The Paralegal Coach

Why does it seem like your supervisor cares so much about getting your billable hours in on time? I get it - billing your time can be a drag. But it is your job. I'm going to be the bad guy for this episode. Stick with me! Billable hours can also be a powerful career tool! Tune in to learn: Why your time entries are under the microscope every month How billable hours directly affect your career gr...

What's *really* holding back your paralegal career? Spoiler alert: It's probably not your boss. In this solo episode, I'm diving into five sneaky career stallers that might be quietly sabotaging your growth—and what to do about them.   Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned pro, this episode is your wake-up call to shift gears and reignite your paralegal career path.   Grab the free 3-Step...

Are you a new (or fairly new) litigation paralegal? Get the Paralegal Boot Camp's FREE strategic guidebook here: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/strategies/     Going to trial for the first time as a litigation paralegal? Deep breaths! This episode is for you.   In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 most important things that every litigation paralegal should know before their first trial to help you....

The AI Boot Camp for Legal Professionals is open for enrollment! Go to  ai-trainingbootcamp.com to learn more! In this solo episode, Ann talks about paralegal mistakes. Let's face it: mistakes happen. Especially when you're new in your paralegal career - or juggling a dozen high-priority tasks at once. We all make mistakes. What matters most is how we react to them. In this episode, Ann shares rea...

Announcement: Join Ann in the free AI Masterclass on Saturday, April 19th: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/ai-masterclass   In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Christina West, a seasoned paralegal and blogger. Ann and Christina discuss the significance of becoming a well-rounded paralegal, drawing from Christina's diverse experiences across different fields of law.  Prefer...

Episode Summary: Join guest host Linda Odermott as she interviews Michael Houlberg, Director of Special Projects at the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS). IAALS is a national, independent research organization that innovates and advances solutions that make our justice system more just. They believe that justice and access to the justice system can be a reality for...

Sign up for the five-day Bootcamp Challenge at https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/challenge   In this episode, Ann announces an exciting opportunity—a free five-day Bootcamp Challenge starting soon—offering paralegals a chance to fast-track their career growth easily and effectively. She curates six insightful tips, compiled from top paralegal minds, designed to nurture growth, adaptability, and invul...

If you want to watch the video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8Ro8P0SLV3E   "There is no failure if you don't quit," is a recurring lesson in Kat's life, driving her to face challenges head-on and adapt to achieve her goals.  In this interview, Kat shares: The powerful story behind why she's taking on this challenge How she overcame adversity, lost nearly 100 pounds, and built confidence a...

About the Guest: Vincent Ascolese graduated from St. John's University in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, an ABA approved program.  He is a current Paralegal Association of New Jersey member, a previous member of the Board to the New Jersey Paralegal Convention, and a previous member of the Paralegal Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association.  He was also a past Trustee...

Watch the video Interview Here. About the Guest: Nikole Nelson is the founding CEO of Frontline Justice and former Executive Director of the Alaska Legal Services Corporation. She has dedicated 25 years to enhancing access to justice, especially in rural communities, by developing innovative legal aid solutions that are community-led and people-centered. Nikole was instrumental in launching the Pa...

Feeling left behind while you watch AI transform the legal industry? Learn AI from the Paralegal Boot Camp. This week, Ann introduces a groundbreaking discussion about AI's role in redefining the paralegal profession. Pulling in content generated by AI tools, this episode delves into how AI technologies are reshaping traditional legal tasks and what that means for paralegals looking to stay ahead...

Sign up for the AI Bootcamp here! Welcome to 2025! In this episode, Ann dives into the landscape of the paralegal profession in the year 2025, exploring the current and predicted trends that will shape the roles and opportunities for paralegals. Ann critiques some misleading portrayals of the profession found in various articles and emphasizes the importance of a realistic understanding of what it...

Feeling left behind while you watch AI transform the legal industry? Learn AI from the Paralegal Boot Camp. In this episode, Ann delves into the critical importance of career security over job security for legal professionals. As she prepares to launch the "AI Bootcamp" on January 20th, Ann shares invaluable advice on embracing new technology trends, specifically artificial intelligence, and remin...

