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Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

The Estrin Report The Estrin Report

Interesting and timely news, tips and techniques for paralegals, legal assistants, litigation support managers and paralegal educators by the founders of The Paralegal SuperConferences.

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Last Entry: November 18, 2009 at 15:47:42

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New Association for Bankruptcy Paralegals Forms

Posted on November 18, 2009
We've seen a number of new associations spring up lately. This is a great sign! It means that paralegals are getting much more involved in the profession, are more interested in ever in promoting the field and are developing more...


New Organization for Healthcare Paralegals Launches

Posted on November 03, 2009
Robin Margolis is at it again. This industrious paralegal has started another organization for paralegals that fits the current trends in the field. The Healthcare Paralegal Federation has been formed to meet the needs of healthcare paralegals, paralegals interested in...


Sex, Secretaries and Audacious Attorneys

Posted on October 22, 2009
Sometimes, you're just plain shocked at behavior. Law.com Legal Blog Watchreported today a bombshell of a complaint over a May 2009 ad on Craigslist under "Adult Gigs" for a secretary/legal assistant. The ad was titled: "Loop lawyers hiring secretary/legal assistant...


When to Say No to Your Dream Job

Posted on October 14, 2009
Have you ever wondered what might have happened in your life if you had chosen one road over another? I mean, what really might have happened? I don?t make a habit of writing about my own experiences but?..a few years...


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The Empowered Paralegal - A New Book for New Paralegals

Posted on September 21, 2009
For those of us who are "old" hands at this, the information presented in a new book by Robert E. Mongue, The Empowered Paralegal, may seem pretty obvious. However, when I think back to when I was brand new on...


You Call This Networking??

Posted on September 15, 2009
Networking. No matter how you twitter, tweet, link, face or space, you have to do it these days if you want to avoid career suicide. With all this online socializing, however, your knack for meeting strangers one-on-one (probably the best...


DOJ Paralegal Whistleblower Dissed & Dismissed - Exclusive Interview!

Posted on September 10, 2009
Exclusive to KNOW, The Magazine for Paralegals From Justice Dream Job to Nightmare Tamarah Grimes, Justice Department Paralegal: Why This Whistleblower Was Dissed & Dismissed By Andrew Kreig, J.D., M.S.L. As federal prosecutors prepared in 2006 for the corruption trial...


Critical Need for e-Discovery Certification & The OLP

Posted on September 01, 2009
Today?s screaming for qualified e-discovery professionals has reached an unprecedented volume. Recently, Socha-Gelbman published an overview of the results of their annual survey on the Legal Technology News site. One of the most important single observations from it is the...


Why Would the S.C. Bar Stifle Competency Improvement?

Posted on August 27, 2009
According to the Carolina Paralegal News, South Carolina paralegals won't be seeing voluntary certification and registration any time soon. The South Carolina House of Delegates has tabled a proposal for paralegals to start a voluntary certification program for paralegals...


The Organization of Legal Professionals - An association worth joining

Posted on August 21, 2009
The Organization of Legal Professionals, a non-profit organization has launched its membership drive. Dedicated to certification of e-Discovery and other areas in the legal field, this association has attracted some of the top lawyers and legal professionals in the country...


WSPA Hits One Out of the Park with Social Media Guide for Paralegals

Posted on August 13, 2009
The Washington State Paralegal Association sent us their new "Unofficial LinkedIn User Guide" they developed for new paralegal LinkedIn users. This simple guide is fantastic. I wish I had it when I started instead of making the bloopers I made!...


Tired of the Same Old Paralegal Job? Positions Exist Where You Least Expect

Posted on August 07, 2009
Have you ever found yourself performing an assignment that you know perfectly well, given a different name and a different case, would be the same assignment you have performed over and over ad nauseam? For example, deposition summaries, indexing, boiler...


The Search for America's Favorite Paralegal

Posted on July 22, 2009
Somewhere out there are America's Favorite Paralegals. You know who they are. These are colleagues, friends and managers who love their jobs, push the profession forward and always strive for excellence. Not only do you enjoy working with them, they....


Trends: Brand New Resume Writing Tool Is Wave of the Future

Posted on July 16, 2009
Margaret Agius is a rock solid paralegal. But after ten years with a major Detroit law firm, she was laid off from her job as a products liability specialist. Since then, this lively, smart and well-educated paralegal has had difficulty...


Top DOJ Paralegal Fired for Whistleblowing

Posted on July 09, 2009
According to the Huffington Post, new questions are surfacing about political intrigue at the U.S. Justice Department after former White House political strategist Karl Rove provided his long-awaited responses to House Judiciary Committee staff Tuesday about allegations that he pressured...


