Fran Novak, FRP, PP, PLS, CL§

Fran Novak has been with Chesser & Barr for almost 25 years, working for Harry Barr for 23 of those years. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit and attended Detroit College of Law for two and a half years prior to living in Europe. Ms. Novak received her PLS (Professional Legal Secretary) certification in 1993 from the National Association of Legal Secretaries. She was certified by Legal Secretaries International as a CL§ (Certified Legal Secretary Specialist) in 2005 for her knowledge of federal court rules and procedures. She received her PP (Professional Paralegal) certification in 2005. Fran has also received certification as a Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP).

Ms. Novak received the Liberty Bell Award in 2006 from the Okaloosa Walton Bar Association for her contributions and outstanding service. This award is given during Law Day to a non-lawyer who has given of his or her time and energy to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of freedom under law, in keeping with the spirit of our Constitution. Fran was the first non-judge or non-politician to receive this award. In 2002, she was named Florida Legal Support Specialist of the Year for the State of Florida.

Fran is active in the Okaloosa Walton Legal Support Association, the Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists, Legal Secretaries International, Gold Star Wives of America and the Retired Military Fire Chief’s Group. She was an officer in the Choctaw Booster Club and fundraiser for Project Graduation while her daughter was in high school. She attends St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Eglin Air Force Base.

Johnna A. Phillips, CP, FRP

Johnna A. Phillips, CP, FRP is a certified paralegal with 20 years experience in the areas of bankruptcy, business/corporate law, and general civil litigation. Alumni of Florida State University, Ms. Phillips worked for several years in the area of pension administration/financial planning before returning to college to pursue a degree in paralegal studies at Tallahassee Community College graduating with high honors.

She attained her Certified Paralegal designation in 1994, her Florida Registered Paralegal designation in 2008, and was an adjunct instructor to paralegal students at Tallahassee Community College from 1994-2000. She is a current member of TCC's Academic Advisory Board for Technical and Professional Programs, and a former Academic Advisor to Keiser College. She is a frequent lecturer to paralegal students and practicing paralegals, and has published articles on commercial collection and bankruptcy procedures. She was the President of the Big Bend Paralegal Association (1995-1997); President of the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. (2004-2007), and was appointed in 2006 by the President of The Florida Bar to the Bar’s Special Committee to Study Paralegal Regulation.