Mid-Missouri Paralegals

Word for Wednesday: Non Est

Lori Robinett — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:16:00 GMT

The legal field has its own language, and that is often one of the more confusing and daunting aspects of the job when someone enters or contemplates entering the field. Legal terminology is also one of the areas generally tested by professional organizations if you choose to take one of their aptitude tests. Though knowledge of terminology will help you do your job to the best of your ability - it has the added benefit of raising your status in your boss's eyes.

A few years ago, I overheard a legal secretary tell a client that non-est meant the person they were trying to serve did not have an address established. In fact, the definition of non-est is actually a contraction for the latin term "non est inventus" which means "not to be found," according to the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1984) (and verified by several other sources).

If you would like to see "Word for Wednesday" become a regular feature, please let us know!

Bates Numbering in Adobe Acrobat Professional

Lori Robinett — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Something that almost every paralegal will have to do at one time or another is Bates stamping. When I first heard that term, I thought it must be some very complicated way of numbering. In actuality, it is a fairly simple concept. It is numbering documents in a way that allows you to quickly find specific pages. For instance, if you have a document that has eleven exhibits, you would number the pages that make up those exhibits sequentially, not renumbering for each exhibit. Bates numbering usually is 6 digits long, and it used to be done using an automatic numbering machine (I've got two Cosco stamps in my drawer right now!). With the stamp, it was a long, slow, tedious process. Thankfully, we now live in a world where technology can be harnessed to make our jobs so much easier!

To begin, scan your documents or combine your documents to create one PDF document.

Open your document and click on “Advanced” on the menu bar.

Go down to “Document Processing” and then you will see a list of options.

Choose “Bates Numbering” and then “Add”. That will take you to the Bates Numbering dialogue box.

Click on the button to “Include all open PDF documents” and then select your file.

Click on Next, which takes you to the Add Header and Footer dialogue box.

Click into the Text box where you want the Bates Number to appear (we usually use the Right Footer Text box).

Then click Insert Bates Number. There you can specify the # of digits, the start number, and any prefix or suffix you want (we usually use 6 digits, with whatever start # we need - in case this is a second batch of documents that should start with the next # in the sequence - then we use a prefix of UM).

Click on OK to return to the Add Header and Footer dialogue box. Check the appearance in the preview screen to make sure it appears the way you want. You may have to change the font (towards the top of the dialogue box).

Then click OK and you’re done!

Google Scholar

Lori Robinett — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:10:00 GMT

I love the internet. Amazing all the things that you can find on there, all the information at your fingertips. Today, I heard (by way of Law Technology News) about Google Scholar's addition of patent and case searching, so I went over to check out the official blog.

This looks like a great way to narrow a search to things that you really need, instead of say searching for a company name + bankruptcy in a standard google search. Bookmark the new search engine, and let me know if you use and what you think of it.

To Those About to Write, We Salute You!

Lori Robinett — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:26:00 GMT

November is National Novel Writing Month. It is an international challenge to write 50,000 words in one month. This is my sixth time to participate, and I've won every year, so the pressure is on!

Anyway, that means this blog may suffer . . . I apologize for that. And if you are interested in guest blogging for me, shoot me at email at robinettll at umsystem dot edu.

And if you'd like to cheer me on or would like to join me (if you've ever dreamed of writing a novel someday . . . TODAY is SOMEDAY!!), stop by my website or my blog.

MMPA related news - I'm trying to put together a fun event for us towards the beginning of December - more news to follow! (hint: M - I - Z!!!)

Use of the English Language

Lori Robinett — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:17:00 GMT

There's currently an ad running on a local radio station that has been done by national celebrities. One of the celebs says the owner of Business A is "prompt and professionable." That drives me crazy every time I hear it (and, yes, I scream at the radio as if he can actually hear me).

Just today, I read a letter written by an attorney to my employer. It says:

"You have expressed medical liens with regard to our clients, [husband] and his wife, [wife: name misspelled], these people have health insurance."