15 Warning Signs Your Firm May Be Laying Off Staff

Posted on July 09, 2009
The Wall Street Journal Blog this morning reported that DLA Piper on Wednesday laid off 121 people ? 21 lawyers and 100 staffers. The news bring the total number of layoffs at DLA to 440 in the U.S. and U.K....


New Book, eDiscovery Plain & Simple, is Helpful for Paralegals

Posted on July 06, 2009
A new book, "eDiscovery Plain & Simple", has just arrived in bookstores. Written by Shawnna Childress, Executive Director and co-Founder of Women in eDiscovery and Allison Brecher, Senior Litigation Counsel and Director of Information Management and Strategy, Marsh & McLennan...


Former Paralegal Uses Skills to Become Chief of Police - In Liberia

Posted on July 03, 2009
A 41-year old Liberian and former paralegal at a 50-attorney Washington, D.C. law firm has been appointed the Liberian Inspector-General by President Sirleaf. According to allafrica.com, Marc Amblard faced tremendous criticism about questionable skill sets necessary for the position...


New 2009 Paralegal Survey Released from IPMA and Incisive Media

Posted on June 28, 2009
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Incisive 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,...


Stealth But Powerful Paralegal Organization Celebrates 25th Birthday

Posted on June 10, 2009
This year is the 25th anniversary of the International Paralegal Management Association (IPMA). Surprisingly, not everyone has heard of this influential and powerful association, even after all these years. In fact, compared to associations such as NFPA and NALA, it...


Life Gets Easier: Google Introduces The Next Evolution of E-Mail?

Posted on June 05, 2009
Imagine making e-mail slicker, faster and easier to use. Apparently, Google imagined that too. Today, Google announced Google Wave what will probably become the next new e-mail. Wave is an ambitious new communication platform. It seeks to replace many of...


Paralegal Buys Law Practice from Elderly Lawyer for $20.00

Posted on May 29, 2009
This goes right up there in the "Hall of Shame" red file. According to the ABA Journal (quoting from the Orange County Register in Orange County, CA), a paralegal "bought" a law practice valued at $750,000 from an elderly, 84-year-old...


Paralegal Salaries Slashed by 20% at Prestigious Firm

Posted on May 26, 2009
Above the Law, the gossip blogloid (that previously has pretty much scoffed, jeered and laughed at paralegals) printed a sobering story today. Apparently, the law firm of Allen Matkins, known for its quality reputation in real estate law, rounded up....


Paralegal Arrested for Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

Posted on May 19, 2009
A former paralegal has been arrested for allegedly stealing from one firm to pay another. The paralegal allegedly stole over $100,000 from the Norristown, PA firm of High Schwartz to repay $285,000 to a New York firm. According to the...


Paralegal Denied Permission to Speak at Conference - New Trend?

Posted on May 18, 2009
Here's an interesting development regarding confidentiality and risk management: A very good friend of mine, let's call him/her Leslie (a unisex name), was asked to speak at the Paralegal Technology Institute at Legal Tech in Los Angeles. Now, Leslie is...


In Pursuit of Freedom: The Peter Kirchikov Story

Posted on May 13, 2009
We have never given just bits and pieces in this blog nor teased you with a story in KNOW. However, I wanted to share with you a bit of the upcoming issue. Occasionally, we run across stories that move your...


Associate Job Losses May Mean Paralegal Job Gains

Posted on May 07, 2009
This is the second time this week I read an article about paralegals gaining jobs in this miserable economy. OK, it's not miserable for absolutely everyone. But if you're watching Katie or Brian on the BigNews channels, you'll have to...


Virtual Paralegal Jobs: This One Pays Up to $100k

Posted on May 05, 2009
I must be in the wrong business. Today, I spotted an ad for a "Partial Telecommute Paralegal" who can work from home. The paralegal must be experienced in litigation, contracts, tort and workers compensation. The salary? $35,000 - $100,000 per...


Survey Points to Increased Use of Paralegals in In-House Legal Depts.

Posted on April 28, 2009
There's good news out there in LegalLand. According to The Pittsburgh Business Times, the Association for Corporate Counsel conducted its ninth annual survey of in-house legal departments and found that more than half surveyed are feeling the pinch from tough...


Do Something Good During These Tough Times and Pay It Forward

Posted on April 21, 2009
By Loni Morganelli American Paralegal in London While the loss of a job can leave us feeling down and out, volunteer work in the legal industry can offer us a bit of positive relief. One of the most well-known pro...


Smart Battles

Posted on April 16, 2009
In these tough times, the subject of when to go to battle with your employer has come up several times. People are simply afraid that if they speak up, they will lose their job, lose a client or suffer a...


Paralegal Tech Institute at LegalTech Offers Free Job Class, Keynote and More

Posted on April 14, 2009
If you have been merged, purged, fired, laid-off, delayed, sabbaticaled, held off, rescinded, pink slipped, downsized, rightsized or just plain broadsided and lost your job, you may want to hear about a generous offer from the folks at Law Technology...


