Paralegals & Legal Secretaries
Practical Paralegalism 
Promotes paralegal careers, community and news, and shares a few cautionary tales.
Post Frequency: 1/day Last Entry: November 21, 2009 at 13:26:00 Recent Entries: 215
By Lynne DeVenny
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Practical Paralegalism?s Recommended Reading This Week
Posted on November 21, 2009One of the many reasons that I blog for paralegals is to share information relevant to our profession. There are hundreds of new articles posted every week on the Internet, but once a week I will try to break them down into a half dozen or so ?don?t miss? articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology ? and a good laugh or two...
Internet Quote: Using Technology to Avoid Your Scary Paralegal
Posted on November 21, 2009Or "Oh, No, You Didn't Just Say That!"Does this quote from Law Practice Today's recent article, "Technology Whiz: Don't Let Technology Overwhelm You" apply to anybody you know?Neither should you use technology as a crutch for your avoidance behavior. Let?s say you?re scared of one of your tougher paralegals, or you don?t really like your secretary, so you move her cubicle across the office and e-mail everything to her...
Add Twitter to Your Paralegal Job Search Resources
Posted on November 21, 2009A Tweet Is Worth a Thousand Words:Twitterers are not only sharing information about legal news and technology, but they're sharing job listings.To find jobs in your area, enter a query in the "search" box at Twitter.com, and see what pops up.If you're using a multi-column Twitter application like TweetDeck, you can set up a search column for any subject that interests you...
Congratulations to ParalegalGateway's 2010 Superstars!
Posted on November 20, 2009ParalegalGateway has announced its 2010 Paralegal Superstars:Amy Shillingburg - San Diego, CAJeannie Cartabiano - Redlands, CACatherine McKenzie - Vero Beach, FLViola Ange - Cedar Hill, TXLaura Ahtes - Wilmington, DEPatty Dietz-Selke - Atlanta, GAMadelaine Vines - Colorado Springs, COKathleen Miller - Irvine, CARuth Conley - Houston, TXBrian Haberly - Seattle, WADe Dishman - Portland, ORCarolyn Yellis - Orange County, CACongratulations to all of these outstanding paralegals for their achievements, and special thanks to Jeannie Johnston, CEO of ParalegalGateway, for her generous and tireless service to the paralegal profession...
What Is This, The Seventh Grade?
Posted on November 19, 2009Seriously, the immature behavior at work described in the Matter of Sindoni v. County of Tioga sounds like a screenplay for the sequel to Mean Girls.Law.com reports that Penny Sindoni, a senior typist who had enjoyed a solid 11-year work history with the Tioga County Health Department, was terminated for creating a hostile and disruptive work environment as a result of her animosity toward a co-worker, Christeenia ?Teena? Cargill...
Dog Gets His Day in Court
Posted on November 19, 2009This story involves my two favorite subjects: paralegals and dogs. But this time, they are opposing parties in an unusual court proceeding.I just learned that New Hanover County, NC has a Dangerous Dog Appeals Court. Star News Online provides a summary of how dog court works:To be a dangerous dog, the animal must meet one of three criteria: the animal bites a person in any location; it attacks another pet, killing it or causing at least $250 worth of medical damage; or it has an attitude of attacking when it?s off its owner?s property, McNeil said...
Ya Win Some & Ya Lose Some
Posted on November 18, 2009I like to enter contests, like this photo caption contest recently held by Above the Law for this picture: My entry:Attorney Dino Saur felt a vague sense of unease when he realized he hadn't heard a peep out of his paralegal's office in two days and wished he'd been nicer when she suggested that the office go paperless...
Working Girl Wednesday: Mortgage Payment Vs. Jimmy Choo Shoes
Posted on November 18, 2009Or ?You Know I?m Allergic to Ugliness?Imelda Marcos, the ?Iron Butterfly?, said that. She also said, ?I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty.?TIME Magazine said actually 2,700 pairs were left behind when Marcos fled Malacanang Palace, and calculated, ?If Imelda Marcos changed her shoes three times a day, and never wore the same pair twice, it would take her more than two years and five months to work through her shoe supply??Her infamous shoe collection even gets its own song, ?3,000 Pairs of Shoes? in the new off-Broadway show, Imelda: A New Musical...
Start Your Legal Research with Google Scholar
Posted on November 17, 2009Just last week, I told a group of paralegals at a civil litigation seminar to always start their informal case investigation with a Google search. This week, I would tell them that they can also start their free legal research using Google Scholar.What is Google Scholar?Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature...
Paralegal Profile: Tammy Cravit, Advocate for Children in Foster Care
Posted on November 17, 2009Job Title: Juvenile Dependency ParalegalEmployer: I own and operate my own freelance paralegal firm, Paralegal for the Children, in Lompoc CA.Years of Paralegal Experience: About 2Specialty Areas: I specialize in juvenile dependency law ? that is, the law that governs the operation of the foster care system...
Tips for New Attorneys that Paralegals Can Use
Posted on November 17, 2009I frequently tell paralegals interested in career advancement not to limit themselves to news and continuing legal education geared solely to paralegals ? but to attend relevant seminars in their specialty areas for attorneys (that allow paralegal attendees) and read their publications, too...
Paralegal Posting of the Week: This Attorney Never Yells
Posted on November 17, 2009But He Will Make You Take a Polygraph TestYou know what I love best about maintaining a blog for paralegals? My readers that send me funny stuff, like this Craigslist ad for a Tuscon, Arizona paralegal or ?legal/personal secretary? from my friend whose job I want, because she actually gets paid to read paralegal want ads:Need a super man or woman who can full-time type, move, file, and organize super fast in a multi-tasking environment...
Paralegal Fights Human Trafficking
Posted on November 16, 2009I saw this news story about fighting human trafficking, even as I was fighting back tears about the discovery of five-year old Shaniya Davis? body on the side of a highway in North Carolina. As if the violent death of a child isn?t heart-breaking enough, her mother, Antoinette Davis, has been arrested and charged with selling her daughter into sexual slavery...
Parking Lots Just Got a Little Scarier
Posted on November 16, 2009As if we don't have enough to worry about in busy mall parking lots during the holiday season, like getting kidnapped in our own car (or just forgetting where we parked it), now we have this to worry about, courtesy of West Headnote of the Day:Click on the picture for the full headnote, but if you get snake bit in a parking lot on a business premises in Louisiana, you better be able to prove the business owned and controlled that vicious, toothsome serpent (even though I personally think that having anything other than a garter snake in your parking lot is a defect)...
The Paralegal Voice: Getting Back on the Right Track
Posted on November 16, 2009by Lynne DeVenny & Vicki VoisinFollowing a recent episode of The Paralegal Voice on Legal Talk Network, we were very pleased to hear from one of our listeners, Andrea, who has a question about getting into the paralegal profession after graduating several years ago and then experiencing difficulty landing a job post graduation:I earned my A...
Suspended Attorney?s Use of Paralegal Results in Disbarment
Posted on November 15, 2009State bars take an extremely dim view of attorneys that continue to practice law after being ordered not to, including when they try to circumvent the restriction by using paralegals to prepare court documents.Following a regular disciplinary history with the Florida State Bar since 1994, Gerald John D'Ambrosio was suspended for a year in October 2006, after engaging in the unlicensed practice of law in Illinois and Oregon - but based on the Florida Bar?s November 12, 2009 order of disbarment, D?Ambrosio ignored the suspension and continued to work as an attorney, including:Occupying the premises of his former law office, and allowing a ?pro se? litigant and friend, Dr...
Practical Paralegalism?s Recommended Reading This Week
Posted on November 14, 2009One of the many reasons that I blog for paralegals is to share information relevant to our profession. There are hundreds of new articles posted every week on the Internet, but once a week I will try to break them down into a half dozen or so ?don?t miss? articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology ? and a good laugh or two...
Legal Assistant Job Posting: Mary Poppins Wannabes Apply Here
Posted on November 13, 2009Above the Law got this horrific job posting first (dang it, do I have to add law school job boards to my Craigslist ad searches?) and bills it as "the most depressing job posting ever" for law students.Elie, it's the most depressing job posting ever for real legal assistants, too...
Who?s the "Nice One" on Your Legal Team?
Posted on November 12, 2009The idea for this post came from Twitter, where the exchange of ideas, information - and quips - occur as fast as lightening. As I?ve said before, I'm an impatient sort (which this post will do nothing to disprove), so any medium where you have to exchange ideas in 140 characters or less suits me down to the ground...
Paralegals Are Typical New York Bull Riders
Posted on November 11, 2009I know. My own blog post title gave me pause, too.To what extremes will hard-working paralegals go in order to relieve stress at the end of a work day?Pretty extreme, at least at New York hot spot Johnny Utah?s, according to Metromix New York:What's the typical New York bull rider like?We're surrounded by Midtown company workers, so it's an after-work thing...
$190 Billing Rate for Paralegal Delivery Ticks Off Judge
Posted on November 11, 2009Times are tight for law firms. Clients are cutting back on legal services and reviewing their bills with a fine-toothed comb. In response, many law firms are slashing staff, salaries and billing rates. But apparently everyone didn?t get the memo to economize...
Laid Off Paralegal Uses Social Media to Find Better Job
Posted on November 11, 2009Practical Paralegalism?s Social Networking Legal Professional of the Day Award goes to Californian Kevin Nichols, who used LinkedIn, along with personal networking, to turn a layoff from his paralegal job into a better career with a firm that sells software to litigators...
Working Girl Wednesday: Dress Like Lady Gaga & Amy Winehouse for Less than $100
Posted on November 11, 2009Or If I Add Up Everything I?ve Ever Spent on Clothes During My Whole Life, It Still Wouldn?t Total $30,000You know how this starts out. Corporette, the fashion and lifestyle blog for overachieving chicks that don?t have the word ?assistant? in their job titles, recently answered the question, ?How Much Do You Spend on Clothes??Which is fine, except my answer would be different...