AAARRRGGGHHHH!!! Does no one proofread? Does no one know how the English language works? Is proper grammar a thing of the past? First of all - spell your client's name correctly. Second, this should have been two sentences. Third, what the????? (not to mention the fact that an attorney should know the law that relates to the subject matter.) The letter appears to have been transcribed by his secretary, which brings to mind another question. (Thought: Should you transcribe documents exactly, word for word, with punctuation, as your supervising attorney speaks it? My opinion: I say no. You are the filter through which he speaks. I have always considered it my job to make my supervising attorney look good. That said, I do point out that I corrected an error, so that he knows the change that was made. Do it nicely and be knowledgeable. Your boss will appreciate it.)

The question of "your" versus "you're" was a topic on one of my favorite shows recently, Castle. A murderer wrote a message on the face of his victim, and used the wrong version. It really ate at Castle, and I thought, I'm not the only one that notices that! Ha!

Someone I know frequently uses the word "irregardless." That's not a word. It's regardless. My ex-husband used to refer to people with total hearing loss as "death." Yup, you read that correctly. I'm sure you've talked to people who missuse the language. Stop and think about it for a moment. What is your opinion of that person? Do you think of that as more or less intelligent when you hear a word misused?

I know I pay more attention to the English language than a lot of people do, purely because it's part of who I am: a paralegal who writes in her spare time. In the world of legal documents, every word and every punctuation mark has meaning. You must make sure the words on the page reflect the intended meaning. Preciseness and accuracy are an absolute necessity. And the way you use language is a reflection on you and your employer - take the time to learn the English language, pay attention to grammar, punctuation, spelling. And if you need a refresher, check out these sites:

10 flagrant grammar mistakes that make you look stupid

webgrammar's free tips

And if you're brave, take Grammar Monster's test here.

Feel free to list your own tips (gripes are welcome, too) in the comments.

Lori Robinett

Cyber Security Awareness Month

Lori Robinett — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:44:07 GMT

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. See their website on the special month here. They have tips for staying safe online. I won't bore you with the details (I know you're bright enough to go there and read for yourself), but here's a snippet of their suggestions:

Take Action - There are many things businesses, schools, and home users can do to practice cyber security during National Cyber Security Awareness Month and beyond.
Make sure that you have anti-virus software and firewalls installed, properly configured, and up-to-date. New threats are discovered every day, and keeping your software updated is one of the easier ways to protect yourself from an attack. Set your computer to automatically update for you.
Update your operating system and critical program software. Software updates offer the latest protection against malicious activities. Turn on automatic updating if that feature is available.
Back up key files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc and store it in a safe place.

Here are my tips:

* Don't open attachments from people you don't know.
* Think twice (maybe three times) before you open an attachment from someone you do know.
* Don't open an attachment from yourself (duh . . . this is a common ploy by the bad guys!)
* Don't view the internet as a great big play place . . . think about the stranger danger tips we give our kids. A google search as innocuous as "antique waterfall dressers" can lead you to a malicious site. Yes, I know that from experience.

Social networking deserves its own set of tips:

* Do not post any personally identifiable information. That's how the bad guys find you. (teenagers: Are you listening?)
* Do not post anything that you would not want your mother or a potential employer to see. Those pictures of you that one night at that one party with the thing might come back to haunt you. Yes, I'm talking about that picture.
* Do not mix business and pleasure. If you plan to network with colleagues, create a separate profile and keep that one professional. Do not friend your friends - only other professionals (and vice versa for your personal site).

Feel free to add your tips below. Be safe out there!

Lori Robinett

Tip: Using Two Monitors Effectively

Lori Robinett — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:55:00 GMT

When I began working at my current job, I was a bit overwhelmed to learn that I would have two monitors on my desk. Overkill, I thought, too much. Ah, but I was wrong! These two monitors have increased my productivity, without doubt. It would have greatly increased my productivity in private practice (lawyers: are you listening?), particularly in working on estate planning and contract work. How many times did I cut from a form document, minimize, paste into the new document, maximize, cut again, minimize . . . you get the picture. Not only was it time wasted, it was confusing. If I got a phone call or a bellow from the next room, I had to come back and think about where I was before I could continue. With two monitors, you can have two documents open at the same time. Amazing stuff! Cutting and pasting is a breeze. Comparing documents is a breeze.