"My Mommy is a Paralegal" - New Book for the Kids

Posted on April 08, 2009
The question of what is a paralegal has been around since the career started. Explaining it to an adult is one thing, but try explaining it to a child who has never seen a court room, judge or even an...


Our Paralegal in London Faces Riots as Protestors Swarm Law Offices

Posted on April 02, 2009
Loni Morganelli American Paralegal in London As most of our readers know, Loni Morganelli writes for The Estrin Report and contributes international posts. Working at a major firm in London, she gives us a global view of the legal world....


Enough Doom and Gloom- Show me the jobs!

Posted on March 31, 2009
By Loni Morganelli American Paralegal in London After months of dismal news and gloomy job forecasts, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some good news! So to help lift our spirits and in light of our "pay...


Paid Not to Work - Fighting the Recession Takes Interesting Turn

Posted on March 26, 2009
By Loni Morganelli American Paralegal in London Last week, according to Bloomberg News, Latham & Watkins LLP, the fourth-largest U.S. law firm, made an announcement that they would be offering incoming lawyers $75,000 to take the year off. Latham, which...



He's Still Stupid, According to Obama

Posted on March 17, 2009






The Hidden Job Market - It's In the Vendors

Posted on February 27, 2009


Finally! New TV Series Recognizes Paralegals

Posted on February 22, 2009
I may be just a little overexcited about what might otherwise be mundane news. But, hey, I live in Hollywood, I'm attached to the paralegal field and well, I've been curious as to why just about every TV series revolving...


Distance Learning - The Way of the Future for Busy Paralegals

Posted on February 20, 2009
By Loni MorganelliAmerican Paralegal in London In today's busy world with our hectic work schedules, family commitments, and endless pressures, it's hard to find the time to stop and go to school. But whether you're a fully qualified paralegal or...


Black Thursday Leads to Blacker Friday - Over 1100 Laid Off in Two Days

Posted on February 17, 2009
I would like to be the bearer of good news. But today, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about last week. If you haven't heard by now, Valentine's Day weekend was not a happy occasion for over...


Holy, Moly! We've Been Snoped!

Posted on February 13, 2009
Well, it turns out that our story yesterday about technology robbing you blind through your GPS and cell phone is only partially true! Thanks to Phill Signey and a couple of other fact-finding, industrious, on-the-ball paralegals, it turns out that...


American Paralegal in London

Posted on February 11, 2009
Two years ago, an adventurous Boston paralegal named Loni Morganelli, decided to jump the pond. Landing in a prestigious London firm, Morganelli today is enjoying a unique experience in the paralegal field. We are pleased to announce that she has...


By Loni Morganelli American Paralegal

Posted on February 04, 2009
By Loni Morganelli American Paralegal in London As 2009 ends its first month of the year, a total of 1,487 staff layoffs have been reported across some of the country?s biggest law firms. This is only the number that BigFirms...


Short-sighted Politicians "No" On Paralegals Can Cost San Francisco Big Bucks

Posted on February 02, 2009
By Loni MorganelliGuest BloggerAmerican Paralegal in London Last week, San Francisco Public Defender, Jeff Adachi, stressed the need for more paralegals on his staff. Without the proper staff, adequate resources, and valuable services of paralegals, he may have to turn...


Open Letter to Our Readers

Posted on January 22, 2009
It is with deep sadness and regret that I announce the bankruptcy of Estrin LegalEd, our seminar company.Homeowners and large corporations are not the only ones affected by these tough economic times. Small business owners, such as Estrin, have been....


In Charge of Defining Search Terms? You Could Cost Your Client $6 Million

Posted on January 19, 2009
A litigation paralegal's job can often include defining many of the search terms used in e-discovery. That can cost your client big, BIG bucks as reported today in Ralph Losey's blog, e-Discovery Team. Apparently, a trial lawyer for the Office...


The Paralegal Technology Institute at LegalTech New York

Posted on January 15, 2009
There's a brand new event that's occuring at LegalTech this year: The Paralegal Technology Institute at LegalTech in New York on Feb. 3-4 at the Sheraton Hotel. They are even giving you the first day of LegalTech on Feb. 2nd...


It's Official! It's Better to Be a Paralegal Instead of A Lawyer!

Posted on January 09, 2009
You knew it. You chose to be a paralegal instead of a lawyer but until now, no one has officially sanctioned your choice. In fact, many people (including old Aunt Minnie and grouchy Uncle Vinnie) still question why you didn't...


Corporate Bankruptcy Boom Leads to More Jobs

Posted on January 05, 2009
It's the old "good news and bad news" syndrome. The bad news, of course, is that these tough economic times have led to more businesses filing bankruptcy. The good news is, that someone has to handle those bankruptcies and that...


