Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

Survey Shows Increased Use of Corporate Paralegals

Posted on March 06, 2010
This was just a blurb at Law Week Colorado but the publication reports that the Association of Corporate Counsel's (ACC) 2009 Chief Legal Officer Survey shows "the increased use of paralegals, contract lawyers and administrative staff."Sorry that I can't make the survey available to you, but the cost is $299...

Firm Wins Top Honors for Pro Bono Work

Posted on March 06, 2010
It makes my day to see positive news emphasizing the contributions of the legal community, including paralegals, to helping others in need.The West Virginia Record reports:Steptoe & Johnson attorneys and paralegals donated over 4,100 pro bono hours to matters in 2009, an increase of more than 700 hours from 2008...

Today's Quote: I Have a "Paraprofessional" Headache

Posted on February 24, 2010
?Paraprofessional is a generic term and may refer to any and many professions, such as paraprofessional legal assistant. We lose the sense of the profession when we shorten it. By using paralibrarian, the profession is clearly explained.? ~ Allison Sloan, LJ Paraprofessional of the Year, as reported by Library Journal's editorial "Not Yet Equal"Paraprofessional legal assistant? Please say it ain't so...

SEALA Elects 2010-2012 Officers

Posted on February 24, 2010
The Southeastern Association of Legal Assistants, in Savannah, Georgia has elected the following paralegals as officers for 2010-2012:Mary Jo Stottlemire (Lasky Law Group) - PresidentCrystal Nichols, CP (Oliver Maner) - Vice PresidentLisa Shinaberry, CP (Harris Penn & Lowry LLP) - SecretaryDonna Gilliland, CP (Oliver Maner) - TreasurerEunice Bolen (Bart Meyer and Company) - NALA liaisonCongratulations to these dedicated individuals for their commitment to the paralegal profession...

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Using Social Media - Without Letting It Take Over Your Life

Posted on February 23, 2010
Most legal professionals are aware that social media is changing the way we learn and communicate, but I still hear too many of them say they are reluctant to use it.When I ask colleagues why they aren't using social media, some respond that that they fear becoming overwhelmed by the potential distractions and a seemingly unlimited information stream...

Today's Quote: Can You Get a Fair Trial If You're Sittin' on a Former Pew?

Posted on February 23, 2010
"I didn't want to be judged in a courtroom representing a specific religion. I felt they may be biased against me because I'm not part of the (Christian) group. I don't want to be found guilty in a prejudiced courtroom." ~ Carrol Roberson, a paralegal student at the University of Mississippi charged with disorderly conduct tells myEyewitnessNEWS...

See, Ma, Someone Besides You Does Read My Blog

Posted on February 23, 2010
This might be the best tweet I've ever gotten. Kevin O'Keefe is the CEO and Publisher of LexBlog, and tells the rest of us blawgers how to do it right at his blawg, Real Lawyers Have Blogs.Real paralegals have blogs, too, even if their puzzled moms don't stop asking them why they don't just "write something real, like John Grisham...

Today's Quote: It's a Zoo Out There

Posted on February 22, 2010
She misses the challenges her paralegal work provided but said she would enjoy the public interaction at the zoo. ~ Nebraska paralegal Billie Mattern, as reported by the Omaha World-Herald. There are days when I can see where my 20-plus years of paralegal experience would make me well-qualified to work at a zoo, maybe in the bears' den...

Is a Secretary Gonna Get Blamed for This, Too?

Posted on February 22, 2010
When I saw this caption at Above the Law in the post "Unclassy Action Lawsuit?" I couldn't help but wonder if some poor legal secretary got blamed for this, er, typo - or misspelling the plural of a word that Urban Dictionary says is a synonym for "Hoochie Mama"...

Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week

Posted on February 21, 2010
One of the many reasons I blog for paralegals is to share information they may find helpful for professional development (or a much needed laugh during a hectic week working with lawyers). Once a week I share links to a half dozen or so articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology - plus a good laugh or two...

