Vicki Voisin - The Paralegal Mentor with Paralegal Career Strategies

Paralegal Profile: Patricia E. Infanti, PP, PLS

2012-01-26T10:04:00.005-05:00

Thanks to Patricia E. Infanti, PP, PLS, NALS President 2010-2011, for taking the time to answer The Paralegal Mentor's Thirteen Questions! Patti was a terrific guest on this episode of The Paralegal Voice where she discussed the value of professional association membership with her and Kathleen Amirante, PP, PLS, NALS President Elect.

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1. Where do you work and what is your job title? I am a Legal Administrative Assistant with Ballard Spahr LLP in Philadelphia.

2. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? In essence, I have been doing paralegal duties for my entire 34 year career, though my title has been legal secretary for most of that time.

I chose a legal career because I was intrigued by what happens in a law office, and I stayed because the work is challenging and stimulating - no two days are the same.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? I have two: interacting with clients and completing projects.

4. What professional associations do you belong to? NALS. . . the association for legal professionals, NALS of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Legal Secretaries Association, and the Philadelphia Bar Association.

5. How has your membership benefited you? Without a doubt, NALS has supported me in my belief that the legal secretarial field is a viable and exciting career path. NALS has provided me with many avenues within which to further my education and professional development, including voluntary certification.

6. Do you have any professional certifications? Yes. I am a certified as a Professional Legal Secretary and as a Professional Paralegal.

7. What has been the highlight of your career? Without a doubt, passing the Professional Legal Secretary certification examination was a career-altering event for me. At that time, it was a two-day, seven-part examination, and it was empowering to receive the letter congratulating me for passing the exam. The second highlight was being installed as NALS 40th President in March 2010.

8. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? I believe you will see more and more paralegals being asked to do more administrative tasks as legal secretary numbers are reduced.

9. Have you dipped your toes in the social media waters? Yes, I have. Here are my links:

http://www.nalsnet.ning.com/profile/PatriciaEInfantiPPPLS

10. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? First, I would tell them how exciting it is to be in the legal field. Then I would advise them:

(i) not to believe whatever preconceived notions they may have learned about paralegals through television and movies;

(ii) that a paralegal career is rewarding and challenging, and consists of quite a bit of behind-the-scenes work with attorneys and staff;

(iii) that they should master software programs (such as Word, Excel, case management software, calendaring software, etc.);

(iv) that they must possess excellent organization skills and be willing to do whatever is necessary to meet deadlines;

(v) that they must master the art of working with all different types of personalities who have different work habits and preferences; and

(vi) that they must be willing to take on administrative tasks when asked to do so.

11. Is there a quote that inspires you? I have two: 'Can't' never did anything. 'Can't' never could. (I don't know exactly whose quote it is, but it seems that most mothers in my generation would utter this one in one form or another); and 'For nothing is impossible to God' Luke 1:37.

12. You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? Mary E. Scarduzio, legal secretary and office manager to the founding partner of the first law firm I worked (Saverio R. Principato, Esquire), who had the patience to teach me what I needed to know to work in the legal field.

13. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Do not rest on your laurels. Always seek to learn something new (including new legal practice areas) or to tackle a complex project. It will help you grow and hone your skills.

Bonus...just for fun questions:

What electronic device can you not live without? My Droid! Love it!

If you had to be in any other profession other than a paralegal, what would it be? Personal coach. I would find it very rewarding to help others in their careers.

New Paralegal Voice Podcast: A Fun Dose of Paralegal Ethics

2012-01-26T08:52:00.000-05:00

The latest edition of The Paralegal Voice, “A Fun Dose of Paralegal Ethics” co-hosted by Lynne DeVenny and me, is now available at Legal Talk Network.

Can paralegal ethics be fun? On this podcast, lawyer/humorist Sean Carter, founder of Lawpsided Seminars, shares his comedic approach to legal education, the biggest challenges for legal staffers today, and his thoughts on his popular talk, "Thou Shalt Not Lie, Cheat and Steal: The 10 Commandments of Legal Ethics".

Also in this episode:

Why Sean became a lawyer

How he became a popular legal humorist
How paralegals can find greater job satisfaction
Dealing with difficult supervising attorneys and colleagues
How to avoid ethical breaches when talking about your job
How to stay abreast of new practice and technology skills
Keeping yourself together mentally and physically
Vicki’s practice tip and Lynne’s social media/technology tip

Page URL: http://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/paralegal-voice/2012/01/a-fun-dose-of-paralegal-ethics/
MP3 Link: http://legaltalkmedia.com/LTN/PLV/PLV_011712_Ethics.mp3

Internet resources and links mentioned during the podcast:

Lawpsided Seminars, http://www.lawhumorist.com/

Sean’s YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YX30lk-psg

Sean’s Twitter feed, https://twitter.com/lawhumorist

Sean’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/lawhumorist

Sean’s LinkedIn profile, http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sean-carter/b/a9/b34

Sean Carter on Arizona’s Immigration Law (YouTube), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf-_1NsdoS0

The Paralegal Voice also thanks its sponsors: Redact-It, Clio, and NALA...The Association of Paralegals and Legal Assistants.

Please share the links to this episode of The Paralegal Voice with your friends and colleagues. If you have a request for a future show, or a question for us, you are welcome to contact us at TheParalegalVoice@gmail.com.

Also, you can make sure you never miss a podcast by subscribing to any Legal Talk Network show, including The Paralegal Voice, by using the RSS Feed links or iTunes links at http://legaltalknetwork.com/rss-feeds/.

Paralegals: Thursday's Trivia Question

2012-01-19T08:43:00.001-05:00

Thursday, January 19, 2012: What is the best answer to this ethics trivia question?