Another advantage is that you can have a frequently used program open all the time. For instance, I use Outlook a lot, both for email and for calendaring and to-do lists. My Outlook is open all the time, on my right-hand monitor. If I cover it up, it's not the end of the world, but when I'm not actively using both monitors, Outlook is open to keep me on track for accomplishing what I need to accomplish when I need to. One caveat, however - do not let your email control your day (email is such an addictive distraction!). A good way to keep this from happening is to click on the Outlook Today button. Using this view, there are three columns visible in the viewing screen: Calendar, Tasks, Messages. This allows you to not be distracted by incoming messages, but you can still see an overview of what your day. I like it because my tasks (my to-do list) is visible.

Many people who use monitors at work do not have the luxury of simply being handed another monitor. Reports say that productivity can be increased by up to 30% by using an additional monitor (a "widescreen" approach to computing). If you're looking for facts to back up your request, check out this study conducted by the University of Utah.

If you have never used dual monitors, find someone who has them and look at their set up. It's not nearly as scary or decadent as you may think it is, and you just might be surprised at the increase in productivity!

Lori Robinett

Tip: Proofreading

Lori Robinett — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:47:00 GMT

Accuracy is important in any job, but it takes on immeasurable importance in a paralegal's day-to-day activities. I'm sure the folks at Lockheed Martin wish they had taken a bit more time in proofreading - a simple error with a comma cost them $70 million. Though you may not think you deal with things on that level, the results of a proofreading error can be disastrous in an estate plan, operating agreement or any other sort of document prepared by an attorney.

Personally, proofreading has always been a matter of pride. It doesn't matter to me whether my name is on the letterhead or the door, my reputation is on the line with every document that crosses my desk. It is important that we take pride in our work (have you ever read a mistake-riddled letter or email from another attorney and thought, wow, his assistant sucks! Well, OK, I haven't . . . my first thought is, wow, he really needs an assistant!).

Now that we understand the importance of proofreading, here are some easy to remember tips to help you proofread more effectively:

* Appearance. Don't read on the first go-through, just look. Glance at the margins to make sure they look okay. Check the spacing between paragraphs. Look for font to make sure the font is the same type, size throughout, and make sure you are consistent with bolding, underlining and italicizing (for instance, your headings should be the same). A common error is accidently underlining a space. If you have any paragraphs numbered or lettered, check them to make sure they are accurate and don't skip a number. Do not depend on the program to do this for you.

* Backwards. Go through the document from the end to the beginning, line by line. Going backwards prevents your mind from reading what it thinks should be there logically. Use a blank piece of colored paper to hide everything below the line you are proofing. This prevents your eye from wandering.

* Consistency. Depending on what you are reading, the rules may be hard and fast, or a bit looser. Regardless, consistency is key. For instance, if you write a case number as "08BA-09754", you should write every case number in that same format. In other words, "08ba-09754" should be changed so that all letters are capitalized. If you make reference to locations as Firm ABC, Anytown, New York, you should not refer to the next location as Firm DEF, 1432 Main St., Anytown, NY.

* Doodles. At least, that's what they looked like to me when I started. Learn correct proofreading marks and use them. They will be recognized by others, and will make your own changes easier to read. A good chart for reference from the folks at Merriam-Webster can be found here.

Feel free to share your own proofreading tips below!

To-Do List

Lori Robinett — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:47:00 GMT

Allow at least 10 - 15 minutes each morning for planning. Make a list of what you want to accomplish (not just what "needs" to be done) and then prioritize them.

A = Absolutely positively has to be done before you leave work for the day.
B = Bonus stuff - in other words, stuff you'd really like to get done, but it's not the end of the world if it's not done before you leave for the day.
C = Could be done today, but low priority stuff that can wait until everything else is done.

Once you have your list prioritized, prioritize again within each category. Then start working your list!

Tip: Dating Letters

Lori Robinett — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:42:00 GMT

When you are preparing letters for signature, check before you print to make sure the individual signing the letters will be in. This is especially important if you are preparing letters that are for someone other than your supervising attorney.

