Chapter 11 Bankruptcy has helped me complete my
knowledge of Bankruptcy Law. |
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MARY “BECKY” ROLLAND |
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PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS |
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• In 1996, my employer, Denise M. Pappalardo, nominated me for the
Massachusetts Paralegal Association’s Outstanding Paralegal Award. |
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• In 1999, I initiated the start-up of the Bankruptcy Section of
the Massachusetts Paralegal Association and then chaired the position from 1999
through 2001. |
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• I created the First Step Pro Bono Bankruptcy Project in 1999, a
program that assisted victims of domestic violence with bankruptcy filings and
served as Project Director from 1999 through 2003. |
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• In 2000, I was awarded Paralegal of the Year 2000 by the Massachusetts
Paralegal Association. |
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• In 2001, I was awarded a certificate and pin from the Massachusetts Paralegal
Association’s Pro Bono Section for pro-bono work. |
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• I assisted in the creation of a Freelance section of the
Massachusetts Paralegal Association in 2001, and actively participated in the
seminars, meetings, and networking for and by freelance paralegals from
2001-2002. |
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• From 1996 to 2001, I was the owner/president of my own business,
Freelance Paralegal Services. Although, I did not have employees, I provided
training and hands-on experience to paralegals new to the profession, assisted
many in updating their resumes and finding employment, and helped raise their
confidence level by introducing them to pro-bono work through the First Step
Pro Bono Bankruptcy Project. |
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• In my current employment, at Heller, Draper, Hayden, Patrick
& Horn, LLC, I have raised the level of professionalism for paralegals by
reinstating paralegal meetings, updating the paralegal case listing,
participating in the American Judicial Bankruptcy Assistant Seminar, and
fostering membership in the New Orleans Paralegal Association. |
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• In 2003, I jointed the New Orleans Paralegal Association and in 2004, I
accepted the position as membership co-chair. |
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• Throughout my career of fifteen years as a bankruptcy paralegal, I have
excelled in my performance evaluations for every position I have held. |
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