Elgin Community College Goes to Harvard
Posted on November 09, 2009And Has An Outstanding Mock Trial Competition ExperienceThanks to the team's coach, attorney Ron Kowalczyk, for sharing the results of Elgin Community College's participation this weekend in Harvard's prestigious annual mock trial competition, the Crimson Classic Tournament...
How Paralegals Can Assist with Jury Selection
Posted on November 09, 2009by Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin Dr. David Ball, a nationally recognized trial consultant, was the guest expert on a recent episode of The Paralegal Voice, the podcast we co-host on Legal Talk Network. Discussion during the podcast focused on the paralegal?s role in jury selection...
Paralegal Job Posting of the Week: Don't Help Civilly Harass the Neighbors
Posted on November 08, 2009Hello. My name is Lynne. I am addicted to Craigslist ads for paralegals 'cause some of them are just so darned thought-provoking (and maybe a little scary). For example, check out this ad for a paralegal from "Pro Per seeking Paralegal for civil harassment case":Hello...
Community College Beats Yale in Mock Trial Competition
Posted on November 08, 2009Twitter is exciting. I promise. For example, today Elgin Community College, the only community college and paralegal program participating in Harvard's prestigious annual mock trial competition, the Crimson Classic Tournament, tweeted this: I swear, my heart almost stopped...
Whew! Most Expensive Secretarial Error on the Planet Fixed
Posted on November 08, 2009Remember that poor secretary in Pepsi's legal department, Kathy Henry, who was more or less thrown under the bus by both Pepsi and the media for laying aside a letter that supposedly resulted in a $1.26 billion dollar judgment against Pepsi?The Court tossed out the judgment on Friday...
Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week
Posted on November 08, 2009One of the many reasons that I blog for paralegals is to share information relevant to our profession. There are hundreds of new articles posted every week on the Internet, but once a week I will try to break them down into a half dozen or so ?don?t miss? articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology ? and a good laugh or two...
I Hope Posing as a Paralegal Doesn't Catch On
Posted on November 06, 2009Posing as a lawyer is bad enough, but now a Lincoln, Nebraska woman, Huong Dao, has been busted for allegedly posing as a paralegal for a law firm she never worked for ? and taking $1,000.00 from a victim who thought she was paying for a divorce.But maybe she should have picked a firm other than Berry Law Firm to fake working for...
The Paralegal Voice: ?Attorneys Tap Paralegal Talent for Jury Selection?
Posted on November 05, 2009The latest episode of The Paralegal Voice, ?Attorneys Tap Paralegal Talent for Jury Selection?, co-hosted by Vicki Voisin and me, is now available at LegalTalkNetwork.This episode features Dr. David Ball, one of America?s most influential trial consultants and the author of several bestselling books about jury selection, including David Ball on Damages and his most recent book, Reptile: The 2009 Manual of the Plaintiff?s Revolution...
Written Discovery 101: You Get What You Ask For
Posted on November 05, 2009Next week I?m presenting ?Powerful Discovery Techniques? at an IPE civil litigation seminar for basic-to-intermediate paralegals. One of the bullets in my PowerPoint for drafting interrogatories says the questions ?should be well-stated, clear and written to elicit desired information...
Working Girl Wednesday: Don?t Drop That Taco on Your Keyboard
Posted on November 04, 2009Or No Matter How Much I Spend, I Will Still Be Covered in Dog HairThe last time I shared timely and helpful office etiquette, i.e. don't eat crunchy tacos at your desk, one of my Facebook friends (okay, it was Huma) wailed on my status, ?But I LIKE crunchy tacos!?And I relented, and said, ?Okay, but just don?t eat them over your keyboard,? because I wanted to make her happy and I really like them, too...
Paralegal Profile: Kim Walker, Blogger at Paralegal Pie
Posted on November 03, 2009Job Title: Litigation ParalegalEmployer: Berger & Montague, P.C., Philadelphia, PAYears of Paralegal Experience: 27Specialty Areas: Securities Class Actions, Complex LitigationCareer Highlight: Recently being nominated for a board position on the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals...
Unemployed Lawyers Will Consider Paralegal Jobs ? If They Can Get Them
Posted on November 03, 2009If you follow the dismal news regarding prospects for new law school graduates, it?s not hard to imagine investing three years of your life in law school, accruing $150,000.00 in student debt, and then not finding work as a lawyer ? or as anything else...
Paralegal Job Posting of the Week: "Don't Throw People Under The Bus"
Posted on November 02, 2009Or "Loose" the Attitude. Like You Have to Ask Me Twice.This Craigslist ad for a Dallas law firm is few weeks old, but it's too good not to share:...looking for a Paralegal to support several attorneys. This is a fast-paced insurance defense, Civil Litigation law firm in the Turtle Creek area...
Forget Tupperware Parties - Former Paralegal Sells ?Excitement?
Posted on November 02, 2009I like the original headline from News 8 Channel better, ?Paralegal Finds Happiness Selling ?Romance Enhancers?? but it was taken.I know those of you like me ? married with kids ? probably initially thought the same thing when you read that headline. What are ?romance enhancers?? (For me, they're vacuum cleaner tracks in the carpet that I didn?t make myself...
Paralegal Busted for Claiming $430,000 in Fake Travel Expenses
Posted on November 01, 2009As a blogger, it?s not my mission to rat out every paralegal who makes a mistake, but this story from the San Antonio Express News is notable for the sheer audacity of the alleged misdeeds. In this case, the since fired paralegal copped to submitting more than $430,000...
Double Disbarment Doesn't Stop Ex-Lawyer from Alleged Practice of Law
Posted on November 01, 2009Although Nevada authorities say Charles Radosevich has the distinction of being disbarred in two states, Colorado and Nevada, that did not stop him from continuing to work in the legal field, both as a paralegal, and according to the district attorney?s office, as an unlicensed lawyer...
Paralegal School Offers Unique Legal Services Program
Posted on November 01, 2009Casper College's ABA-approved paralegal program in Wyoming has an innovative and one-of-a-kind Legal Services program which allows its paralegal students to both gain experience and help provide pro bono legal assistance to the public.Paralegal students are required to work with four clients in its Legal Services program before they can graduate...
Our Law Office Is Haunted. Really.
Posted on November 01, 2009My Halloween essay is a little late, but last night we took six 13-year old girls trick-or-treating in the pouring rain, and then had to spend an extra hour with them this morning after they?d eaten Halloween candy for breakfast.I normally don?t talk much about the ghost that hangs out at our law firm because it?s not really recommended for small business marketing, but I see that Prescott, Arizona attorney Gil Shaw is chatting up his firm?s ghosts in the news and that it might actually be cutting-edge to have a ghost...
Practical Paralegalism?s Recommended Reading This Week
Posted on October 31, 2009One of the many reasons that I blog for paralegals is to share information relevant to our profession. There are hundreds of terrific new articles posted every week on the Internet, but once a week I'll try to break them down into a half dozen or so ?don?t miss? articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology - and a good laugh or two...
A Reporter by Any Other Name Is Not Really a Legal Assistant
Posted on October 30, 2009And the Kansas Department of Corrections is none too pleased about it.A Kansas lawyer denies smuggling a newspaper reporter disguised as his "legal assistant" into a state women's prison for the purpose of investigating illegal sexual relationships - although he does not deny taking the reporter with him on a visit to the prison...
Community College Challenges Ivy League in Mock Trial Competition
Posted on October 30, 2009I love, love, love a good underdog, as well as a solid community college education ? and a lively courtroom drama. So when I read the Chicago Daily Herald's article about Elgin Community College's American Bar Association approved paralegal program being the only community college competing in Harvard's Crimson Classic mock trial tournament in Boston next week, my first thought was: "Yes! Bring it ON!" The team will compete against some of the most prestigious Ivy League schools - Yale, Dartmouth, Princeton and Cornell...
Wills on Wheels Paralegal Volunteer Receives NFPA Pro Bono Award
Posted on October 30, 2009When I saw this feature article about Denver, Colorado paralegal Beth Wilkins receiving the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Pro Bono award this year, I was enormously proud of her representation of the paralegal profession ? and very impressed that her sister, Ruth Heide, turned out to be the author of the excellent piece...
Paralegals and Dental Hygienists Keep Clients Happy
Posted on October 30, 2009When I commit to a dental practice, it?s usually not because of the five minutes I spent exposing my squeaky clean molars to the dentist ? but due to the previous half hour I spent with his sweet, reassuring dental hygienist, who almost managed to make me forget it felt like she was trying to yank my teeth out of my mouth in the interest of gum health...
Paralegal Creates a ?World of Hurt?
Posted on October 29, 2009By day, he?s a full-time paralegal, but by night, Jay Potts is the creator of the ?Internet?s #1 Blaxploitation Webcomic,? WORLD OF HURT.In his interview at Newsarama.com, the Columbia, South Carolina resident shares his passion for the black action films of the 70s, his insecurities about his artistic goals and the motivations of his main character, Isaiah ?Pastor? Hurt...
Working Girl Wednesday: Designer Shopping Spree at Shmotter
Posted on October 28, 2009And I Am Introduced to the Concept of "Toe Cleavage"I hope those folks over at Corporette, the fashion and lifestyle blog for female lawyers and peeps who don't have "assistant" in their job titles, don't think I'm trying to steal their thunder, but I just shopped for and assembled a designer ensemble fit for any Corporette wannabe, at the insane price of way over $2,000...
Secretary's Mistake Blamed for $1.26 Billion Dollar Judgment
Posted on October 28, 2009The Business Insider headline screams, "Pepsi Nailed With $1.26 Billion Judgment After Secretary's Mistake" - causing any of us who've ever worked as a secretary or administrative assistant to quake in our boots, and to quickly scan the article to find out how to avoid making a $1...
Hey, Paralegals, What?s in Your RSS Reader?
Posted on October 27, 2009Or Social Media 101: Follow Blogs for Professional DevelopmentOn October 17, 2009, I presented ?Networking and Career Building with Social Media? at the Los Angeles Paralegal Association?s 33rd Annual October Conference. As part of my usual recommendations for using social media for professional development, I strongly urged paralegals to follow reputable professional blogs (and not just because I?m a blogger)...
