Owner: A Paralegal's Blog URL:http://paralegalonline.blogspot.com Join Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:21:14 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: News, views, and information from a PACE-Registered Paralegal. Site statistics:Click here
Top Dog Will ‘Snap’ to Commands Across the Sea 2007-03-02 14:07:00 Paralegal Linda McHugh and her border collie, Snap, are set to represent the United States at the 104th Crufts Dog Show in England, the largest dog show in the world. Snap is one of three dogs chosen for this honor; the other two are golden retrievers, both handled by males.McHugh spends her days as a paralegal for Ropes and Gray in Boston. Read more:Across
, Commands
, Top Dog
Disbarred Lawyer Can't Work as Paralegal 2007-03-02 03:28:00 Nicholas J. Ellis thought that even though he had been disbarred, he would be able to work as a paralegal. Not so fast, said Justice Robert J. Cordy of the Worcester, Mass. Supreme Judicial Court, as he prevented a potential ethical black hole from entering the paralegal profession.Ellis was asked to resign from practicing law after pleading guilty to two counts of motor vehicle insurance fraud in 2002. That guilty plea resulted in a sentence from the Worcester Superior Court to serve six months of a two-and-one-half-year sentence in the House of Correction. As an attorney, Ellis made fraudulent claims to John Hancock regarding his client's alleged disability. Ellis knew his client was not disabled, but proceeded to make the claims anyway.What would stop him from committing egregious ethics violations as a paralegal? Ellis would not have a license to practice to lose. No, someone else's license would be on the line, and he could freely pass the buck to his employer.As paralegals Read more:Disbarred
, Lawyer
, Paralegal
Paralegal Helps Design Germ Protector for Use at the Gym 2007-03-02 00:08:00 Paralegal Claudia, along with her business partner, Mel, and their company, Fiaro, have debuted a That's a Wrap, a neoprene wrap designed to fit around dumbbell handles and weight machine handles. The product will protect gym-goers against germs. It fastens with a velcro closure and is easy to clean.Claudia credits her paralegal background and contacts with helping her protect Fiaro's ideas. Read more:Paralegal
Paralegal to Run for Leflore County Tax Collector 2007-03-01 03:13:00 Former paralegal Margaret W. Clark has filed her paperwork to run for Leflore County
, Miss. Tax Collector
. Clark has twenty years of experience as a paralegal and office manager, as well as ten years working at the Department of Tax Collection in Holmes County and four years of banking experience. Clark additionally is studying to obtain her real estate license. Read more:Paralegal
Liberian Lawyers Learn How to Use Paralegals 2007-03-01 01:56:00 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. Read more:Paralegals
The Case for Regulation 2007-02-28 14:48:00 As more paralegals enter the job force and more law firms utilize paralegals, paralegal regulation has emerged as an issue. Nowhere does this become more pressing than in cases where paralegals handle the bulk of the legal work and engage in intense client contact. Currently, anyone can call himself or herself a paralegal, regardless of training or experience, and inadvertently wreak havoc on a client or firm. Regulation
of paralegals can mitigate the damage caused by untrained people using the title of “paralegal,” as well as offer benefits to those receiving some sort of certification or licensure.Several years ago, I worked with a woman who called herself a paralegal. Unfortunately, she would often stumble over the most basic procedural rules, insert careless typos into her work, and send out erroneous information to clients. Yet because there is no regulation for paralegals in Massachusetts, she could continue to add “Paralegal” to her signature line. On the complete
In Conn., Questions Linger Over Paralegal Certification Bid 2007-02-27 13:44:00 In neighboring Connecticut, members of the Central Connecticut Paralegal
Association continue to express concerns over a measure that would make Connecticut one of just a handful of states that recognize certified and licensed paralegals.Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz has pledged her support of the endeavor, encouraging CCPA members to work closely with the state bar association. She offered guidance on how to begin the process of certification and licensing, including a study of programs adopted in North Carolina (2004) and California (2000), both of which are voluntary.The CCPA has not yet taken an official stance on the issue of regulation. The association estimates a time period of two to five years for the process, and still must come to an agreement on the details, including how to address veteran paralegals with years of experience, as well as educational requirements. Read more:Certification
Nominations Now Open for LAT's Rookie of the Year 2007-02-26 16:08:00 Legal Assistant Today is now accepting nominations for Rookie
of the Year, open to paralegals with one to three years of experience. Nominees for Rookie of the Year, in addition to being new paralegals, must hold an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies from an accredited institution. If the associate's degree or bachelor's degree is not in paralegal studies, the nominee must also have a certificate in paralegal studies. Self-nominations will not be accepted. The winner will be featured in the November/December issue and will receive a $500 prize, award plaque and complimentary one-year subscription to LAT. The deadline for nominations is July 13, 2007.
