Paralegals

Connie Cassady of The Koch Law Firm, P.C. in Bloomington, Indiana and Lori M. Craig of Barrett & Associates in Bloomington have both passed the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam given by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.Cassady was the 2008 recipient of the Indiana Paralegal Association/IKON PACE scholarship. Her legal experience is primarily plaintiff-based in personal injur

To kick off 2009, I'm offering nifty magnetic calendars - perfect for the fridge or to stick on your filing cabinet - to ten respondents who leave their addresses! Winners will be chosen randomly. All you have to do is take the survey! Click here to go to the survey, and don't forget to leave your name and address if you want to enter to win. Your information will only be used to send you the

In Shelby County, Indiana, the County Council adopted its 2009 budget, which includes an increase over the 2008 package. As part of that package, six positions will be added: three deputies to the sheriff's department, a paralegal to the public defender's office, a part time paralegal to the prosecutor's office, and a part time clerk to Shelby Superior Court II.(Source: The Shelbyville News) A

As law firms struggle with the limping economy, paralegals may have a window of opportunity to prove their value.With less money to go around, firms need to cut their operating costs, and one way to do that is to hire lower-paid paralegals who can do the work of attorneys, touted toward the end of this article.(Source: Ocala.com Star Banner) A Paralegal's Blog

A plethora of paralegals were honored by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey at the 56th Annual Attorney General Awards Ceremony.The prosecution team that obtained a conviction in United States v. Seale, including Connie Lee, Paralegal Specialist, received the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service.The Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service is the Department's second highest

By: Joel IrvingJoin me this Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m., as I talk with Christine M. Parizo. Ms. Parizo is a PACE Registered Paralegal through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the author of “A Paralegal’s Blog” and is employed by a small firm in Western Massachusetts as a litigation paralegal. Ms. Parizo and I will be discussing mandatory licensing of paralegals along wit

As a paralegal in a small firm, I cannot afford to be afraid of technology. There are times when I will be asked to troubleshoot an issue or recommend a product, and in order to do that properly, I need to stay on top of the latest trends. My technology toolkit consists of:GadgetsBlackBerry Curve. I recently upgraded from a separate PDA and cell phone, and I am enamored with the Curve. My cont

There is currently a pretty big kerfluffle over this American Community Survey report released by the U.S. Census Bureau. At the heart of the controversy is the finding that female paralegals receive lower salaries than their male counterparts. The study revealed that the median salary for female paralegals is $42,600, and the median salary for male paralegals is $45,700 -- in other words, femal

In addition to overseas outsourcing, virtual paralegals may be the next cost-saving measure for law firms. Depending on how well you work independently, this could be a lucrative field with a fantastic commute and relaxed dress code.Paralegals no longer have to be at arm's length from attorneys who need assistance with legal research or administrative tasks. In fact, they don't even need to be in

In Orangeville, not all paralegals see the Law Society of Upper Canada's regulation as a negative. Two well-established paralegal practitioners, Stephen Fielder and Bob Baird, don't expect the costs of being licensed and insured to affect their rates significantly. More importantly, they say that the new rules will be an advantage to the public and to the courts. The requirement for membership

I unfortunately was unable to attend MCLE's 2008 Paralegal Conference, but I did hear back from one of the chairs, who said that about 75 paralegals attended. Of that, about three-quarters were from the Boston area. She also said that she did an informal poll of the attendees about regulation (the keynote address was given by Tracey Young, RP, who spoke on paralegal regulation). Approximately

I unfortunately was unable to attend MCLE's 2008 Paralegal Conference, but I did hear back from one of the chairs, who said that about 75 paralegals attended. Of that, about three-quarters were from the Boston area. She also said that she did an informal poll of the attendees about regulation (the keynote address was given by Tracey Young, RP, who spoke on paralegal regulation).Approximately 99%

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A member of the Air Reserve Component and a legal service civilian at Schriever were awarded Judge Advocate General awards May 9. Ruben Martinez, a paralegal specialist with the 50th Space Wing Judge Advocate Office here received the 2007 Harold R. Vague Award. This award recognizes Mr. Martinez as the outstanding legal service civilian of the year based upon

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A member of the Air Reserve Component and a legal service civilian at Schriever were awarded Judge Advocate General awards May 9. Ruben Martinez, a paralegal specialist with the 50th Space Wing Judge Advocate Office here received the 2007 Harold R. Vague Award. This award recognizes Mr. Martinez as the outstanding legal service civilian of the year based upon dem