Professional Profile: Jay Moore, Communications Manager for NALS & Social Media Enthusiast
Posted on October 26, 2009Job Title: Communications ManagerEmployer: NALS?the association for legal professionals (Tulsa, OK)Years of Legal Marketing Experience: 8Career Highlight: I started working for NALS right out of college. My highlight is the fact that I was able to find such a great fit so early in my career...
After Paralegal's Death, Law Firm Offers 10k Reward
Posted on October 26, 2009The Philadelphia Inquirer has just published a story confirming that Andre Steed, a paralegal employed for more than a decade by Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen & Pokotilow in Center City, died on Saturday after allegedly being struck by a cyclist, while walking not far from his office...
Judge Proudest of Case Recognizing Paralegals as Professionals
Posted on October 25, 2009The paralegal profession has made huge strides in the past few decades. We all have a great deal to be proud of and numerous legal professionals to thank, including Judge Linda Thomas, who is retiring as the Chief Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeals at Dallas...
Judge Puts Kibosh on Ghostwriting Paralegal Felon
Posted on October 24, 2009A Nevada defendant in a federal lawsuit has been firmly reprimanded by U.S. Magistrate Judge George Foley for allegedly having a ?ghostwriter? with no law license prepare some of his court documents, which constitutes the unauthorized practice of law...
Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week
Posted on October 24, 2009One of the many reasons that I blog for paralegals is to share information relevant to our profession. There are dozens of excellent news articles and blog posts published every day on the Internet, but once a week I'll try to break them down into a half dozen or so ?don?t miss? articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology...
Paralegal News Clips
Posted on October 23, 2009Since the purpose of this paralegal blog is to celebrate the achievements of paralegals, working and student, all over the country, I?m pleased to share the latest round of good news in the paralegal profession.Paralegal Programs & Associations?Tonya Morse, Institute of Business and Medical Career?s (IBMC) Business & Paralegal Instructor Specialist, won the Faculty Member of the Year award from the Colorado Association of Career Colleges and Schools, posthumously...
Injured Paralegal?s Co-Workers Go Extra Mile to Investigate Accident
Posted on October 23, 2009If I were found alone and severely injured in the street, I?d want the police to make investigating the cause a priority. But if the police were not actively investigating the incident, then I?d count on the support, curiosity and experience of my co-workers at the law firm where I work, as happened in the case of Philadelphia paralegal Andre Steed...
Lawyer?s Ad for a Legal Assistant Results in Bar Complaint
Posted on October 22, 2009Or If There?s Such a Thing as Pre-Employment Sexual Harassment, This Is ItMy readers know I love an entertaining Craigslist want ad for a legal staffer, but honestly, I never thought to check under ?Adult Gigs?. However, The Legal Profession Blog reports that section is where one Chicago-based attorney, Samir Chowhan, allegedly posted an ad for a legal assistant/secretary - who was expected to do a whole lot more than just word-process and schedule depositions...
Paralegal Coordinates Career Closet
Posted on October 21, 2009Indiana paralegal Sherry Myers has a successful career, but in her spare time volunteers at her church's clothing closet to help low income individuals get started on their own careers.The News Sentinel's feature story about Myers is a great example of a paralegal giving back to her community and helping others succeed in the tough economy...
Legal Love Triangle Leads to Disorderly Conduct Conviction
Posted on October 21, 2009In an example of how not to conduct your personal affairs in the office, I blogged about the former Roanoke, Virginia bankruptcy firm whose two partners and their paralegal became embroiled in a very messy and very public spat which resulted in criminal charges filed against attorney Ann Marie Miller...
Key National Paralegal Association Links
Posted on October 21, 2009by Bill StatskyThere are four major national paralegal associations in the country:National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)NALS the Association of Legal Professionals (NALS)American Alliance of Paralegals (AAPI) NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS (NALA)Home Page: www...
Is the Work of an "Army of Paralegals" Being Outsourced?
Posted on October 20, 2009In an article about the need for outsourcing firms in the Phillipines and Asia to diversify, BusinessWorld Online includes the following quote from Alfredo I. Ayala, Chairman of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPA/P):"The recession is creating a more pronounced change in the mindsets of firms," Mr...
Paralegal Profile: Laura Alvarez, Owner of Off the Clock Legal VA
Posted on October 20, 2009Job Title: Freelance/Contract Paralegal, Owner of Off The Clock Legal VAEmployer: Off The Clock Legal VA, Mohave Valley, AZYears of Paralegal Experience: 3Specialty Areas: Legal researchCareer Highlight: Receiving my Bachelors Degree in Paralegal Studies...
21 Places to Look for Paralegal Scholarships
Posted on October 19, 2009by Michelle FabioIf you're thinking of becoming a paralegal or currently enrolled in a paralegal course program, you may be eligible for paralegal scholarships that can help fund your education.Below you'll find 21 places to look for paralegal scholarships; you may notice quite a few local bar associations and paralegal associations on this list, which means you won't be eligible for all of them--you only live in one area, right? But if your local bar or paralegal association isn't listed here, do check out its website or contact someone in its offices to ask about possible scholarships for paralegals...
It?s My Birthday!
Posted on October 18, 2009Okay, it?s not really, but it sure felt like it on Saturday, October 17, 2009, when I celebrated Practical Paralegalism?s first birthday in California with the Los Angeles Paralegal Association at its 33rd Annual October Conference, ?Powering Up for the Future?...
Got Shorthand?
Posted on October 18, 2009What do you mean, ?What IS shorthand?? The literal definition is ?a system of rapid handwriting employing symbols to represent words, phrases, and letters.? For the benefit of the texting generation, it involves a pad, a pencil and a lawyer making you write down every word he says so fast that if you blink or sneeze you?ll miss it...
Paralegal Student Appointed to College Board of Trustees
Posted on October 18, 2009I tell paralegal students all the time that getting ready for that first job starts the first day they set foot on campus. Not only must they have a stellar academic performance, but they need to get some work experience, get involved in the legal community and start networking...
Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week
Posted on October 17, 2009Part of the reason I blog for paralegals is to share information. There is a plethora of terrific information posted every day on many excellent blogs, so once a week I'll try to break it down into a half dozen or so "don't miss" articles focusing on legal news, practice tips and technology:Here's this week's recommended reading:"How Social Media is Changing Our Lives" from The Legal Water Cooler: I couldn't have said this any better, and I considered just reading this post out loud instead of using the speech I wrote for my social media presentation to the Los Angeles Paralegal Association today...
Hire My Mommy the Freelance Paralegal!
Posted on October 15, 2009Most career columnists are recommending creativity for job seekers struggling to find work in this economy.I think the freelance website, HireMyMom.com, definitely qualifies as creative.39online.com reports:Spencer Pyle got the idea after spending several years developing another site for home based working moms...
Working Girl Wednesday: Don?t Eat Crunchy Tacos at Your Desk
Posted on October 14, 2009And Hide Your Primo Snacks, Like ChocolateSo last week Corporette, the lifestyle blog for women lawyers and peeps who don?t have ?assistant? in their job titles, did a post on eating lunch at your lunch, and I was so shocked that it?s taken me a week to be able to talk about it...
The Art of Following Up for Paralegals, or Pick Up the Phone
Posted on October 14, 2009What's the number one complaint of both law firm clients and job seekers? "No one follows up or tells me what's going on."Steve Marchese posted "The Etiquette of Following Up" at The Lawyerist this week, giving job seekers some excellent pointers when they have not heard from prospective employers post interview...
Is Visiting Drug Lords a New Paralegal Specialty Area?
Posted on October 13, 2009Robert Mongue at The Empowered Paralegal blog got to post the truly eye-catching headline with the phrase ?Drug Lord's Paralegal? in it first, but I couldn?t not touch it at all. I?ve been mulling over the story all day. Who knew? When Vicki and I did our first The Paralegal Voice podcast about hiring trends for paralegals, we were innocently chatting away about growing specialty areas like bankruptcy...
Trial Prep for Paralegals: Working With Your Attorney (Part II)
Posted on October 12, 2009by Michael L. Coyne, Esq. and Ursula Furi-Perry, Esq.[The first 10 "commandments" for working with your attorney were posted last Monday; here are "commandments" 11-20:]11. Observe. You should serve as your attorney's extra set of eyes and ears. For example, you can help by observing a witness's behavior for credibility or looking out for a witness's arrival to court...
Former Paralegal Earns More as a Bike Courier
Posted on October 12, 2009I?ve seen several news stories about the rise of e-filing killing the careers of bike messengers, but apparently business is good if you deliver food and not court documents.James Beard, a former paralegal who did not find desk-work appealing, told New Orleans CityBusiness that he loves his job delivering food for Fiorella's Cafe:?I make more money now than I did when I was a paralegal,? he said...
Paralegals Conspire in?Cruise-Ship Chasing?
Posted on October 12, 2009Folks understandably sneer at ambulance-chasing as a distasteful method for lawyers to get new personal injury cases, but the Jacksonville Daily Record is reporting the disbarment of a Florida attorney that involves a new low: cruise-ship chasing ? and worse...
Social Media & Seminars: Don?t Get Drunk & Talk/Tweet
Posted on October 11, 2009Recently one of the senior partners at the firm where I work handed me a copy of Carolina Paralegal News, and said, ?You and I are both in Lawyers Weekly." (CPN is an insert in North Carolina Lawyers Weekly). Of course, he?s in there talking about heavy stuff like healthcare reform, and I?m yakking it up about social media in a well-written article by Diana Smith, ?Getting caught in the social ?Web??...
UK Paralegals Struggle to Overcome Perception as ?Failed Lawyers?
Posted on October 10, 2009This is not a promising opening for an editorial on the view of paralegal profession in the UK ? or anywhere:Paralegals have always been regarded as the poor relations of the UK legal family. But thankfully the negative labels that have long been associated with paralegalling are gradually being peeled away...