Time Management . . . Using Tools to Manage Your Time

Lori Robinett — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:49:00 GMT

About this time of year, every year, I begin to consider how I manage my time and how I can improve upon that management. For me, that's how I start my day . . . figuring out what needs to be done, what's a priority and what can wait, what I can delegate, and what steps I need to take to make sure everything gets done on time, every time. As a paralegal, time management is one of your most important skills - because if you can't manage your time well (and that means helping your attorney manage his/her time also!), then it doesn't matter how well you write, how well you type, or how well you deal with people.

As a paralegal, you need to find a system that works well for you. Personally, I've found that I need a system that melds my personal responsibilities with my work responsibilities, because with technology being what it is, that line is blurred. And, let's be honest, being a paralegal generally isn't a 9 to 5 job (even though I am fortunate enough currently to have a job that I am generally able to leave at 5). It is also important to find something that truly is a system - that helps you schedule appointments, manage tasks and contacts, and plan to meet goals.

My requirements for a time management system include the following:

_____     Calendar, viewable by day (w/ hourly slots), week and month

_____     To-Do list, with space to prioritize and separate by category (business, personal)

_____     Contacts

Considerations that I need to look at and make a decision on include:

Electronic or paper

Dated or undated

I've been a devoted Franklin user since 1990, when my boss at Central Missouri State University sent me to a one-day time management seminar. That was the best-spent day of my life, because it got me to think about time management as more than simply a calendar or a to-do list, but as a way to manage my time in a way that allows me to meet my goals. Since then, I spend at least some time each year evaluating the goals I want to meet, the best way to meet those goals, and ways to break those big goals down into manageable, to-doable chunks. I always used a classic style, but this last year, I took a job that is different than the jobs I've had previously and I don't think the classic style still works for me. Instead, I used Outlook, which seemed like a logical thing to do because I have 2 monitors and Outlook is often viewable. But I just don't like it. I miss paper. Planning doesn't really happen as well, and I find myself forgetting things, even though I sync my phone with Outlook. It still doesn't feel like a cohesive system.

So, I am looking at other options. Perhaps a smaller Franklin system would work for me, like the Compass Wire-bound Daily Planner. Or maybe the Busy Womans Daily Planner would be a good way to blend work and personal, but I hesitate to use something I haven't seen and that no one has recommended to me. I just don't know enough about that system, nor what differentiates it from the Franklin system. The D*I*Y Planner intrigues me. I used a Hipster during 2008 National Novel Writing Month, and did like it, so I'm comfortable with the site offering quality products. And I like the idea that it allows me to be creative, I just don't know if I have the time to be that creative about a planner.

And, therefore, the search continues. If you have found a planner that works well, or if you have an opinion on electronic versus paper, I'd love to hear your comments!

Thanks for reading,
Lori Robinett

9/11 . . . A Day for Remembrance

Lori Robinett — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:47:00 GMT

Like many people, my memories of September 11, 2001 have dimmed as the years go by. It is my desire, however, to refresh those memories. I do not want those who hated us to be forgotten, nor do I want those who paid so dearly that day to be forgotten. As I took a few moments today to read accounts of survivors, it occurred to me the closeness that we share with our colleagues and co-workers is often overlooked and undervalued (my best friend is a co-worker from the first firm I worked at). Many accounts mentioned individuals who were not related calling or texting each other to see if they were okay. I spent 9/11 with my co-workers, gathered around the small television in the law firm conference room. Someone brought in a box of tissues and we sat there silent, watching. We saw the second tower fall, and it was as if there was a great cosmic scream at that moment. There was comfort in being close to each other, and no one was embarrassed as the tears fell.

Take a moment today to remember those who died on 9/11. You can read survivor accounts from a five year anniversary CBS news story here, or read Jeff Jarvis's account here, or Michael Wilson's account here (though be prepared - his is long and, like many, gut-wrenching).

Also take a moment to look around at those you work with every day and appreciate them. Think about what you would do in case of an emergency, be it a terrorist attack or otherwise.

Last, but certainly not least, go tell someone you love them.

Lori Robinett

Suicide, Social Networking and EULAs

Lori Robinett — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:05:00 GMT

As I'm sure you've heard by now, the Judge has overturned the verdict against Lori Drew with regard to the suicide of Megan Meier, a thirteen year old Missouri girl. In short, Lori Drew created a fake MySpace account and then taunted a thirteen year old girl who was apparently having some issues with Lori Drew's daughter. The thirteen year old girl then committed suicide.