Two paralegals have been inducted into Cambridge Who's Who.Lucinda Carr, Paralegal for Kelly Services, and Maria Czora, Paralegal for the Law Offices of Mark Lewis, PLLC, have been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of legal services.Carr has more than five years of professional experience in her field and one year of experience as a

Two paralegals have been inducted into Cambridge Who's Who.Lucinda Carr, Paralegal for Kelly Services, and Maria Czora, Paralegal for the Law Offices of Mark Lewis, PLLC, have been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of legal services.Carr has more than five years of professional experience in her field and one year of experience as a

Here is a Tech Bit & Byte from Charlotte Riser Harris at Five Star Legal & Compliance Systems, Inc."Technology has changed the work environment in most professions but maybe in none as profoundly as the legal profession. Essentially all legal practice areas use technology for day-to-day business but also for specialized tasks. Paralegals are expected to possess technical skills like never before

Here is a Tech Bit & Byte from Charlotte Riser Harris at Five Star Legal & Compliance Systems, Inc."Technology has changed the work environment in most professions but maybe in none as profoundly as the legal profession. Essentially all legal practice areas use technology for day-to-day business but also for specialized tasks. Paralegals are expected to possess technical skills like never before

The Proprietress, teachers and students of Daibo Paralegal Training Institute (DPTI), Lagos were last Friday in ecstatic jubilation. To them, it was a day of fulfillment, particularly for the first batch of 25 graduates of pioneer paralegals in Nigeria.The well attended graduation ceremony of the paralegals took place at the Lagos High Court foyer with certificates and awards were presented to the

Paralegal fees are reimbursable! In a 9-0 decision in Richlin Security Service Co. v. Chertoff , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that paralegal services must be reimbursed as “attorney fees” at market rates.The full opinion, which was released this morning, can be found at -1717.pdf.

As we know, using paralegals can save law firms, corporations, and municipalities plenty of money.The first-ever management audit of the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office recommended the office replace a dozen attorney positions with more than twice as many less expensive paralegals.The audit, performed by the county's contracted independent auditor, found attorneys were spending multiple hours a week on tasks that could be performed by a paralegal."The department therefore spends at least an additional $3.34 million per year to have attorneys rather than paralegals carry out many paralegal tasks,'' according to the audit.The audit recommended reducing the number of attorneys in the office by 12 positions through attrition and using the funds budgeted for those positions to hir

CORSICA, Texas -- Lynn Gatlin is now associated with Keller Williams Realty Harper Smith Team. Gatlin brings with her six and one-half years of experience as a sales associate with Re/Max of Corsicana. She began her career in real estate by working for real estate attorney David Wilson Jr., and then later as a real estate paralegal for Strasburger & Price, L.L.P. in Dallas."After being able to see how a real estate transaction works from the legal side and working in the field, I really enjoy working with buyers and sellers the most," Gatlin said. "I just enjoy a more hands-on experience."Source: Corsica Daily SunPITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Thomas Thomas & Hafer hired Cindy Janicko, paralegal.Rothman Gordon hired Charles J. Vrscak Jr. as a paralegal.Source: Dateline Pittsburgh

MANILA, Philippines -- The military will train soldiers on desk duty as paralegals to help fellow troopers facing charges of human rights abuse and other cases. Scheduled to start this month, at least one soldier per battalion will be trained. The paralegals will give the soldiers advice and assist with answering basic petitions. It is often difficult to draft lawyers into the military service, and having soldiers as paralegals would help cut costs.

Over at Lawline.com, an online CLE provider, a list of traits that attorneys should look for when hiring their next paralegal has been posted in their blog under Friday Five: Top Five Things Attorneys Should Look for When Hiring Help. Here's what attorneys should be looking for, and what us paralegals should have:1. Communication Skills. The ability to communicate in person, on the phone, and through e-mail is as important as any other skill. To limit wasted time and effort on your part, you need to be able to rely on your assistants to communicate with clients and other personnel as if it was you the whole time. The more they can do and say on their own, the less time you will have to spend clearing up mistakes or dealing with insignificant tasks.2. Professionalism. These people that

On the move: Nicole Davis and Donna Sweeney: The New Hartford- and Syracuse-based Estate Planning Law Center is expanding with the addition of two paralegals. Paralegals Nicole Davis and Donna Sweeney joined the firm. Sweeney has 13 years of experience as a paralegal focusing on Medicaid planning and qualifications for clients of the firm. Davis has five years of experience as a paralegal. She ensures that plans clients create with firm attorneys are fully implemented.