What is the most ethical (and safest) action to take if you receive a privileged document from opposing counsel that is not intended for you?
A. Keep it and do not tell anyone you got it.

B. Read it, make a copy for yourself, and then send it back to opposing counsel.

C. Stop reading as soon as you realize it is privileged and contact opposing counsel for instructions on what to do.

D. Don't worry about this; your firm can handle the issue in court.

What do you think? Leave your comment below. I'll be back later with the answer and to add my comments.

Paralegal Mentor Audio Tip: Dealing with Change

2012-01-18T15:37:00.000-05:00

Today's Paralegal Mentor audio tip provides ideas for dealing with change.

The legal world -- and society in general -- is always changing. You have to continually develop new skills and strategies to keep pace. If you don't, you'll be lost in the shuffle.

If you find you're...

working faster and faster trying to keep up with this frantic pace;
feeling like you're ruled by electronics
working on 2 or 3 things at a time trying to get more done;
needing more structure in your life...

there are solutions. Follow this link to learn the steps you can take.

I'd love to hear how you will use these tips to cope with your ever-changing world. Leave a comment below.

Remember...I'm dedicated to your success!

Paralegals: Thursday's Trivia Question

2012-01-05T12:44:00.000-05:00

Thursday, January 5, 2012: What is the best answer to this ethics trivia question?

A lawyer who delegates too much authority and discretion to a paralegal/legal assistant may be disciplined for:

A. aiding in the unauthorized practice of law

B. failure to perform competently

C. failure to exercise independent professional judgment

D. all of the above

What do you think? Leave your comment below. I'll be back later with the answer and to add my comments.

Paralegals Can Cook: Double Chocolate Mousse Cake

2012-01-04T19:37:00.002-05:00

New Year's Eve 2011 was the Celebration-That-Didn't Happen! The Don and I planned to have two couples for dinner. The menu was set -- stuffed pork loin roast, brussels sprouts, salad and this Double Chocolate Mousse Cake for dessert.

All plans went haywire when I came down with the worst cold ever and was unable to prepare the meal -- and none of our friends wanted the cold either!

When I mentioned the menu in Paralegal Strategies, I had lots of requests for the dessert recipe. I clipped this from Good Housekeeping in 1989 and have made it several times over the year. It is soooo good and absolutely sinful. Enjoy every bite!

Double-Chocolate Mousse Cake
Simply the best chocolate dessert ever –
and so easy to make!
Good Housekeeping Magazine ~ Sept 1989

Ingredients:

2 8oz packages semi-sweet chocolate squares (16 1oz squares)

2 cups butter (4 sticks)

1 cup sugar

1 cup light cream (half and half)

1 tablespoon vanilla

½ teaspoon salt

8 large eggs

Chocolate Glaze (see below)

1 cup whipping cream

Early in the day or the day before serving: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10”x3” spring form pan.

In a 3quart saucepan over low heat, heat chocolate, butter, sugar, half and half, vanilla and salt until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly.

In large bowl, beat eggs slightly. Beat chocolate mixture into eggs; pour into spring form pan.

Bake mousse cake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge comes out clean. (Vicki’s note: Bake as directed; 45-55 minutes is adequate)

When cake is cool, remove sides of pan; wrap cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled.

Prepare Chocolate Glaze (see below). Spread warm glaze over top and down side of cake. In small bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Pipe whipped cream around edge of cake.

Refrigerate if not serving right away. Makes 16 servings – about 585 calories per serving. (Vicki’s Note: This is very rich so cut into small pieces)

Chocolate Glaze: In 2quart saucepan over low heat, heat 1 6oz package semisweet chocolate pieces (1 cup) and 2 tablespoons butter until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove pan from heat; beat in 3 tablespoons milk and 2 tablespoons white corn syrup.

~Vicki Voisin/January, 2012

Paralegal Profile: Mary Harwood Bullard, ACP

2012-01-04T09:33:00.000-05:00

Mary Harwood Bullard, ACP resides in Woodway, Texas where she works as a Legal Assistant at Deaver & Deaver. She has an Associate in Arts and Sciences from Richland College in Dallas and a certificate from the Legal Assistants Program from Southern Methodist University.

Mary specializes in Texas real estate and business law and has her Advanced Certified Paralegal credential in Land Use from NALA.

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1. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I was a legal secretary at Dresser Industries in Dallas in the 1970's and an attorney in the tax law department suggested I consider becoming a paralegal.

I was very fortunate to be employed by a company that would pay for my education so I enrolled in the legal assistants program at SMU. I discovered I loved the profession.

2.    What is your favorite part of your job? The favorite part of my job is drafting documents to suit unusual real property situations. I discovered early in my career that I have an aptitude for writing.

3.    What professional associations do you belong to? NALA and NALS…the association for legal professionals, and its chapters the Texas Association of Legal Professionals and Waco Legal Professionals Association

4.    How has your membership benefited you? One of the best benefits of membership is networking with other legal support professionals. Over the years I have been fortunate to develop lasting friendships with other paralegals. Membership has also provided an avenue to achieve paralegal certification and afforded me with opportunities for timely, contemporary legal education.

5.    What has been the highlight of your career? The highlight of my career was being awarded the designation Certified Legal Assistant by NALA. After being seriously ill for many months, I chose to pursue certification as a mean of restarting my legal career. I knew that I had my new beginning when I received the certificate reading CLA!

6.    What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? As corporations look for new ways to reduce legal fees, many have begun outsourcing their legal work outside the United States. While there are ethics issues that need to be resolved with international outsourcing, outsourcing could make it more difficult for the smaller law firm to survive. It will become even more critical for paralegals to keep their knowledge and skills, both technology skills and legal skills, at the highest level to justify being retained during reductions in staffing.

