Dallas Area Paralegal Association upcoming events

DAPA Presentation + Litigation CLE | Standard of Care (Thursday, July 23, 2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Melissa G. Thrailkill has been with the Law Offices of Brandy Voss, PLLC as Of Counsel in 2018 and Associate Attorney in 2019. Melissa began her legal career at Texas Riogrande Legal Aid in Edinburg, TX, where she served low-income families throughout the Rio Grande Valley in the areas of family law and family violence. Since then she has worked on climate change and the Endangered Species Act at the Center for Biological Diversity in San Francisco. Later, Melissa opened her own practice in 2012 in Dallas, Texas, where she served clients in a variety of legal fields, including family law, probate and guardianship, fiduciary litigation and civil appellate matters. Melissa has spent many years advocating for families in trials and mediations.

Melissa obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Texas, Austin. She obtained her JD in 2006 from the University of California-Berkeley, School of Law. She is licensed in Texas and California.

Melissa is currently the section chair for the State Bar of Texas Poverty Law Section. Prior to being elected chair, she served as the section’s secretary for two years. Additionally, she serves as chair of the Texas Entertainment and Sports Law Section. Prior to taking on that role, she served as that section’s treasurer for two years.

This event qualifies for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit through DAPA.

For additional questions regarding this event, please contact the Professional Development Director, Madeline Burr at pd@dallasparalegals.org.

Beyond The Briefs Series | Healthy Habits for Legal Professionals (Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

CALLING ALL STUDENTS PARALEGALS AND

SEASONED PARALEGALS!

Beyond the Briefs Series

Returns for 2026!

"Healthy Habits for Legal Professionals"

The legal field demands so much of us — focus, stamina, and the ability to stay grounded under pressure. This Beyond the Briefs session creates space to explore the habits that help legal professionals thrive, not just survive.

Join us for a supportive, conversation‑driven workshop where we’ll share practical strategies for building healthier routines, managing stress, and creating balance in a profession that rarely slows down. Walk away with simple, sustainable habits you can start using immediately to support your well‑being and your work.

***For additional questions regarding this event, please contact Programs Vice President, Madison Fitzgerald at programs@dallasparalegals.org. ***

***This event is not approved for CLE.***

DAPA Advanced Full-Day CLE Seminar (Friday, August 21, 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join DAPA at the Advanced Full-Day CLE Seminar!

Deadline for Early Bird savings is June 30, 2026!.

All registration closes August 5, 2026

Limited space is available. Don't delay! Register today!

When: Friday, August 21, 2026

Where: Arts District Mansion

2100 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201

Time:

Registration Check-in and Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

CLE Seminar: 9:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Until June 30, 2026

DAPA Members - $75

DAPA Student Members $55

Non-DAPA Members $85

Beginning July 1, 2026 - August 5, 2026

DAPA Members - $85

DAPA Student Members - $55

Non-DAPA Members - $95

Last day to register is August 5, 2026!

Speakers:

John Holden: Retired but formerly of Jackson Walker - Oil & Gas, The industry the world loves to hate!

Kenda Culpepper: Rockwall County DA - National crime trends that are grabbing the headlines!

Kathryn Flowers Samler: Goranson Bain Ausley - leveling up legal teamwork and dealing with conflicting personalities

Tanya Henderson: Dallas Bar Ethics Chair, Assistant General Counsel at Hilltop Holdings - ethics

Amy M. Stewart: Stewart Law Group - Social media and investigations before litigation

Chad Baruch: Tobey Baruch Law- legal writing

Event Highlights:

Breakfast and lunch buffet included with each ticket!

Garage parking!

Opportunities to win door prizes from our seminar sponsors!

Registrations are not available at the door.

All sales final. No cancellations. No exceptions!

This seminar qualifies for 6.0 hours of General CLE and 1.0 Hours of Ethics CLE credit through DAPA.

Pending Texas Board of Legal Specialization credit.

***For additional questions regarding this event, please contact Professional Development Director, Madeline Burr pd@dallasparalegals.org

SPONSORSHIP | DAPA Advanced Full-Day CLE Seminar (Friday, August 21, 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join DAPA at the Advanced Full-Day CLE Seminar!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Limited sponsorships are available. Don't delay! Register today!

Thank you for your support!

DAPA would not be successful without your support!

***For additional questions regarding this event, please contact Professional Development Director, Madeline Burr at pd@dallasparalegals.org and Sustaining Member Liaison Alexa Bussell at sustaining@dallasparalegals.org***

TAPS presented by the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

From State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division

TAPS 2026 Online registration is open!

September 30 - October 2, 2026 | San Antonio

JOIN US FOR THREE DAYS OF CLE, NETWORKING AND ENTERTAINMENT!

NETWORK WITH PARALEGALS FROM ACROSS THE STATE
EARN UP TO 13 HOURS OF CLE
EXPERIENCE CAREER ADVANCEMENT THROUGH EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
VISIT THE EXHIBIT HALL AND MEET TOP VENDORS IN THE LEGAL FIELD
WEDNESDAY WELCOME SOCIAL, THURSDAY NETWORKING SOCIAL, AND FRIDAY ANNUAL MEETING LUNCHEON

Go to: https://txpd.org/taps-home/ or click image below.

***Not a DAPA event***

EXPERIENCES | DAPA 50th Anniversary GALA (Saturday, December 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Limited sponsorships are available.

Don't delay! Register today!

Thank you for your support!

DAPA would not be successful without your support!

***For additional questions regarding these experiences, please contact President Christine Curtis at president@dallasparalegals.org.***