Paralegal Represents Client in Court - Attorney Gets Censured

Posted on December 29, 2008
Any paralegal worth his or her salt knows that the first thing you cannot do is to represent yourself as an attorney. Apparently, according to an article in The New York Lawyer, a lawyer and his paralegal thought otherwise. According...


What You Can Do as a Paralegal to Help Your Firm Avoid Malpractice Suits

Posted on December 19, 2008
Since this is hardly the first recession many of us have weathered, some of the articles we're reading could have been written in 2001 or in any of the other more infamous economically turmoiled times. However, the concerns may be...div class="feedflare" a href="http://feeds...


Working for a Non-equity Partner? Your Job May Be At Risk

Posted on December 15, 2008
Not everything is always public in a law firm. Particularly, whether the partner you are working for is an equity or non-equity partner. Paralegals don't always know or care, for that matter. But this volatile economy has caused new meaning...


Newsflash: Juries Make Decisions Based on Emotion

Posted on December 12, 2008
Something we always suspected now has some scientific research backing it. According to today's National Law Journal, science is now helping us understand how juries make decisions in crime and punishment. The articles states that: "Researchers from Vanderbilt University used...


New Paralegal Associations Started Through LinkedIn

Posted on December 09, 2008
Taking advantage of this new era of social networking, a smart paralegal has identified a need and filled it. Robin Elizabeth Margolis, paralegal, realized that IP paralegals and e-discovery paralegals have positions that demand unique knowledge but no specialty associations...


Is Your Firm on the Layoff List?

Posted on December 05, 2008
It used to be that Corporate America would not do the dastardly deed at holiday time. That is to say, layoffs would be put off until after Christmas. That way, even though you knew it might be coming, you could...


It's a Jungle Out There - More Layoffs for Paralegals

Posted on November 21, 2008
Gloomy news! Brown Rudnick,Mayer Brown, Squire Sanders today all announced layoffs of staff including paralegals in San Francisco, Chicago and cities other than financially devastated New York. On the "good" side of things, Bryan Cave says no layoffs expected but...


Death of the Impromptu Phone Call

Posted on November 12, 2008
Most definitely, e-mail is killing the art of the phone call. But there is a new trend now that simply amuses me - and that is the sending of an e-mail to book an appointment to make a phone call....


How a Paralegal Almost Screwed Up A Very High Profile Trial

Posted on November 03, 2008
Oh, I'm almost ashamed to print this. But then again, it's not like it was my fault. However, when someone from the profession screws up so badly that it hits MSNBC, well, that's not good. It seems that a juror...


No Santa This Year Means Someone Gets to Eat

Posted on October 31, 2008
The National Law Journal published an article this morning stating that due to the economic crisis, some law firms are deciding to forgo their annual holiday celebrations and donate money instead. When I was with the law firm, I hated...


Read My Lips......It's In the Technology

Posted on October 24, 2008
Ok, so I admit it. I'm old enough to recall actually seeing the presidential candidate who years ago made history with his sound bite: "read my lips" on the 6:00 news. (No, it wasn't in black and white.) He was...


Paralegal A Hero In Worst Train Crash in 50 Years

Posted on September 15, 2008
You've probably already heard about the Metrolink train crash in Chatsworth (Los Angeles County), CA that occurred on Friday killing 25 people and injuring well over 135 others in the worst train crash in So. California in 50 years. One...


The Legal Field's Dirty Little Secret: Female Paralegals Are Paid Less

Posted on September 12, 2008
The Cenus Bureau issued a report in August with astounding, shocking and disappointing news: Women lawyers made a median of $93,600, a salary that was 77.8 percent of male lawyers? median salary of $120,400. The fact that women lawyers make...


Posted on September 05, 2008


ABA Gives OK for Outsourcing -What Does That Mean for Jobs in the U.S.?

Posted on August 27, 2008
For those of you who thought that the fax machine would never dramatically affect messenger and delivery services; that the Internet was a trend and could not affect old-line traditions such as encyclopedias; and that no one in their right...


All In the Name of Justice - Layoffs in NY But Good News for Michigan

Posted on August 20, 2008
It's getting crazy out there. Legal Week, (the British top rag) reports that Fried Frank announced yesterday that it's cutting 73 staffers including paralegals in its New York office and DC offices. That's 10% of its 730 staffer headcount in...


Now the U.K. Outsources Paralegal Work to India. Who Is Next?

Posted on August 19, 2008
Outsourcing paralegal work to India is a big, big business in the U.S. Primarily the choice of BigFirms in Legal Land, the idea is to have lower end work performed by competent paralegals for a lot less money and still...


