“Classify paralegals as professionals, not administrative staff”

So, is this a welcome statement from Altman Weil & the Law Department Management blog? I think so! "Classify paralegals as professionals, not administrative staff, so you can pay for appropriate quality "A good point made by a consultant, James Wilber of Altman Weil, appears in InsideCounsel, Feb. 2007 at 54. Wilber has observed that 'often corporations classify paralegals as...

“Six Hard-Learned Lessons About EDD”

New court opinion reminds both law firms & clients "to focus on e-discovery early in litigation": "With the long-anticipated revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure having only recently come into effect, the sense of uncertainty that has historically surrounded electronic discovery promises to linger. While the bar will watch with keen interest as the courts begin the...

“Word 2007 Review: A Ribbon Runs Through It”

Microsoft Word users rejoice! Getting the "biggest boosts to your daily productivity," as this author suggests, makes me want to give Word 2007 a try: "We love it, we hate it -- we can't work a day without it. "I've witnessed more people gnash their teeth over Microsoft Word than probably any other software application. But no matter how many times we cuss at the automatic...

“45 ways we torpedo our careers”

Very helpful, if sometimes painful, career guidance in a new book: "Read a few pages of Anita Bruzzese's book and you probably will see yourself. "And, you're almost guaranteed not to like the picture you see. "'We hear all the time that people aren't happy in their jobs because of the boss, or because of the company, or because of something else,' said Bruzzese, author of the book...

“Corporate Groups Enjoy the Boom but Plan for the Bust”

Corporate lawyer hiring directly affects corporate paralegal hiring. Tighten your seat belts; it's going to be a bumpy ride! "It has been a bull market for corporate lawyers, with multimillion- and billion-dollar M&A deals galore. But the recent stock market plunge sent a little chill down the backs of some, a reminder that the high times won't last forever. A day after trouble in the...

“5 Tips for Making Progress in Your Career While Staying Put”

As this article from CIO explains, it's all about expanding your skill set: "Most professionals think they have to change jobs every three years to get ahead. But you really don’t have to move to a new job or company to advance your career. Chances are, your current job offers challenges and opportunities you haven’t yet tapped. By taking on new assignments in your current position, you...

“What do you put in that ‘Salary Desired’ box?”

Excellent question! And this blog post has good answers in the form of many helpful reader comments : "A friend of mine is looking for a new job. She has years of experience in the industry, great technical skills, wonderful contacts, and plenty to brag about. But like most of us, she's stymied when a job ad asks for a cover letter, 'complete with salary history and requirements.' A...

“Law-firm employees receive pro bono awards”

Good news for these individuals & for their firm's pro bono program! "Six lawyers and one paralegal are the first recipients of Charles L. Whistler Pro Bono Awards at Baker & Daniel law firm. "Rhonda Jackson is a paralegal who helped coordinate the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society's annual holiday fund-raising campaign during the last three years." Noted on Baker &...

“Paralegal career field actively recruits Airmen”

Looking for a way to serve your country? Well, the Air Force wants you! "The Air Force paralegal career field is actively recruiting motivated Airmen to join the Judge Advocate General Corps. "Master Sgt. Michael Gadson , Randolph Law Center superintendent, has been serving in the paralegal career field for 18 years. About three years ago, he had his first opportunity to work with a...

“‘The Eight E’s’: Ascending the Computer Forensics Ladder”

Sounds like this could be a good career path for tech-minded paralegals: "Though computer forensics is a young discipline, it's not the exclusive province of new graduates of computer forensics degree programs. It's a natural career extension for IT and law enforcement professionals and peripatetic lawyers with a dominant geek gene. Expertise in litigation and computer forensics also opens...