HISTORY

of the IDAHO ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, INC.

Established in 1980, the Idaho Association of Paralegals, Inc. is an organization formed to promote the paralegal profession by:

Encouraging a high order of ethical attainment among its members;
Facilitating networking opportunities among its members;
Sponsoring continuing legal education in a variety of formats;
Promoting goodwill and cooperation with local bar associations;
Networking with regional and national paralegal associations on professional issues;
Addressing statewide issues through membership in the Idaho Alliance of Paralegal Associations

Adoption of the Definition of a Paralegal

In 1994, the Association worked successfully with the Idaho State Bar Association in adopting the American Bar Association’s definition of a paralegal and model utilization guidelines. The ABA defines a paralegal as:

A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Relationship with the Idaho State Bar

A considerable amount of time was spent in working with the Idaho State Bar to explore various ideas regarding paralegal participation in the Bar Association. The Association looked into affiliate membership and creation of a paralegal section of the Bar. A task force to explore these options was formed and met regularly for several years. In the end, the Association learned a lot about what it needed to do as paralegal professionals to get the validation from the legal community that it was seeking. That is when the Association finalized the six-point membership criteria, as well as established the requirement for CLE credits for its members. Through these efforts, the Association established IAP as an association of highly trained and educated professionals who would be recognized as such by the attorneys with whom members worked.

This dialogue also fostered a great working relationship with the Bar when the Association proposed that they adopt the ABA definition and utilization guidelines for working with paralegals. Most members are unaware that task force members were able to participate in the Bar’s annual “Roadshow,” held each year for revisions to the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct, in the Association’s endeavor to convince the Bar that the ABA’s utilization guidelines for working with paralegals would be appropriately placed within the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct. Task force members attended the Roadshows in Boise, and in eastern and northern Idaho, to speak in favor of adoption of the Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Legal Assistant Services. Those adopted guidelines can be viewed on the Bar website at http://www2.state.id.us/isb/rules/irpc.htm.

Affiliation with National Association of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA®)

Exciting News: Idaho Association of Paralegals Joins NFPA!

As of July 2025, the Idaho Association of Paralegals is officially affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) — a milestone that opens new doors for our members!

This affiliation offers Idaho paralegals a unique opportunity to connect not only with a vibrant local community, but also with a dynamic national network of professionals. Members will now have access to expanded resources, professional development opportunities, and a stronger collective voice in the paralegal profession.

Together, we’re stronger — locally and nationally.

Six-point Membership Criteria

In the early years, IAP worked with very broad membership criteria, which served the Association well when it was new and needed to grow. The profession was still relatively new in Idaho and so the early criteria were quite general. Then, with the advent of schools offering paralegal education, and those graduates coming to Idaho, the Association recognized that the profession was moving toward a more educated population. As a result, it was necessary for the Association to tailor its criteria to reflect the educational accomplishments of paralegals throughout the state. It was a difficult, controversial, and risky move, however, the Association recognized that education was going to be the key to the paralegal profession and wanted to be an association for those individuals who had pursued an education and were working as paralegals. Those personal qualifications would be necessary to be competitive in the market.

Student and Active-Status Pending Membership

IAP student membership was designed by the Association for a two-fold purpose: to provide a way to support paralegal students as they prepared to enter the profession; and to increase membership in the Association. The Board realized that the students would need the support that membership could provide through networking, newsletter and job bank, but also realized that paying full membership rates would likely be prohibitive to students. So a student membership with a lower dues rate was established. This was to be used for students enrolled in a paralegal program that was specifically tailored to meet the specific criteria as set forth in the IAP Bylaws. Not just for a person enrolled in single classes or taking any classes – but rather a student enrolled in a program to become a paralegal.

In order to transition that student to full-fledged membership, the active-status-pending status was created as a bridge from being a student to having the requisite experience level that would qualify an individual for full active status membership.

Job Bank

The Association’s Job Bank is a great resource for notifying IAP’s membership about available paralegal positions, but it evolved into an even greater asset to the local legal community. Periodically, the Job Bank had received requests from the legal community to post legal secretary or other non-paralegal position openings. In Article II of the IAP’s Bylaws, one of the objectives and purposes of the Association is “[t]o promote cooperation, good will, and good fellowship between this Association and bar associations, paralegal educators, other national, regional and local paralegal associations, and members of the legal community.” Although the main thrust of the Job Bank was intended to disseminate information regarding paralegal position openings to the Association membership, the Board made a policy choice to post some other law-related openings as a benefit to, and in support of, the legal community. It was noted that the Idaho State Bar provided a similar service on its website, posting position announcements for attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, billing assistants, receptionists, runners, faculty, etc. Attorneys and firms who had contacted IAP’s Job Bank for assistance in this regard felt that paralegals in the local legal community were particularly well equipped to provide them with leads to qualified individuals and were grateful for Association’s assistance. The Board also determined to provide them with contact information for other entities that may be of assistance in publishing their announcements, such as the Boise Legal Secretaries Association (BLSA), the Association for Legal Professionals, and the Idaho State Bar. The Board would not solicit announcements for legal secretaries, legal administrative assistants, etc., and the bulk of Job Bank announcements would continue to be for paralegal positions.