Paralegal in Fiji Fights Corruption

Posted on August 17, 2008
Because the field is so relatively new compared to the practice of law in America - 35 yrs. vs. 225+ years - we rarely look around to see what's going on with paralegal in other countries. Yep. They're out there....


Litigation Support Vendor Survey Causes Ruckus

Posted on August 14, 2008
For those of you who are not aware of the annual Electronic Discovery Survey, George Socha and Tom Gelbmann have produced this highly valuable ranking of vendors for six years. Now, they have announced that it has become so valuable...


KNOW, The Magazine for Paralegals Names 9 Most Influential Contributors to the Paralegal Field

Posted on August 11, 2008
KNOW, The Magazine for Paralegals has published its first issue and names the 9 Most Influential Contributors to the Paralegal Field. This prestigious acknowledgement was based upon contribution over the years to the paralegal community. The receipients are:...


Paralegal Gets The Hook For Smoking But Aren't They Missing Something Here?

Posted on August 08, 2008
I'm not a smoker and I'm not in favor of people who smoke around me. My lungs don't need it, what with living in L.A. and all. However, this story from law.com raises a couple of legal questions. A paralegal...


Paralegal Hired to Boost Firm's International Relationships

Posted on August 07, 2008
Lord have mercy on us all!! The inevitable has happened. A law firm has actually hired a paralegal in order to attract new international business. Yes. I know. Miracles do happen in Legal Land. A press release today sent by...


Arizona Paralegal's Husband Needs Heart

Posted on July 29, 2008
Sherry Zimmerman, a paralegal with the Sheriff's Office in Yuma, Arizona is reaching out to the legal community. Married 36 years to Wayne Zimmerman, a retired sergeant from the Arizona Department of Public Service, they await anxiously at the Mayo...


e-Discovery Creates New Positions in Firms

Posted on July 23, 2008
Ropes & Gray has just hired its first e-discovery counsel, according to an article today in The National Law Journal. The firm has hired former Ungaretti & Harris partner Shannon Capone Kirk to lead its electronic discovery litigation practice group....


New ALM & IPMA Salary Survey Offers Up Good News for Paralegals

Posted on June 30, 2008
Despite the daily news feedings of the economy's doom and gloom, there's actually good news for paralegals out there in LegalLand. ALM Research and the International Paralegal Management Association together announced the results of the 2008 Compensation Survey...


Paralegal Gambler Sentenced to 16 Months for Stealing $600k

Posted on June 23, 2008
Just the kind of news we don't want to hear. A judge sentenced a paralegal to 16 months in prison for embezzling more than $600,000 from a West Hartford law firm, the New York Lawyer reported today. Karen Davis-Jenkins was...


Good News for Technology Positions

Posted on June 11, 2008
This just in from The Cowen Group: Despite the grim news we posted here in yesterday's Estrin Report regarding the worst legal field layoffs since 2004, The Cowen Group has issued a press release with good news for law firm...


Legal Field Layoffs: Does Anyone Have the Rolaids?

Posted on June 10, 2008
It's not looking too good when the Labor Department announces large layoffs in the legal field. Most of the time, the legal field is either not mentioned or is pretty quiet when job sector information is announced. That's all changed....


10 Essential Websites for Litigators (And Paralegals)

Posted on June 06, 2008
I love it when I come across valuable information that someone has taken the time to put together in order to give us the best. Genie Tyburski, law librarian at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll and publisher of the legal-research...


Good or Bad Economy, More Layoffs Predicted for Associates & Staff

Posted on June 05, 2008
Some folks just can't catch a break. The New York Lawyer reported that major law firms are expected to layoff more associates and staff whether or not the economy picks up - or so they would like you to believe....


Snoopy Lawyer Sent to the Woodshed

Posted on May 28, 2008
Talk about nerve! Or addiction? Excitement? Thrill of getting away with something? The ABA Journal.com reported that a West Virginia lawyer has been suspended for e-mail snooping. Apparently, the lawyer accessed his wife's e-mail account at the law firm at...


Staycation - The Latest in No-Getting-Away Retreats

Posted on May 25, 2008
Here is a classic case of "everything old is new again". The Wall Street Journal today reported that the latest in vacations is the "staycation" - staying at home instead of getting away on your personal time off. The ABA...


What's Hot for Paralegals

Posted on May 22, 2008
We may be about 4 months late with this report but heck, we just found it. The ABA's Law Practice magazine issued its 19th annual report on what's hot; what's not in the legal field. Here is a refreshing look...


Is the National Law Journal Predicting Doom & Gloom for Paralegals?

Posted on May 06, 2008
The National Law Journal published an article the other day entitled "Ecosystem of Legal Services Is Evolving". It was written by Mehul Patel who was previously the Chief Marketing Officer of a major San Francisco law firm who is now...


