The Future of Paralegals: Why Waiting for the Future to Arrive is a Career Buster

Todays Guest Blogger is Terese Cannon, J.D., We are entering a era of major, perhaps even revolutionary, shifts in law practice, legal education, and the role of both lawyers and nonlawyers who deliver legal services.  Already in motion but accelerated by the economic meltdown five years ago, these shifts have already resulted in significant downsizing and reorganization in large law...

The Paralegal Internet Association Now Forming –

As the world grows closer, so does the paralegal field. It had to happen.  With millions of paralegals around the world, a new association needed to be formed to bring paralegals together for one common purpose.  I thought. "What if there were an association where paralegals could share information; develop best practices; raise the awareness of the field; increase...

Law firms change from lay-offs to compensation and training

Today's market: protect yourself - get the training you need to keep your job and get top salary At least people have stopped crouching behind their desks in an effort to hide from the Pink Slip Lady. That's according to a recent survey from ALM Intelligence, "Turf Wars: Defining New Roles and Competing for New Territories." The recent report provides an overview of current...

Stop Using the 37 Most Irritating Words at Work

I would love to hear some real work conversation from some real people.  I mean people who don't speak current workspeak.  You know the type:  the ones that desperately want you to think that they are "in the know", "up-to-date", savvy, synchronized but frankly, silly. Sometimes, I wonder what some of the phrases really mean.  And, who...

From Communist Russia to U.S. Citizen – A Paralegal’s Fight for Freedom

Walnuts on My Bookshelf: Memories of Living in Communist Russia is a book that I just couldn't put down.  This compelling story engrosses the reader from the very first paragraph. Written by an Alabama paralegal, Peter Kirchikov, the book brings a unique and brilliant analysis of life during the USSR from 1952 until 1991. Born and raised in Ukraine, he discloses the poverty,...

Shoot for the Curb – Everything Else is Gravy

How many times have you set goals only not to achieve them?  Come on. You already know in your gut when you set the goal that you probably won’t reach it.  Despite clichés such as “Shoot for the moon” and other psychobabble, you will most likely say to yourself, “Are you kidding?  I’ll commit to xxx but I know it’s a stretch.” On the other hand, goals are...