Past Presidents of AAfPE

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) has been led by visionary professionals since its inception. Below is a comprehensive list of past presidents who have guided our organization and advanced the field of paralegal education.

• Janet Kaiser (1982–1983)
• James W. H. McCord (1983–1984)
• Elizabeth Marmorston Horowitz (1984–1985)

  Elizabeth Marmorston Horowitz, founding director of the USC Law School paralegal program and a Juvenile Court mediator, died July 21, 2005, of cancer at age 72. Legendary for her compassion, generosity, and concern for the underprivileged, she conducted hearings in heart-rending abuse and neglect cases. She also served as a professor at the UCLA School of Social Welfare and as a clinical professor of law at USC.

• Michael Pener (1985–1986)
• David A. Dye (1986–1987)
• Therese A. Cannon (1987–1988)
• Michael Fitch (1988–1989)
• Sharrie Hildebrandt (1989–1990)
• Jill E. Martin (1990–1991)
• Thomas Eimermann (1991–1992)
• Susan M. Sullivan (1992–1993)
• Judy A. Gibbs (1993–1994)
• Ann Yarbro McCoin (1994–1995)
• Diane Petropulos (1995–1996)
• Bernard G. Helldorfer (1996–1997)

  BERNARD G. HELLDORFER of Maspeth, after a valiant struggle with cancer, died on Thursday, December 15, at the age of 61. He was the beloved husband of Linda (Sturm) Helldorfer, born August 4, 1955 to Lillian and Bernard Helldorfer.

  He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in accounting from St. John's University College of Business in 1977, and earned a J.D. from St. John's University School of Law in 1980.

  Following law school, he served as in-house counsel for Mobil Oil Corporation until 1983, then joined St. John's College of Professional Studies as the first chair of the Division of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. He co-founded the Mock Trial Team with Oscar Holt, leading them to 21 national finals appearances and a #2 national finish in 2000.

  Bernie maintained a private practice in Maspeth, specializing in elder law, trusts and estates, and real property. He was admitted to the federal district court and U.S. Supreme Court bar, as well as the bars of New York, Pennsylvania, and Montana.

  In 1996, Bernie's nomination by a Mock Trial team member led to his selection as one of the Torchbearers of the Olympic Flame.

• Anita Tebbe (1997–1998)
• Clark G. Moscrip (1998–1999)
• Paul D. Guymon (1999–2000)
• Kathryn L. Myers (2000–2001)
• Robert J. LeClair (2001–2002)
• Joan Fraczek Spadoni (2002–2003)
• Diane Pevar (2003–2004)
• Ronald C. Goldfarb (2004–2005)

Director, The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program

He had been accepted into the Master’s Degree program in economics at the New School for Social Research when a cousin described his first year in law school. The experience sounded far more engaging than the so-called “dismal science,” so he shifted course, prepared for the LSAT, and was admitted to several law schools. He chose the one he could afford—$1,200 a year in 1971—and thoroughly enjoyed his time there, especially as a member of the National Moot Court Team. About fifteen years later, somewhat weary from practicing law, he responded to an advertisement for a business law adjunct at a local community college. After teaching his very first evening class, he told his law partner that he had discovered what he wanted to do for the next three decades.

As a sole practitioner, he continued to practice law while teaching anywhere he was given the opportunity. He became a regular adjunct at Middlesex County College in Edison, New Jersey, and immersed himself in as many campus activities as possible. That commitment paid off in 1995 when he was appointed chair of the Accounting and Legal Studies Department and, later, promoted to Dean of the Division of Business, Computer Science, and Engineering Technologies. Throughout this time, he remained dedicated to teaching—primarily paralegal courses—and in 1996 he became involved with AAfPE, a turning point in his career. Becoming part of a community of likeminded professionals who readily shared their expertise helped him grow into a stronger educator. He, in turn, passed on much of what he learned to both adjunct and full-time faculty. By 1999, he had joined the AAfPE Board and, six years later, ran for President-Elect—a decision sparked by a late-night conversation with colleagues at the St. Louis annual meeting. Among those at the table were Bob LeClair, Bill Mulkeen, Bur Sienkiewicz, and, humorously, “a fellow named Jack Daniels.”

