Ah, small talk. That delightful social ritual where you skillfully navigate through the weather, weekend plans, or the universally beloved “How’s your day going?” It's like conversational popcorn—light, seemingly inconsequential, but sneakily satisfying. Yet, beneath its humble exterior lies a secret superpower: small talk can transform your career faster than you can say, “So, how...
There are stars in the field, and then again, there are SuperStars. Huascar Matos belongs in the SuperStar category, without a doubt. As one of the very few Paralegal Directors in an executive position in an AmLaw firm, Huascar is also the President of IPMA, the International Practice Management Association, a high-profile association for Practice and Paralegal Managers. Here is gives some sage...
Toxic interviews from your employees must stop now By Chere B. Estrin There are times when law firms create hiring suicides. Yes, hiring suicides. This should be a new term coined for a situation that has existed forever. A few months ago, we received a job search for an experienced IP Paralegal from an AmLaw firm we have worked with and enjoyed for years. The candidate we sent was far beyond...
There are stars, and there are SuperStars. I have come across thousands of paralegals in my career. So many stand out! However, five paralegals (among many) recently stood out for their excellent contributions to the paralegal world. Take a look at their incredible achievements! About the Author Chere Estrin has over 20 years of experience in the staffing arena, including executive...
By Chere B. Estrin For the past few years, I haven’t been much on going to conferences, which is strange because my partner and I used to hold the Paralegal SuperConferences all over the country until the Great Recession (which is another story for another day). First, there was COVID, and then there was Zoom – (who wants to do all that travel when you can watch the conference and eat...
By Chere B. Estrin There's nothing quite like the immediate deflation a hiring manager feels when they spot a resume littered with job hops. That knee-jerk reaction is often something like, “Wait, if you were only there for nine months, maybe you’ll only be here for nine months.” Cue the red flags. It’s true—changing jobs too frequently is right up there with skill mismatches for...
By Chere B. Estrin As I strolled towards the cafe, I couldn't shake the feeling of excitement. Finally, I was about to meet Joseph, one of my elusive students, from Boston U's Paralegal Program. Despite the geographical gymnastics, he was now gracing my city with his presence. Our meeting promised to be a symphony of caffeine and career aspirations, with a sprinkle of wisdom on top. Little did I...
By Chere B. Estrin Legal Apartheid: The Poisonous Impact of the 'Non-Lawyer' Label on Professional Equality There is a petition going around to strike the term "non-lawyer" from use by the ABA. I can't help but stick my two cents in: "The use of the term "non-lawyer" creates an artificial hierarchy within the legal profession. It implicitly suggests that only licensed attorneys hold value or...
By Chere B. Estrin I had lunch last week with a friend who is the Director of Administration at a top, major law firm. The firm had been seeking a litigation paralegal for months. When I first received their search, the hiring requirements included 5-10 years of litigation paralegal experience, actual trial experience, ability to handle legal research, drafting and a whole host of other...
Well, well, well, they said what about your performance? Surprise, surprise, it's performance review time! You strut in there like you own the place, expecting a standing ovation, a raise that could buy a small country, and maybe even a golden trophy labeled "Employee of the Millennium."
But hold the confetti! Instead of the anticipated praise, you get hit with a review suggesting your...