An attorney once told me that in order to successfully win a case, you have to create a laser line of causation showing that person A directly caused B to happen to person C. In this case, did the prosecutors prove that? Though I think Lori Drew acted in an irresponsible, reprehensible manner, I don't see a laser line. Did Lori Drew cause the death of Megan Meier? Indirectly, yes. She certainly set a series of events into motion, much like a cascade of dominoes. But in reality, Megan committed suicide. The prosecutors in this matter used an unusual tactic, calling into question the legality of the creation of the fake MySpace account.

Although the EULA may prohibit fake accounts, do we really want to criminalize that action? A lot of people DO create fake accounts, for various reasons. My daughter (now 14) recently created a Facebook account using a fake name. When I questioned her about it (intending to punish her), she said she was being safe. She didn't want to use her real name because she's heard about online predators and she didn't want them to be able to find her. Does this violate the EULA? Probably, though honestly, I haven't read it either. Does her reasoning make sense? I have to say yes, and after considering her reasoning, I may very well let her keep using a fake name.

And then there's the issue of Megan Meier. She committed suicide. I hope young people and their parents are discussing this case, because communication might have helped her deal with the hurtful things Lori Drew said to her online. Unfortunately, those very things could have easily been said by a real teen. It happens all the time. Cyberbullying is something we need to talk to our kids about, just like good old fashioned bullying. If you have a child, educate yourself and keep the lines of communication open so your kids will hopefully talk to you if they are the victim.

Just glancing over this post, you can see how difficult it is to keep that laser line of fault straight. It's a zig-zag of cause and effect, which makes successful prosecution of this case nearly impossible. I hope it is a cautionary tale that is discussed across the country, so that we can avoid anything like this happening again.

(and, for what it's worth, I'm glad that the EULA didn't hold much weight - how many people actually read those things? That's for another post . . .)

PACER and RECAP

Lori Robinett — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:24:00 GMT

We've been hearing a lot about transparency in the past few months, which I think is a good thing. Princeton University is taking governmental transparency to a new level, thanks to several projects which "harness the power of the web." The one that I am trying is called RECAP (a great name, by the way - mirrors PACER in more ways than one!), which is essentially a public archive of documents that have been viewed on PACER by RECAP users.

I frequently get documents from PACER (which is available to the general public, but is frequently used by those in the legal field) in the course of my day and every time I view a document, it's $.08. That doesn't sound like a lot, but over the course of a month, I view a lot of documents (because I deal with bankruptcy claims on behalf of the University). RECAP is an extension available on Firefox (which is the browser I use). It took seconds to download (click here to install) and now appears as a capital "R" in the lower right corner of my screen. Unobtrusive, and requires no work on my part. When you view a document (and pay for it), it is transmitted to the RECAP site. When you view that document again, you will be alerted that it is available through RECAP. As I understand it, this applies to all RECAP users. Though there is some controversy with the project (I'm sure PACER's fees will go down), RECAP is available now.

Carl Malamud tackled this problem previously by publishing PACER documents through his non-profit group. His approach involved asking lawyers who paid for PACER documents to donate them to him for publication. I liked this rebel approach to making a governmental database accessible, but didn't hear too much about it and the attorneys I worked for were hesitant to participate. But RECAP seems to be getting a fairly positive response so far. It'll be interesting to follow the program's progress.

Have you used RECAP? Or any other programs that similarly capture PACER documents?

Over 40 and Ready For a New Challenge

Lori Robinett — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:34:00 GMT

I recently read an article by Chere Estrin about the attractiveness of the paralegal field to someone over 40 who is transitioning into a new career. She's right - it is a great career move because life experience can improve your ability to do the job well.

I'm a perfect example, though I transitioned around age 30. My bachelors degree is a double major, elementary education and junior high/middle school education, with emphasis in language arts and social studies (or in everyday-speak, English and History). While working for Alumni Relations at Central Missouri State, I started my masters degree (in Student Personnel Administration). My career goals were to work in higher education administration.

