American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

Donna Hooper is a key part of the American Academy Technical Support Department. Donna’s role as Manager of the Academy’s Software Development and Training Program makes her responsible for planning all training sessions, preparing associated documentation, handling conference call training sessions, and conducting private law firm training sessions that support the Academy’s proprietary software. Donna is also responsible for management in the development of the Academy’s Proprietary Software, CounselPro. Donna provides support for Academy software, including CATS (the Academy database), DAP (the Academy Document Assembly Program), and CounselPro (a compilation of the database and documents available in one updated program). In addition to training, Donna is responsible for recording all training videos that are posted to members’ websites, troubleshooting member software issues, and managing the Academy’s offshore India project (Staffing and Outsourced Systems – S.O.S.). Members are delighted to find Donna organized, easy to work with, extremely knowledgeable of Academy software, and filled with practical tips that are applicable to all areas of legal practice.

Professional Experience

Her experience developed through positions as a paralegal, marketing coordinator, administrator, office manager for an esteemed Alabama-based estate planning attorney, legal secretary and paralegal managing plaintiff and defense litigation, and legal support for medical malpractice, bankruptcy and civil rights. This expertise in various law firm settings is invaluable to her role as Manager of Software Development and Training.

Education

Donna attended Junior College, where her primary course of study was nursing and music. She has studied the paralegal curriculum, as well as comprehensive software training, which supplements her many years of experience.

Personal

Donna was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and is a true southern belle, right down to her slow southern accent. Now that her two sons are grown and away from home, she spends much of her time in front of the computer. Recently, Donna has found a way to spend her “off time” with her new husband, another employee of the Academy and our primary programmer, Randy Harwick. She is enjoying the “newlywed” life, and together they enjoy occasional yard work, reading, cooking, traveling to weekend get-a-ways, playing with their cats and dogs, and spending quality time with their family. Donna volunteers her time to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Alabama and the American Cancer Society. Donna loves college football (Go War Eagles!) and is an Atlanta Braves fan.