Paralegal Leads Union Protest of Pilot's Union Employees

Posted on April 22, 2008
Paralegals in a union???? Yep. According to The Star-Telegram.com, protesters who marched Monday morning in Ft. Worth weren't airline employees, and airline management wasn't the target. This demonstration was conducted by employees of the Allied Pilots Association, and the managers...


Let's Get This to the Paralegal - In India

Posted on April 04, 2008
Outsourcing to paralegals and attorneys in India remains a booming business. In fact, Dupont, the model for progressive paralegal departments, outsourced so much work to LPOs (Legal Process Outsourcing) last year, that it saved the company over $500,000 in legal...


Paralegal Positions in Foreclosures Go Wild

Posted on April 02, 2008
Talk about capitalizing on someone else's misery! According an article in the The Tampa Tribune, law firms are scrambling for more staff, particularly paralegals, in an effort to meet the wave of foreclosures in hard-hit areas of the country. One...


Air Force Identifies Paralegal Field Going Back As Far as 1955

Posted on March 31, 2008
This is one of those trivia facts that you're not too sure what to do with but makes a difference in how you might perceive the paralegal field. Most schools, articles, books, tall tales, and verbal chronologies of the paralegal...


The Case of the Pink Poodle

Posted on March 25, 2008
The Chicago Tribune reported today that there is an unprecedented rise in attorneys practicing animal law. Once an area thought to be only for attorneys with either a heart or frankly, nothing else to do, The Tribune notes that "92...


What Gives Paralegals a Bad Rap- Lawyer Gets Suspended for Trusting Too Much - Again

Posted on March 22, 2008
This just sent chills down my spine. Made my hair on my neck stand up. Whatever the cliche, I had it. The Maryland Daily Record reported that longtime lawyer Charles Jay Zuckerman said he has had it with private practice...


Five Dumb Office Practices

Posted on March 19, 2008
It took forever for law firms to get on the bandwagon to utilize computers back in the day when all of CorporateAmerica was pushing ahead into the world of high-tech. Law firms reluctantly followed suit [sic] when three things happened:...


15 Minutes of Podcast Fame

Posted on March 12, 2008
Yesterday, Tita Brewster, President of the National Association of Legal Assistants and I were invited to speak on the topic of paralegals for the Podcast show, Lawyer2Lawyer. This was the first time I've participated in this type of show. (Yes,...


Oh, Hollywood, Oh Hollywood.....

Posted on March 11, 2008
A new show on Fox TV starring Julianna Margulies is one of the few shows prominently featuring legal assistants as part of the legal team. The show, Canterbury's Law, has been sent to reviewers for prescreening. Described as a "dark...


U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Paralegal Fees Case

Posted on March 11, 2008
Paralegal fees are once again up for discussion in the U.S. Supreme Court with the Court's Nov. 12 decision to hear the Richlin v. Chertoff case. This is an important case for law firms and paralegals in promoting the further...


Where Is That Ethics Class When Ya Need It?

Posted on March 01, 2008
Here's a twist: While many paralegals aggressively seek to expand their assignments, a New York lawyer gets disbarred for overusing his paralegals and running afoul of ethics violations. According to The New York Law Journal, real estate lawyer Keith G...


Kudos to the DOJ for Acknowledging Paralegal Participation

Posted on February 26, 2008
Halleleujah! Rarely do law firms or corporations acknowledge contribution of paralegals when a major case is won. Paralegals may work until midnight for months giving up weekends, holidays and birthdays but how often do we see their names mentioned when...


New Magazine for Paralegals

Posted on February 20, 2008
A new and exciting magazine for paralegals will launch in June, 2008. KNOW, The Magazine for Paralegals is an outside-the-box, informative magazine balancing workstyle and life balance for paralegals. Designed for paralegals in today's highly competitive market, the publication offers...


The Billable Hour: Albatross for Paralegals As Well

Posted on February 20, 2008
Practically every day, in one legal publication or another, you're going to read about how the billable hour will eventually meet its demise. Whether this occurs in the next 10-20 years is questionable. What we do know, is that CorporateAmerica...


Oops! There Go the Paralegal Jobs?

Posted on February 12, 2008
Finally, a firm that is honest about what it's doing. Only, I'm not so sure this is good news for paralegals. It may be good news for graduate students in India and for clients opting for lower cost legal fees....


New Niche for e-Discovery: Special Masters

Posted on February 11, 2008
I'm telling you, when a field pops, it really pops. Apparently, the increased use of electronic discovery has resulted in a new set of practitioners: e-discovery special masters. According to The Daily Record, a special master is an officer of...


Paralegal Falsely Posing As Lawyer Wins 50 Cases

Posted on February 01, 2008
Now here's an interesting situation: Brian Valery, a paralegal working for Anderson, Kill, a pretty large firm in Washington, D.C. ups and decides he's going to tell his colleagues and supervisors that he's going to law school. After a time,...