Paralegal in ?Messy? Romantic Triangle
Posted on October 10, 2009No paralegal wants to make the news for her involvement in an office romantic entanglement, but that?s exactly what has happened to Virginia paralegal Jennifer Kelley.One of Kelley?s former supervising attorneys, Ann Marie Miller, is not only undergoing a state bar investigation due to alleged misused of client trust accounts ? amidst the ruins of her former bankruptcy practice, but is also facing criminal charges arising out of alleged physical altercations with Kelley, who is now married to her other former supervising attorney, Jeffrey Kessler...
Maybe Now?s Not The Time to Ask for a Raise
Posted on October 09, 2009When I saw this story at WRAL.com, ?Asking for raise tricky during downtown?, I immediately thought that asking for a raise is tricky any time, but I agree that right now is probably more fraught with tension than usual.Plus, the experts recommend not doing it right now...
Paralegal Uses Social Media Skills to Get Arrested
Posted on October 09, 2009I spend a lot of time touting the benefits of social media for paralegals, and am even going to California next week to present on this very subject to the Los Angeles Paralegal Association. So when I see a news story about a paralegal busted for being an alleged Internet predator (part of a round-up of other alleged Internet predators, including a man accused of propositioning his own teenage daughter on Facebook), I categorize him as a worst case example of using social media to kill your career, unless your goal is to be a felon...
A List of Paralegal Blogs
Posted on October 08, 2009(or I Almost Deleted My Blog Roll Because Grant Griffiths Told Me To)So I?m doing this series where I let Blog for Profit guru Grant Griffiths kick my blog in the butt, and on Day 8, he tells me to delete my ?blasted? blog roll because I have better use for that space at Practical Paralegalism...
Beware of These Traps in E-Filing and E-Notices
Posted on October 08, 2009by Beverly Michaelis, J.D.As e-filing expands, so do the opportunities for making filing mistakes and missing deadlines. The consequences can be harsh: dismissal or sanction, as the cases below highlight:Make Sure You Are Filing the Right Document. In Kinsley v...
Top 10 Tips for Paralegals Working With Expert Witnesses
Posted on October 07, 2009by Lynne DeVenny and Vicki VoisinThe October episode of The Paralegal Voice on Legal Talk Network focused on Working with Expert Witnesses and featured guest experts Brad Beehler, Esq. and Candy Reilly ACP. Following that episode, it seemed logical that my co-host Vicki Voisin and I would collaborate on tips for working with expert witnesses for our readers...
Working Girl Wednesday: A Lowly Paralegal Blogger Hasn?t Merited a Single Bribe
Posted on October 07, 2009Earlier this week, I sort of jokingly introduced my staff, in response to some recent reader emails giving me ?Atta Girls!? for making a living as a professional blogger, which would be well-deserved praise if I actually got paid for it. I always thought it might be nice to figure out a way to make blogging pay, but several news stories this week have made me think that maybe I?d be better off not getting what I wish for...
More Bill Statsky Links of Interest for Paralegals
Posted on October 06, 2009William "Bill" Statsky is one of the foremost experts on paralegals in the country, the author of numerous paralegal and legal writing textbooks, including the one used in introductory paralegal courses nationwide, Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills (Delmar Cengage Learning) now in its 7th edition...
Trial Prep for Paralegals: Working With Your Attorney (Part I)
Posted on October 05, 2009by Michael L. Coyne, Esq. and Ursula Furi-Perry, Esq.How can the attorney-paralegal team best work together in preparation for and during trial? Paralegals will find valuable tips for working together with their attorneys in this chapter.Chapter 14 OverviewAfter reading this chapter, you should be familiar withtasks that attorneys assign to their paralegals before and during trial;the importance of collaboration between the attorney and paralegal;tips for working together with your attorney;tips for strengthening the attorney-paralegal team...
The Paralegal Voice: ?Working with the Expert Witness?
Posted on October 05, 2009The latest episode of The Paralegal Voice, ?Working with the Expert Witness?, co-hosted by Vicki Voisin and me, is now available at LegalTalkNetwork. This episode, featuring attorney Brad Beehler, a managing partner at Morley Law Firm and a Board Certified Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Minnesota State Bar Association, and paralegal Candy Reilly, ACP, a paralegal with over 25 years of experience in civil litigation, as the expert guests, discusses working with expert witnesses and includes helpful advice regarding this key aspect of trial work...
E-Discovery: A Need for Experienced Project Managers and a New Group
Posted on October 04, 2009E-discovery continues to be a hot topic in the legal field, as indicated by two news stories last week, one emphasizing the current need for experienced project managers and the other heralding the formation of a new group dedicated to providing certification and training for e-discovery professionals...
Wrongfully Convicted Man, Now a Paralegal, Appointed to Prison Board
Posted on October 04, 2009Illinois paralegal Wilder ?Ken? Berry has gone from experiencing prison firsthand, as the victim of a wrongful conviction, to now being appointed by Governor Quinn to the Adult Advisory Board of the Illinois Department of Corrections.In a 2004 article by The Chicago Tribune, Berry is described as a well-respected paralegal for Winston & Strawn, the same firm that helped him win a new trial ?after serving more than eight years in prison for a sexual assault that the evidence shows he did not commit...
An Argument for LinkedIn Recommendations
Posted on July 09, 2009?Lawyers Warn Employers Against Giving Glowing Reviews on LinkedIn? is the self-explanatory title for a recent article at Law.com. Management representation pretty much puts the kibosh on giving employees recommendations, but repeats the familiar employer position that it?s okay to regurgitate dates of employment upon request...
Paralegal Posting of the Week: Be a Paralegal Specialist for the Feds
Posted on July 09, 2009Forbes says the federal government is hiring right now, and helpfully reviewed the highest paid positions currently available, including a highly skilled Paralegal Specialist job with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration?s Office of General Counsel Southwest in Long Beach, California...
Department of Justice Paralegal Whistleblower Fired
Posted on July 09, 2009The Huffington Post is asking, ?As Rove Testifies about Firings, Why did DoJ Fire Whistleblower?? The whistleblower in question is Tamarah Grimes, of Montgomery, Alabama, formerly the ?top in-house paralegal for the prosecution team that won corruption convictions in 2006 against former Alabama Gov...
Georgia Legal Assistant Gets ?Dream Job for a Day?
Posted on July 09, 2009Susan West is an experienced bankruptcy legal assistant and custom cake baker who dreams of being a pastry chef. While seeking a new job in the legal field due to her employer?s pending retirement, she stumbled upon Atlanta 11 Live TV?s promotion ?What?s Your Dream Job? and filled out the accompanying form ? saying she wants to be the White House Pastry Chef...
A Paralegal Inquires About a Prepaid Funeral Plan
Posted on July 08, 2009Working as a paralegal in a civil litigation practice is a little like opening a giant box of assorted chocolates; whether you simply show up to work or sample a few mystery candies, you never know what you are going to get.This week I was asked to get a quote for a prepaid burial plan (Medicare/Social Security "spend down" - you don't want to know)...
Utah Legal Assistant Sued by State Bar for Posing as an Attorney
Posted on July 08, 2009The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that Leticia Avila, a legal assistant formerly employed by the Ayres Law Firm in Sandy, has been sued by the Utah State Bar for practicing law without a license and taking money from undocumented immigrants, in the guise of assisting them with their immigration paperwork...
Paralegal News Clips
Posted on July 08, 2009?Florida paralegal Dana Welcker is the July 2009 Paralegal Gateway Superstar. She is employed by Wicker Smith in Jacksonville.?Cathleen Cummings, a Florida Registered Paralegal since 2008, has been hired as a paralegal for High Stack Gordon Law Group in Melbourne...
The Paralegal Voice: ?New Hiring Trends in the Paralegal World?
Posted on July 07, 2009The first episode of The Paralegal Voice, ?New Hiring Trends in the Paralegal World?, co-hosted by Vicki Voisin and me, is now available at LegalTalkNetwork and at iTUNES. This episode, featuring Robert Half Legal Executive Director, Charles ?Chad? Volkert, as the expert guest, explores current hiring trends for paralegals and provides insight as to how paralegals can prepare for current and future hot jobs...
California Attorney Suspended for Employing Disbarred Lawyer as a Paralegal
Posted on July 06, 2009I recently blogged about a disbarred Ohio attorney that was hired as a paralegal and is now accused of stealing funds from his employer. In another illustrative case, the July 2009 California Bar Journal lists the suspension of San Diego attorney Patrick Passenheim for failing to notify the State Bar that he hired a disbarred attorney to work as a paralegal...
How Do You Feel about the "N-word?"
Posted on July 06, 2009I was intrigued by Nancy Byerly Jones? recent blog post at LawBusinessTips, ?My Personal Crusade to Cease All Use of the Word ?Non-Lawyer!?? And maybe I was a little embarrassed because I?ve thrown the ?N-word? around quite a bit in over 20 years of working as a paralegal without thinking about it much (or at all)...
Paralegal Posting of the Week: Free Breakfast and Lunch at Subway
Posted on July 05, 2009Subway is looking for a paralegal to join its Headquarters Team in Milford, Connecticut. With over 31,000 restaurants in 90 countries, Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world. This bodes well for both healthy eating and job security...
The Paralegal Picture: Best Internet Quotes for the Week Ending 07/05/09
Posted on July 05, 2009The economy may be showing signs of revival, but many paralegals are still experiencing employer budget cuts.?I?m very lucky to still have a job, but it?s a huge impact on my family. You think about it when you shop, what you buy. You think about clothes shopping and what my kids might want...
Paralegal News Clips
Posted on July 05, 2009?California legal assistant Erica Breder accepted the marriage proposal she received from her boyfriend Andrew Weisinger at the top of the newly reopened Statue of Liberty during the July 4th weekend. (NY Daily News)?SMITH, FEDDELER, SMITH & MILES, P...
Reader Email: I?m Thinking about a Paralegal Career
Posted on July 04, 2009Recently I received two similar emails from Annie and Bruce, both with established careers but with a strong interest in pursuing a paralegal career. I thought other readers might be interested in my responses to them, which Annie and Bruce kindly gave me permission to share...
