Congratulations to Julie D. Hunt

2006 Paralegal of the Year Recipient

Ms. Julie D. Hunt, CP, a paralegal at the law firm of Saladino, Oakes & Schaaf, PLLC, in Paducah, Kentucky, is the winner of the 2006 AAJ Paralegal of the Year Award. The award, sponsored by Thomson West, honors an AAJ paralegal affiliate who demonstrates commitment to the profession and dedication to AAJ's mission. Ms. Hunt will receive an all expenses paid trip to AAJ's 2006 Annual Convention in Seattle, Washington.

Ms. Hunt has been a paralegal since 1980, and has been at the firm of Saladino, Oakes & Schaaf, PLLC since 1982. She has been a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants since 1992, and was the Director on the board of the National Association of Legal Assistants from 1997 to 2000, where she represented the association at several speaking engagements and appearances in different states. Aside from being a member of AAJ and the Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Julie, along with three other paralegals, co-founded the Western Kentucky Paralegal Association where she served as one of its Presidents and remains an active member. In 2001, the Kentucky Paralegal Association awarded Ms. Hunt with its top honor by presenting her with the KPA Founder's Award. She has also published numerous articles in local, state, and national newsletter publications, and was involved in the publication of "Facts and Findings" published by the National Association of Legal Assistants' Continuing Education Counsel. Julie has been involved in training and mentoring paralegals through her participation in television programs, house training videos, and guides.

Along with all her accomplishments, Ms. Hunt has truly demonstrated her dedication to the clients she works for. Whether the case is large or small, Julie works with equal diligence and determination. She will go far beyond the call of duty when needed, trouble-shooting for clients and lawyers on all things case related, being the occasional wardrobe consultant to help clients look their best in court, and even making sure that a client's children received presents at Christmas through a local church. Julie has established an in-house benevolent fund through charity auctions, law-oriented scavenger hunts, and a snack store, where the proceeds are used to benefit the less fortunate. Attorney David V. Oakes, who nominated Ms. Hunt for the award, said: "Our community and our clients are both better off because of Julie's dedication."

Ms. Hunt is truly deserving of this award and we are pleased to have her as our 2006 AAJ Paralegal of the Year recipient.

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