Bankruptcy and Litigation Still Hot Legal Specialty Areas

Posted on February 20, 2010
Robert Half Legal has issued a press release with the results of its latest specialty area survey question answered by 300 attorneys from large Canadian and U.S. law firms and corporations.In response to the question, "In your opinion, which one of the following areas of law will experience the most growth in the next three months?" 32% of the respondents said bankruptcy and foreclosure, and 22% said litigation...

Paralegal Hooked on Competitive Cooking

Posted on February 20, 2010
It's no secret that the Editor-in-Chief and Head Bottle Washer at Practical Paralegalism is an uninspired cook who is very lucky to be married to a man who loves to try new recipes. Otherwise, our family would have cereal or Happy Meals every night for dinner...

Paralegal and Gates Millennium Scholarship Winner Pursues Education Despite Obstacles

Posted on February 20, 2010
California paralegal Maria Ruiz has not had an easy life. As a child born to an impoverished family, she was picking and carrying 80-pound sacks of citrus fruit at 11 years of age. But she set her goals high and in high school won a Gates Millennium Scholarship, which is awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, community service, and leadership potential...

A Word to the Wise about Online "Legal Assistant Certification"

Posted on February 18, 2010
Who can resist an article entitled "Become a Legal Assistant and Never Worry About Job Security Again"?Not me. The article shows up in a Google news search for "legal assistant." Some readers might think this is real news.But I'm going to encourage newbies thinking about getting a paralegal degree to take Joel McLaughlin's article with a big grain of salt...

Jury Decides Paralegal Had Fee-Sharing Contract with Attorney

Posted on February 18, 2010
Earlier this week I blogged about Florida paralegal Patricia Patterson's lengthy litigation against her former employer, attorney Laurie Goldstein, over whether she had an unethical oral contract to receive 10% of the legal fees from any cases she resolved...

Today's Quote: Can You Make Borsch?

Posted on February 18, 2010
When the Soviet Union finally collapsed in 1991, I decided it was time to open my own office in Moscow. In the beginning, my ?firm? consisted of myself, a Russian lawyer, a paralegal (who cooked lunch) and a Panasonic fax/telephone with terrible service, The office was the quintessence of shabby, although I couldn?t complain: The rent was only $7 a month...

Today's Quote: Model Says Paralegal Career Fattening

Posted on February 17, 2010
Or, It Pays a Whole Lot Better to Pick Up Men"After majoring in theater in college, Eve worked as a paralegal, but the position drained her creativity and added the pounds." ~ "All about Amazon Eve," San Francisco Bay Guardian Online So the 6'8" model ditched the desk job, got buff and now picks up men at the rate of $400 per hour...

Paralegal Litigates Payment of Bonuses Under Alleged Oral Contract

Posted on February 16, 2010
How would you feel about getting a 10% bonus from all the legal fees that your firm earned from cases that you worked on? It'd be a sweet deal if you could get it (especially in writing), albeit unethical. But Florida paralegal Patricia Patterson claims she had such a deal...

What If Your Attorney Got Down in the Trenches with the Staff for a Week?

Posted on February 15, 2010
Mark A. Cohen, attorney and editor-in-chief of Minnesota Lawyer, poses an interesting hypothetical in this week's commentary for Finance & Commerce, "What if your boss spent a week back on the bottom rung?" After viewing the first episode of "Undercover Boss," the latest reality offering from CBS, Cohen wonders what would happen if a managing partner tried to sneak in among the rank and file...

Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week

Posted on February 14, 2010
One of the many reasons I blog for paralegals is to share information they may find helpful for professional development (or a much needed laugh during a hectic week working with lawyers). Once a week I share links to a half dozen or so articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology - plus a good laugh or two...

Today's Quote: A Paralegal and Her Paper

Posted on February 14, 2010
The work never seems to end for Kathy Ralph. As a paralegal for Culpepper Law Offices, her days are filled with papers, boxes, and a whole lot of files. ~ KIMA CBS 29Although this news story at KIMA CBS 29 is about the "Big Demand for Paralegals" and the new paralegal program at Perry Technical Institute in Yakima, Washington, it also reminds people thinking about a paralegal career that they better love paper - or make sure they get hired by a paperless office...