Beginning this month, students and graduates of the paralegal program at Casper College in Casper, Wyo. will be the first step for many in obtaining pro bono legal representation. The students and graduates will conduct a half-hour interview with each potential client, then forward the information to a licensed attorney, who will review the information. If the case qualifies, it will be assigned to an attorney who will represent the client pro bono.This free service is available to Casper College students, employees, and those participating in GED, lifelong learning, and continuing education programs. Services are limited to civil matters, including simple wills, adoptions, name changes, uncontested divorces, small claims, family violence protection orders, landlord-tenant issues, and c

In Bangladesh, paralegals working for the Banchte Shekha Foundation are volunteers trained in Muslim family law. They assist villagers with dowry, marital disputes, legal divorce, and inheritance. They also provide information to villagers about their rights, and they participate in the shalish, the village form of mediation in Bangladesh.Three hundred and fifty women have been trained so far as paralegals. They work under the direction of one of the earliest Banchte Shekha members, Rokeya Sattar, herself a village woman who was married at thirteen and abandoned at twenty-two with her four children. The paralegals have proven to be very effective. By July 1991, they had settled 2,119 disputes at the village level and effected 2,382 marriages without dowry. Attorneys who have evaluated th

North York Paralegals Suing Attorney General, Law Society: "Three paralegals, including two from North York, have filed a lawsuit against Ontario's attorney general and the Law Society of Upper Canada for the way paralegals in the province are regulated. The lawsuit, filed by Judi Simms, president of the Paralegal Society of Ontario along with North York residents Rivka La Belle and Gerald Grupp, claim that paralegals are not being regulated in the public interest and that the attorney general and the Law Society of Upper Canada have violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Paralegals welcome regulation, but not by the Law Society of Upper Canada, Simms said."

From today's Naples Daily News, which sums up the Florida Registered Paralegal Program nicely:"The Florida Supreme Court on Nov. 15 unanimously approved creation of the Florida Registered Paralegal Program, which provides for voluntary registration of paralegals who meet minimum educational, certification, or work experience criteria, and who agree to abide by an established code of ethics. The program’s goal is to better serve the public by creating standards for a profession that has been largely self-regulated.The program begins March 1 and sets up a two-tier system for registering paralegals. It also creates a disciplinary system and a code of ethics and responsibility. The rules don’t regulate paralegals, who still will be overseen by the lawyers who employ them and direct their legal work.The first tier describes a paralegal as someone qualified through education, training or work experience and who, under the supervision of a lawyer, performs delegated, substantive work the

Parker McCay paralegal Dawn Moskalow was recently re-elected as president of the South Jersey Paralegal Association.The Sicklerville resident will serve her second term as association president in the 2007-08 term.As president, Moskalow will preside at all board and general membership meetings, appoint committee chairmen, and supervise the work of the board and special committees.Moskalow is a paralegal in Parker McCay's personal injury department.

TORONTO -- Ontario will be the first jurisdiction in North America to license paralegals. Almost 2,200 experienced paralegals and graduates of post-secondary paralegal courses have applied to the Law Society of Upper Canada to write the licensing examination in Ontario.The Law Society's regulatory authority was expanded last year to include paralegals. Since then, the Law Society has created a set of rules of professional conduct for paralegals and developed a licensing program that includes the same kind of regulatory standards used for lawyers.The first paralegal licences will be issued by May 1, 2008 to grandparent applicants who pass the licensing examination. In the meantime, approved applicants can continue to practice in permitted areas until they are licensed, providing they carry professional liability insurance and comply with the Paralegal Rules of Conduct and Law Society bylaws.More information and ongoing updates can be found on the paralegal pages of the Law Society web

In this article from the East Bay Business Times, author Greg Hayman notes a fantastic trend: law firms are hiring more paralegals to cut costs and train new associates.Attorneys and paralegals say the trend results not just from paralegals gaining trust and respect from firm leaders, but also from the reduced costs that can be passed on to clients. Compare this to McDermott, Will & Emery's new class of lower-paid associates to handle lower-end tasks at lower billing rates. A partner in the L.A. trial group says it will help bring the best quality service at the lowest price to their clients. These associates will participate in document review. However, a well-trained paralegal can do the same thing, at an even lower cost to clients.By utilizing paralegals, as they are in Alabama, not only are law firms keeping costs in control, they are also retaining full control of documents, as opposed to outsourcing the document review process. It's a win-win trend in Alabama, and with any

The Pro Bono committee of the Cincinnati Paralegal Association wanted to give back to the firefighters, policemen, and EMTs for the sacrifices they make every day. CPA created Wills for Heroes, where volunteer lawyers and paralegals prepare wills, living wills, and health care proxies for first responders and their spouses free of charge.The next Wills for Heroes event will be for the Butler County Sheriff's Department on Oct. 27 during Make a Difference Day.