7.    If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? My advice would be that a paralegal career is an interesting and rewarding career but requires dedication to education, which will require time spent online, in the classroom, or at conferences. I would also stress the importance of pursuing certification.

8.    Is there a quote that inspires you? Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul; And sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all. ~Emily Dickinson
9.     You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? I attribute my success to my Mother who was my mentor and told me to strive to be The Best at my career. She inspired me to never do things half way but to take pride in my work no matter how small the task.

10.    What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Never stop learning! Reading about current trends and opportunities keeps the job fresh and new which always make it more interesting.

11.   What electronic device can you not live without? My iPad which I use as a book reader, to play Scrabble, to send and receive email, and to reach the internet.

12.   What was your first car?    A 1962 AMC Rambler with a push button transmission. The button to put the car in Reverse had fallen through the dash making it necessary to use a screwdriver with a long shank to change to that gear.

13.   What was your first job? My first job was with the Dallas Public Library. My title was "Page" and my duties included shelving books and obtaining periodicals for library patrons.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite hobby? Genealogy. I have been seriously doing research for the past 20 years.

Paralegal Strategies: New Year...Fresh Start

2012-01-02T10:45:00.001-05:00

As 2012 begins, it's tempting to make resolutions for the New Year. Organize your office? Increase your billable hours? Lose weight? Be on time for work? Sit for a certification exam?

Whatever you have in mind, read on...
It's common knowledge that resolutions rarely work. All those good intentions seem to fall by the wayside by the middle of January...all that's left are guilt and regret that once again you're not able to keep your resolutions. By next December you'll be making the same resolutions all over again.

It's time to change the pattern. Resolutions don't work because they're usually a very broad statement: This year I'll lose 20 pounds. This year I'll learn to speak French. This year I'll look for a new job. You've got the want down...you know what you want to do. The problem is, you're only looking at the big picture.

Instead of making resolutions, set goals. A goal is something you commit to fully and work toward all year long. Take a few minutes right now to visualize your top three goals for 2012. Then write those goals down on a paper.

Make a plan. Once your goals are set, decide what you have to do to reach each one and then plan each step toward your goal from beginning to end. For instance, if you want to learn French this year your first step might to be to search for a class. The next step might be to enroll in the class. The next step might be to buy your your study materials. The next steps would be to attend each class and do your homework.

Do you see how each step you take helps you reach your end goal? This process will work for any goal you might want to reach.

Take this one step further. Schedule each step in your planner...make an actual appointment. This ensures you will set aside the time to accomplish each step. Don't make the mistake of putting the steps on 'to do' lists because a 'to do' list is just a wish list and you will invariably run out of day before you run out of list. The 'to do' list just goes on and on. Your planner is a real guide for accomplishing your goals.

Your challenge: Plan to make 2012 your best year ever. Take a few minutes to set your goals. Break the goals down into achievable mini-goals. Decide when each mini-goal must be accomplished to reach the main goal by the end of the year. Enter those mini-goals in your planner. Make appointments with yourself for completing each one.

If you do your planning and then do your scheduling, you can accomplish absolutely anything you want and this time next year you'll be celebrating the fact that you actually reached your goals.

Here's to out with the old...in with the new...to a new year and a fresh start. Happy New Year
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© 2012 Vicki Voisin, Inc.

Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can, so long as you include this entire blurb with it: Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes Paralegal Strategies, a weekly e-newsletter for paralegals, and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice, a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network.

More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com where subscribers receive Vicki's 151 Tips for Your Career Success.

Paralegal Careers: The No. 1 Personality Trait You Need for Success

2011-12-19T13:01:00.001-05:00

Many studies, surveys and discussions focus on the personality traits needed for career success.

Some say it’s confidence. Others list high self-esteem, assertiveness, attitude, etc. There really isn’t a clear picture of what it takes to have a successful career. It seems that a lot depends on the career and the individal.

One thing I do see in common among all of my successful paralegal friends – and there are many – is this: they are persistent.

Why is persistence so important?

With anything you do, you must have a stick-with-it attitude when the going gets tough. There is no quick fix or easy outcome for anything worth doing. If you are looking for quick and easy, you are apt to quit.

The going can get tough – very tough -- when you are building a successful career.

The tough times may be financial. They may be emotional or stressful. They probably include completing your education, finding and doing your job, working on association projects, pursuing certification – and more. Hard times can even be all of these simultaneously.

You see, it is all tough and you have to be persistent through it all. The people who make a success of their careers keep going, even when the going gets tough. This takes strength and faith and a good support system, but above all else persistence is key.

Persistence leads to consistency. To build a career that can sustain itself requires consistency. If you’re not consistent in your efforts, you may as well quit.

Consistency means you do the things that build your career on a regular basis. You show up when you say you will. You keep appointments and commitments. You do what you say you will do. In other words, you deliver and you do that 24/7.

What this looks like. A common mistake is thinking that behavior on the job is significantly different from behavior after the work day is finished and that after-work actions have nothing to do with career success. This is not true.

In the legal community, when you make a commitment you must meet that commitment. That includes meeting deadlines, having a rapport with clients, and being on time for work. People expect you do show up and to do what you say you will do. If you do not, you appear unprofessional at best, untrustworthy at worst.

You grow your career every day and your behavior 24/7 says everything about your character and the depth of your commitment, as well as whether or not you can be trusted.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to be persistent so those who work through the hard times and come through when they promise are often a rarity. If you have persistence, you will stand apart from your colleagues who don’t have that important trait.