Philly Paralegal Leads Pack in Weight Loss Challenge
Posted on July 02, 2009?Be a 10 in 10 Weeks? is the name of NBC Philadelphia?s weight loss challenge issued to four non-stop careerists, including paralegal (by day) and celebrity blogger (by night) Hughe Dillon, who?s lost 10 pounds in three weeks by working with a trainer about five times a week...
The Paralegal Voice, a New Monthly Podcast at LegalTalkNetwork
Posted on July 01, 2009Vicki Voisin, The Paralegal Mentor, and I are very pleased to be a part of The Paralegal Voice, a new monthly podcast for paralegals at LegalTalkNetwork. The show will focus on key issues for the paralegal profession. We know that many paralegals and paralegal students are concerned about the economy and its effect on job security and hiring, so we?re excited about the first podcast, ?Hot Specialty Areas for Paralegals?...
Every Now and Then, a Paralegal Has to Buy Herself Some Flowers
Posted on July 01, 2009I?m a middle-aged Southern female, born and bred not to ask a man out on a date, and to daintily squeal with delight when a fellow brings me a bouquet. But I?m also a big disappointment to my mama.I buy my own flowers, albeit in the produce section of the grocery store on clearance...
How I Landed My First Paralegal Job
Posted on July 01, 2009by Ana VazquezI decided to enter the legal profession nearly a year ago. I was in my car listening to the radio, and an advertisement came on for a paralegal program at the University of Miami that offers an intensive certificate course in four short months...
NCAJ gives legal assistants a vote on board
Posted on June 30, 2009By Guy Loranger, Staff Writer, North Carolina Lawyers WeeklyThe N.C. Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) has voted to give its legal assistants division a vote on its board of governors.During the NCAJ's annual convention last week at Sunset Beach, members voted overwhelmingly to also allow legal assistants to join the organization with "verification" from an NCAJ member attorney, rather than "sponsorship," and to allow LAD members to hold non-executive committee chairs in other divisions...
Paralegal in U.S. Attorney?s Office suspended
Posted on June 30, 2009Michigan paralegal Wendolyn Greene (formerly Johnson), an employee in the special prosecutions unit of the U.S. Attorney?s Office, Eastern District of Michigan, has been suspended. The Detroit News is reporting that she is suspected of leaking information to Detroit political consultant Sam Riddle, when he became embroiled in the Synagro Technologies Inc...
New York paralegal brings her Greyhound to work
Posted on June 30, 2009?Bring your dog to work day? sounds like a great employee motivational treat to me, but New York paralegal Karen Coots, employed by attorney Frank Como in Waverly, gets to bring her Greyhound Star to work every day. Star is very laid back in the office, Coots said, and she added that Como doesn?t mind having her around, as Como used to have a Black Lab named Molly that came into the office with him...
Using Social Media: Today It Takes a Village to Succeed in the Paralegal Profession
Posted on June 28, 2009Most of us are familiar with the African proverb, ?It takes a whole village to raise a child.? The phrase brings to mind a large and generous network of people, not just parents, but relatives, teachers, neighbors and mentors, working together to produce healthy, happy children who grow up to be productive members of our community ? and go on to guide the village?s next generation of children...
Attorney Requests Increased Restitution from Former Paralegal
Posted on June 28, 2009Pennsylvania attorney Jeff Connelly, a victim of embezzlement by his former paralegal, has requested that the Erie County Court of Common Pleas increase the amount of her $300.00 per month court-ordered restitution payment. In April 2005, Kelly Mitchell (formerly Little), pled no contest to two counts of theft from Connelly?s firm and agreed to re-pay approximately $74,000...
Paralegal News Clips
Posted on June 28, 2009?The following students graduated this spring with degrees in paralegal studies from Ivy Tech Community College in Richmond, Indiana: Amber Gallagher, Tricia Lee-Ellen Agnew, Jamie D. Minton, Jacob Jay Stephens, Deborah Lynn Westcott, and Diane M. Galey...
Paralegal Posting of the Week: Disney Needs an Entertainment Paralegal
Posted on June 27, 2009How many of you wanted to grow up to be a Disney princess, and are still secretly crushed that it never happened? Working for Disney in New York might go a long way toward easing your disappointment.Our Legal Department is looking for a Paralegal to assist the Attorneys in our New York office...
Tips for Paralegal Students
Posted on June 27, 2009U.S. News & World Report?s Professors? Guide recently posted an excellent article, "9 Tips for Community College Students". While all of the tips are helpful to know prior to starting a community college program, the following tips are particularly useful for paralegal students...
California Paralegal?s Artist Daughter in Nebraska Foster Home
Posted on June 27, 2009When I first read this story in the Omaha World-Herald, my initial thought was, ?This amazingly talented young girl gets the short end of the stick no matter how this plays out.? Alice Wang, 12, the daughter of California paralegal Charlotte Wu and visiting Stanford University scholar Suwen Wang, won the North American division of a painting competition sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme and Bayer Corporation...
Paralegal Shares Summer Reading Tips for Kids
Posted on June 27, 2009Virginia paralegal and fiction editor of The Internet Review of Books Julie McGuire is like most moms. She wants to keep her kids reading when school's out, even if her kids are leaning toward the definition of "vacation" as a reading-free zone.But Julie's got some summer reading tips that will keep our kids begging for books:Keep it simple...
Paralegal Dog Walker Reverses Buffalo Blight
Posted on June 27, 2009First, let me just say I?m jealous. Paralegal Julie Padak works for Buffalo, New York attorney Francis Letro, who brings his dog Barkley to work. If everyone brought their dogs to work, litigation would be a nicer place. Padak often gets the pleasure of getting out of the office for a ramble with a friendly dog...
Nancy W. Kappes (Paralegal) T-shirts
Posted on June 26, 2009"Nancy W. Kappes (Paralegal) Effin' Rocks" might turn out to be the best-selling t-shirt in the history of paralegal merchandise - if there was such a t-shirt. (Warning: If expletives offend you, don't read any further because they form the basis of Nancy's sentence structure...
Robert Half Legal?s New White Paper: Law Offices Face New Challenges
Posted on June 25, 2009Robert Half Legal, a staffing service for legal professionals, has released a new white paper, Delivering Value-Added Legal Services in Challenging Times, summarizing research results from the firm's ninth annual Future Law Office project.Key findings include:Demand for legal services is growing in practice areas such as bankruptcy, litigation, intellectual property and environmental law...
Legal Nurse Consultant Profile: Abbie Citron RN BSN CLNC
Posted on June 25, 2009Job Title: Certified Legal Nurse ConsultantEmployer: Owner of Citron & Associates Legal Nurse Consulting, Los Angeles, CAYears of Legal Nurse Consultant Experience: 2+ YearsSpecialty Areas: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Product Liability (Really, any type of law where health or injury is involved)Career Highlight: Using my many years of bedside nursing experience to build a successful legal nurse consulting practice...
Paralegal News Clips
Posted on June 25, 2009? Attorney Jim Smith has been appointed as the interim coordinator for Arizona Western College?s paralegal programs. Smith helped start the program two and a half years ago and stated, ?"There are a lot of jobs in the profession that are not necessarily attorney...
Washington Paralegal Charged with Assault During Flight
Posted on June 23, 2009Sherilee ?Leesa? Van Zandt, a paralegal employed by the City of Spokane, has been charged in Spokane County District Court with assaulting an Alaska Airlines flight attendant ?in a drunken, profanity-laced tirade.? Police say that Van Zandt claimed to be a city prosecutor when they tried to calm her...
Ex-Attorney Working as Paralegal Charged with Theft
Posted on June 23, 2009Former Ohio attorney Barry Brickley has been charged in Richland County Common Pleas Court with theft, forgery and receiving stolen property, due to allegedly writing $10,555.00 worth of checks to himself while working as a paralegal for local attorney Randy Fry...
California Legal Assistant's Award-Winning Ribs
Posted on June 23, 2009Rosie Hamilton is a member of Tehama County CattleWomen.She has been a legal assistant at McGlynn, McGlynn & Bottke Attorneys at Law for 15 years.She and husband Fred have a beef cattle ranch in Vina, where son Mike is the irrigator.Their daughter Jamie is studying to be a LVN in Fortuna...
Paralegals in the News
Posted on June 22, 2009Florida resident Ana Vazquez received a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from the University of Miami in June 2009. Within a few weeks of graduation, she obtained her first paralegal position at a criminal defense firm in Fort Lauderdale.Anthony J. Iannini, a litigation paralegal in Saul Ewing LLP's Wilmington office and an adjunct professor at the Widener University Law Center's Legal Education Institute, has received the Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award from the university...
?Cyber Graves?: Give Your Executor Your Facebook Password
Posted on June 22, 2009When I came across the article, ?Cyber graveyards a growing problem for legal professionals?, I realized I had never given the question much thought, but what happens to our Facebook (and other social media profiles) when we?re no longer in the land of the living?CYBER graves are presenting a growing problem for legal professionals who urge people to leave their social network passwords with their executors in case they die...
The Paralegal Picture: Best Quotes for the Week Ending 06/21/09
Posted on June 21, 2009I did several posts on stress-eating this week, which seems to be a hot issue in the news."I should just put them down on the seat and sit on them. That's where they're going to go ? on my behind. I eat them because it makes me feel better." ~ California paralegal Leslie Fuller admits that she?s having trouble sticking to her grocery list and is stress-eating, throwing candy in her cart instead...
Iowa Legal Assistant is a ?Guerrilla Gardener?
Posted on June 21, 2009When we think of gardening as a stress-relieving activity, we usually think of enjoying it on our own property, but legal assistant Olenka Gadzik plants flowers and vegetables on other people?s property in Davenport, Iowa, a form of unsolicited ?guerrilla gardening?...
Paralegal Profile: Kristina Duncan, Freelance Paralegal and Law Student-to-Be
Posted on June 21, 2009Job Title: Freelance/Virtual ParalegalEmployer: Self-employed at Paralegal Associates, San Diego, CAYears of Paralegal Experience: 2+Specialty Areas: Civil litigation, personal injury, employment law ? learning environmental lawCareer Highlight: Starting my freelance business and having it actually take off...
