Male Paralegals - A Personal Perspective

The Dallas Area Paralegal Association 

in Collaboration with NALA

PRESENTS

MALE PARALEGALS!

- A Personal Perspective - 

June 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Via Zoom

Panelists:

Eugene Alcala

Phillip Webb

Jonathan Muriel

Jonathan Muriel is a dynamic and bold Operational Paralegal with a strong background in comprehensive litigation management, operations oversight, and regulatory compliance. With a proven track record of driving operational excellence and increasing efficiencies, Jonathan is skilled in process improvements, interpersonal communications, and complex problem-solving. As a leader, Jonathan has successfully managed and mentored high-performing teams, while partnering with stakeholders throughout the organization to achieve strategic goals. With expertise in legal operations coordination, vendor management, and litigation management, Jonathan consistently delivers outstanding results. In his current role at Rudner Law Offices, Jonathan oversees all operational leadership for a diverse caseload of 100+ cases, excelling in drafting legal documents, managing sensitive records, conducting research, and resolving contract disputes. In Jonathan’s free time, he loves spending quality time with his wife, daughter, and puppy, and indulges in his love for cooking.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmuriel/

Tony Sipp

Tony is the Paralegal Manager at MANNING & KASS where he manages paralegals at all 7 offices nationwide.  He is the former President for Los Angeles Paralegal Association, having led them through the challenges of 2020.  He is also a former Council Member for the Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council where he Chaired the Government Relations committee.  Tony was appointed to the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Diversity in the Profession Committee in 2020 He's been a guest speaker on several professional legal panels as well as podcasts, both domestic and international.  He has been published in multiple legal articles and was the recipient of NALA’s Affiliate Award.  In his spare time, Tony enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, Krista, and his Chocolate Labrador, Mookie. His hobbies include cycling, capoeira, traveling and reading.  He’s a bit of a nerd.

Moderator:

Kristine Custodio Suero, ACP

NALA DEI CHAIR

Kristine Custodio Suero is an award-winning legal professional and a highly sought-after speaker inspiring others to achieve authentic, purpose-driven careers and lives. A true servant leader, she has led local and state professional associations as President. A champion of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, Kristine dedicates her time as a Commissioner for the County and City of San Diego and as the Chair of the National Association of Legal Assistants Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-custodio-suero-%E2%9A%96%EF%B8%8F-%F0%9F%93%9A-2950534/

Special Guest Panelist

"Mishty" Gitanjali Deb

Attorney at LaSusa & Deb, PLLC

"Mishty" Gitanjali Deb will be joining the Panelist on June 19, 2023. Mishty will be sharing while on the panel her input with the male paralegals her concept of "Neutrality and Bias relating to Male Paralegals Versus Female Paralegals." Mishty is an adjunct professor within Dallas College's Paralegal Program, Mishty has taught civil procedure, real property, business organizations, advanced legal research and writing, legal research and writing, torts, family law topics, intellectual property and mediation. Part of what makes her a dynamic teacher is her wealth of work experience. Mishty is a skilled attorney with over 17 years of practice experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She co-founded the Dallas law firm of LaSusa & Deb, PLLC and specializes in providing legal counsel to small and large businesses as well as individuals. She has worked on multiple litigation cases for business, entrepreneurs, and non-profits and is an active advocate for alternative dispute conflict resolution methods. She specializes in structuring complex business transactions and investment deals as well as international issues with India. She is currently patent bar licensed and holds current certificates in mediation. She is a mediator with the Texas Department of Insurance and has experience mediating a wide variety of cases from divorces to real estate disputes, complex board litigations, debt settlements, personal injury cases, and much more. 

As a patron for women in business, she is also the CEO and Founder of the Sharks In Heels^® Series. Sharks in Heels^®, Inc. is an informative social networking organization geared towards connecting, educating, and training women on becoming the future generation of successful women entrepreneurs. Each year the organization puts on four educational workshops and a business panel discussion. Mishty and her organization have been featured on Startup Dallas, Voyage Dallas, Fox 4 Good Day, and the Dallas Business Journal. Mishty has conducted training sessions for junior attorneys, CLE classes for colleagues, and mentored owners at many events including Dallas Start-Up Week's Women's Edition, Cookies and Content at the Grove, Women's Tech Co., and Dallas Bloggers' Collective. In her spare time, Mishty loves to travel the world and believes that diversity and a global world view are the keys to understanding her clients' needs and connecting with others. Mishty will discuss the understanding aspects of the importance of neutrality and biases as it relates to Male Paralegals versus Female Paralegals. She will discuss different types of bias, and preparation of strategies to counteract bias, solutions when those strategies don't work.

MELODY JOHNSON, CP

DAPA PRESIDENT

Melody Johnson is a Senior Paralegal with CRAIN BROGDON, LLP in Dallas, Texas. She is a Certified Paralegal with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).  Melody is the current President of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association (DAPA) in
Dallas Texas. She is President-Elect for the Dallas Area Paralegal Association; Education Vice President for the Dallas Area Paralegal Association; and Medical/Personal Injury Section Chair for the Dallas Area Paralegal Association; She is a Member of State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division (TAPS); Member of National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board of Advisors; Member of Paralegal Resources. Previous Chair for Annual Meeting Committee for TAPS; and Previous Membership Director of the JLTurner Legal Association-Paralegal Section. In Melody’s spare time, she enjoys working in her herbal garden, baking, entertaining, decorating, trying new recipes and her Pilates classes. She enjoys going to various art festivals throughout the United States with her daughter and granddaughter (the 3Gs), and traveling to far and away places with husband, friends, children, and grandchildren, and last by not least loving on her big baby Bernedoodle, whose name is T’challa.

Linkedin: http://bit.ly/Linkedin_melodyjohnsoncp

Free to DAPA Members

$10 to Non DAPA Members

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This event qualifies for one (1) hour of General CLE credit through DAPA.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Melody Johnson, CP at president@dallasparalegals.org.