IAP BOARD MEMBERSHIP HISTORY

2024-2025

President – Lisa Warren
VP Policy & Public Affairs –
VP Membership – Camille Brent
Treasurer – Christy Smith
Secretary – Kathleen Alonzo
National Affairs Rep – Sara Cousineau
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan

2023-2024

President – Connie Kelley
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Lif Lindeman
VP Membership – Camille Brent
Treasurer – Christy Smith
Secretary – Kathleen Alonzo
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan

2022-2023

President – Connie Kelley
VP Education – Kathleen Alonzo
Treasurer – Christy Smith
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan

2021-2022

President – Connie Kelley
VP Education – Kathleen Alonzo
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Tomas Elder
VP Membership – Michelle Coe
Treasurer – Christy Smith
Secretary – Sharmaine Hamilton
National Affairs Rep – Lisa Hoag

2020-2021

President – Connie Kelley
VP Education – Kathleen Alonzo
VP Policy & Public Affairs – David Rojas
VP Membership – Michelle Coe
Treasurer – Christy Smith
Secretary – Lisa Hoag
National Affairs Rep – April Marie Eggers

2019-2020

President – Keri Guiberson
VP Education – Patricia Paulin
VP Policy & Public Affairs – David Rojas
VP Membership – Connie Kelley
Treasurer – Christy Smith
Secretary – Lisa Hoag
National Affairs Rep – April Marie Eggers

2018-2019

President – Keri Guiberson
VP Education – Patricia Paulin
VP Policy & Public Affairs – David Rojas
VP Membership – Kimberle English
Treasurer – Christy Smith
Secretary – Lisa Hoag
National Affairs Rep – Heather Bennett

2017-2018

President – Chantel Elkins
VP Education – Keri Guiberson
VP Policy & Public Affairs – David Rojas
VP Membership – Audra Kerby, RP
Treasurer – Lesa D. Thomas
Secretary – Lisa Hoag
National Affairs Rep – Heather Bennett
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan

2016-2017

President – Chantel Elkins
VP Education – Connie Kelley
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Shannon Menard
VP Membership – Audra Kerby, RP
Treasurer – Lesa D. Thomas
Secretary – Kathryn A. Brandt
National Affairs Rep – Keri Guiberson
Board Advisor – Kimberly Schwisow
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan
Historian – Beth Rountree

2015-2016

President – Kathryn A. Brandt
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Shannon Menard
VP Membership – Audra Kerby, RP
VP Education – Chantel Elkins
Secretary – Sara Jane Gronberg
Treasurer – Lesa D. Thomas
National Affairs Rep – Keri Rowland
Board Advisor – Kimberly Schwisow
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan
Board Advisor & Historian – Beth Rountree

2014-2015

President – Kimberly Schwisow
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Shannon Menard
VP Membership – Kathryn A. Brandt
VP Education – Open
Secretary – Sara Jane Gronberg
Treasurer – Lesa D. Thomas
National Affairs Rep – Audra Kerby, RP
Board Advisor & Historian – Beth Rountree

2013-2014

President – Beth Rountree
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Shannon Menard
VP Membership – Lesa D. Thomas
VP Education – Kimberly Schwisow
Secretary – Lisa M. Warren
Treasurer – BryonAnn Green
National Affairs Rep – Kathryn Brandt
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan
Historian – Bernice Myles

2012-2013

President – Beth Rountree
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Shannon Menard
VP Membership – Lesa D. Thomas
VP Education – Kimberly Schwisow
Secretary – Lisa M. Warren
Treasurer – BryonAnn Green
National Affairs Rep – Sara Jane Gronberg
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan
Historian – Bernice Myles

2011-2012

President – Greg Bradford
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Colleen Kohler
VP Membership – Lesa Thomas
VP Education – Sara Gronberg
Secretary – Maryann Duncan
Treasurer – BryonAnn Green
National Affairs Rep – Kimberle English
Board Advisor – Bernice Myles
Historian – Bernice Myles

