Smiles and tears might not have been on the agenda of the May meeting of the CLSA - Chattanooga Legal Professionals, but they nonetheless were present in ample numbers.
Formerly known as the Chattanooga Legal Secretaries Association, the 55-year-old CLSA exists to “unite into a local and national organization all persons employed in work of a legal nature, enabling ideas to be exchanged, knowledge to be increased, and friendships with others sharing an interest in the legal field to develop.” During the May 9 gathering, the local chapter of the CLSA inducted its officers for 2013-2014, announced its 2012 member of the year, and conferred a college scholarship to a deserving student, among other business.
One new member attended the meeting.
New officers include: Kim Chapman, president; Gail Spitler, secretary; Angela Wallace Gipson, treasurer; and Evia Betts, governor.
Member Angela Gipson announced Chapman, paralegal to Brent Burks and R. Lew Belvin III, as the association’s member of the year. “There’s simply no other choice. You always go above and beyond to do whatever needs to be done for this organization, and you have always exhibited stellar qualities and exemplified the standards every member of this organization should strive to attain,” Gipson read from Ginny Hogan’s nominating letter.
The CLSA also conferred a $300 scholarship to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior April Carrillo. The association established the scholarship to honor Margaret T. Quinn, a charter member of the organization who served the CLSA “until recently,” said Chapman.
In the essay Carrillo submitted with her application, she wrote, “Before I embarked on my higher education, I knew my working class parents would, at best, only be able to aid me on an inconsistent basis. With this knowledge, I worked hard to acquire scholarships, and have disciplined myself to never spend unwisely.
“My freshman year, I watched many classmates spend their education dollars on big screen televisions or wardrobes, but I chose to pinch every penny for monthly bills and potential emergencies. I swore to never waste this opportunity I’ve been given, and I haven’t. I’ve learned how to sew to make my clothes last longer, to make a homemade dinner for less than three dollars, and to jumpstart my own car battery.”
When Carrillo received the check, she smiled and said, “For books.”
As her father, Pablo, wiped tears from his eyes, her mother, Faith, said, “We’ve always encouraged April to work hard. High school was difficult for her, but she made it through, and now she’s the first person in our family to go to college. We really appreciate this.”
Carrillo is a criminal justice major at UTC. She hopes to attend the Vanderbilt School of Law.
The CLSA is taking new members. Benefits include legal education through seminars and workshops, contact with persons experienced in specialized lines of legal work and procedures, participation in civic and service projects, employment referral services, and more. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. To inquire about joining, contact Chapman at kimchapman@mcmahanlawfirm.com or 423-265-1100.