Sometimes it can be easy to be persistent – such as returning phone calls promptly and being on time for appointments. Other times, it can take more work, especially when it means doing something you would rather not do in the first place.

When you see your efforts to be persistent pay off with good results -- increased responsibilities, salary and job satisfaction -- and people are singing your praises to colleagues, you will realize the power of persistence and understand why persistence is the No. 1 trait you need for career success.

Your challenge: Are you persistent? Do you have what it takes to keep going when the going gets tough? Think about this. Examine the times when you look for the easy way out. How can you turn that around so that you meet your career goals?==============================
© 2011 Vicki Voisin, Inc.

Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can, so long as you include this entire blurb with it: Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by setting goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes Paralegal Strategies, a weekly e-newsletter for paralegals, and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice, a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network.

More information is available at www.paralegalmentor.com where subscribers receive Vicki's 151 Tips for Your Career Success.

Paralegal Mentor Audio Tip: How to Stop Procrastination

2011-12-15T12:13:00.000-05:00

Today's Paralegal Mentor audio tip provides ideas addressing the issue of procrastination...something we all do and wish we wouldn’t.

For some it’s worse than for others.

For everyone, though, living with procrastination means living life with the brakes on and this is not a good way to live. The things that are unfinished weigh you down and are always on your mind.

If you find yourself often thinking "I wish I had completed that project before leaving work." Or, "I wish I had planned this morning what we’re having for dinner tonight.” Or, "I wish I had finished ___X_____ before I started _____X_____." You’re procrastinating.

These thoughts stay with you day and night. And they just keep the procrastination merry-go-round spinning.

The good news is there is a solution. And, it is amazingly simple. Follow this link to learn the steps you can take.

I'd love to hear what you are going to work on first! Leave a post below so we can celebrate as you finish those projects you’ve been putting off.

Remember...I'm dedicated to your success!

Paralegals: Thursday's Trivia Question

2011-12-15T08:55:00.002-05:00

Thursday, December 15, 2011: What is the best answer to this ethics trivia question?

Paralegals who give legal advice to clients are committing the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). Which of the following functions is NOT considered to be giving legal advice?

A. Telling the client what you think his case is worth.

B. Explaining contract provisions to a client and his duties pursuant to the provisions.

C. Reading and analyzing cases at the lawyer's direction.

D. Directing or recommending to a client that he take a specific course of action.

What do you think? I'll be back later with the answer and to add my comments.

Professional Profile: Rhonda Henning

2011-12-13T09:39:00.000-05:00

Rhonda Henning is a Paralegal/Office Manager at Buckmeier & Daane Lawyers, P.C. in Sioux City, Iowa where she specializes in personal injury litigation, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate law in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota as the attorneys she works for practice in all three states!

She has Associates Degrees in Accounting and Paralegal Studies, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. Rhonda is also President of the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants (IALA) and, in addition, a member of both the South Dakota Paralegal Association (SDPA) and NALA. Thanks, Rhonda!

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1.    What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? The ability to assist individuals through challenging times in their life.

2.    What is your favorite part of your job? The challenge of being able to assist in finding the correct case or piece of evidence to prove our argument to a judge or jury.

3.    What professional associations do you belong to? Iowa Association of Legal Assistants (IALA), South Dakota Paralegal Association (SDPA), and National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

4.    How has your membership benefited you? Most of all, the benefits is the networking with individuals who become lifelong friends, the educational opportunities and opportunities to promote the profession

5.    What has been the highlight of your career? A huge highlight was being elected to be President of the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants.
Another was finding a key piece of evidence that not one party involved in the case thought was there. It was sheer luck that I stumbled across the case law for my bosses’ brief, but in the end it was an important element in deciding the case.

6.    What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? State level regulation of paralegals. This is a trend that the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants is taking upon itself to become implemented in the State of Iowa, and is now being considered by the Iowa Supreme Court for implementation.

7.    If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be?   Join your local, regional, state and/or national professional association. The networking that you will develop is priceless.

8. Is there a quote that inspires you? The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie,deliberate, contrived and dishonest -– but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. ~John F. Kennedy

9.     You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? The attorney I work for who took a chance on someone with no experience in the legal field, and let me have an opportunity at every turn to “soak up” knowledge, make mistakes and grow into this profession.

10.    What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting?   Always be willing to learn, be open minded, take on a new challenge, and be a team player.

11. What electronic device can you not live without? My cell phone

12.   What advice would you give yourself if you met you as a first-year paralegal?   Find a mentor! Having someone to guide you through the “getting your feet wet” stage is an essential part of getting your career off on the right track.

13. What web site do you visit daily?   I visit court websites on a daily basis. With attorneys practicing in multiple states, knowing what is going on with pending cases is essential

Bonus Question: What is the one thing you wish you were better at? Time management – working a significant portion of the day in a litigation practice – time can definitely get away from you.

Thursday's Ethics Trivia Question for Paralegals

2011-12-08T11:28:00.000-05:00

Thursday, December 8, 2011: What is the best answer to this ethics trivia question?

When a paralegal is offered a job by a law firm, what should he/she do to guard against conflicts of interest?

A. Reveal the names of clients in only litigation matters on which he/she has worked in the last 3 years.

B. Refuse to reveal any information about the clients or matters on which he/she has worked.

C. Reveal the minimum information about clients and matters needed to conduct a conflicts check.

D. Reveal only client names on matters on which he/she has worked.

What do you think? I'll be back later to add my comments.

Paralegal Profile: Lou Stoker, ACP

2011-12-08T07:18:00.005-05:00

Lou Stoker, ACP lives in Bakersfield, CA and is a Legal Assistant with Chain | Cohn | Stiles where she specializes in Tort Litigation – Plaintiff’s Personal Injury.