The Executive News and Noteworthy sections of newspapers used to be confined to lawyers and business executives. Recently, paralegal promotions are being hailed as newsworthy, too.In Charlestown, S.C., Christine Santelli has joined Barnwell Whaley Patterson and Helms as director of intellectual property administration. She has more than 22 years of experience as a paralegal, most recently as senior paralegal for Innophos Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals/Sandoz Inc. She attended Montgomery Community College in Pennsylvania and holds a paralegal certificate from Taylor Business Institute in Manasquan, N.J. (Source: Charleston Post Courier)The Indiana Paralegal Association named Pamela S. Retherford of Bingham McHale as its New Member Paralegal of the Year. (Source: Indianapolis Star)Joan Kraft, who served for more than 20 years as a Cavaleras County, California paralegal, finished her last day on Monday. On Tuesday, Kraft was recognized for her two decades of work by the Board of Su

Over at The Common Scold, Monica Bay summarizes the key points from Debra Hindin-King's panel at the NFPA Tech Institute, FAQs for Vendors, under PARALEGALS A-Z. Bay was the keynote speaker at the Institute, which took place in Pittsburgh this past Thursday and Friday.Hindin-King offers some excellent tips for paralegals venturing into e-discovery, and this entry is worth a read for those curious about working with e-discovery vendors.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On Tuesday, the Ohio State Bar Association certified 82 paralegals. The new certification program designates paralegals who have met the requirements as "OSBA Certified Paralegals."In order to be an OSBA Certified Paralegal, an applicant must meet the definition of a paralegal and be eligible to sit for the written examination after meeting specified education/experience, continuing legal education, and reference requirements.The certification period for an OSBA Certified Paralegal is four years. Biennial reporting is required to maintain certification. At the end of the certification period, a paralegal may be recertified if the continuing legal education and reference requirements continue to be met.

The following people received recognition from the Northeast Indiana Paralegal Association:Deb Killian of Hamilton received the Paralegal Recognition Award for significant contribution to NIPA, the legal community and the public. She is employed at Rothberg Logan & Warsco LLP in Fort Wayne.Suzi Hall of Fort Wayne was named the winner of the Outstanding Member Award for her hard work on various committees and spearheading NIPA’s involvement in its charitable community service project. She is employed at the law office of Solomon L. Lowenstein Jr.Catherine Myers, a student at International Business College, received the Marilyn Morlen Scholarship. NIPA officers elected for the 2007-08 term are: Tina McCoy, vice president; Jennifer Swift, treasurer; Denise Brewer, primary representative to the paralegal association; Julia Harber, advertising chair; Alex Jokay, education chair; Jennifer Minnick, membership chair; Christine Hire, pro bono chair; Kathy Sasser, professional liaison chair;

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has ruled that non-attorneys can represent employers at unemployment compensation hearings (full text of the opinion). Decided on April 17, 2007, this case paves the way for paralegals to represent clients at administrative hearings and at smaller judicial proceedings. The opinion stated:Simply stated, the character of the activities performed by representatives at unemployment hearings coupled with the informal nature of these proceedings, the minimal amounts at issue, and the long history of participation by non-lawyer representatives suggest that the public does not need the protection that serves as the basis for classifying certain activities to constitute the practice of law and that indeed, finding non-lawyer representatives to be engaging in the practice of law by acting in unemployment compensation proceedings would impose an unnecessary burden on the public.

The controversial Canadian legislation that will regulate paralegals goes into effect today. Paralegals working in auto insurance and immigration will need a special license, and the Law Society of Upper Canada has stated the areas where paralegals can work. Provincial Offences court and in any legislation created by the province are still fair game for paralegals. Opponents of the regulation argue that access to legal services will be limited, and that paralegals will lose their jobs.

