Mississippi Paralegal Association, Inc. Fall Seminar

Speaker #1 (1.5 hours Non-Substantive)
8:45-10:15 – Olivia Renfroe, ACP, Renfroe & Perilloux, PLLC
Title: Get it Right and Keep it Tight – Writing Tips for Paralegals
1. Understand the importance of proper use of grammar and punctuation in legal writing.
2. Explore research and writing methods to help you in legal writing.
3. Identify distractions in the wording of arguments and learn how to avoid them.

Speaker #2 (1 hour – Substantive)
10:15 – 11:15 – Carter Smith, Esq. MDOT
Title: The Paralegal’s Role in Criminal Litigation
1. Discovery – Identify and explain the key responsibilities of a paralegal in managing and organizing discovery
material
2. Motion Practice – Understand how paralegals assist in preparing, drafting, and filing of motions and
supporting attorneys during motion hearings
3. Trial Preparation – learn how paralegals contribute to trial preparation

11:15 – 12:00 – Break & Lunch

Speaker #3 (1 hour – Ethics)
12:00 – 1:00 – Kendal Cantrell, ACP, Phelps
Topic: Paralegals and Access to Justice: Ethical Responsibilities and Practical Solutions
1. Understand and identify common barriers to accessing legal services and the ethical responsibilities of paralegals in addressing these challenges.
2. Learn practical strategies for paralegals to ethically engage in pro bono and community service initiatives.
3. Explore how paralegals can ethically utilize technology to improve client access to legal services while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

Speaker #4 (1 hour – Substantive)
1:00 – 2:00 – Harold Pizzetta, Esq., MS Institutions of Higher Learning
Topic: The First Amendment, Academic Freedom, and HB 1193 in Higher Education
1. Evaluate the application and limitations of First Amendment free speech rights within higher education setting, focusing
on recent case law and policy developments.
2. Outline the historical development of academic freedom in the United States, highlighting key legal cases and academic policies that have shaped its current status as a protected right.
3. Examine the provisions of MS House Bill 1193 from the 2025 Legislative Session and analyze its potential effects on free speech and academic freedom in Mississippi’s higher education institutions.

Speaker #5 (1 hour – Substantive)
2:15 – 3:15 – Trey Clark, Esq. Phelps
Topic: Employment Law Update
1. Summarize recent regulatory updates from the EEOC and OSHA and understand their implications for workplace
compliance.
2. Identify and apply the latest standards in preventing workplace harassment and discrimination.
3. Analyze recent case law developments impacting pregnant workers and religious accommodations and evaluate their
effects on current employment practices and policies.

Speaker #6 (1 hour – Substantive)
3:15 – 4:15 – Ben Jones, Esq., MDOT
Topic: The New Bluebook: Need to Know
1. Understand and apply the major revisions in the 22nd Edition of The Bluebook, including the reworked citation and preservation methods for web-based and state administrative materials, to ensure accurate and up-to-date legal citations.
2. Master the new citation rules and signals, such as the revised use of pin cites (Rule 1.2(f)), the new “Contrast ___ with ___” signal (Rule 1.2(b)), and the updated conventions for omissions and alterations (Rule 2.1(g)), to enhance clarity and precision in legal writing.
3. Familiarize with the newly introduced rules and expanded sections, including the requirements for parentheticals (Rule 1.5), the expanded guidelines for administrative and executive materials (Rule 14), and the new rules for citing tribal nations (New Rule 22) and archival sources (New Rule 23), to effectively navigate and utilize diverse legal resources.