| 2026 Annual Convention |
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JOIN US IN BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA, FOR THE NFPA 2026 ANNUAL CONVENTION EARN UP TO 11.0 CLEs - REGISTER TODAY! Resilience: Empowering Paralegals Nationwide The NFPA Annual Convention is the premier event for paralegal professionals provides attendees an opportunity to attend a wide variety of Continuing Legal Education sessions, participate in region meetings, and network with fellow paralegals & industry vendors from across the country. A statement from NFPA on the current situation in Minneapolis and Bloomington, MN: NFPA recognizes events earlier this year in Minneapolis and surrounding communities were challenging, and we remain encouraged by the strong sense of community and resilience demonstrated throughout the region. Today, conditions have stabilized, and Minneapolis and Bloomington, MN, continue to operate normally. These areas regularly hosts meetings, events, and daily business activities without disruption. Full Statement from NFPA REGISTRATION
Registration includes access to:
REGISTRATION RATES Early-Bird Rates End Aug. 11
The early bird deadline is August 11, 2026. All rates go up by $35 following that date. AGENDA**Speakers, topics, and times are subject to change Click the drop-down menu below to view the Schedule-At-A-Glance categorized by each day.
7:30 - 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast 8:00 - 8:20 AM Welcome 8:30 - 9:30 AM Education Session #1 Beyond The Draft: Engineering File-Ready Motions Through Strategic Collaboration (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Molly Gulbrandson, Founder and Senior Paralegal, ParaOne Legal Services, LLC; Jeffrey Justman, Attorney, Faegre Drinker --- A Litigator's Playbook (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Evan Nelson, Attorney, Maslon LLP --- Evolving Legal Practice In An Age of AI – An Inhouse Perspective (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Yen Florczak, Attorney, 3M Company 9:30 - 10:00 AM Networking Break with Exhibitors 10:00 - 11:00 AM Education Session #2 The Role Of The Paralegal In IP And Brand Protection, Including The Art Of Becoming Trademarkable (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Cheryl Hodgson, Attorney, Remarkable Legal --- Reimagining The Practice Of Law: The Paralegal's Rising Role In A Deregulated Era (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Eric Voogt, Founder and Executive Chair, Proof --- Access To Justice: The Paralegal's Role In Equity (1.0 DEI CLE) Presented By: NFPA DEI Committee - Jennifer Echikson; Elizabeth Dear; Kay Palacios; Patrice Givens
11:00 - 11:30 AM 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 PM Keynote Session The Evolving Attorney-Paralegal Relationship: Past, Present, and Future (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Kevin Rhodes, Attorney, 3M Company 1:00 - 1:30 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors 1:30 - 2:30 PM Education Session #3 Governance Isn't A Document, It's A System (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Tracy Salwei, Paralegal --- Post-Death Representation Of Fiduciaries – Who Is Your Client? (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Angela M. Gonzalez, Gonzalez, SBWCP, Paralegal, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C. --- An Ethical Dilemma: How Legal Practitioners And Community Justice Workers Avoid The Unauthorized Practice Of Law (1.0 Ethics CLE) Presented By: NFPA Advocacy Committee - Brenda Cothary; Beth Bialis, RP; Donnie Shedd; Christine Flynn; Angie Vohsing 2:30 - 3:00 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors 3:00 - 4:00 PM Education Session #4 Succeeding At Trial (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Theda Yandell, RP, Paralegal --- Wounds From The Workplace: The Role Of A Compassionate And Trauma-Informed Paralegal In Employment Law (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Kristen Comstock, JD --- AI Is Changing Legal Work - Here How Paralegals Can Stay Ahead And Work Smarter (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Tony Sipp, Professor, College of the Canyons; Nikki Mehrpoo, Esq., IgovernAI
4:15 - 5:00 PM Workshop Mindset In A High Stress Environment Presented By: Tony Prakash, Senior Litigation Paralegal, Estavillo Law Group
