Articles by Date - The Estrin Report

Excuse Me, I Was Speaking: How to Handle Being Talked Over Without Losing Your Cool (or Your Mind)

Someone constantly talking over me is extremely annoying. Why? I feel like I am being run over by a steamroller of ego, wrapped in entitlement, and dusted with a light coating of "I know better than you." And I lose control—of meetings, interviews, or whatnot.

I had a colleague who constantly did that until I realized that, lo and behold, she had a hearing problem. Well, that answered that.

But when the person doesn’t have an excuse? That's when it gets interesting.

The Gender Pay Gap Just Gave Me Whiplash. And Not the Good Kind.

Are male paralegals worth more than female paralegals?

Are white paralegals worth more than those of other races?

I was lightly skipping (OK, doom-scrolling) through some industry articles the other day, looking for a couple of solid stats for my blog: The Estrin Report.

My throat closed, my stomach turned, and all the other clichés your favorite legal drama would trot out in a dramatic courtroom close.

Here it is, straight from a NALA 2024 Compensation Trends report:"In 2024, male paralegals earned approximately 14% more than their female counterparts." "White paralegals earned 4% more than BIPOC paralegals."

Hot Flashes, Cool Resume: Still Billable, Still Brilliant: Resumes for Legal Professional Women Who Aren’t Done Yet.

The other day, I got an email from someone I used to work with years ago. Sweet woman. We hadn’t spoken in a long time. Her message started with, “I’m so glad to know you’re still around.”

Still around? Are you kidding me?

I wanted to respond with, “Thanks, I didn’t realize I was one step from a commemorative plaque.”

If you’ve heard this too, welcome to the sisterhood. We’re not just “still around.” We’re still smart, still savvy, and very much still in the game.

Whether you’re in a law firm, in-house, freelancing, consulting, re-entering, or just plotting your next power move, this one’s for you.

Climbing the Invisible Career Ladder for Paralegals

In this eye-opening, no-fluff webinar, legal career expert Chere Estrin reveals the unwritten rules and overlooked strategies that ambitious paralegals need to navigate the real career ladder—the one that doesn’t come with a title change or an HR policy but makes all the difference in getting ahead. Whether you’re early in your career or looking to reignite momentum midstream, you'll leave with tactical, immediately usable tools that move your role from routine to respected.

Coworker with ADHD? Here’s How to Work with Their Strengths

Workplaces thrive on diversity, not just in background or experience, but in how people think. One area that’s too often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or mishandled? Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).I recently received an email from a paralegal manager, clearly frustrated. One of her employees seemed to be spiraling:

Podcast Episode | The Underdog Uprising: Paralegals with Huascar Matos

Special Guest: Huascar Matos, together, they dive deep into a critical and long-overdue conversation: how to revolutionize the paralegal profession and create real career pathways beyond the traditional glass ceiling.

So You Want to Be a Legal Professional in 2025?

As we enter the second quarter of 2025, it’s time for a blunt, occasionally sarcastic, and deeply practical look at what the legal job market has in store for Legal Professionals and why your future might hinge not only on legal knowledge, but on political volatility and a firm’s favorite AI bot.

The Green-Eyed Monster Threw a Stapler at Me (and Other Career Lessons)

I recently finished a chapter in my upcoming book, Power Plays for Legal Professionals: Strategies to Move Your Career Forward. It was supposed to be about dealing with authority figures in the workplace. You know, the green-eyed monster with a fancy title and a corner office. But somewhere between writing about emotional intelligence and dodging metaphorical daggers, I remembered....

Podcast Episode | Bullying: The Law Firm’s Dirty Little Secret?

Special Guest: Mark Gorkin, The Stress Doctor

"The Stress Doc," who shares insights into the psychology of bullies, why it persists in legal culture, and how to recognize and resist toxic environments. Chere opens up about personal experiences, including cyberbullying, and shares shocking real-life stories from candidates in the legal profession. Together, they break down the types of bullying, how firms condone it to protect rainmakers, and what legal professionals can do to reclaim their power.

Will You Survive? How Trump’s Upheaval is Reshaping Your Legal Career

I had the honor of delivering the keynote address for the Orange County Paralegal Association conference. Initially, we envisioned a lighthearted discussion on emerging job trends in the legal field where opportunities were growing and how professionals could position themselves for success. However, in just a few short weeks, the rapid and sweeping changes implemented by the Trump administration transformed the conversation entirely.

Legal Career Job Search Workshop:

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March 25 and 27, 2025. Virtual Workshop 4PM - 6PM Pacific / 7PM - 9PM Eastern

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Bullying: The Law Firm’s Dirty Little Secret

"Legal rainmakers, senior partners who bring in client money, are often allowed to intimidate associates or non-partner attorneys and other legal professionals; their bullying behavior (and overall hostile/dysfunctional personality) is overlooked or rationalized away because of their financial status. And, not surprisingly, many associates and non-lawyers fear reprisal, demotion, and other adversarial reactions standing up to the senior bully."