Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

How to Decipher a Want Ad for a Firecracker

Posted on August 16, 2010
Ya'll know I'm a fool for the legal staff want ads, so I was tickled to stumble across this ad for a Legal Secreatary (man, the spellcheck hates this) and "BEST OF THE BEST" (I am always suspicious of ALL CAPS, DO I LOOK DEAF?!?) in Adelaide, Australia:Are you a Legal Secretary who wants to take charge? Are you a Legal Secretary that wants to work in a stylish boutique? Are you a Legal Secretary that wants to work in a casual and relaxed environment? If you have answered ?yes? to all of the above, then do we have the role for you!!Work for a firm were you can actually come in casuals! No 5 minutes is the same, this firm will encourage the right candidate to evolve and make the role their own...

Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week

Posted on August 15, 2010
I blog for paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, and all the other legal staffers essential to the practice of law - as well as the attorneys who want to get to know us better. Once a week, I share links to a half dozen or so articles focusing on legal news and humor, practice tips and technology...

Saturday LOL: Being a Paralegal Is Kind Of Like Being a Cat Herder

Posted on August 14, 2010
It ain't an easy job, but when you bring a cat herd into town (or keep up with 10,000 documents in litigation or 46 uncooperative witnesses during trial) and you ain't lost a one of 'em, there ain't a feeling like it in the world.We're livin' the dream...

OSBA Recognizes 26 Newly Certified Paralegals

Posted on August 14, 2010
On July 23, 2010, the Ohio State Bar Association recognized 26 paralegals who met the requirements, including passing a written exam, to be designated as OSBA Certified Paralegals. A list of the 2010 OSBA Certified Paralegals can be found here. The OSBA also published a well done video featuring several of the newly designated paralegals:Congratulations to all of them for their hard work and dedication to the paralegal profession...

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Today's Quote: Just Another Crappy Job?

Posted on August 14, 2010
Her crappy-job resume grew much faster than her acting one. She added paralegal (lasted one day), waitress, bartender, bathroom attendant, coat-check girl, cigarette girl and dog walker to her list (which already included working at Wonderland dog track, Suffolk Downs racetrack and supermarket cashier)...

Friday LOL: Annoy Your Friends Without Any Consequences

Posted on August 13, 2010
In my never-ending quest to explain Twitter to other legal professionals comes the very enlightening "Twitter Movie Trailer". It even addresses more sophisticated Twitter concepts, like the hastag (#turdalert) and how adding "Tw" to the front of any word makes it infinitely cooler...

Now You Have to Look Under the Table at Depositions

Posted on August 11, 2010
Or, Are You Guys Really Communicating Via Footsies?I've been to a lot of depositions with attorneys, and pretty much have my sidekick role down-pat. I keep up with exhibits, take extensive notes, write down proposed questions or issues to discuss with my supervising attorney during breaks, watch everyone's body language and facial expressions closely, and sometimes am in charge of a video camera, too...

Casemaker, A Benefit of NCBA Paralegal Division Membership

Posted on August 11, 2010
As I reviewed my annual Paralegal Division Invoice for continued membership in the North Carolina Bar Association, I realized that annual $50 fee is a darn good value. All members, including paralegals, get free, unlimited access to CaseMaker (http://www...

Paralegal Profile: Nicole Pratt, ACP

Posted on August 10, 2010
Job Title: Advanced Certified ParalegalEmployer: Stibbs & Co., P.C., Spring, TexasYears of Paralegal Experience: 11 yearsEducation/Degrees: Paralegal Certificate 1992 ? Texas School of Business; Certified Paralegal 2008 ? National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA); Advanced Certified Paralegal 2009 ? NALASpecialty Areas: Global Business Law, Energy Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Estate Planning and ProbateCareer Highlight: I love working for a small firm where everyone treats each other like a person and not someone that is ?beneath? them...