She is active in the Kern County Paralegal Association and a member of NALA. Lou has an Associates of Applied Arts degree. Thanks, Lou!

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1. Where do you work and what is your job title? I am a Legal Assistant with Chain | Cohn | Stiles

2.      What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I had a friend who worked in a law firm in Fort Worth, Texas (back then it was called Cantey, Hanger, Gooch, Munn & Collins) and she asked me if I wanted to come to work there. That was in 1977 and I have been in the legal field ever since.

3.      What is your favorite part of your job? Responding to discovery and preparing lawsuits.

4.      What professional associations do you belong to? Kern County Paralegal Association and NALA...The Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegals.

5.      How has your membership benefited you?   Attending the monthly luncheons to earn MCLE credits, thus far, and meeting other members where I can put a face to a name of those I deal with (the adversary on a case) throughout the process of a lawsuit. Also, now that I am on the Board as newsletter editor, I am becoming more intimately aware of the significance of our organization and the role we play in our community.

6.      What has been the highlight of your career? Being awarded the title of Kern County Paralegal of the Year in 2010/2011. Read more about Lou's award here.

7.      What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? The level of professionalism and recognition of many of the fine people within the work force.

8.      If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Even if you have a paralegal certificate, start as a file clerk or at the very most a legal secretary so you can learn the profession from the ground up.

9.      Is there a quote that inspires you? Here is one of many: Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness. George Sand 1804-1875

10.       You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? There is no substitute for showing up every day, working hard while at the office, and a good, amiable attitude.

11.       What’s your favorite vacation getaway? New York City

12.       If you could not be a paralegal, what would be your dream job? Photographer for NatGeo!

13.       What is your favorite hobby? Golf

Bonus Question: What makes you lose your patience? Rude, pushy people

Paralegal Mentor Audio Tip: Paper, Paper ~ Everywhere!

2011-12-08T07:06:00.001-05:00

Today's Paralegal Mentor audio tip provides ideas for handling the insane amount of paper that comes your way.

If you are ever going to keep up with all of the paper in your life, you have to become an instant decision maker.

The decisions you have to make are simple and those are covered in this brief audio. These are not decisions you make once and then --voila!-- your paper is gone forever. NOT! This is an ongoing process you must follow every day. You'll also learn more about this process when you listen here.

You'll also learn one simple step you can take to stop the onslaught of catalogs you receive. These are a distraction and a time waster.

What questions do you have about those piles of paper that are multiplying in your office and your home?

Remember...I'm dedicated to your success!

Paralegal Practice Tip: Billable Hour Goals? Do the Math!

2011-12-07T09:03:00.001-05:00

Most firms set annual billable hour goals for attorneys and paralegal. Reaching those goals is very important for a variety of reasons, the primary one being to demonstrate value to the firm.

If you do not break down the billable hour goals into 'chunks,' it's a good possibility that come December 2012 you'll find yourself falling short of the goal or scrambling to do two months' time in one month.

Neither is good, one is virtually impossible. Instead, you need to do a bit of math and some simple planning NOW to be sure you meet your goals 12 months from now.

I'll be revealing how to do the math and the planning this coming Tuesday, December 13th at 1:00 pm Eastern time when I present Your Big Billable Hour Breakthrough: How to Turn Your Time into a Billable Hour Gold Mine. For more information, follow this link.

Note: This course will provide 1.5 hours MCLE credit. Certificate of Attendance provided to all registered attendees.

As always, I'm dedicated to your success!

Practice Tip: Court Approval of Paralegal Fees

2011-11-30T14:44:00.001-05:00

Today's Paralegal Mentor Practice Tip provides information for the recovery of paralegal fees.

Courts may award attorney fees to the prevailing party under statutes and contract provisions. In these cases, the courts determine the appropriate fees, including whether to approve fees for paralegal time.

Federal courts and most states have followed the reasoning of two US Supreme Court cases, Missouri v Jenkins and Richlin v Chertoff (see below), and allow attorney fee awards that include paralegal time.

In some states, statutes have been amended or court rules have been added to clarify that paralegal time could be included in attorney fee awards and that the paralegal time could be charged at market rates.

Missouri v Jenkins 491 U.S. 274 (1989) http://supreme.justia.com/us/491/274/case.html
Richlin v Chertof http://www.nala.org/New2/Upload/file/PDF-Files/08-Richlin-Decision.pdf

Courts do not automatically approve fees for paralegal time. There are several important elements that should be included in the fee petition. Today's Practice Tip discusses those elements.

Follow this link to listen and then let me know if you have had any experience with the court approval of your paralegal fees.

Remember...I'm dedicated to your success!

Skip Tracing: 4 Things Every Paralegal Should Understand

2011-11-30T09:53:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Guest Contributor Christa Blair for this information regarding skip tracing. Christa is a staff writer for Be-A-Private-Investigator.Net. She writes mostly about skip tracing and skip tracing techniques.

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Are you a paralegal who is faced with a situation where someone you need to locate is simply nowhere to be found? I'm sure you have had to deal with a case or two in your career where you needed to have a "skip" (someone missing) located in order to proceed with litigation. In these instances, skip tracing is necessary to track down such people and it is important that you understand the basic principles of this type of procedure.

Why? Once you know that you are most likely dealing with a skip case, it is important to first determine why the person is missing.
There are two types of skips; intentional and unintentional.

Unintentional skips refer to cases where a person is hard to locate simply because of some missing or incorrect information that they are unaware of.
Intentional skips, on the other hand are people who for more obvious reasons such as prosecution or financial debt have purposefully made their whereabouts unknown.