View the Paralegal Bootcamp Cyber Deal Week here Watch the video of the 10 Career-Boosting Principles Webinar  here In this episode of the Paralegals on Fire podcast, Ann Pearson provides paralegals with ten career-boosting principles aimed at elevating their professional lives. Celebrating her journey from a paralegal to founder of Paralegal Boot Camp, Ann structures the episode around practical...

In this episode, Linda Odermott delves into the evolving landscape of the legal profession, focusing on regulatory reforms aimed at mitigating the access to justice (A2J) crisis. Linda brings to light essential discussions surrounding the profession's impact on justice accessibility, noting that in 75% of cases, one side is self-represented. She references research from Nora Freeman Angstrom and J...

Join the Paralegal Playbook: 10 Career-Boosting Principles Webinar here! View the episode on time management mentioned in the episode here!   This episode puts the spotlight on career-boosting principles tailored for paralegals. Mark your calendars for an exclusive free webinar on November 20th, titled "Paralegal Playbook: 10 Career Boosting Principles." The episode provides a sneak peek into the...

In this episode, learn how taking complete ownership—not just completing tasks—can elevate your professional standing. Explore why ownership builds trust with attorneys, how it enhances job security and opens doors for career progression, and practical ways to implement this mindset in your daily work. By adopting a proactive approach and focusing on continuous improvement, you can position yourse...

In this episode, guest host Linda Odermott delve into regulatory reforms in the legal profession. Linda discusses significant changes, including the introduction of regulatory sandboxes in states like Arizona, which allow for innovative legal services to be tested in a controlled environment. The episode highlights Arizona's initiatives to improve access to justice through alternative business str...

You can find the episode mentioned, Episode 23: A Refresher of the 7 C's of Paralegal Communication  here! In this episode, Ann discusses seven common communication mistakes paralegals should avoid. Drawing from her experiences and insights from hiring managers and HR professionals, Ann emphasizes the importance of effective communication in the legal profession. Key mistakes include engaging in o...

Learn more about the Litigation Associate Training here: https://LitigatorLaunchPad.com   In this episode, Ann Pearson interveiws Olivia Saint Clair Long, a managing partner at her Illinois law firm. They explore the critical traits that contribute to the success of paralegals and associates, emphasizing attention to detail, effective communication, and ownership of work.    Key Takeaways: Attenti...

In this episode of the Paralegals on Fire podcast, guest host Linda Odermott delves into Washington State's Limited License Legal Technicians (LLLT) program. She discusses its inception, aimed at improving access to affordable family law services, and the challenges it faced, including political opposition and complex requirements. Despite initial successes, the program was ultimately sunsetted in...

In this exciting episode, Kristy Medo dives into the basics of artificial intelligence, specifically tailored to beginners with no prior experience. She discusses her personal journey with AI tools like ChatGPT, sharing insights on how to navigate and utilize these digital advancements effectively. Kristy compares the transformative potential of AI to the historic leap from corded telephones to mo...

In this episode, Ann delves into the correlation between physical wellness and reducing burnout. By emphasizing the importance of prioritizing physical health, she provides practical tips and strategies to mitigate the effects of prolonged stress. From the significance of sleep to the benefits of strength training and grounding, Ann offers actionable advice to enhance overall well-being and resili...

In this episode, Linda Odermott joins as a Guest Host for the podcast. Linda discusses the importance of paralegal licensing and its impact on the legal profession. She shares insights on the evolving landscape of paralegal licensing programs. Linda is an NFPA certified paralegal, an RP, and an Oregon certified paralegal. She has extensive experience working on access to justice initiatives and re...

Are you stuck in a paralegal position that you don't like and wondering if you even want to be a paralegal? What if it's not the paralegal career and it's more about the practice area you're working in or the team you're working with? In this podcast episode, it's a replay from a couple of years ago that you're going to want to listen to for some inspiration!  This is also a great example of what...