NCAJ's New Online Expert Witness & Vender Guide

Posted on August 10, 2010
North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) has announced the availability of its new online Expert Witness & Vendor Guide at http://ncaj.officialbuyersguide.net/. These service providers have already been used and recommended by NCAJ members. I recognize several that our firm has worked with over the years, with great results...

Novel Job Search Approach: Giant Billboards

Posted on August 09, 2010
I've seen roadside signs and video cover letters used in the hunt for a paralegal job, but using giant billboards is a new one on me. For one thing, I know they aren't cheap.But WXIA-TV is reporting that paralegal Lorraine Ankarstran, out of work for three months, has hired space for a month on four giant billboards located on major thoroughfares in Atlanta, Georgia...

Paralegal Want Ads: Why Don't You Say What You Really Mean?

Posted on August 09, 2010
Okay, maybe some of these ads do say what the prospective employer really means, while a few of them just make me scratch my head and wonder if I'm missing something...?If you are content to read magazines, talk on the phone or text all day, please do not apply...

Soft Skills 101: Are You Naturally a Nice Person?

Posted on August 08, 2010
In May of this year, I attended and presented at the North Carolina Bar Association Paralegal Division's annual meeting and conference, where Marisa Campbell, the director of the ABA-approved Paralegal Program at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, gave a presentation about the "Soft Skills" that paralegals need to be successful...

Legal Assistant's Small Claims Case Nets Over 79k in Attorney Fees

Posted on August 08, 2010
Legal assistant Sonia Wade just wanted what she was due - $550 that her former employer in Tampa, Florida, docked from her final paycheck in 2005, after she took a new job with a different law firm.When she asked why the money was withheld, her former boss sent her a letter stating the money was deducted for mistakes on the job...

What Not To Take on Vacation, or Holy Alaskan Cruise!

Posted on August 08, 2010
The decision handed down last week by the California Court of Appeals, Fifth District, in Henderson v. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Slip Op No. F058002 (August 5, 2010) is lengthy but educational reading. Maybe it should be required reading for all new litigators...

TGIF: What's Your Twitter's Name?

Posted on August 06, 2010
You know I love the Twitter, but sometimes I have a hard time explaining it to others. Amir doesn't explain it in a way you'll understand either, but whatever he says, it's pretty much the opposite.See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor...

While Twitter Is Down, Have a Parade

Posted on August 05, 2010
Twitter is down right now (it'll likely be back by the time you read this), but some of us (I'm not naming names, but okay, ME) are having withdrawal symptoms.To use my Twitter-less time wisely (no, I do not think I need to vacuum for the first time in a month, or update my car's registration online instead), I'm sharing two fun Twitter-related activities:1...

Social Media Advice for Paramedics Is Good for Paralegals, Too

Posted on August 05, 2010
"Don't get fired for Facebook: 10 ways to use social media safely" at FireRescue1.com is written to help firefighters and EMS workers avoid getting into hot water at work, but what's good for the paramedics is good for the paralegals, too.With Facebook usage on the rise ("Quit Facebook Day" was barely a blip on anyone's radar) there are more opportunities for users to engage in risky online behavior that can jeopardize their jobs, which aren't easy to replace in a down economy...

1.5 Million Reasons to Resist Office Romance

Posted on August 04, 2010
Or, Woe Be to the Party the Jury Takes an Active Dislike ToI'm getting ready to share highlights from one of the biggest cautionary tales of them all, while at the same time illustrating how juries can turn on you in a skinny minute (which is why legal professionals should never guarantee their clients the outcome of a jury trial)...

Free Adobe Acrobat Training for Dummies

Posted on August 02, 2010
Don?t get yer panties in a wad - I?m the dummy, not you.But what do you do when you get a brand new computer at work, fully loaded with new software you?ve never used before, including say Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard ? which would be really super-super cool if you even knew what it does (besides make PDFs)?And let?s assume you?re not getting a paid on-site trainer...

