NEWS

Highlights from
SCUPA's August Luncheon

Speakers:
Alan Fretwell,
Senior Asst. Solicitor
&
Special Guest

"An Introduction to the Criminal Justice System"​
​ 


For SCUPA's August luncheon, attendees were provided with a riveting presentation about the current state of the  the criminal justice system as it exists in State of South Carolina.  Mr. Fretwell started with a nuts-and-bolts description of the different courts in South Carolina, misconceptions about their jurisdictional realm and how they interact with each other.  He then proceeded to give us an insight into the Solicitor's office decision-making options at the onset of a case.

For the second half of his presentation, Mr. Fretwell introduced us to Greenville Police Lieutenant David Weiner who provided first-hand knowledge about investigation of an actual crime scene from the very beginning and how his skills affect decisions about successful prosecution of a case later. 

Mr. Fretwell and Lt. Weiner will be presenting the "end of the story" at SCUPA's 30th Annual Seminar for Legal Professionals in October - so register now!
​
SCUPA would like to thank Mr. Fretwell and Lieutenant Weiner for taking the time to speak at SCUPA's August luncheon and we look forward to their "deep dive" presentation at SCUPA's 30th Annual Seminar for Legal Professionals in October. 

Congressional Record recognizes
August 6th as 
National Paralegal Day

​     August 6th is now National Paralegal Day as now recognized in the Congressional Record.  This achievement was made possible through a collaborative effort by AAfPE, NALA, NALS, and NFPA. 
      Just as other professions are honored with a day of recognition, a National Paralegal Day will help provide a platform to thank paralegals for their tireless work and contributions to the legal field alongside their attorneys. It would also help to put into perspective what it means to be a paralegal and correct any misconceptions that may exist about paralegals being “glorified secretaries.”
      Many paralegals invest heavily
in their professional development and education and should, therefore, be honored with a day to celebrate their chosen career path.
        On August 6, 1968, the American Bar Association created the Special Committee on Lay Assistants. That committee is now the Standing Committee on Paralegals and is the ABA’s primary group focused on the utilization of paralegals throughout the legal industry. Because of its historical context, August 6th is the now National Paralegal Day.

- Reprinted from NALA website: 
​National Paralegal Day, August 6th – NALA 


SCUPA's 2024​
​Paralegal of the Year:

​Lorena Anderson
 

You may know her as the VP of Programs who recruits top-notch speakers for the monthly SCUPA luncheons.   You may know her through her diligent and dedicated volunteerism with the SCUPA Pro Bono Committee.  You may have worked with her on the Seminar Committee.  You may have interacted with her professionally in her role as a seasoned insurance defense paralegal at McAngus Goudelock & Courie, or, you may know her as a kind and supportive friend.  Lorena Anderson simply does it all.

Lorena is such a hard-working, dedicated and passionate individual, she was the clear choice for SCUPA's 2024 paralegal of the year.  

This lady put her hand up and volunteered any time there was a need, no matter how busy her schedule was.  In addition to her role as speaker recruiter and Vice President of Programs on the SCUPA Board, she helped lead the effort to enhance SCUPA's pro bono programs which were in need of an uplift.  On a state-wide level, she is the chair for the South Carolina Bar Paralegal Seminar.  She actively participated in almost every SCUPA social and educational outreach event.  She is a person with a big heart and true grit who is well deserving of this recognition. 

Pro Bono Project
​for June 2026

     For its Pro Bono project for the month of June 2026, SCUPA held a book drive for the Greenville Literacy Association's annual Really Good, Really Big, Really Cheap Book Sale.  SCUPA not only surpassed last year's donation total but we DOUBLED it - SCUPA collected over 200 books this year for donation!  This Greenville Literacy Volunteer, for one, expressed many thanks for SCUPA's donation even though he got stuck unloading all these books from the car.....  
A very special thank you goes out to the PRO BONO COMMITTEE for their diligence, time and promotion on this project.

Want to be involved?  Click "Learn More" under Committees on SCUPA's Home Page for information about serving on the Pro Bono Committee.

​October is

SCUPA
​ ​
​Seminar  Month

When:    Friday, October 16, 2026
​                 at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where:   KROC Center
                424 Westfield Street  
                Greenville, SC

​Check out the Agenda here: 2026 Agenda

Get your Attendee Registration Packet here:
2026 Attendee Registration Packet



To Join us for our monthly luncheons:

RSVP to [email protected]
​Please write "SCUPA RSVP" in the subject line & include menu choice - thank you!​​ 
​
SCUPA's Lunch and Learns are ​held on the second Thursday of each month at the AVENUE in Greenville. 
​(*No lunch in October or December*)
​
Monthly luncheons feature presentations
by an array of speakers ​in the legal field
and most qualify for NALA and SCCP CLE credit. 

SCUPA's  Paralegal
of ​​the Year Award 

This award is given each year to a member of SCUPA who has gone above and beyond.  Candidates are chosen not only because they are active in SCUPA, but also because they stand out in the legal community by performing their work in an exemplary manner with dedication, hard work and professionalism.
2025 Wendy MacDonald, CP, SCCP
2024 Lorena Anderson, CP, SCCP
​2023  Jennifer Little, CP, SCCP
​2022  Sarah Duggan,   CP
​2021   Patsy N. Ahearn
2020 Tatyana Brannon, CP
2019  MaryGrace Godfrey, CP
2018 Tasha Dillard, CP 
2017 Paula Allamong, CP

NALA AWARDS:

​AFFILIATES AWARD
2025 - Dorothy Huskey, CP, SCCP
​2024 - Wendy MacDonald, CP, SCCP
2023 - Lorena Anderson, CP, SCCP
​​2021 - Tasha Dillard, CP
2020 - Jennifer Little, CP, SCCP
STUDENT OF THE YEAR
2021 - Sarah  Duggan