What You Don’t Know About the Paralegal Job Market

The 10 Hottest Job Market Questions By Chere B. Estrin Whether you are looking for a new position, seeking to move up the ladder or just staying where you are, knowledge of the job market is imperative in this ever-changing, moving target, candidate tight market.  Here are the top 9 concerns, questions, and hottest topics for today’s job market The Goldman Sachs white paper states...

Taking a Stand Against Hate, Discrimination & Anti-Semitism

15 years of Racism Destroys 2 High Profile Attorneys Last week, the LA Times reported on one of the biggest law firm scandals of the year.  “Last month, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, one of the nation’s largest law firms, was rocked by the announcement that two top partners were starting their own boutique practice and taking as many as 140 colleagues with them. The shock inside...

This thing called AI: Will it help you or will it harm you?

By Chere B. Estrin This is the first of a two-part series. Next, we chat with Tara Eberhart, Paralegal Manager of an AmLaw firm who can straighten us out as to whether the paralegal position is about to be wiped out.  I sat down with Dr. Don Billings, a long-time colleague, who knows just about anything one needs to know about legal technology and beyond. I figured he was one of the best to...

10 Reasons Why I Won’t Hire You

or, Ten Reasons you’ll get Rejected for the Job you Want. by Chere Estrin I'm jaded, I know it. Right now, I'm cynical, sarcastic and frustrated. Even I wouldn't want to work for me. But - (and there's always a "but", isn't there?), I have had just the most straining, draining and downright paining time trying to hire a couple of people. Let me explain, please.   There comes a time...

How to Ruin Your Career in 5 Easy Steps

Chere B. Estrin As CEO of a prominent (yes, let’s acknowledge it here!), staffing organization, I talk to lots of unhappy or frustrated people, not exactly my favorite thing. As someone who loves coming to work, my Pollyanna attitude is that everyone should have the same experience. Sadly, that’s not the case. What I have found dealing with thousands of legal professionals throughout my...

Just a short note about a terrible new trend in submitting resumes.

By Chere B. Estrin Have you wondered why you are not getting a great response to your resume, even though you meet all the criteria? If you are not listing your city and state, chances are 90% that your resume will not get accepted. I noticed this is a new trend now and all I can say is “Don’t do it.’ Why? Because recruiters and employers want to know if they are wasting their time. Most...

All I wanted for Christmas was my two front seats.

By Chere B. Estrin Flightmare. If you got caught up in it, my sympathies! With thousands and thousands of weary travelers serious victims of the blizzard, ice or even Southwest, the holidays were dreadful. Can I vent for just a moment? For those of you still stuck at airports, in cities you know nothing about, sleeping in the airport, staying in hotels you can’t afford, or trying to take a...

8 Strategies for Climbing the Law Firm Leadership Ladder

. Last night, I plumb ran out of sleep. Here I was, snoozing away, not particularly dreaming about anything, when I woke right up. I found myself worrying about a legal professional who had come to me to find ways to get promoted in her firm.  I went over our conversation. She was at her firm 14 years and hadn’t had a raise in several years. Other professionals were being brought in at a...

How to Blow your Chances of Getting a Raise

By Chere B. Estrin It’s here again. Oh, yes. That stressful, anxiety ridden, white knuckling 30 minutes guaranteed to make your palms sweat, heart race and chest tighten followed by a sense of impending doom surrounding your otherwise well-being. Yes, I am talking about the performance review.  We’ve all been through it. Some were good, some were bad. Some met your expectations and...

Marina Shepelsky: How to Be a Top Lawyer in Your Niche

By Chere Estrin What does it take to become a successful lawyer? In a series of in-depth interviews for the Estrin Report, Chere Estrin profiles top lawyers from all types of practices, and we’re highlighting their top five tips here. This week, the spotlight is on immigration and divorce lawyer — and social media star — Marina Shepelsky.  Marina Shepelsky Founder,...