What Information is Needed? The next critical and most extensive step in the skip trace is to collect any leads and information that may be able to help in building a picture as to where the skip may have gone.

For starters gather all your “identifiers”; full name and any previous names, date of birth, information on spouse if applicable, last known address, last known phone number, motor vehicle records, any prior arrest records and such.

Sometimes you are lucky and it ends up being easier than you think it’s going to be, so start with the most obvious sources first: 411 directory assistance, reverse number lookups, phonebook listings. If these leads end up as dead ends, there are other measures that can be taken such as running the person’s social security/insurance number to pull a credit file on them, requesting change of address information, searching online databases and contacting relatives and others associated with them.

In some instances more involved methods such as surveillance are used but much can be done on a computer and there are also some helpful software programs designed for this purpose.

How Is This Done? It is important for you to remember that skip tracing is not a procedure that can be performed carelessly. There are certain laws that dictate how it can be carried out.

Skip tracers must abide by federal and local regulations as well as privacy and trespass laws when it comes to collecting information. If they collect it illegally it will inadmissible in court as evidence. In general these rules determine how information can be collected, how much of it can be disclosed and to whom.

Who Does Skip Tracing? Although anyone can attempt a skip trace on a basic level, such as searching public records and online databases there are some techniques that only professionals have access to.

There are companies, usually private investigation firms that will perform skip traces for a fee. These businesses are normally licensed and hold an account with at least one major credit bureau which gives them access to normally confidential files. You may want to hire a professional skip trace service if the skip seems particularly challenging to find.

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Guest Contributor Christa Blair is a staff writer for Be-A-Private-Investigator.Net. She writes mostly about skip tracing and skip tracing techniques.

Paralegal Profile: Wil Antonides, ALS

2011-11-29T08:09:00.000-05:00

Wil Antonides, ALS resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan and commutes to work in Richland, MI where he is a paralegal specializing in family law, criminal defense, civil litigation and personal injury.

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as a Post- Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies. He earned the ALS credential from NALS.

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1.   What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I was down-sized from my human resources position. I had taken a “Paralegal 101” course a few years prior out of curiosity, and decided that it was the time to pursue this permanently.

2.   What is your favorite part of your job? Client meetings and writing briefs.

3.   What professional associations do you belong to? NALS (National Association for Legal Professionals)

4.   How has your membership benefited you?   It has connected me with a committed group of individuals that I can reach out to, learn from, and share a laugh.

5.   What has been the highlight of your career? Being nominated and elected Treasurer of the Board of Directors of my local NALS chapter when I was a brand new paralegal. A member heard my story, saw my determination and thought I showed leadership.

6.   What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? Keeping clients happy with the services they pay for.

7.   If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Make sure your writing skills are strong, technology doesn’t frighten you, and that you can handle things at the last minute, all while knowing that you will never make as much money as the attorney does.

8.   Is there a quote that inspires you? Success is the best revenge.

9.   You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? My partner, Tom, for pushing me to reinvent myself at age 40.

10.   What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? READ. Read everything. Stay current and even ahead of the issues that are coming in the future. Also, reading good writing makes you a better writer.

11.   What electronic device can you not live without? My iPad

12.   What unusual item do you own? My grandfather’s pocket watch. The first-born son in every generation of my family, takes the name of his paternal grandfather. This has been handed down for over 100 years.

13.   What advice would you give yourself if you met you as a first-year paralegal? Read the Court Rules. Really!

Bonus Question: If you could not be a paralegal, what would be your dream job? White House Chief of Staff

Oops! Paralegal Donates Firm's Used Paper to School

2011-11-21T08:37:00.002-05:00

My mission to be sure all law firm employees receive complete, thorough and ongoing ethics training has just been reinforced and fortified..

Confidentiality of client's information is of utmost importance in a law firm. There are many ways to breach the duty of confidentiality (talking, email to wrong party, etc) but even used paper can be a problem.

If your firm doesn't have a shredder, get one NOW and put everything through it. DO NOT DONATE IT TO ANYONE!

A paralegal in Minneapolis learned this the hard way when she donated her firm's used paper to her child's school, Hale Elementary. The paper was then used as scrap paper for an after school program at the elementary school. One of the school's students took his drawing home and his mother, Jennifer Kane, found it as she was straightening up the dining room.

When Mrs. Kane turned the drawing over, she discovered confidential information on the back: the name, birth date and detailed medical information for a 24-year-old St. Paul woman named Paula White. This sent Minneapolis school officials scrambling.

“The more I read it, the more alarmed I became about the amount of information I had about this person,” said Kane.

WCCO-TV located White, who was shown the record.

“It’s got my account number, my birth date, my job,” said White. “I’m outraged. I am embarrassed. I don’t want anyone to know my personal information.”

After WCCO-TV made a phone call to the school, faculty searched and found more pieces of paper with other people’s personal information. The school is now holding those papers in a secure place.

On White’s medical record, there was a logo of the law firm, Sawicki and Phelps, which she hired after she was in a car accident.

When asked to comment, the law firm first said they had no idea how the school could have gotten the papers. However, Attorney Paul Phelps later told WCCO-TV a paralegal had donated the firm’s old paper to her child’s school.

Phelps said the donation was a violation of the firm’s privacy policies.

“It was a mistake,” said Phelps. “The employee did not believe there was any personal information on the papers.”

Now, Hale Elementary is sending out a message to every child in the after school program to check if any other medical records have ended up in students homes, asking students to return those papers.

This is a "mistake" that should not be made. Attorneys have a duty to ensure all employees (not just paralegals) are aware of the attorney's ethical responsibilities. Confidentiality should be at the top of the list, but there is so much more. Bottom line is that everyone in the office should have this training and often it is lacking.