Michiana Paralegal Association's 2009 Paralegal of the Year

Posted on February 14, 2010
Indiana paralegal Kim Muske-Lynch, employed by Indiana Legal Services in South Bend, has been named The Michiana Paralegal Association's 2009 Paralegal of the Year.At its site, the association describes Muske-Lynch's outstanding contributions to the paralegal profession and to her community:She was nominated by both a fellow paralegal and attorneys at Indiana Legal Services who describe her as a paralegal who ?has exhibited unparalleled professionalism and initiative,? and who ?works tirelessly and seemingly effortlessly to help ensure that all clients receive the high-quality legal representation that they deserve and desperately need...

Lawyer Gives Legal Secretary's Son a Kidney

Posted on February 13, 2010
And she isn't even his legal secretary. She works for another lawyer in the firm.Several major blawgs carried this story last week, but I want to bring it to your attention in case you missed it. In part, because lawyers get enough bad press as it is, as well as to show that there are many amazing lawyers out there who care about their colleagues - and are much more generous than those many commenters at ATL's annual holiday open thread, who groused about giving their secretaries gift cards...

Paralegal Supervisor Wins Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Posted on February 13, 2010
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship allows outstanding students from outside the United Kingdom to further their studies at the University of Cambridge. The competition for both admission to the university and the award itself, which includes the full cost of study, air fare and a living allowance, is fierce...

The Paralegal Voice: The Power of Paralegal Education

Posted on February 13, 2010
The latest episode of The Paralegal Voice, ?The Power of Paralegal Education?, is now available at Legal Talk Network.Education is vital to a successful paralegal career. On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-host Vicki Voisin welcomed Linda J. Wolf, ACP, the current President of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and Attorney Elizabeth Mann, Department Head of the Paralegal Program at Greenville Technical College, to focus on the importance of paralegal education...

What Else Can You Do With a Paralegal Degree? Be a Risk Management Technician

Posted on February 09, 2010
In response to my post "What Else Can You Do With a Paralegal Degree?" I had several readers submit additional job titles, including Gary Smalling who graciously agreed to tell us about his job.Name: Garald "Gary" SmallingJob Title: Risk Management TechnicianEmployer: City of Tigard, OregonDegrees: Working on Paralegal degree from Penn Foster College (1/2 way finished)Prior Work Experience: 20 years, US Navy Occupational Health & Safety OfficerJob Duties: Research laws, federal and state OSHA regulations; manage the safety program; investigate incidents; prepare and file auto, property, liability and workers' compensation claims; prepare materials for insurance adjusters and attorneys; respond to discovery; prepare case notebooks; file for restitution from the court and from persons who damage City property...

Is "Paralegaling" a Verb?

Posted on February 08, 2010
This quote in a query, "Am I being too honest in my job applications?" to a British career advice column at Legal Week caught my eye:I am due to start my training contract in September with a medium-sized City firm. Up until last year I had been paralegaling for 14 months, but had to resign due to the bereavement of my parents who were retired in Australia...

Today's Quote: Writing Briefs Pays Better Than Robbing Banks

Posted on February 08, 2010
His boss at Cockle, Trish Billotte, said she had some misgivings about hiring Mr. Hopwood. It was hard to believe his story, for starters, and it struck her as curious that an aspiring paralegal was driving around in a Mercedes. ~ "A Mediocre Criminal, but an Unmatched Jailhouse Lawyer," The New York Times...

A Resourceful Paralegal Can Handle Any Sticky Situation

Posted on February 07, 2010
Stephanie Elliott-Park, a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal employed by Gray, Layton, Kersh, Solomon, Furr & Smith, P.A. in Gastonia, NC, generously shared this funny photo of her helping out her supervising attorney, Bill Moore, before a trial...

Tulsa County Bar Association Offers Associate Membership to Paralegals

Posted on February 07, 2010
The Tulsa County Bar Association has officially recognized the importance of its area paralegals and legal assistants. Effective January 1, 2010, they can apply for associate membership, a non-voting status that allows them to participate in continuing legal education seminars offered by the group...

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