Oklahoma Paralegal Association 2026 Annual Seminar and Meeting

Oklahoma Paralegal Association

Oklahoma Paralegal Association’s 2026 Annual Seminar and Meeting will provide 5 hours continuing legal education. Speakers, presentation overview, and learning objectives:

Featured Speakers:
• Timothy Faerber, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Tabatha Berka, Supervisory Legal Administrative Assistant – The Paralegal’s Role in the Prosecution of Federal Immigration Crimes
Overview: The presentation will explain the paralegal’s role in the prosecution of immigration crimes in federal court, including what those crimes are, the various ways those crimes are charged, the importance of detention hearings in prosecuting those crimes, and the critical role of processing and disseminating discovery.
Learning Objectives:
1) The course should give the attendee a clear understanding of the paralegal’s role in charging federal immigration crimes.
2) The attendees will learn how paralegals assist prosecutors in preparing and presenting detention hearings, and 3) Attendees will learn how the paralegal ensures that discovery is successfully provided to defense counsel.

• Hon. John D. Russell, U.S. District Judge, Northern District of Oklahoma – Become Indispensable to Your Employer **INCLUDES ETHICS**
Overview: This presentation will explore the qualities and professional habits that distinguish a good paralegal from an indispensable paralegal. Participants will learn practical strategies for becoming a trusted member of the legal team while maintaining the ethical and professional standards expected of the profession.
A central component of the presentation will be NALA – The Paralegal Association’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which NALA describes as the foundation of ethical practices for paralegals in the legal community.
Learning Objectives
1) Attendees will be able to identify the characteristics and professional behaviors of an indispensable paralegal.
2) Attendees will learn how to move beyond simply completing assigned tasks by anticipating attorney needs, taking ownership of responsibilities, managing priorities, demonstrating initiative, and becoming a reliable source of information and support.
3) Apply NALA’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility to everyday paralegal practice. Participants will examine how ethical principles—including avoiding unauthorized practice of law, maintaining competency, protecting confidentiality, identifying conflicts of interest, and following professional rules—affect daily decisions and professional relationships. Attendees will also learn how to develop strategies for increasing personal value while maintaining professional boundaries.

• Victoria Freeman, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, OPLA Division – ICE OPLA – Mission and Duties of the Legal Support Specialist (LAS) **INCLUDES ETHICS**
Overview: ICE’s OPLA Division provides the legal foundation for ICE’s work, and Legal Support Specialists help make that mission possible by ensuring attorneys have the information, documentation, organization, and administrative support needed to perform their legal duties effectively.
Learning Objectives:
1) Attendees will learn that OPLA attorneys often represent the Department of Homeland Security in immigration court proceedings, advise ICE programs and leadership, review legal issues connected to enforcement actions, and help ensure that ICE activities are carried out consistent with applicable law and policy.
2) Attendees will learn about the Role of the LSS within OPLA. LAS assist in carrying out OPLA’s mission by providing essential administrative, case-management, and litigation-support functions. Their work helps attorneys and legal teams operate efficiently and meet court, filing, and operational deadlines.
3) Attendees will learn about Mission success. Its success depends not only on litigation outcomes, but also on the quality of legal advice, effective docket and case support, adherence to legal and ethical obligations, and its ability to help ICE implement operational priorities consistent with law and policy.”

• Hon. David M. Wilkie, Kay County Special Judge, and Lennis Ailey, Bailiff/NALA Certified Paralegal – Trial Notebooks
Overview: Paralegals are key to creating a functional and effective trial notebook. Judge Wilkie and Ms. Ailey will provide expert information that will educate attendees on how to create a trial notebook that guides the trial, provides confidence for the litigator, helps with preserving an accurate record, and teaches best practices regardless of tools used in the courtroom.
Learning objectives: Attendees will learn that a trial notebook:
1) Is a roadmap, it is not a collection of exhibits
2) Includes practices to make a better record, it is not a bench book or better organized file
3. Includes a backup from technology and must be flexible.

• Dan Steigert, Attorney, V.P., International Business Company Formation, Inc. – The U.S. Entity Playbook: Structuring, Supporting, and Staying Compliant
Overview: International Business Company Formation (IBCF) understands that navigating corporate compliance and governance, entity formations, and international transactions can be complex. That’s why, since our founding in 1998, IBCF has been the trusted partner for law firms, tax professionals, corporations, and service providers looking for seamless, efficient, and cost-effective corporate solutions worldwide.
Learning objectives:
1) Attendees will learn the Core U.S. Business Structures
2) Presenter will demystify Secretary of State filings processes
3) Attendees will learn the jurisdictional differences affecting entity structures

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CLE Hours = 5 (1-Legal Ethics, 4-Substantive)