Paralegals Helping Women in Bangladesh

Posted on January 26, 2008
Paralegals exist in third world countries and are often the heroes of the villages. A fascinating article in The New Nation, illustrates just how important paralegals are to one village in Bangladesh. Banchte Shekha: Development Program for Women and Children...


The Economic Crisis: Yes, You May Be Affected

Posted on January 25, 2008
You can't get away from the news: the legal market is beginning to slow quite dramatically. Especially hard hit have been paralegals and attorneys working in the securities, finance and real estate sectors. Not to mention what's happening out here...


Litigation Paralegals: Safe from Recession?

Posted on January 18, 2008
With the doom and gloom news about slow growth and possible recession swirling around us, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Wait! It's not a train coming at us. It's actually good news. According...


Where Were the Paralegals? BigFirm Sues E-Discovery Vendor

Posted on January 10, 2008
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Or, maybe it's happened and we just don't know about it. A dispute between Sullivan & Cromwell and e-discovery vendor, Electronic Evidence Discovery (EED) has escalated into all out war as...


Paralegal in Middle of Conflict of Interest Controversy

Posted on January 08, 2008
It?s not unusual for a firm to use tough tactics when litigating a case. But tough tactics cost Patricia Dillman, (a litigation support manager who came up through the ranks as a paralegal) her job. This story seems to be...


Airlines to Appeal Passenger Bill of Rights

Posted on December 28, 2007
If you have ever spent more than 3 hours waiting on a tarmac, trapped in a huge metal contraption with screaming babies, no food, overflowing toilets and stale air, you will definitely view the Airlines as the Monster of the...


Nonlawyer Contract Experts: New Wave for Paralegals?

Posted on December 20, 2007
A boutique business law firm for life sciences companies is luring clients with a lower-rate structure that relies on nonlawyer contract experts for template contract work. Waltham, Mass.-based Faber Daeufer & Rosenberg has attracted more than 200 clients since its...


Paralegals in China: Profession Develops from Toy Scandal

Posted on December 14, 2007
The toy recalls coming out of China apparently have more consequences than U.S. citizens seem to realize. According to an article written in YaleGlobal online, not often noted in the uproar was that the toys shipped from China are mostly...


Secondments: Everything Old is New Again

Posted on December 08, 2007
A brand new term, secondments, the transfer of employees from one organization to another on a temporary basis has sprung up in the corporate world. The reality is, this lending of employees from law firms to in-house legal departments is...


Happiness Comes to Firms in Small But Important Perks

Posted on November 23, 2007
Sometimes it's just the small things that matter. When workdays stretch into worknights and the pressure to meet the quota for billable hours grows, lawyers and paralegals at the firm of Perkins Coie can often expect a little bonus. The...


Brand New Position: Chief Sustainability Officer

Posted on November 17, 2007
Law firms may be more in dire need of a Chief De-Stress Officer but Nixon Peabody announced that it has appointed its first Chief Sustainability Officer. This week the firm appointed Carolyn S. Kaplan, an attorney in Nixon Peabody's energy...


Florida Enacts Voluntary Registration for Paralegals - Trend Towards Regulation Gets Hotter

Posted on November 16, 2007
For those of you who are dismissing the idea of paralegal regulation, now's the time to sit up and take notice! Recently, Florida enacted a voluntary Registered Paralegal Program that regulates who can be called a paralegal. The program requires...


Paralegal's Failure to Comply with Regulation Results in Serious Consequences

Posted on November 09, 2007
According to an article in the Los Angeles Paralegal Reporter (originally printed in the Los Angeles Daily Journal) by Stacey Hunt and Michael R. Jencks, attorneys and paralegals need to sit up and take notice of three recent decisions out...


New York Paralegal Named Director for Theatre of the Deaf

Posted on November 06, 2007
Aaron Kubey is the new executive director-president of the National Theatre of the Deaf, which has gone through financial crises, leadership changes and relocations in the past few years. Kubey, a paralegal in a New York law firm, is currently...


Can McDermott Will & Emery's Drop in Associate Salaries Cause Ripple in Paralegal Hires?

Posted on November 02, 2007
With soaring associate salaries in BigFirms reaching $160,000 per year for first years, something had to give. McDermott Will & Emery, a 1,000 attorney firm, announced it was creating a new class of associates. Instead of turning to contract attorneys...


Fulbright & Jaworski's New Litigation Survey Reports Drop in Number of Litigation Matters Against U.S. Corporations

Posted on October 30, 2007
Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP, has released its Fourth Annual Litigation Trends Survey of more than 300 corporations within the U.S. and U.K. This report is the largest conducted of business litigation matters. According to the survey, while litigation between employers...


