Tribute to Andrea Lupanze, R.P.
FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF
THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION
In Memoriam
Andrea Lupanze, RP
Passed away June 25, 2007
Awarded the 2007
William R. Robie Leadership Award - NFPA’s Highest Honor
The Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession (FAPP) wishes to extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Andrea Lupanze, RP. Andrea served as NFPA’s first coordinator to FAPP and served in that position until July 2007. Andrea was passionate about NFPA, PACE, and FAPP.
Memorial contributions to FAPP in the name Andrea Lupanze, RP may be sent to FAPP, c/o Kathleen K. Miller, RP, P.O. Box 5, Reedsport, OR 97467. Contributions may not be tax deductible. Donors should obtain the advice of a tax consultant.
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National Capital Area Paralegal Association
Contact: Peggie Gaskamp Beaudoin FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Email: director02@ncapa.com October 1, 2007
NCAPA ANNOUNCES CREATION OF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
A Tribute to the Professional Excellence & Personal Integrity of Andrea Lupanze
Washington, D.C. -- The National Capital Area Paralegal Association (NCAPA) has established the Andrea Lupanze PACE Memorial Scholarship to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Andrea Lupanze who passed away unexpectedly of a preexisting heart condition on June 25, 2007.
Ms. Lupanze served on the Board of Directors of NCAPA from 1999 to 2004 and held the office of President for four terms. In addition to her contribution to NCAPA, she was active in the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession. “Because Andrea was a strong advocate for the paralegal professional, and worked tirelessly to encourage other paralegals to join the RP ranks, NCAPA wanted to create a legacy that would embody her dedication and spirit,” said Raymond Marbury, President of NCAPA. Ms. Lupanze received her Registered Paralegal (RP) designation on July 8, 2002, upon passing the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE).
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a member of NCAPA who meets the requirements for PACE, and demonstrates the professional excellence and personal integrity of Ms. Lupanze. This year’s scholarship will be presented on November 5, 2007, at NCAPA’s Annual Meeting of the Members and Dinner to be held at the National Press Club.
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, who employed Ms. Lupanze as a paralegal since 2004 in both their Washington D.C. and San Francisco offices, has agreed to sponsor this year’s scholarship. The $800 scholarship is a one-time award to cover the cost of PACE registration, exam fee, candidate’s handbook, study manual, online practice exam, and online review course.
"Andrea contributed a lot to Gibson Dunn with her special skills, enthusiasm, excellent
performance, and especially the warmth of her personality" said Fred Brown, Partner in Charge of Gibson Dunn's San Francisco office. "We want to honor her dedication and commitment to the paralegal profession." The announcement of the scholarship comes as NCAPA begins its Paralegal Week celebration.
NCAPA members interested in applying for the scholarship can obtain the application online at the association’s website. The deadline for submission is October 24, 2007.-----
(Originally told in Legal Assistant Today)A Beautiful Life
Paralegal Andrea Lupanze leaves behind legacy of professionalism and honor.
The life of Andrea Lupanze, RP, was too short but she left behind a legacy. On June 25, Andrea passed away suddenly from a preexisting heart condition, and her death came as a shock to everyone who knew and loved her. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a colleague. As a professional, Andrea was a paralegal at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in San Francisco, a past president of the National Capital Area Paralegal Association in Washington, D.C., and a 2004 Paralegal of the Year Runner-Up for Legal Assistant Today (see “Paralegal of the Year,” September/October 2004 LAT).
Those who remember Andrea remember her smile, her laugh and her energy. “She was the most dynamic, energetic, enthusiastic person I have ever met,” said Ann Price, RP, vice president and director of the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, and the individual who nominated Andrea for the Paralegal of the Year award in 2004. “She had an absolute passion for the paralegal profession. Andrea embodied it right up to the end.” Although over the course of her life she had two open heart surgeries, that didn’t keep her from doing what she loved. “She was something else and she lived her life full,” said Judy Luppens, Andrea’s mother. “She loved life, she loved the arts, ballet, travel, good food and good wine.”
Andrea started working as a paralegal at Beveridge & Diamond in Washington, D.C., in 1999. In August 2004, she began working at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in Washington, D.C., but relocated to its San Francisco office in May 2006.
On June 22, a little more than a year after Andrea relocated to her native Bay Area and three days before her death, she was a guest speaker for Paralegal Day in San Francisco where she spoke on legal writing and effective ways to avoid litigation. When Newman asked her to be a guest speaker, Andrea didn’t ask what the topic was because she was so honored to be asked to speak.
In a letter to Andrea’s mother following her death, her supervising attorney, Gary Spratling, expressed his sorrow at the loss of such a dedicated individual. “I have been a lawyer for 35 years, including 28 years at the U.S. Department of Justice where I supervised the Honors Paralegal Program. In all those years, I never saw a better paralegal than Andrea.”
© 2003-2005 Washington State Paralegal Association.