This Paralegal Has a Skeleton in Her Closet
Posted on June 19, 2009Many of the great professional bloggers recommend that you develop a relationship with your readers by occasionally sharing information about yourself. So I?ve decided to take the plunge and share my deepest, darkest secret.I have a skeleton in my closet...
Paralegal Posting of the Week: Work for Petsmart
Posted on June 18, 2009If you?ve got a passion for pets and are interested in seeking employment with the legal department of a major retailer, Petsmart in Phoenix, Arizona is seeking a Senior Paralegal to work with Senior Legal Counsel on its Human Resources team. The job description indicates that this position will be challenging but offers the right person a variety of interesting job duties...
Free eBook for Electronic Discovery Practitioners
Posted on June 17, 2009New ?Considering Meet and Confer? eBook Available for Electronic Discovery PractitionersFree eBook Provides Notes, Articles, and References to Help Educate and Support Legal and IT Professionals Considering FRCP Rule 26(f)LegalTech West 2009 Conference, Booth #120SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orange Legal Technologies, a leading electronic discovery provider of one source litigation, audit, and investigation support services for law firms and corporations seeking insight on electronically stored information, today announced the release of a compilation of notes, articles, and references in the form of a 44-page eBook that provides electronic discovery practitioners ? both legal and IT ? a general overview of planning considerations and practical application of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(f) ?Meet and Confer? requirements...
Incisive Legal Intelligence and IPMA Release 2009 Paralegal Compensation Survey
Posted on June 16, 2009Incisive Legal Intelligence, a leading source of business intelligence for the legal profession, in partnership with the International Paralegal Management Association (IPMA), today announced the release of the Annual Compensation Survey for Paralegals/Legal Assistants and Managers, 2009 Edition, tracking compensation, billing rates and billable hours for paralegals...
North Carolina Paralegal Attends Tony Awards
Posted on June 16, 2009At the 2009 Tony Awards, David Alvarez, one of three Tony-winning Billy Eliots, said upon receiving his trophy, "We have to put these back, though, and they give us, like, a real one."Susie Grimm, a North Carolina paralegal, was there to experience the real Tony Awards in New York City and saw Billy Elliot, The Musical win the award for Best Musical, with her two children, Dori and Josh...
Paralegals Tweet Fast Food Faves for Stress Relief
Posted on June 15, 2009I know I just wrote a post about handling work stress by walking and bringing your own healthy snacks, but what's a working paralegal to do when faced with a genuine need to hide in her car at lunch with a Sookie Stackhouse novel and the opposite of celery?So, today I tweeted (for God knows who to see, including hello-is-my-boss-on-Twitter-too?), ?Sometimes I deal with the pressures of litigation by sneaking out to Sonic and eating cheese fries alone in my car...
Arizona Paralegal Charged with Perjury
Posted on June 15, 2009Arizona resident Nora Liliana Skinner Reyes, a Paralegal Specialist employed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has been indicted in U.S. District Court in Tuscon for allegedly making false statements during an employee security interview.Reyes allegedly denied that she had been terminated from her part-time employment at Bank of America for misconduct arising out of the theft of bank monies...
Practical Paralegalism's Top 50 Twitter Feeds for Paralegals
Posted on June 14, 2009While there are many, many delightful and knowledgeable Tweeps who tweet especially for legal professionals, there are some who seem to make it their life?s mission to consistently, thoughtfully and succinctly, within the 140-character limit, provide information that paralegals can use, whether it be social media or career tips, the latest legal news, specialty information, practice tips, continuing education opportunities, great blog posts, or simply moments in the daily life of a working paralegal...
Legal Assistant Fights to Change Virginia Comp Law in Death Cases
Posted on June 14, 2009Claire Pierce, a Virginia legal assistant, has taken on the Virginia legislature in an effort to change state law to expand the current presumption that when a worker dies immediately at a work site it is work-related, to include those who do not die immediately at the scene and are unable to testify on their own behalf...
The Paralegal Picture: Best Internet Quotes for the Week Ending 06/14/09
Posted on June 14, 2009Are you seriously considering law school? Try working in a law office first.?I sure wish I had been a paralegal before I signed my life away for law school. Then I'd know how much I hated the legal environment.? ~ Anonymous comment during Carolyn Hax?s June 12, 2009 online live advice chat...
Paralegals in the News
Posted on June 14, 2009Immigration paralegal Kelly Fisk and attorney Dan Alcorn of Alcorn Karlin, LLC in Galesburg, Illinois, recently attended the American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference in Las Vegas. (Galesburg Register-Mail)Montana resident Suzanne M. Damjanovich, a paralegal and office manager for Dalton Law Firm, P...
Is the Internet Hurting Your Client's Case?
Posted on June 13, 2009All legal professionals should read InjuryBoard.com's June 10, 2009 article, "How to Wreck, Ruin, and Terminate Your Personal Injury Case" by Texas attorney Jeff Rasansky, who warns that Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter may keep clients from recovering monies that they deserve after an injury...
Vermont Mom Enlists to Become National Guard Paralegal
Posted on June 13, 2009Vermont resident Paula Hawkins is 40 years old and barely made the age cut-off, but this didn't stop her from enlisting for an eight-year stint in the Vermont National Guard, simultaneously with her 18-year old son's enlistment. Soon they will both head out for basic training...
How to Avoid Stress Eating
Posted on June 13, 2009As legal professionals, I bet we've all "been there and done THAT," i.e. eaten to relieve stress. We're not supposed to consume alcohol at work, so that leaves, well, chocolate and chips. In fact, I know some legal professionals whose daily lunch (and sometimes breakfast) consists only of chocolate and chips, washed down by a giant soda - or 16 cups of coffee...
Connecticut Resident Moves Closer to Paralegal Career Goal
Posted on June 13, 2009I love these news stories. We're never too old to set new goals, obtain more education and follow our dreams.Having always worked in jobs she didn't enjoy to provide for her family, Janet Rose wanted to be able to support them while working somewhere she loved...
Indiana Paralegal Student Receives College Award for Excellence
Posted on June 10, 2009Samantha Friedman, a 2009 graduate of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, was named the 2008-09 recipient of the Excellence in Paralegal Studies Award. The award was given by the Paralegal Studies Advisory Board at its semiannual meeting on April 20.In giving this award, committee chairwoman Cathy Canny, senior paralegal for Dann, Pecar, Newman & Kleiman, P...
Indiana Law Firm Sanctioned for Discovery Violations
Posted on June 10, 2009In an unusual ruling, Bose McKinney & Evans (BME), an Indianapolis law firm, was sanctioned on June 5, 2009 by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, for conduct that violated the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: purposely withholding documents responsive to discovery requests...
Twitterbox Update: Why I Won?t Follow You Back on Twitter
Posted on June 09, 2009I?m not a Twitter elitist, and I have a weakness for people whose tweets make me laugh, or who frequently tweet Twitpics of their dogs or their dinner (the human dinner, not the canine).But I?ve got my standards for not following Twitterers, and here they are in no particular order:Your profile picture is the ubiquitous Twitter default "owl", the Twitter equivalent of wearing a paper bag over your head...
Paralegal Posting of the Week: Work in Brussels
Posted on June 09, 2009Ever since I saw the movie In Bruges, any city in Belgium has moved to my top travel destination. Sometimes I watch this little gem of a hapless hitman comedy just for its awe-inspiring travelogue qualities (and not for Colin Farrell, well maybe a little for Colin)...
Rochester Paralegal Association Announces Paralegal of the Year & Board of Directors
Posted on June 09, 2009New York paralegal DeAnna Martelle received the 2009 Paralegal of the Year Award from The Paralegal Association of Rochester Inc. Ms. Martelle is employed by Hiscock & Barclay LLP.2009-2010 board of directors for The Paralegal Association of Rochester Inc...
Ramstein Paralegal Named Best in Air Force
Posted on June 09, 2009435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Story by Tech. Sgt. Michael VossMaster Sgt. Kristen Orcutt, 435th Air Base Wing Legal office, non-commissioned officer in charge for legal operations was recently selected as the Yates-Popwell Award winner for 2008...
Paralegals Can Help Raise Law Firm Revenue
Posted on June 08, 2009In the Wisconsin Law Journal?s June 8, 2009 article ?Experts offer 5 ways to raise law-firm revenue?, utilizing paralegals is included as a way for firms to economically provide client service and survive these difficult economic times.No. 3: Leverage expertise...
NC Paralegal Earns NALA Certification
Posted on June 08, 2009Jennifer Williams, a paralegal at White & Allen, P.A., has successfully completed the two-day examination that entitles her to use the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal credential.Williams is among 446 paralegals in the state of North Carolina and 15,378 nationwide who have attained this goal and can carry the CLA/CP designation...
Top 10 Tips for Brand New Paralegals
Posted on June 07, 2009Even though I?ve only been blogging since October 2008, I hoard ideas for posts like a magpie hoards food and shiny items. Come to think of it, I also hoard food and shiny items...But in regard to blog posts which might interest other paralegals, I?m starting to look like a bag lady, with several large piles of legal articles, magazines, pamphlets, newspaper clippings and written notes...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on June 07, 2009Iowa paralegal Jane Wiggins, employed by Simmons Perrine Moyer & Bergman in Cedar Rapids, has had a photograph published by National Geographic. Her photograph, taken from the 11th floor of a downtown office building in 2006, shows the first new cloud formation, Undulus asperatus, classified by scientists since 1951...
The Paralegal Picture: Best Internet Quotes for the Week Ending 06/07/09
Posted on June 07, 2009Unfortunately, too many legal staffers have made the national news recently for the wrong reason: unfettered access to firm accounts leading to embezzlement. In a recent National Law Journal article, "Law firms make easy pickings for embezzlers", the disturbing trend is discussed...
Sotomayor?s Intensity Caused Paralegal to Break Out in Hives
Posted on June 07, 2009President Obama?s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court has subjected her to an in-depth review of her past working relationships. Well aware that she is facing more criticism of her demeanor than male judges, she shares the following story about a former co-worker?s stressful reaction to her...
