Jo Barrett
Receives 2005 McCormac Award
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 Jo Barrett, P'73, left, and Donna Schoebel, director of Paralegal Programs |
Jo Barrett, a paralegal at Baker & Hostetler LLP, was honored with the third annual John W. McCormac Award for Outstanding Service to the Paralegal Profession. The ceremony was held at the Columbus Bar Association on December 15, 2005. Project Lawyers sponsored the award, which was presented jointly by Project Lawyers, Capital University Law School and the Columbus Bar Association.
Speakers at the ceremony included Sally W. Bloomfield, president of the Columbus Bar Association, Jack A. Guttenberg, dean of Capital University Law School, Jay Canowitz of Project Lawyers, Richard Pickett and Jamie Barrett, Jo Barrett’s granddaughter.
Barrett began her career in 1968 as a legal secretary at the firm of Bricker & Eckler. In 1972 she was interviewed by John McCormac and admitted into the initial class of the Capital University Law Center Legal Assistant Program. She graduated with that first class in 1973. She continued her career as a probate paralegal at Bricker & Eckler until 1990 when she became one of the first paralegals to freelance in the Columbus community. She continued her freelance business until 2003 when she accepted a position as probate paralegal at Baker & Hostetler where she continues to practice today.
Barrett was one of the six founders of the first paralegal professional
organization in Columbus, Ohio — the Legal Assistants of Central
Ohio. She served that organization as president, secretary, advisory board
member, and was also a member of numerous committees. She received their
Outstanding Member Award in 1990 and again in 1996. Barrett also served
on the Capital University Law Center Legal Assistant Board of Advisors
from 1984 to 1991 and was instrumental in assisting the program in achieving
the status of American Bar Association Approval and Columbus Bar Association
endorsement, endorsements which continue today at the Capital University
Law School Paralegal Program.
The award, named in honor of John W. McCormac, the founder of Capital
University Law School’s paralegal program in 1972, is based on the
length of involvement in the paralegal profession, support of paralegal
education, efforts to promote the profession and services to the legal
community and professional organizations.
The McCormac award is an annual event. Nominations are currently being
accepted for the 2006 McCormac award. Contact Donna
Schoebel for more information about making a nomination.
[ View more about the Paralegal Program
at Capital University Law School ]