Former Paralegal's Art Photographed in Every Country in the World

Posted on August 01, 2010
"With ALS, you get so trapped. Your mind is alert and thinks of all these things to do, but you can?t do them. It?s a really bad disease. I wondered, ?How can I keep myself occupied and engaged?? ~ Fred Siwak (The Boston Globe)Fred Siwak described the slow onset of ALS as a "bit like nightfall...

Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week

Posted on August 01, 2010
I blog for paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, and all the other legal staffers essential to the practice of law - as well as the attorneys who want to get to know us better. Once a week, I share links to a half dozen or so articles focusing on legal news and humor, practice tips and technology...

Saturday LOL: Hey Boss, I Need A Raise...

Posted on July 31, 2010
...'cause Other Companies Want Me BadParalegal: Excuse me, Sir, may I talk to you?Attorney: Sure, come on in. What can I do for you?Paralegal: Well, Sir, as you know, I have been an employee of this prestigious law firm for over ten years.Attorney: I know, you're a valued employee here, plus you're the only one who knows how the copy machine works...

Today's Quote: What Do Legal Assistants and Plumbers Have in Common?

Posted on July 30, 2010
Now that the promise of college is being used to motivate some of our most disadvantaged public school students, we wonder if those kids need to go into debt when they can have fine careers as legal assistants and plumbers with less risk to their financial security and self-esteem...

Friday LOL: I'm Thinkin' Orange Juice

Posted on July 30, 2010
This video is so silly, but who hasn't had a co-worker on the other side of the cubicle like The Annoying Orange?Thanks to my good friend, Jamey, who posted this at her Facebook profile.

What Not To Do When You Feel Underappreciated

Posted on July 29, 2010
Who hasn't felt underappreciated at one time or another at work? Especially in a busy law firm, when you constantly meet deadlines and put out fires, only to start all over the next day? If you're not even hearing the occasional "great job" or "thank you" from your boss, you're bound to get a little grouchy...

Professional Profile: Barbara Haubrich, ACP/CAS, Author of The California Litigator

Posted on July 28, 2010
Job Title: Administrative Legal AssistantEmployer: Chain Cohn Stiles, 1430 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301; http://www.chainlaw.com/Years of Paralegal Experience: 26 years as paralegal; 4 as a legal secretaryEducation/Degrees: 2010 ~Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) in Personal Injury/Wrongful Death from National Association of Legal Assistants, Tulsa, Oklahoma; 2009 ~ Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) in Trial Practices from National Association of Legal Assistants, Tulsa, Oklahoma;2002 ~ California Advanced Specialist in Civil Litigation (CAS) from National Association of Legal Assistants, Tulsa, Oklahoma; 2000 ~ Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) from National Association of Legal Assistants, Tulsa, Oklahoma; 1989 ~ Certificate - Attorney Assistant Program from California State University, BakersfieldSpecialty Areas: Personal Injury Civil LitigationCareer Highlights: I am an Administrative Legal Assistant with the law firm of Chain Cohn Stiles in Bakersfield, California...

Practical Paralegalism's Guest Bloggers Revisited

Posted on July 28, 2010
As a blogger, one of the best gifts I can receive is an offer to write a guest post. I've been lucky to have some terrific professionals share their knowledge and expertise with Practical Paralegalism's readers.A guest post is a great way to share information, without committing to the regular writing schedule that maintaining your own blog requires...

Living with Sickle Cell Disease

Posted on July 26, 2010
Today's post is going to be more personal than usual. I'm writing it from my youngest daughter's hospital room. You may wonder what it has to do with being a paralegal, but sometimes I think it's the 20-plus years I've spent in the legal field, advocating for others' rights, that led me to where I am today, the adoptive parent of a chronically ill child...

Practical Paralegalism's Recommended Reading This Week

Posted on July 25, 2010
I blog for paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, and all the other legal staffers essential to the practice of law - as well as the attorneys who want to get to know us better. Once a week, I share links to a half dozen or so articles focusing on legal news and humor, practice tips and technology...

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