But along the way, got a divorce and I lost my job as an admissions officer at a private college, due to low enrollment numbers. After a move back to central Missouri, I took a stop-gap job as a receptionist at a law firm and, to my complete surprise, I loved it and began to work my way up. Last year, I learned of an employment opportunity at the Office of the General Counsel for the University of Missouri. That felt like a full-circle position for me, because it combined my desire to promote higher education while enjoying the challenges of the legal field.

There are paralegals needed in just about any field you can think of, and no matter what your life experiences are, you can probably find a way to pursue your interests while working as a paralegal. For instance, if you have a background in intellectual property, paralegals in that field are sought after (and the opportunities for support and continuing education are excellent, as indicated by a seminar held by the American Intellectual Property Law Association). If you were a teacher, look at the opportunities in educational law. If you have dealt with a parent's affairs after their death, consider a career in probate law. I worked in the field of estate planning for several years and found that my experiences in dealing with my mother-in-law's estate (she had not prepared a will) gave me a basis to understand what our clients wanted and needed. The list goes on and on.

If you are a paralegal, what made you choose that career path? If you are considering it, what life experiences do you want to draw upon?

Paralegal Training Opens Doors

Lori Robinett — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:16:00 GMT

Not only is there more than one route to becoming a paralegal, but there are many routes available to you after you get your paralegal training. Here are a few options:

Private Practice - you can work for a private law firm. In order to work as a paralegal, you may need to consider a larger firm or at least a larger city. If you want to work in a small town for a small firm, be prepared for a hybrid position where you may be expected to do legal secretarial work in addition to substantive legal work.

Government Sector - you can work for state or local government. Jobs will be available in the general counsel's office and also in other departments, such as intellectual property.

Military - You may be somewhat familiar with the military legal system if you have watched television shows such as JAG or movies such as A Few Good Men. The branches of the military have lawyers, and where there are lawyers, there are paralegals. In the Air Force, an intensive six week retraining Apprentice Course is available for airmen who wish to retrain. One paralegal describing the program says:

"Being a paralegal is rewarding forindividuals looking for a career that gives them independence in theirwork, personal growth and most importantly a sense of accomplishment atthe end of the day," said Tech. Sgt Carrie Lewis, Air Force Flight TestCenter paralegal Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. "If this is whatyou're looking for, then becoming a paralegal may be right for you."

The primary mission of a paralegal is to assist attorneys in providinglegal support and counsel to commanders, first sergeants, and other keypersonnel, on a broad spectrum of matters.

Public Office - We're all familiar with lawyers running for public office, but paralegals also have the experience necessary to successfully serve the public. One example is Pam Lillie, a corporate paralegal, who has served as a member of her local school board in Delaware, and is preparing to run again.

Small Business/Entrepreneur - Many paralegals gain experience in the basic functions of the legal system, contracts, business entities, plus develop interpersonal communication and organizational skills that serve as a perfect fit with running a small business (whether they be the business owner or a consultant).

What you choose to do with your paralegal training is limited only by your imagination and drive.

What have you done with your training?

Job Outlook for Paralegals Promising

Lori Robinett — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:33:00 GMT

Sami Hartsfield is starting a new series of articles regarding legal careers and schools, and her first article is entitled "Thinking About Becoming a Paralegal?" If you know someone who is thinking about which direction to go career-wise (perhaps a recent high school grad, a college student, or a victim of a recent layoff), the paralegal field is promising.

As Ms. Hartsfield, who is a certified paralegal, points out in her article:

Additionally, the 2008/09 Occupational Outlook Handbook by the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics makes the following “significant points” under the job title “Paralegals”:
About 7 out of 10 work for law firms; others work for corporate legal departments and government agencies.
Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, as employers try to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers.
Competition for jobs should continue; experienced, formally trained paralegals should have the best employment opportunities.

I know that any time I have considered changing jobs in the central Missouri area, it has been relatively easy. One job I got when I wasn't even looking - the attorney called me and offered me a position. My current job I stumbled across. A good paralegal with experience is a valuable commodity, but getting that experience can be tough.