Paralegal Turns Passion for Fashion Into Booming Business 2007-02-26 16:03:00 Clothing designer and former paralegal Edwing D'Angelo has turned his love of fashion into a thriving business. He dresses celebrities like Vivica A. Fox and hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari with a Latin flair.At the urging of his parents, D'Angelo worked in law offices from the age of 15, where he learned a lot about running a business. He studied fashion marketing at the City University of New York's Baruch College, with the idea that he would go to law school and become an attorney in the fashion industry. However, when he designed his younger sister's prom dress in 2001 -- which her friends loved -- D'Angelo quit his paralegal job with $100,000 in the bank and launched his own line of clothing. Read more:Business
, Fashion
, Paralegal
, Passion
SALT Board Names Director 2007-02-25 03:54:00 The Superstition Area Land Trust in Arizona named Rosemary Shearer, a former paralegal, as its first executive director. Shearer will be responsible for administering the land trust, producing the newsletter, working with other state groups on open spaces issues at local, state and federal levels, serving as media contact, appearing at public hearings, and interacting with other organizations and agencies that affect the open spaces at the base of the Superstitions. SALT's president cited Shearer's paralegal background, as well as her hard work on behalf of the trust, as reasons why she was chosen for the position. Read more:Board
, Director
, Names
Paralegals Track Deadbeat Parents 2007-02-24 05:47:00 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. Read more:Deadbeat
, Paralegals
, Parents
, Track
U.S. Department of Labor: Paralegals and Legal Assistants 2007-02-23 14:46:00 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.
Taking the PACE: How the Review Course Helped Me Pass 2007-02-22 18:42:00 Achieving my Registered Paralegal (RP) designation is a goal I have wanted to reach ever since I first joined a local paralegal association, back when I was taking night courses at Middlesex Community College to receive my certificate and working in a law firm as a legal secretary. I watched as people would call themselves paralegals but make careless errors, give out incorrect information, and in general, give the impression that the paralegal profession consisted of glorified secretaries, and I knew that regulation, whether voluntary or mandatory, was needed to protect clients and law firms.Two years after I received my certificate, I was eligible to take the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), but I found myself forgetting a great deal of the basics I had learned in school. After two years of focusing on estate administration, areas like legal research, litigation, bankruptcy, and intellectual property were Read more:Taking
From Paralegal to Politician: Running for Office 2007-02-21 15:16:00 Several paralegals have announced their candidacy in local elections.In Danbury, Conn., paralegal Helena Abrantes plans to run for mayor. Abrantes is a former City Clerk, a restauranteur, and a paralegal with the Danbury firm of Pinney Payne.Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink is seeking re-election in the May 8 primary in Fayette County, Pa. Prior to her election four years ago, Zimmerman worked full-time as a paralegal in Greensburg. She is also chairwoman of the Fayette County Housing Authority. Zimmerlink holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and pre-law at California University of Pennsylvania and obtained a paralegal certificate from Penn State Fayette.Also in Pa., Perry County resident Harva Owings Baughman announced her candidacy for Clerk of Courts in Perry County. Baughman is a paralegal at a Harrisburg law firm. Read more:Paralegal
, Politician
The Strength Found Inside Every Woman 2007-02-19 21:56:00 Women have passion, and in unleashing that passion, we can succeed, says Vickie L. Milazzo in her new book, Inside Every Woman
: Using the 10 Strengths You Didn't Know You Had to Get the Career and Life You Want Now. A true pioneer, Vickie molded the legal nurse consulting profession and founded her own multi-million dollar company. In her book, she tells other women how they can tap into potential that they may not know they have to achieve the career and life they want.Vickie's approach lies in utilizing the ten strengths women often suppress: fire, intuitive vision, engagement, agility, genius, integrity, endurance, enterprise, renewal, and female fusion. To unleash these forces, Vickie guides her readers through a series of exercises to find their passions. Then, Vickie implores her readers to make five promises:Live and work a passionate life;Go for it or reject it outright;Take one action step a day toward my passionate vision;Commit to being a success student for life;Believe a
Outside the Box: Opportunities for Paralegals Outside the Firms 2007-02-19 20:39:00 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 Read more:Opportunities
, Outside