2010-2011

President – Kendra Fiscelli
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Colleen Kohler
VP Membership – Lisa Warren
VP Education – Greg Bradford
Secretary – Maryann Duncan
Treasurer – Kathryn Brandt
National Affairs Rep – Lisa Hoag
Board Advisor – Lauren Paul
Historian – Bernice Myles
Scholarship Committee Chair – Beth Rountree

2009-2010

President – Lauren Paul
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Kendra Raver
VP Membership – Lisa Warren
VP Education – Greg Bradford
Secretary – Annette Bottaro-Walklet
Treasurer – Kathryn Brandt
National Affairs Representative – Lisa Hoag
Board Advisor –

2008-2009

President – Lauren Paul
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Ramona Banjac
VP Membership – Lori Peel
VP Education – Renea Ridgeway
Secretary – Annette Bottaro-Walklet
Treasurer – Kathryn Brandt
National Affairs Rep – Maryann Duncan
Board Advisor – Bernice Myles

2007-2008

President – Lauren Paul
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Mary Beth Blair
VP Membership – Lori Peel
VP Education – Renea Ridgeway
Secretary – Annette Bottaro-Walklet
Treasurer – Pam Packard
National Affairs Representative – Toni Orth
Board Advisors – Maryann Duncan/Bernice Myles

2006-2007

President – Bernice Myles
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Mary Beth Blair
VP Membership – Lori Peel
VP Education – Lauren Paul
Secretary – Deb Taylor
Treasurer – Melody Whigam
National Affairs Representative – Kim Schwisow
Board Advisor – Maryann Duncan

2005-2006

President – Maryann Duncan
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Bernice Myles
VP Membership – Kathryn Brandt
VP Education – Kim Schwisow
Secretary – Deb Taylor
Treasurer – Melody Whigam
National Affairs Representative – Ellen Ozmon
Board Advisors – Linda Jones/Beth Rountree

2004-2005

President – Maryann Duncan
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Bernice Myles
VP Membership – Kathryn Brandt
VP Education – Bonnie Streufert
Secretary – Deb Taylor
Treasurer – Melody Whigam
National Affairs Representative – Ellen Ozmon
Board Advisors – Linda Jones/Beth Rountree

2003-2004

President – Maryann Duncan
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Kimberle English
VP Membership – Kathryn Brandt
VP Education – Bonnie Streufert
Secretary – Deb Taylor
Treasurer – Ellen Ozmon
National Affairs Representative – Kim Schwisow
Board Advisor – Beth Rountree

2002-2003

President – Beth Rountree
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Linda Jones
VP Membership – Kathryn Brandt
VP Education – Kim Schwisow
Secretary – Maryann Duncan
Treasurer – Ellen Ozmon
National Affairs Representative – Carrie Hagge
Board Advisor – Shannon Menard

2001-2002

President – Beth Rountree
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Pam Packard
VP Membership – Carrie Hagge
VP Education – Open
Secretary – Maryann Duncan
Treasurer – Kim Schwisow
National Affairs Representative – Barbara Feraci
Board Advisors – Joanne Kimey/Nancy Wood

2000-2001

President – Beth Rountree
VP Policy & Public Affairs – Shannon Menard
VP Membership – Carrie Hagge
VP Education – Cori Barrera
Secretary – Linda Jones
Treasurer – Kim Schwisow
National Affairs Representative – Barbara Feraci
Board Advisors – Joanne Kimey/Nancy Wood

1999-2000

President – Joanne Kimey
VP Policy & Administration – Shannon Menard
VP Membership & Communication – Donna Larue
VP Education – Cori Barrera
Secretary – Linda Jones
Treasurer – Becky Harvey
National Affairs Representative – Donna LaRue
Board Advisors – Nancy Schwend/Kellie Gilbert

1998-1999

President – Joanne Kimey
VP Policy & Administration – Barbara Feraci
VP Membership & Communication – Shannon Menard
VP Education – Beth Rountree
Secretary – Linda Jones
Treasurer – Becky Harvey
National Affairs Representative – Barbara Feraci
Board Advisors – Nancy Wood/Beth Rountree

1997-1998

President – Joanne Kimey
VP Policy & Administration – Barbara Feraci
VP Membership & Comm. – Beth Rountree
VP Education – Shannon Flower
Secretary – Nancy Schwend
Treasurer – Bernice Myles
Administrative Liaisons – Donna LaRue/ Penny Mustard
Board Advisor – Kellie Gilbert