5:15 - 6:00 PM NFPA Board Meeting 6:15 - 7:30 PM Networking Reception with Exhibitors 7:30 - 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast 8:00 - 8:20 AM Welcome 8:30 - 9:30 AM Education Session #1 A Day At Trial For The Paralegal (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Lucinda Miller, Principal and Paralegal, LKM Litigation Solutions, LLC --- Why Mobile Data Is The Legal Evidence (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Shawn Huston, Co-Owner, LSP Data Solutions LLC --- Algorithmic Bias: The Paralegal’s Role in Ethical AI Auditing (1.0 Ethics CLE) Presented By: June Hunter, Technical Enablement Lead, CS Disco; Tony Sipp, Professor, College of the Canyons 9:30 - 10:00 AM Networking Break with Exhibitors 10:00 - 11:00 AM Education Session #2 Will Power: The Strength Of Legacy Plans (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Scott Ruhsam, Attorney, Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices PA --- From Overwhelmed To Efficient: How Paralegals Can Use AI (Copilot, ChatGPT & Claude) The Right Way (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Bathsheba Francis, Paralegal III, City of Atlanta Effectively Utilizing The Paralegal In Estate And Trust Administration (1.0 Ethics CLE) Presented By: Donald Bristol, RP, Paralegal, MacElree Harvey, Ltd.; Carolina Heinle, Attorney, MacElree Harvey, Ltd
11:00 - 11:30 AM 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 PM Keynote Session The Minnesota Legal Paraprofessional Program (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Associate Justice Paul Thissen, Minnesota Supreme Court 1:00 - 1:30 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors 1:30 - 2:30 PM Education Session #3 Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals: Decoding Tax Dischargeability Requirements (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Julianne Di Benedetto, Executive Law Office Administrator/Senior Supervising Paralegal, Thinking Outside the Box Law, Inc. --- Leveraging Legal AI - The Future Is Here (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Kelley Chaney, Senior eDiscovery Paralegal, Ballard Spahr --- Ethics Without Borders: Professional Responsibility For Virtual & Traveling Paralegals (1.0 Ethics CLE) Presented By: Corrin Swintosky, Owner and Freelance Paralegal, Lucid Legal Support 2:30 - 3:00 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors 3:00 - 4:00 PM Education Session #4 ADR 101: What Every Paralegal Needs To Know (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Kristi Paulson, Founder and Attorney, PowerHouse Mediation --- Navigating Mental Health Law: Legal Framework, Patient Rights and Ethical Consideration (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Brenda Cothary, Paralegal, Coordinated Care --- Building A Resilient Career As A Paralegal From Underrepresented Backgrounds (1.0 DEI CLE) Presented By: NFPA DEI Committee - Jennifer Echikson; Elizabeth Dear; Kay Palacios; Patrice Givens
4:00 - 4:15 PM Break 4:15 - 5:00 PM Workshop Secondary Trauma In Legal Practice Presented By: Sarah MacGillis, Outreach Director and Attorney, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
7:00 - 9:00 PM Friday Night Social Event Featuring The Reasonable Doubts Band* | Location: Conference Hotel - DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport *Event is an Extra Charge 7:30 - 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast 8:30 - 10:00 AM State of Federation & Awards 10:00 - 10:30 AM Break 10:30 - 11:45 AM Region Meetings 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch & Keynote Session The Rise Of The Paralegal: Redefining Value, Power, And What’s Now Possible (1.0 CLE) Presented By: Jaclyn Foster, Paralegal, Founder of The Paralegals in Business Society 1:15 - 5:00 PM Region Meetings 5:00 - 8:00 PM Region Dinners 8:00 - 10:00 PM Board Game Night
HOTEL INFORMATION
DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport
2020 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
--- Explore Bloomington, MN
The 2026 NFPA Convention will be held in Bloomington steps away from the Mall of America. The host hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport will be offering a complimentary shuttle to/from the Mall of America. SPONSORS & EXhibitorsMarket Your Products and Services to NFPA®’s 5,000+ Members by becoming an Annual Convention Sponsor and/or Exhibitor! Deadline to sign up as a Convention Sponsor and/or Exhibitor: August 20, 2026 View Convention Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Become a Convention Sponsor and/or Exhibitor
THANK YOU 2026 CONVENTION SPONSORS
Paralegal of the year Award Sponsor:
--- THANK YOU 2026 CONVENTION exhibitors Capitol Lien Records & Research
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