Legal Assistant and Homeless Advocate Dies After Purse-Snatching
Posted on June 06, 2009Louisiana native and legal assistant Helen Canafax, employed by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in San Francisco for 19 years, was a passionate advocate for the homeless and needy, volunteering at area non-profit organizations and churches, and befriending and feeding the homeless near her Bay Area office...
Paralegal Posting of the Week: CIA Paralegal
Posted on June 04, 2009While doing some fun but intensive research for an article on paralegal careers, I am reviewing many interesting paralegal job postings across the country. I think some of them are way too cool to keep to myself. Hence, Practical Paralegalism's "Paralegal Posting of the Week" is born...
Add Corporette.com to Your Faves for Great Career Dressing Tips
Posted on June 03, 2009It's becoming a challenge to write a post that doesn't include Twitter.com, and this one will be no different. A great source of interesting blogs and articles, someone tweeted the link to Corporette.com, a "fashion and lifestyle blog for overachieving chicks" a few weeks ago, and I've been hooked ever since...
Paralegal Accuses Former Deputy of Pointing Taser at Her
Posted on June 02, 2009I?ll admit this story is a bit hard to piece together, but I believe the gist of it is as follows:On April 8, 2008, Missouri paralegal Tiffany Adamson was walking into the Greene County Courthouse in Springfield, when she shared an (undisclosed) joke about a former courthouse co-worker with the (then) head of courthouse security, former Greene County deputy Robert Green...
Paralegal Student to Attend Graduation Ceremony via Second Life
Posted on June 02, 2009I know, if you?re like me, your first thought was something along the lines of ?Isn?t Second Life that place on the Internet where people pretend to be someone they aren?t in reality?? Or maybe you just said, ?What?s ?Second Life???Second Life is ?a free 3D virtual world where users can socialize, connect and create using voice and text chat...
Guest Blogger: The Benefits of Voice Recognition Software by Mary Babic
Posted on June 01, 2009I'm a member of the national paralegal listserv, Paralegal Gateway, and recently posted the following question:?Hello, everyone. I have a paralegal degree, but because I am not a speedy typist, I don't think anyone will hire me. Are there other areas that I can look into without my typing being strong? Thanks?...
Twitterbox Update: Why Twitter?
Posted on May 31, 2009I know I?ve blogged at least 14 times about the social and professional benefits of Twitter, but after reading ?all atwitter?, an article which appeared in my local paper this week, and trying to explain Twitter to my mama, I thought I should do a Twitter 101 column for those of you still wondering why anyone would want to do such a newfangled and just plain weird thing as ?twitter?...
The Paralegal Picture: Best Internet Quotes of the Week Ending 05/31/09
Posted on May 31, 2009A paralegal student reminds us of the importance of being an organ donor:?Everyone pretty much takes their health for granted. I know I did. I still have friends who don?t want to be organ donors and I do understand that everyone has a right to make their own decision...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on May 31, 2009Massachusetts resident Patricia M. Liessner received a certificate in paralegal studies with high honors from Northern Essex Community College. (Georgetown Record)Texan Kara Frazier, a single working mother, has been awarded the AAUW Tyler Branch Virginia Skeen Clark Scholarship...
Paralegal Charged with Kidnapping Hoax Under Investigation for Theft
Posted on May 30, 2009Philadelphia paralegal Bonnie Sweeten has made national news headlines for claiming that she and her toddler were carjacked, setting off a ?law enforcement and media frenzy? earlier this week, and now faces further legal woes as accusations surface of alleged thefts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars from her former employer and a children?s charity organization...
Paralegal Wins Award for Child Advocacy
Posted on May 30, 2009Paralegal and client advocate Jennifer Tlumak, employed by the Tennessee Justice Center, has been given the 2009 Young Leader Award by the Tennessee Alliance for Progress, in recognition for her advocacy for children?s health services.Tlumak has been associated with the Tennessee Justice Center since 2006...
Step Up Your Game - Breaking into Today?s Paralegal Profession
Posted on May 28, 2009by Christina L. Koch, ACP Layoffs and the down economy seem to be affecting every occupation these days, and the legal profession is no exception. The number of paralegal jobs available has decreased, while the number of qualified applicants has increased...
An Associate Discusses Communicating with Legal Assistants
Posted on May 28, 2009Nelia Robbi, a Texas attorney, gives the following advice about interacting with legal assistants in a recent article posted at Law.com, ?Communicating as an Associate: Remain Authentic?: A little respect makes a big difference in office relationships...
Legal Assistant Searches for a Job ? On the Streets
Posted on May 27, 2009Florida legal assistant Tina Maudlin, laid off last June, put on her classic interview suit on Tuesday, May 26, 2009, and then stood at a busy intersection in Tallahassee with a neatly printed large sign reading, ?Legislative/Legal Assistant Needs Employment?...
?Paralegal? Stumps National Spelling Bee Contender
Posted on May 27, 2009There are those days when I have trouble spelling ?paralegal? myself, along with simpler words like ?blue? and my name. So I have nothing but the utmost admiration for those stellar baby spellers who make it all the way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on May 27, 2009Lynn Lisk, program director and assistant professor in the Legal Assistance/Paralegal program at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, has been reappointed for a fourth term to the Mock Trial Committee of the Arkansas Bar Association.Lisk will also serve as the regional coordinator for the Mock Trial Competition in February 2010, scheduled to be held on the UA Fort Smith campus for the third time...
Got Reading Glasses?
Posted on May 27, 2009I confess. I collect reading glasses. And I lose reading glasses. And then I buy more.I love reading glasses. The more colorful, the better. The more they embarrass my children, the more likely I am to love them. But red's my favorite.And I'm not afraid to admit that 2...
Paying it forward
Posted on May 27, 2009by Diana Smith, Managing Editor, Carolina Paralegal News Paralegals are paragons of service, yet efforts sometimes go unnoticedWhen the American Bar Association's annual Law Week took place earlier this month, headlines popped in both Carolinas with stories and photos showing lawyers accomplishing good deeds for their communities...
On Missing @lilyhill
Posted on May 25, 2009The thing is, I had my eye on Twitterer @lilyhill for a professional profile for Practical Paralegalism. I just hadn?t worked up the nerve to ask my Twitter ?rock star? for it. She was one of the first half dozen or so people that I followed on Twitter, attracted to her description on J...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on May 25, 2009As always, it's an honor and a pleasure to share the achievements of paralegals and paralegal students all over the country. Special thanks to those of you who contacted me directly with your news.Want to share your good news, including degrees, scholarships, job announcements and special recognition via Practical Paralegalism? Email me at lynne...
Lawyer Blames Paralegal for Erroneous Application
Posted on May 25, 2009Texas lawyer Andrew Schirrmeister responded to a motion for sanctions by former appellate judge Gordon Maag, admitting that his application to practice in an Illinois benzene suit without an Illinois license omitted information about prior sanctions ? due to the fault of the paralegal that prepared it...
Courthouse Clerk Earns Bachelor?s Degree at Age 72
Posted on May 25, 2009New Jersey courthouse clerk Elaine Bialow, employed by the Middlesex County Courthouse, graduated this week from Rutgers University with a bachelor?s degree in political science. She is 72 years old.Bialow worked toward her political science degree not for a promotion or more money, but for her own edification...
Paralegal Sells Elderly Lawyer?s Practice for $20
Posted on May 25, 2009This might be Practical Paralegalism?s criminal activity shocker for the month. California paralegal Mario Abernathy admitted selling an 84-year old lawyer?s practice for $20, after befriending him and then having him sign a power of attorney giving Mr...
First Grader Says Legal Assistants Can Earn Lots of Money
Posted on May 25, 2009A first grader at Middle Ridge Elementary School in Middletown, Ohio shares what she learned about legal assistants at the school's recent career day.Shelby Williams, 7, said she learned a legal assistant ?needs to do whatever the lawyer says.Shelby said the career is ?cool because she can earn lots of money...
Process Server Signs 200 False Affidavits
Posted on May 25, 2009Minnesota process server Angus McEachern was charged Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court with 13 counts of perjury. He lied about serving 13 individuals, leaving them facing default judgments for cases they didn't know about, according to criminal charges...
Paralegal Profile: Christina L. Koch, ACP, Freelance Author & Belly Dancer
Posted on May 22, 2009Job Titles: Litigation Paralegal/Trial Practice SpecialistEmployer: Inserra & Kelley, Omaha, NEYears of Paralegal Experience: 20Specialty Areas: Personal Injury, FELA, Workers? Compensation, Social SecurityCareer Highlights: Paralegal Gateway Superstar March 2008, NALA LEAP Class 2009, and being able to freelance as a legal author, which I have really enjoyed the last few years...
What to Wear to a Paralegal Job Interview
Posted on May 20, 2009Alison Doyle, a job search expert, book author and prolific career columnist at About.com Careers, recently blogged about ?What Not to Wear on an Interview?. She is a great job search follow on Twitter (@alisondoyle), and in addition to regularly blogging with excellent career advice, offers a free weekly email job searching newsletter...
Sometimes the Fine Print Is Both Frightening and Inspiring
Posted on May 20, 2009Words to live by for any legal professional (and the general public): "Read the fine print." Today, while drinking my aptly named "rescue" green tea vitaminwater®, I just happened to notice the fine print on the bottle, which says:is it us or is "maturing just another word for getting old? and who likes getting old anyway? your ears get hairier than your head, your back goes out more than you do, your late night dinners turn into early bird specials, you go from blonde hair to blue hair, and your little black book contains names that end only in m...
Simplify Your Life: Let Supercook Turn Your Bread Crumbs into Dinner
Posted on May 19, 2009Another legal assistant on Twitter, @robertdawson155, brought the Supercook website to my attention. He tweeted, "Mashable on Twitter says: Supercook Analyzes Your Kitchen to Suggest What to Cook - http://bit.ly/AnDGQ - I like this idea!"I have a childlike awe for software designers, and was completely gobsmacked by the idea that someone could design a website that might suggest dinner recipes for the minimal ingredients already in my admittedly pathetic kitchen...