1996-1997

President – Carol Liese
VP Policy & Administration – Shannon Flower
VP Membership & Communication – Beth Rountree
Secretary – Bernice Myles
Treasurer – Pam Raybourn
Administrative Liaisons – Donna LaRue/Sharon Strickland
Board Advisors – Todd Montgomery/Cheryl Myers

1995-1996

President – Penny Mustard
VP Membership & Communication – Melody Fielder
VP Education – Bernice Myles
VP Policy & Administration – Carol Liese
Secretary – Jeannie Baughman
Treasurer – Pam Raybourn
Administrative Liaisons – Sharon Knipe/ Susan Carlson
Board Advisors – Nancy Schwend/Todd Montgomery

1994-1995

President – Virginia Rayne
VP Membership & Comm. – Penny Mustard
VP Education – Janeen Sanchez
Secretary – Teresa Meeker
Treasurer – Todd Montgomery
Administrative Liaison – Sharon Knipe
Board Advisors – Nancy Schwend/Todd Montgomery

1993-1994

President – Virginia Rayne
VP Policy & Administration – Mary Harper
VP Education – Cheryl Myers
VP Membership & Communication – Ralph Blount
Secretary – Penny Mustard
Treasurer – Laurie LaFollette
Administrative Liaison – Jeanette Norris Green
Board Advisors – Nancy Schwend/Todd Montgomery
ILF CLE Committee – Nancy Schwend
ISB Task Force – Joanne Kimey
IALA CLE Committee – Chris Mohlman

1992-1993

President – Nancy Schwend
Vice President – Kecia Reynolds
Secretary – DeeAnn Transtrum
Treasurer – Todd Montgomery
NALA Liaison – Virginia Rayne
ISB Task Force – Joanne Kimey/Joyce Krahn/Judy Imlay
ILF CLE Committee – Sue Miller

1991-1992

President – Nancy Schwend
Vice President – Todd Montgomery
Secretary – Sue Miller
Treasurer – Hilary Lopez
NALA Liaison – Virginia Rayne

1990-1991

President – Joanne Kimey
Vice President – Frank Hitchcock/Susan Miller
Secretary – Nancy Schwend
Treasurer – Jean Rosenthal
NALA Liaison – Signa Treat/Penny Wilcox
Newsletter – Karen Drake/Dora Morley
Education Committee – Sue Miller/Penny Wilcox

1989-1990

1988-1989

President – Kellie Gilbert
Vice President – Joanne Kimey
Secretary – Kathie Brack
Treasurer – Heidi Moncrief
NALA Liaison – Judy Gallemore
Education – Nancy Schwend/Jean Rosenthal

1987-1988

President – Rosemary Wimberly
Vice President – Kellie Gilbert
Secretary – Joanne Kimey
Treasurer – Kathie Brack
NALA Liaison – Shirley Spratt
Bar Liaison – Becky Vaage
Parliamentarian – Carol Layne
Public Relations – Nancy Rafferty/Ruth Holtz
State Bar Pro Bono Program – Signa Treat
State Bar CLE Committee – John O’Hagan

1986-1987

President – Signa Treat
Vice President – Pat Smith/Ruth Holtz
Secretary – Margarita Santos
Treasurer – Rayleen Doss-Myers
NALA Liaison – Shirley Spratt
Bar Liaison – Rosemary Wimberly
Parliamentarian – John O’Hagan

1985-1986

President – Nancy Rafferty
Vice President – John O’Hagan
Secretary – Pat Smith
Treasurer – Margarita Santos
Public Relations – Rayleen Doss-Myers

1984-1985

President – Tanya Rossum
Vice President – Susan Sahlberg
Secretary – Wanda Tschirgi
Treasurer – Margarita Santos
NALA Liaison – Signa Treat

1983-1984

President – Cathy McMenamy
Vice President – Tanya Rossum
Secretary – Jeri Rose
Treasurer – Wanda Tschirgi
NALA Liaison – Signa Treat
Parliamentarian – Margarita Santos
Public Relations – Joyce Krahn/Vickie Jauregui

1982-1983

President – Joyce Krahn
Vice President – Cathy McMenamy
Secretary – Caroline Vogel
Treasurer – Tanya Rossum
NALA Liaison – Vickie Jauregui
Parliamentarian – Jeri Rose
Public Relations – Signa Treat

1981-1982

President – Vickie Kelley
Vice President – Sherry Pruett
Secretary – Caroline Vogel
Treasurer – David Ragan
NALA Liaison – Joan Maucione

1980-1981

President – Paula Stiegler
Vice President – Garianne Erwin
Secretary – Vickie Kelley
Treasurer – David Ragan
NALA Liaison – Caroline Vogel