Hiring partners are searching for candidates within a small set of parameters and something unique to the legal profession, according to Gailynne M. Ferguson on Law.com - Commentary: New Paralegals Need Focus and Strategy Toolbox in Workplace. Paralegals with newly-minted degrees and certificates are turned away as "overqualified" yet inexperienced, even though they may have acquired impressive skill sets in their prior careers. Ms. Ferguson says:Those who are charged with the hiring process should realize that paralegals presently coming out of a certificate or degree program are more focused on their new career and anxious to go the extra mile in the workplace environment to make a statement and leave a footprint. Ferguson goes on to emphasize what hiring managers are looking for: technological savvy and research abilities. Legal staffing firms can help paralegals put together a skill set from their previous careers that translate into the legal environment. However, in places where

Over at The Estrin Report, Chere Estrin has some encouraging news for those lamenting the lack of recognition of paralegals and other law firm staff on their Web sites. Some firms are actually posting biographies of non-attorneys. Maybe the law firm culture of "Attorneys -- and Everybody Else" is finally changing? I can only imagine clients feeling a bit more comfortable knowing about the person who is working on their case or handling their money. Also, including the paralegals, support staff, and other law firm employees on the Web site is a morale booster. It's nice to be recognized!

MANILA -- In the Phillipines, the general public is familiar with some "para-"s as professionals: paramedics, paramilitary personnel. With the first graduates of The Manila Times Institute for Paralegal Studies receiving certificates of completion, paralegals also are becoming recognized as professionals. The blogger at Macka seems to agree that paralegals are a great addition to the legal services teams in the Phillipines.

The author of Legal Career Advice focuses on legal careers in the United Kingdom, and in this post, describes how to get a foot in the door at a law firm.However, if you think paralegals are disrespected in the United States, you might be horrified to hear how they're viewed across the pond, according to this blogger:English law firms tend to treat the paralegal position as a temporary one. It is unusual - and often a bit sad, really - if you are a paralegal for more than say, 18 months. Most paralegals do the job for 6-12 months only.In America, 'career' paralegals are much more prevalent - the position is viewed as a career and not a temporary stop-gap. Accordingly, the London offices of US law firms will tend to pay better, but, then, you will probably work harder and more hours than in an English firm.

In A Survival Guide for Paralegals: Tips from the Trenches, veteran paralegals share their tips for surviving as a paralegal. Definitely more than just your average cheerleading career book, Tips from the Trenches covers everything from seven guiding principles to surviving in specific areas of law.The authors, Alan Gelb and Karen Levine, packed this book with proven tips. Work issues, stress, asking for a raise, office politics, research and writing, and even how to dress is covered, all in easy bite-size tips. An easy to read and easy reference, Tips from the Trenches should be in every successful paralegal's library.

Rees Morrison notes in his blog, Law Department Management, that if you classify paralegals as professionals, not administrative staff, you pay for appropriate quality. I'd go one step further and classify the junior level paralegals as professionals, too. After all, more paralegals are entering the field with paralegal degrees. With the inevitable regulation of paralegals, an administrative staff salary will not make the profession financially rewarding for intelligent, hardworking paralegals. And remember, you get what you pay for!

Two members of the Association of the Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) have returned home from an International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) training program held in South Africa. The intensive training program primarily dealt with the use of community-based paralegals. These rural paralegals provide legal services to the rural residents of South Africa who would otherwise not have access to the justice system.The training program also provided AFELL members with a chance to see how a similar paralegal system could be set up in Liberia. Additionally, the tour acquainted the delegation with best practices for paralegal training.

A two-person team of paralegals tracks down deadbeat parents in Kittitas County, Washington. Lorraine Hill and Adrianne Gerlach handle 25 open cases of parents living in the county who owe back child support. When these two receive the cases from the state's Division of Child Support, it's the state's last resort to attempt to get payments before possible arrest and jail time. The two would rather have the payments made than have the parents face jail time, although that's not always possible. They liken themselves to detectives. Sometimes, the custodial parent will thank Gerlach or Hill for their tireless efforts.

Interested in becoming a paralegal? The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Paralegals and Legal Assistants information sheet has plenty of facts, including the nature of the work, working conditions, training, employment outlook, earnings, and related occupations. The profession is expected to grow faster than average, as more law firms and legal departments look for cost-effective ways to deliver legal services. Competition, however, remains strong, and well-trained, formally educated paralegals will always have an edge in the job market.

Attorneys are not needed for many routine legal tasks, such as research and drafting documents. Paralegals can easily fill this gap, and at a lower cost to a company or client. This value is becoming more apparent, and as a result, more job opportunities for paralegals are springing up outside the traditional law office. Paralegals are often employed by corporations and government organizations to assist attorneys with critical legal work, or to handle document preparation and act as liaisons between a company and its outside counsel. In addition, paralegals are finding work in nonprofit organizations, legal aid clinics, consumer groups and paralegal service companies, all due to the increasing need for basic legal services without the high cost of an attorney.Corporations are the second-largest employer of paralegals, but only 15 percent of paralegals work in corporations. Banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms and manufacturing companies are all examples of corporations tha