Former Paralegal is Receptionist of the United States
Posted on May 19, 2009Washington, DC resident Darienne Page, an Army veteran and former paralegal who took depositions in Iraq, is now President Barack Obama?s receptionist. He has affectionately nicknamed her ?Rotus? - for ?Receptionist of the [entire] United States?.For her $36,000-a-year salary, Ms...
Paralegal Earns Extra Bucks as a Mystery Shopper
Posted on May 19, 2009South Carolina paralegal Anita Robertson has a part-time gig as a mystery shopper. She earned about $1,000.00 extra dollars last year, visiting stores and restaurants to evaluate their service ? and got some free meals. But she earns those meals, recording the length of time she waits to be served and evaluating the cleanliness of the restrooms...
Tardy Paralegal Accused Stealing from Two Law Firms
Posted on May 19, 2009Philadelphia resident and former estate paralegal Kathy Foer-Morse will likely not get a reference from her last two employers, New York firm Satterlee, Stephens, Burke & Burke and Philadelphia firm High Swartz. A representative of High Swartz says that Ms...
Add Martindale.com to Your Online Job Search Resources
Posted on May 18, 2009The discovery of martindale.com as an additional online job source for paralegals is a key reason why every paralegal should join and use Twitter. I promise that Twitter is free and painless. Heck, Twitter is fun and a non-stop educational resource for the latest in legal news, technology and resources...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on May 17, 2009Researching and announcing good paralegal news via Practical Paralegalism?s ?Primo Paralegal Shoutouts? is one of my favorite activities. This week there was so much good news that this is my longest shoutout ever. But it?s just plain exciting to see so many paralegals and paralegal students succeeding, excelling and being recognized for their achievements all over the country...
Retired Paralegal Saves Herself Right Into the Toilet
Posted on May 17, 2009This news story ?Saving money never cost so much? caught my eye, not only because it involves a retired paralegal, but because recently I?ve heard numerous friends use the phrase ?saving myself into the poorhouse? when talking about some of their less successful efforts to economize...
Simplify Your Life: Opt Out of Credit Card Offers
Posted on May 14, 2009As a paralegal, I sort enough paper at work to get a little teary-eyed when I find a mailbox overflowing with junk mail, credit card offers and circulars at home after work. As a slightly obsessive recycler and shredder, it takes more of my free time than I want to admit to reduce that huge pile of useless mail to safely-shredded ribbons and environmentally-conscious bins...
Paralegal Profile: Jessica Johnson, Paralegal & Jewelry Designer
Posted on May 11, 2009Job Titles: Paralegal, Jewelry Designer and CreatorEmployers: Bell, Tennent & Frogge; Red Panda Chainmaille (Nashville, TN)Years of Paralegal Experience: Almost 1 yearSpecialty Area: Criminal DefenseCareer Highlight: The best thing about my job is my bosses, the lawyers, because they are understanding...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on May 11, 2009Florida resident Sharon A. Foster, a paralegal in The Law Firm of Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown's trusts and estates group, has been certified by The Florida Bar as a Florida Registered Paralegal in the State of Florida. (The News-Press)Nebraska resident Jan Packard has been hired as a claims assistant by Preferred Professional Insurance in Omaha...
The Paralegal Picture: Best Internet Quotes for the Week Ending 05/09/09
Posted on May 11, 2009Employers are still interested in paralegal graduates, so hang in there and be creative with your job search. A California bankruptcy paralegal enjoys working on pro bono bankruptcy cases. It's official; the SEC desperately needs some good paralegals...
The Best We Could: Happy Mother?s Day
Posted on May 10, 2009My favorite columnist is Sharon Randall. She writes about life, family and love in a way that I can relate to ? funny, honest and real. This year her column for Mother?s Day, ?The mother I wanted to be?, is about living up to our own wonderfully high expectations, and then adjusting them to the capricious demands of reality...
Listserv Answer: What else can you do with a paralegal degree?
Posted on May 07, 2009I follow three national paralegal listservs: LAT-Forum, ParalegalGateway and Paralegals. (See "Favorite Paralegal Sites" at the sidebar for listserv links.) Being a part of the listservs helps me feel connected to other paralegals all over the country...
Court Reporting Attracts Laid Off Paralegals
Posted on May 07, 2009Given the number of Americans being laid off from their jobs every day, I had to blog about a career news article that includes the statements, ?John Brandon has never met a court reporter that is unemployed,? and ?Freelance court reporters can easily make well into the six figures...
Paralegal Wins Unusual Pet Award
Posted on May 07, 2009California paralegal Cyndi Goforth, owner of Auburn Paralegal Services, has made a lifetime relationship commitment to Zazoo, a tall, fine-looking, red-haired fellow who loves Altoid breath mints. He just happens to be a camel.Zazoo was a gift to Ms. Goforth in 1996 and resides in her backyard...
New Paralegal Graduate Rescues Kittens
Posted on May 07, 2009Florida paralegal student Sandra Cicero, who graduates this week with an associate?s degree in Paralegal Studies from Pasco-Hernando Community College, will wear an additional accessory with her traditional cap and gown ? a Citizen Scholar Medallion recognizing students who have participated in community service projects...
Recent Paralegal Graduate Sentenced for False Hijacking Report
Posted on May 04, 2009California resident Susan Monica Kriss was sentenced to house arrest and probation after pleading guilty last year to falsely reporting that a man was planning to hijack a plane. Because of her false report, the poor guy was kicked off a plane on his way to his wedding in Egypt ? and had to spend $14,000...
Deceased Paralegal Still Feeds the Hungry
Posted on May 04, 2009Deceased Georgia paralegal James Fleming continues to contribute to the community ? even though he died last year of natural causes. Born in 1940, he worked at a patent law firm in New York for 30 years. He bequeathed $115,000.00 each to three non-profit organizations: LAMP Shelter, Second Harvest Food Bank and American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals...
Why Pipl.com Didn't "Scare My Pants Off"
Posted on April 27, 2009This weekend on Twitter, @People_Searcher tweeted ?People Search Website [Pipl.com] Will Scare Your Pants Off http://tinyurl.com/c46a4f?. For me, that kind of statement is like waving a red flag at a bull, or placing Havarti cheese in a mousetrap; I'm going to go for it...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on April 27, 2009Florida paralegal Sharon Foster, employed by Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown?s trusts and estates group, has been certified by The Florida Bar as a Florida registered paralegal. (Naples News)Florida Medicaid legal assistant Tricia Winterstein, employed by Osterhout, McKinney & Prather P...
Beware of Online Sample Paralegal Resumes
Posted on April 25, 2009You have to take many of the online sample paralegal resumes with a grain of salt (sometimes with an entire Morton?s Salt container). The quality is not consistent among the many samples I reviewed, and using some of them is a great way to never get an interview...
Legal Professionals Helping Children
Posted on April 22, 2009I was thrilled to see that the Children's Law Center in Washington, DC ?received the 2009 Mayor's Community Service Award yesterday for its successful use of pro bono attorneys to help the District's at-risk children. The award was presented as part of National Volunteer Week...
Practical Paralegalism Reader Comments
Posted on April 22, 2009I love it when you comment, I really do. I value your readership and your opinions. Part of this blog?s purpose is to build a sense of community among paralegals nationwide, so it?s even nicer when the comments turn into a conversation, or a valuable addition to the blog entry...
LinkedIn: Take the Dread Profile Pic Yourself
Posted on April 19, 2009I don?t know many adults who love to have their pictures taken. But you need a nice head shot for your LinkedIn profile, so your viewers can put a name with a face (preferably smiling). Without a head shot, your profile looks blank, incomplete and well, to be perfectly honest, not particularly personable...
The Paralegal Picture: Best Internet Quotes for the Week Ending 04/19/09
Posted on April 19, 2009My heart goes out to a laid-off paralegal who found himself at a ?recession fair? which included assistance applying for food stamps and a paralegal seeking work who is being told that she is TOO qualified for jobs. (This puzzles me. The last time we had an opening, I would have shed tears of joy had anyone really over-qualified wanted to come work on our busy legal team...
Primo Paralegal Shoutouts
Posted on April 19, 2009Florida paralegal Judy Maciejewski, employed by Zisser, Robison, Brown, Nowlis, Maciejewski & Cabrey P.A. in Jacksonsville, was named a member of The 2009-10 Cambridge Who's Who registry. (Jacksonville.com)Florida municipal legal assistant Kerri Miller has been hired to fill Plant City?s city clerk position held by Virginia Helper, who is retiring after 35 years of municipal service...
I Need a Suit -- FAST!
Posted on April 16, 2009When I got my first paralegal job, I wore suits, pantyhose and heels every day. The office manager wouldn?t even let the staff wear jeans on the day that the firm moved its offices to another building. I had spare pantyhose and clear nail polish in a desk drawer, and my favorite clerk at the local Ann Taylor store called me when they had size 2 styles she thought I?d like on the clearance rack...
Upcoming Paralegal Mentor Mastermind Call to Feature Jeannie Johnston
Posted on April 16, 2009The Paralegal Mentor, Vicki Voisin, has announced that Jeannie Johnston, Founder and CEO of ParalegalGateway.com, will be her guest expert on the next "Paralegal Mentor Mastermind Call" this coming Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. EST. For more information and to register, go to http://snipurl...
LinkedIn: Network by Joining Paralegal Groups
Posted on April 14, 2009I?ve noticed that some of you have ?dipped your toe in the pool?, so to speak, and started a LinkedIn profile, but that many of you haven?t taken advantage of one of LinkedIn?s most powerful networking tools: Groups.By joining a LinkedIn Group of like-minded professionals, you can increase your networking opportunities, follow the group?s discussions, and even start discussions yourself ? a great way to pose questions or seek opportunities...
National Be Kind to Lawyers (and Their Staff?) Day
Posted on April 13, 2009According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 350,000 paralegals and legal assistants aid approximately 1,000,000 American lawyers. By the way, April 14, 2009 is National Be Kind to Lawyers Day. One suggestion for participating is to work phrases like ?I object!? or ?You?re out of order!? into your daily conversation...
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