That’s Not My Job

Our guest blogger today is Ninowtzka Mier. “My boss’ secretary looked up and said the words that may have well been nails scratching a chalk board.  “That’s not my job.”       I'm sure it has happened to most of us, at one point or another, during our professional lives. For most of us, a normal day at the office has its share of stress,...

Managing Effective Relationships with Vendors and the RFP Process

Our guest blogger today is Joe Kanka. Recently, I had the opportunity to be a guest lecturer as part of the Organization of Legal Professionals (OLP) Paralegal Management Certification Program. As a former paralegal, I always welcome opportunities  to speak with today’s paralegals about how they can enhance their management skills. While the topic of the session was law office...

We’re number one…well, almost….

I received an email today from Charles Sipe According to paralegal411.org and the sophisticated metrics they use, The Estrin Report  is ranked number two (in the world? in the country? on the Internet?) in the Top 25 paralegal blogs.   I love that and I genuinely appreciate all of your support and thank you for what it took to get there.  This blog has been around...

When to Say “No” to Your Dream Job

Have you ever wondered what might have happened in your life if you had chosen one road over another? I mean, what really might have happened? I don't make a habit of writing about my own experiences but....several years ago while minding my own business (literally). I was approached by a major corporation (big players - cool $5+ billion a year in revenue) to head up their $50 million...

A Shoutout to Paralegals Who Plan…..and Plan…..and Plan

Today, we're hearing from Jamie Collins, our guest blogger, who is causing quite a stir with her blog, The Paralegal Society.  She's opinionated, funny, informative and on point.  Jamie speaks from the heart of a paralegal who has weathered the Bates Stamping Wars. I couldn't help but ask her to contribute to The Estrin Report. Have you had your day hijacked...

Is there tension between paralegal lifers and future lawyers?

The Grindstone published a pretty good article about paralegals yesterday.  It was a little about the differences in paralegal environments, responsibilities, billable hours and the joys of the job.  Although it was a bit of a hodgepodge piece, they quoted Linda McGrath-Cruz and me, so I thought what the heck, I'll share it with you: On the USA show Suits the character of Rachel...

Tough Negotiating for Tough Times

If you’ve ever read the lists for Top Ten Stressors, losing your job or looking for a new one is right up there with life altering events. After finding that dream job, you hold your breath hoping the right amount of money is offered. That little stressor is guaranteed to give you hives, insomnia or worse, little crow’s feet right around your perfectly smooth eye-area. Relax. Chances are if...

5 Ways Corporate Paralegals Add Value to GCs

Our guest blogger today is Joe Kanka: Five Ways Corporate Paralegals Add Value to GCs   The recent article by Shannon Green in Corporate Counsel on Creating a Curriculum for a School for GCs was a very interesting read even with it being fictitious in nature. A couple of key points stuck out in my mind relating to the importance of law department management and learning...

When do you reveal you’re going to law school?

A paralegal posted a common question to one of the LinkedIn groups: “Am I absolutely out of my mind trying to find paralegal work, with no experience yet, only certification, and entering law school in the fall? Not exactly the ideal situation for a lot of hiring companies, apparently.” Naturally, I had to put in my $.25. No one who is seeking further education is out of their minds!...

A Stress Free Career? Are You Living in Dreamland????

  Stress doesn't really scare me. It is part and parcel of our lives. Why, might you ask, would anyone say that?  Probably because in the second half of my work life, I have found the secrets to a relatively stress free career.  Article after article has been written about stress.  It’s the same old, same old:  manage your stress, have a plan, stay positive,...