He served as president during the 2005 annual meeting in Tampa, an event memorable for being cut short by an approaching hurricane. In the days before smartphones, hundreds of attendees scrambled to make travel arrangements. Though the storm proved less severe than feared, those who remained enjoyed an unexpectedly memorable gathering. That same year, he became Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost) and later Vice President for Legal and External Affairs, focusing heavily on institutional and program accreditation. His service on the ABA Approval Commission provided valuable insight for those responsibilities. After retiring in 2016, he spent five years consulting in the field of accreditation before turning his attention to family and international travel. Looking back, it has been, in his words, “not a bad life for a kid from Brooklyn.”

• William J. Mulkeen (2005–2006)
• Hedi Nasheri (2006–2007)
• Marisa Campbell (2007–2008)
• Carolyn Smoot (2008–2009)
• Nancy Caine Harbour (2009–2010)
• Mary Carol Parker (2010–2011)
• Scott Hauert (2011–2012)

Scott A. Hauert is President of the American Association for Paralegal Education and the Director of Legal Studies at Phoenix College, the largest ABA-approved Paralegal Studies program in Arizona. The program serves 400 students per semester and offers both an associate degree and a post-degree certificate.

Mr. Hauert previously served as President of the Phoenix College Faculty Senate, Chair of the college Technology Committee, and currently co-chairs the Budget Committee. In December 2008, he and faculty opened the e-Court at Phoenix College’s Downtown Campus—a full-sized, fully-functional courtroom with the latest technology to train paralegals and litigation team members.

He holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from University of Dayton School of Law; an M.B.A. from University of New Mexico; and a B.S. in Computer Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Before Phoenix College, he served as a Deputy Maricopa County Attorney and a Judicial Clerk to the Supreme Court of Arizona and the Arizona Court of Appeals.

From 2005 to 2008, he served on the ABA’s Standing Committee on Paralegals Approval Commission, leading site visits for ABA-approval. From 2004 to 2008, he served on the Board of Directors of the Maricopa County Bar Association Paralegal Division, and from 2001 to 2004 on the State Bar President’s Task Force on Paralegal Membership.

• Loretta Calvert (2012–2013)
• Steve Dayton (2013–2014)
• Patricia Lyons (2014–2015)
• Robert Mongue (2015–2016)
• Julia Dunlap (2016–2017)
• Kye Haymore (2017–2018)
• Bruce Davis (2018–2019)

Bruce Davis, former Professor of Paralegal Studies at the University of Cincinnati, is widely recognized for his dedication to advancing legal education and mentoring future paralegals. Throughout his career, he inspired students with his engaging teaching style, practical insights, and commitment to academic excellence. In addition to his work in the classroom, Bruce served as President of the American Association for Paralegal Education, where he contributed to strengthening the organization’s resources and fostering collaboration among educators. His lasting impact is reflected in the many students and colleagues who benefited from his guidance, leadership, and passion for the profession.

• Debra Geiger (2019–2020)
• Toni Marsh (2022–2023)

Director, The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program

Toni Marsh is the founding director of the George Washington University paralegal studies program and an associate professor of Paralegal Studies and Constitutional Law. Professor Marsh’s research focuses on increasing access to justice by expanding paralegals’ roles, unauthorized practice of law, paralegal licensing, and tribal paralegal models. She designed and launched the paralegal programs at George Washington University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of Bagamoyo in Tanzania. She is a member of the DC Courts Civil Legal Reform Task Force and chair of its Scope and Qualifications committee.

As the COVID President, she faced many unique challenges. Perhaps the greatest of these arose early in the pandemic, before universal shutdowns were in place, when she and her team had to determine whether to convene the conference in person or transition to a virtual format. Although the substantive content of the program was critically important, the chance to forge and renew professional connections—reuniting with colleagues and friends who gather only once a year—proved invaluable. Navigating that decision under unprecedented circumstances tested both her leadership and the organization’s resilience.

• Page Beetem (2024–2025)
• Chris Simcox (2025–2026)