And, apparently, shredders are not used as often as they should be!
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Source: WCOO-TV

Career Tips: How to Advance in the Paralegal Profession

2011-11-17T13:43:00.000-05:00

Want some tips from the experts about how to get ahead in the paralegal profession?

The latest edition of The Paralegal Voice, “Career Tips: How to Advance in the Paralegal Profession” co-hosted by Lynne DeVenny and me, is now available at Legal Talk Network.

On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, Lynne and I are joined by NALA President, Karen McGee, ACP and Charlsye Smith Diaz, Ph.D., to discuss career development and how to advance in the paralegal profession.

We cover key topics including creating professional resumes, obtaining professional certification, and networking at CLE programs.

Also in this episode:

New ways that NALA is serving the paralegal profession

Why having a quality professional resume is vital

How employers read resumes

The most important parts of a professional resume - and what to leave out

More resume writing tips

Alternate career paths for paralegals

The advantages of NALA’s Advanced Paralegal Certification

Vicki’s practice tip and Lynne’s social media tip

Page URL: http://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/paralegal-voice/2011/11/career-tips-how-to-advance-in-the-paralegal-profession/

MP3 Link: http://legaltalkmedia.com/LTN/PLV/PLV_102511_CareerDevelopment.mp3

Internet resources and links mentioned during the podcast:

NALA, http://www.nala.org/Default.aspx
NALA’s Advanced Paralegal Certification program, http://www.nala.org/apc.aspx
NALA’s 37th Annual Meeting & Summer Institutes, http://www.nala.org/anmtnmembers.aspx
CLE Gift for NALA Active Members, http://www.nala.org/NalaNews21.aspx
Blueprint for Your Job Search (The Paralegal Mentor), http://paralegalmentor.com/job-search-blueprint/
Useit.com, http://www.useit.com/
Linkedin, http://www.linkedin.com/
The Paralegal Society blog, http://theparalegalsociety.wordpress.com/

The Paralegal Voice also thanks its sponsors: Redact-It, Above All Legal, and NALA...The Association of Paralegals and Legal Assistants.

Please share the links to this episode of The Paralegal Voice with your friends and colleagues. If you have a request for a future show, or a question for us, you are welcome to contact us at TheParalegalVoice@gmail.com.

Also, you can make sure you never miss a podcast by subscribing to any Legal Talk Network show, including The Paralegal Voice, by using the RSS Feed links or iTunes links at http://legaltalknetwork.com/rss-feeds/.

Paralegal Mentor Tips

2011-11-02T21:19:00.003-04:00

My goal is to provide professional development tips for paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, and all legal support staff, as well as attorneys, paralegal students and educators.

I post daily Mentor Tips on Twitter and Facebook, and I also provide links to relevant articles on all things legal on this blog.

Every Thursday, I publish Paralegal Strategies, an online newsletter with paralegal news and comments, current events, profiles and feature articles. Go to www.paralegalmentor.com to get yours...and remember that new subscribers to Paralegal Strategies receive The Paralegal Mentor's 151 Tips for Your Career Success.

Here are the Paralegal Mentor Tips for October 24-28, 2011:

Monday: It’s more important to be YOU than to try to please everyone – which, let’s face it, never works anyway

Tuesday: Little things matter more than you realize. What "little things" can you do today to move your career forward?

Wednesday: If you haven’t updated your resume in the past 3 months, make it a goal to have it updated before the end of the week.

Thursday: Keep things where you'll look for them not where they *should* go so you won't waste billable time looking for them.

Friday: Deadlines are great motivators but it's even more important to set a time to actually do the work.

Use these tips to move your career in the right direction...forward!

Paralegal Profile: Ruth M. Schaub, PP, PLS

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Ruth M. Schaub, PP, PLS is a Litigation Paralegal with Wilson Kester, PLLC in Traverse City, Michigan where she specializes in Personal Injury Litigation. She has just applied to be among the first in the country to be awarded the designation as a “Litigation Specialist” from NALS.

Ruth has an Associates in Paralegal Studies, as well as an Associates in Claims. She has earned the following certification credentials: NALS – PP (Certified Professional Paralegal), PLS (Advanced Certification for Legal Professionals f/k/a Professional Legal Secretary); TBA Career Tech Center – Certified Computer Operator

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1. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I began as the receptionist in a small personal injury firm and really wanted to be the most help to my boss that I could be. I set out to become more educated and grew into a paralegal.

2.    What is your favorite part of your job? Getting to know and help our clients is the best part – but when I have that “a-ha” moment when research, investigation and file review come together to reveal that moment of clarity that brings the entire case together – that is my favorite part! Winning a big verdict or settlement is pretty great also.

3.    What professional associations do you belong to? NALS, NALS of Michigan and Grand Traverse Area Legal Professionals. I am a former member of the State Bar of Michigan Paralegal/Legal Assistant section.

4.    How has your membership benefited you?   The education I have received as a NALS member is priceless and changed me from unskilled employee to valued paralegal. The networking has allowed me to make professional contact throughout the United States. The leadership opportunities have taken me from a shy wall flower to a national speaker and NALS of Michigan Past President. I am the person I am today as a result of my NALS membership.

5.    What has been the highlight of your career? Assisting from the time the client walked through our door, through trial and verdict on a $3.4 million product liability case, and following that verdict my employer crediting me before my peers with an idea I had to show the impact of the incident on our client as adding the “real value” to our verdict. The verdict was the largest of its kind in northern Michigan, and for my employer to acknowledge my contributions was amazing. Being installed as NALS of Michigan President is a very close second career highlight.