Salaries for Sr. Paralegals Expected to Increase 6.1%

Posted on October 24, 2007
Declining law school enrollments have had a positive effect on the paralegal field. A new salary survey issued by Robert Half Legal predicts that the demand for non-lawyers with competent skill levels is in higher demand, forcing salaries to increase...


DTI Global Offers Olive Branch - and Apology

Posted on October 15, 2007
Power of the written word. Thanks to all of you who wrote, called and came over to me at the Santa Clara Paralegal Association's annual event where I was a keynote speaker this weekend. Failure to stand up and say...


DTI Global crashes the SuperConference and Tries to Defend Its Actions

Posted on October 08, 2007
Last week at the Atlanta Paralegal SuperConference, a sales rep from DTI Global (Document Technology Inc.) showed up at the Paralegal SuperConference and helped himself to every activity that vendors generally pay approximately $1500.00. Leslie Lumpkins, a sales rep from...


40 New Women Paralegals in Israel Work on $8 Billion U.S. Deal: Similarities to U.S. Paralegals Uncanny

Posted on September 28, 2007
An article today in The Jerusalem Post revealed that 40 new Israeli women paralegals worked long hours on an $8 billion U.S. real estate deal. The training sponsored by the Development Center for the Employment of Haredim, (an Orthodox sect...


Outsourcing to India? Lawyers from India don't like it anymore than lawyers from the U.S.

Posted on September 24, 2007
Apparently, not all lawyers in India are crazy about the outsourcing trend heating up in India and other lower-cost developing nations. According to Merinews, written from India, Legal Process Outsourcing is the latest and hottest trend. Big corporations are reaping...


Paralegals Leading the Boomer Pack?

Posted on September 04, 2007
The Maine Biz Daily reported today that Maine will soon be among those states with a shortage in workers as seemingly an overwhelming number of its residents are running with the Baby Boomer pack. Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, director of the Center...


Possible layoffs for corporate paralegals in the near future?

Posted on August 28, 2007
An article this week by the Legal Intelligencer citing possible associate layoffs in the corporate, mergers & acquisitions and securities arena failed to mention the trickle down effect on paralegals. Surely, anyone with just a few years of experience recalls...


Fashion Sense? Major Firms Capture Boutique Biz - New Opportunities for Paralegals?

Posted on August 24, 2007
Here's a great example of new opportunities opening for paralegals: The Daily Report (Atlanta) ran a story today that talks about Loeb & Loeb (my old alma mater) and other major Los Angeles firms that have opened a new fashion...


No billables for 1st Year Associates - Why Not Paralegals?

Posted on August 20, 2007
The billable hour is now dead for Harrison & Ford's 190-attorney firm, according to law.com's blog, Newswire. The full-article from The National Law Journal, states that Harrison & Ford does not expect first-year associates to bill time. Wow. This innovative...


Best Law Firms for Working Mothers Part II

Posted on August 15, 2007
OK, forgive me. I neglected to post the press release to the Working Mothers survey.


Best Law Firms for Working Mothers

Posted on August 15, 2007
Working mothers still struggle with promotion and partnership issues according to a new survey conducted by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers. While the survey was intended to show how many large law firms are "tolerant" of working mothers, the fact...


"Pzizz Offers Help for Power Nappers"

Posted on May 31, 2007
Helpful "be more productive at work" find from the folks at Web Worker Daily. Yeah, actually napping at your firm during the day might not be a good career move. But what about all-night document productions? "We?ve written before about...


"Elevator Rides at Law Firms Call for Delicacy, Tact"

Posted on May 31, 2007
Good advice from The Snark, of Fulton County Daily Report fame...reprinted in Large Law Firm [note: links added to excerpt]: "The random assortment of people joined together in a small box moving at rapid speed puts you in the close...


"Keeping Current Can Be Hard to Do for Law Librarians"

Posted on May 30, 2007
I bet! In fact, I've often thought that being a law librarian would be a most interesting job. Just think about everything you would learn! "Librarians are curious people. We like to skim magazines and books, we like to surf...


"Job satisfaction is high in the paralegal field"

Posted on May 30, 2007
Another gem of an article from LawCrossing which reports very good news for paralegals: "Many paralegals entering the workforce these days have high expectations. Steady salary increases, expanded workplace challenges, and broad benefits packages all contribute to robust paralegal employment...


"How to Avoid a Bad Reputation at Work"

Posted on May 30, 2007
Very good career advice from LawCrossing, in a series of questions & answers: "Little things that you do every day without thinking could be driving your coworkers crazy. Your bad business habits can give you a bad reputation and make...


Manatt's 2007 Summer Associates Include Former Legal Assistant

Posted on May 29, 2007
How many paralegals or legal assistants do you know who have gone on to work for major law firms? Well, here's news about one: "Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, the national law and consulting firm, announced its 2007 Summer Associate...


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