Paralegal Operates a Haven for Horses: New Gloucester Farm Offers Quiet Pastureland 2007-03-05 02:11:00 In New Gloucester, paralegal Linda Walker, along with Deb Hutchins, operates Open Gates Equine Rescue, a refuge for abandoned horses. The 14-acre farm sees a lot of cases of horses suffering from neglect or starvation, as well as cases of physical abuse. Open Gates works with other rescue organizations and is hoping to hold classes this summer. Additionally, Open Gates wants to establish a food bank for mistreated horses. Read more:Haven
, Horses
, Offers
, Paralegal
, Quiet
I Need Serious Fashion Help! 2007-03-04 14:16:00 I thought I'd give you a little something fun to start off your week. This young woman says, "I need serious fashion help!" She's a legal secretary working toward her paralegal degree and trying to find a polished professional style. Anyone got advice for her? Read more:Fashion
LSUC Using Cash Reserves for Paralegal Regulation 2007-03-05 22:52:00 The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) is using its cash reserves for paralegal regulation, to begin the intial startup process. The startup budget is designed to cover the costs of paralegal regulation through early 2008, when actual numbers of paralegal licenses are known and a budget outlining regular operating costs will be part of the LSUC's annual budget.The first paralegal licenses will be granted in early 2008, and paralegals who are eligible can apply for grandparent status from May until October of this year. Grandparent status will be granted to those paralegals working for three out of the last five years. Transitional status will be considered for paralegals with relevant education or experience. Those who are not eligible under grandparent or transitional status will be considered under the permanent model, and will be eligible for licenses beginning in 2009. Paralegal
s wishing for licenses will be required to sit for an exam.
Read more:Regulation
This Detective's Mysteries Involve Real-Life Books 2007-03-05 16:33:00 A paralegal by trade, Patrick Murphy is employed by John Wiley & Sons as a book detective. He tracks down pirated teachers' editions of textbooks. Bootleggers are then given two options: cease and desist, or face litigation.
Read more:Books
, Detective
, Involve
, Mysteries
Reservists Are Saluted for Middle East Service 2007-03-05 14:49:00 Reservists are saluted for Middle East
service, including Sgt. Deborah Cain of La Grange, Ky. She received a promotion Saturday from specialist. Cain returned two months ago and is resuming her paralegal studies at Sullivan University.
Read more:Service
Two Moms Create Cool T's for Tots 2007-03-05 14:48:00 Corporate paralegal Dana Steele and her partner, Michelle Hanson, originally started out making summer t-shirts for their children. However, less than a year later, their clothing line Slick Sugar has been featured in Parents magazine and has 10 designs per season. The line is centered on a rock-star image, more cool than cute.
Book Recommendation: Paralegal Success - Going from Good to Great in the New Century 2007-03-07 13:58:00 In paralegal courses, you learn the law and how to apply it to your work. Everything else, from keeping your career goals fresh to navigating office politics to being the office superstar, is up to you. ParalegalSuccess
: Going
From Good to Great
in the New Century
, by Deborah Bogen, helps you keep your edge, not only at your current position, but in your career. From the paralegal student just starting a career to the veteran paralegal looking for a new challenge, Bogen covers all the bases.Bogen explains the files every paralegal should keep and use for his or her own personal growth. She also details how to develop your own area of expertise and balance work and family life. Also included is the Successful Paralegal's Almanac, a year-long plan to stay on top of work, continuing education, and your career. Month by month, she lays out a plan that seems simple yet comprehensive.This is a great book to keep in your personal library, and I highly recommend it. The tips never go Read more:Book Recommendation
, Recommendation
Classify Paralegals as Professionals, Not Administrative Staff 2007-03-08 02:55:00 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!
Read more:Administrative
, Paralegals
, Staff
High Court Suspends Coddington's Law License 2007-03-09 18:34:00 What is it with suspended, disbarred, and unethical attorneys doing paralegal work? In New Hampshire, thehigh court suspended Paul Coddington's law license after he mismanaged clients' money and failed to respond to court notices about those charges. He hasn't practiced law since 2004; he's been working as a paralegal.Now, I understand that it may seem like a great deal to hire a disbarred attorney as a paralegal. Here's someone who knows the law. But doesn't anyone worry that maybe the disbarred attorney will engage in the unauthorized practice of law? Or ethical violations of other sorts?
Read more:Court
, License
, Suspends
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