6.    If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Make sure to hone your typing skills; take every grammar/professional writing course you can; you can never have too much education and when you stop learning you are no longer effective. Love what you do and do what you love – but remember, being a paralegal and doing it right is not always a 9-5 job.

7.    Is there a quote that inspires you? There are two. (1) Those who believe they can't do something are correct. However, those who believe they can do anything are also correct! (2) The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

8.     You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? Margaret J. Scott, PLS, CLA. She was a charter member of my local GTALP chapter and early in my career she was named NALS National Legal Professional of the Year. She encouraged me to become an officer of my local chapter, asked me to study for certification and became my mentor without me even realizing it. Margaret was an amazing example of a genuine work ethic and pride in everything you do, including the little things. She gave me a love for this profession and a passion for learning. I owe her a debt I will never be able to repay.

9.    What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Remember that this is not your only case, but it is your client’s only case. Always make your client feel like they are your only client. If you learn to become profit and not overhead, when your boss has to make difficult staffing decisions during tough times, your name will never enter their mind for elimination. Become the employee no boss wants to practice law without.

10. Who would play you in a movie of your life? I would hope Erin Brockovich, but most likely Gilda Radner. I think I am a great paralegal, but in reality, I am a big goof ball with fuzzy hair!

11. If you could not be a paralegal, what would be your dream job? I would love to be a teacher and author.

12. What makes you lose your patience? Ignorance and prejudice.

13. Is there one thing in the world you wish you had the answer to? The cure for cancer. My mother, my mother-in-law, father-in-law and brother-in-law all died from cancer and way too many people I love have battled or lost their battle with cancer. I am involved in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and if no one ever had to hear, “you have cancer,” again, that would be just fine with me!

Bonus Question: What’s your most treasured possession or keepsake? It really isn’t a possession, but my grandchildren and family and spending time with them is my most treasured gift.

The Paralegal Voice: Exploring Modern Redaction Methods for Paralegals

2011-10-27T14:45:00.002-04:00

The latest edition of The Paralegal Voice, “Exploring Modern Redaction Methods for Paralegals” co-hosted by Lynne DeVenny and me, is now available at Legal Talk Network.

When it comes to redaction and the process of removing confidential information from legal documents, some paralegals still rely on the traditional yet cumbersome method of using a black marker and the copier machine.

A new option is growing in popularity: the use of specialized electronic tools like Redact-It, which is specifically built for redaction. On this podcast, Christine Musil, Director of Marketing for Informative Graphics Corporation, joins us to discuss the benefits of this modern face of redaction and how paralegals can get current and step away from their redaction methods of yesterday.

Also in this episode:

How Redact-It was born
The benefits of using electronic redaction tools
The differences between Adobe Acrobat and Redact-It
Embarrassing examples of sensitive data leaked due to poor redaction
How electronic redaction software prevents snafus
Tips for using electronic redaction software
Vicki’s practice tip and Lynne’s social media tip

Page URL: http://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/paralegal-voice/2011/10/exploring-modern-redaction-methods-for-paralegals/

MP3 Link: http://legaltalkmedia.com/LTN/PLV/PLV_101711_Redaction.mp3

Internet resources and links mentioned during the podcast:

Registration for virtual focus groups on November 2 & 3, visit www.redact.com or email info@burke-company.com for more information. Attendees get a $50 gift card, plus a chance to win an iPad.
Registration for NYC Focus Groups on November 16 & 17, http://www.nyc-pa.org/news-events
eventId=394758&EventViewMode=2&CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=11/17/2011 (non-NYCPA members can email info@burke-company.com to register. Attendees get a $50 gift card, plus a chance to win an iPad.)
Electronic Redaction (Facts & Findings Magazine)
Electronic Redaction - How to Properly Redact Documents
The Reality of Native Format Production and Redaction

The Paralegal Voice also thanks its sponsors: Redact-It, Above All Legal, and NALA...The Association of Paralegals and Legal Assistants.

Please share the links to this episode of The Paralegal Voice with your friends and colleagues. If you have a request for a future show, or a question for us, you are welcome to contact us at TheParalegalVoice@gmail.com.

Also, you can make sure you never miss a podcast by subscribing to any Legal Talk Network show, including The Paralegal Voice, by using the RSS Feed links or iTunes links at http://legaltalknetwork.com/rss-feeds/.

Paralegal Joins Erin Brockovich as Keynote Speaker

2011-10-27T07:38:00.003-04:00

Anthony Iannini is one lucky guy! He recently teamed up with Erin Brockovich to serve as keynote speakers for the Delaware Paralegal Association's 35th Anniversary Gala in Wilmington, Del.

I'd accept that invitation to deliver a keynote in a heartbeat! While I haven't met Erin in person, I did have the opportunity to speak with her when Lynne DeVenny and I interviewed her on our monthly Paralegal Voice podcast produced by Legal Talk Network. She was delightful! (You can access that interview here...it's a free resource for you.)

The duo was invited to speak at the event because of the contributions each has made to the legal community.

"It was an honor just to meet Ms. Brockovich," Iannini said. "Her environmental work is legendary and to be able to share a stage with one of the most iconic legal figures of our time is something I will never forget. Her knowledge of environmental issues that impact our world today is incomparable."

Brockovich, portrayed by Julia Roberts in the Oscar-winning movie that bears her name, became famous when her dogged persistence on behalf of the residents of Hinckley, Calif., resulted in one of the largest medical lawsuit settlements in history.

Iannini, a 1987 graduate of Belleville High School, and Connecticut resident, served as president of the Delaware Paralegal Association's Board of Directors from 2009 to 2011. He is also an adjunct professor at Widener University School of Law's Legal Education Institute, where he teaches civil litigation and legal research and writing.
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Source: NorthJersey.com