The Paralegal Voice

Going paperless seems to be one of the top new trends among law firms due to cheaper and better hardware and software, refined processes, and effective consulting. And it is especially important for paralegals to know the do’s and don’ts of implementing a paperless office as they may be the ones in charge. So why are so many firms going paperless and how is it done effectively? In this episode of...

Similarly to most organizations and companies, social media can be very beneficial for nonprofits. They use Facebook, Twitter, and similar platforms as tools for communication, networking, and engagement with their audiences. Social media facilitates fundraising, volunteer recruitment, spreading a message, advocacy and awareness, and transparency about current events and actions. But it is particu...

It’s not always easy to serve process on individuals. This is especially true if they move around a lot or are otherwise difficult to find. So what do you do when traditional methods fail? The answer: try social media. Initially, the social media serve was only allowed with foreign defendants who were difficult to locate. Today, it is becoming more widely accepted. In this episode of The Paralegal...

The new Windows 10 has received a lot of attention, partly due to the lack of popularity of Windows 8, but legal professionals are notoriously conservative with adopting new technology. Since paralegals will likely be the first law firm employees to use the new operating system, they need to know whether to upgrade and when. Behind the buzz, what are the cold hard facts about Windows 10? In this e...

Vicki Voisin interviews Ethan Wall, lawyer and authority on the way social media interacts with the law. The effect of new technology on the law Facebook: the personal and family platform Twitter: to connect with people who have similar interests LinkedIn: for professional connection and profile Why you should care about Instagram and Pinterest Picking just one platform to start Using teamwork for...

Vicki Voisin, interviews Virginia Koerselman Newman, a faculty member on the Essential Skills Institute, about specific ways paralegals can improve their writing and legal research as well as learn to analyze legal cases and increase their own personal value. Special thanks to our sponsors, Boston University, NALA, and ServeNow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vicki Voisin interviews Ruth Conley and Linda Carrette, presenters at the National Association of Legal Assistants’ 40th Annual Convention, about why an annual review is important for paralegals, how we can prepare for the meeting, and mistakes to avoid. Special thanks to our sponsors, Boston University, NALA, and ServeNow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vicki Voisin interviews Sam Glover, lawyer and founder of The Lawyerist, about why lawyers need to be competent with technology, why paralegals should teach lawyers how to use technology rather than accepting all IT responsibilities, and tricks to maintain your own tech knowledge. Special thanks to our sponsors, Boston University, NALA, and ServeNow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

Vicki Voisin interviews Anthony Johnson, attorney and business technology author, about the best strategy for checking email, how he manages his tech-savvy law firm, and what paralegals can do with or without technology to improve workflow. Special thanks to our sponsors, Boston University, NALA, and ServeNow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Paralegal Voice, Vicki Voisin interviews Katie Clark, J.D., senior legal staffing consultant at Beacon Hill Staffing Group, about how paralegals could benefit from working with a recruiter, the current nature of the paralegal job market, the best resume length, and how to get legal experience. The top paralegal positions are in litigation and corporate law, Clark explains, a...

In this episode of The Paralegal Voice, Vicki Voisin interviews Ric Roane, Esq., a lawyer with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP in Grand Rapids, Michigan, about the history of legal rights regarding the LGBT community and how paralegals today can cope with discrimination and fear of coming out in their workplace. Roane discusses how the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) signed in 1996 denies marriage benef...

In this episode of The Paralegal Voice, Vicki Voisin interviews NALA President Kelly LaGrave, ACP about the results of the 2015 NALA Utilization and Compensation Survey, ways in which paralegals achieve professional growth, and the importance of certification to a paralegal career. LaGrave talks about the trends in the paralegal industry according to the survey, including more paralegals working i...

In this episode of The Paralegal Voice, Vicki Voisin interviews Madonna University paralegal professor Mary Meinzinger Urisko, J.D. about how paralegal education has changed, the programs and systems at Madonna, and best practices for using your education to get a job. Urisko talks about how online courses expand the geographical reach of paralegal education and have improved with podcasts, videos...

Paralegals and paralegal students often have difficulty developing their writing skills to the level expected from legal industry. The legal professionals rely heavily on both verbal and written communication, and writing is an essential necessity for both lawyers and legal secretaries. Because the other employees in a law firm will not tolerate inadequate writing skills, all paralegals need to le...

Although being a paralegal is a rewarding job, sometimes paralegals experience burnout in their careers and consider changing positions or leaving the profession altogether. There are many ways to revitalize your paralegal career in order to avoid such drastic decisions. Joining a local, state, or national paralegal association can be energizing and spark fresh interest in the field. To really rea...

Marilyn Wass ACP, CAS is the Senior Paralegal at Lopez McHugh, LLP, a nationally recognized plaintiffs law firm that takes on pharmaceutical companies, nursing homes, insurance companies, auto manufacturers, and the manufacturers of defective medical devices. Her job includes an incredible amount of responsibilities both over time and day-to-day. Being a Senior Paralegal for a firm like Lopez McHu...

Family law and divorce can be a very difficult practice due to the amount of emotion and transition surrounding the client's life. The lawyers practicing in this area are directly responsible for the financial and emotional future of their clients. Because of the level of pressure involved, a successful family law firm depends on their paralegals to maintain organization of the firm and consistent...

The majority of people today are getting their information electronically, whether on a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone. In the legal world, this means lawyers, paralegals, clients, and even judges are reading on screens rather than paper, causing them to skim pages and have a constant source of distraction. Because of this, paralegals and legal professionals need to change the way they wri...

Technology has changed the world of law firms and businesses, affecting the way lawyers are required to retrieve, record, and archive information. Instead of communicating entirely by email or phone, professionals are now also exchanging valuable information by instant message, collaboration systems, or social media. It is important for paralegals to understand the ways in which this data is store...

John and Patsy Ramsey, Richard Jewell, and Gary Condit are names everyone has heard as they were all on trial in the court of public opinion. These cases were spread throughout the media and, even though there was never an arrest made in any, the public had judged the accused. L. Lin Wood was the lawyer representing these individuals as they fought for their reputations. An expert in First Amendme...

Despite US notions of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, many innocent people have been sent to prison for lengthy to life sentences. Common reasons for these wrongful convictions are faulty eyewitness accounts, use of "junk" science as evidence, and informants with conflicts of interest. On this episode of The Paralegal Voice, host Vicki Voisin interviews Professor Marla Mit...

In reaction to rising legal costs and decreased access to legal services, Washington State has authorized paralegals to practice law on a limited basis through its new Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program. Soon paralegals will be able to practice in specific areas of law. To learn more about this developing field, tune into this episode of the Paralegal Voice, where host Vicki Voisin in...

Today's economy can be challenging for paralegals. Make sure you're taking the right steps to advance your career. On this episode of the Paralegal Voice, host Vicki Voisin interviews future President of NALS Karen McElroy. Together they discuss what you should be doing as a paralegal to get ahead and stay ahead in this job market. Karen McElroy will become the President of NALS at the end of Febr...

“Say something to make them put down their salad fork,” public speaking coach Deb Sofield said. The window of opportunity to engage an audience is small, and your introduction is a key factor in success. In this episode of The Paralegal Voice, Paralegal Mentor Vicki Voisin hosts a lively discussion with Sofield covering public speaking basics, how to conquer fears of public speaking, and general s...

Hard skills can be taught in school – things like speaking a foreign language, earning a degree or certificate, or the ability to type efficiently. Soft skills are more complicated to master. Examples of soft skills are critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and flexibility. A valedictorian may lack a necessary soft skill for a role, and this could be the deciding factor of hiring some...