What do you feel is the best route to a career as a paralegal? Personally, I stumbled into it. My bachelors is a double major, elementary/junior high education w/ emphasis in language arts and history. My masters (which I started, but did not finish) is in student personnel administration. Once I took a job in the legal field as a receptionist, I began to work my way up, doing self study and attending CLEs in wealth management, estate planning and family law, and took online classes in real estate and contract law. If I had it to do over again, I would get my bachelors in paralegal studies. And one of these days, I just may go back and get a second bachelors, but right now, time simply doesn't allow it. If you are considering a career in paralegalism, be prepared to take an entry level job. I began as a receptionist, took on overflow legal secretarial work, then moved up to legal secretary and, finally, after many CLEs and several years experience as a legal secretary, I got the paralegal title. Even in my current position, I had to take a position of legal secretary before I got the job as legal assistant. The work got progressively more responsible in each job and as I've proven myself, I've been rewarded with more challenging work.

What about you - how did you end up as a paralegal? What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a paralegal? If you are considering the field, what questions do you have for us "old timers"?

Paralegal Time + Attorney Time = Amount Paid from Settlement? NOT.

Lori Robinett — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:26:00 GMT

According to Risk & Insurance Online, the Florida District Court of Appeals recently affirmed a case (Demedrano v. Labor Finders of the Treasure Coast, No. 1DO6-6122 (Fla. 1st Dist. Ct. App. 05/13/09)) which disallowed the reimbursement of paralegal fees which were to be paid out of a work comp settlement. In essence, the worker was asking that the court allow the reimbursement of attorneys fees and paralegal fees out of the work comp settlement. The ruling upheld that of the judge of compensation claims, which stated that paralegal fees are included with the attorneys fees. There was a notation that paralegals provide "meaningful legal support."

I see the court's point on this, but I do not agree with the language they use. It is common practice to bill for attorney time and paralegal time separately, and I don't understand why a settlement, whether it be work comp or otherwise, should treat the time any differently. If anything, it saves money in the long run because paralegals bill out at a lower rate than attorneys. This ruling implies that paralegals are within the sphere of the attorneys, which is not the case. Paralegals do more than provide "meaningful legal support." In my mind, that is what legal secretaries do. The paralegals, particularly in something like work comp, are likely drafting court documents, meeting with clients, and reviewing medical records. Granted, this is done under the supervision of an attorney, but it is more than "support" - it is substantive work. This is a slippery slope that paralegals have fought against for years, and I hope this case does not adversely affect the future of paralegal billing.

Stimulus Package . . . for paralegals, too!

Lori Robinett — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:24:00 GMT

I took a job working for the University of Missouri system last year. It has been the best career move I've ever made. Great people, good working conditions and - to me the most important - education (formal and informal) is valued and encouraged. A co-worker and I just discussed yesterday what we missed about private practice. Honestly, not much. (But I do miss some of the interesting clients like the multi-millionaire who flew in on his private jet for conferences and the older gentleman who designed dolls.)

With the huge stimulus package that was passed, I suspect more and more of us will be working for the government. Here's an example of a paralegal job created by the stimulus package that sounds great, if you want to relocate to California. I'm sure the job would be challenging and interesting.

What about you - do you work in private practice or the public sector? Has your job been impacted by the stimulus package? Would you relocate to take a stimulus package job?

Lori Robinett

Paralegals working for the lottery are, well, like lottery winners!

Lori Robinett — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:56:00 GMT

I just read an article about paralegal pay in our neighbor to the south, Arkansas. It seems that jobs in that particular area of government pay quite a bit better than similar jobs in other areas of government, and probably the private sector, too. The lottery's paralegal makes over $53,000 a year (compared to a similar job for the Judicial Disability and Discipline Commission, where the salary is a little over $34,000 a year). One reason given for this disparity is the difference in working hours. Apparently, the lottery paralegal doesn't get holidays off. It's inferred that she doesn't even get Christmas Day off.

This bothers me on a couple of levels (even though I do not live in Arkansas). That's a big salary difference, and it seems like a lot to be paying a paralegal on the public dole. Granted, in this case, perhaps it isn't funded from tax dollars but rather by the lottery itself. And the fact that the paralegal is expected to work with no holidays off? Ridiculous. Ludicrous. A bit unbelievable. It would take a lot more than $53,000 a year for me to give up holidays.

How do you feel about this?

Lori Robinett