Good news -- more jobs for corporate paralegals (at least in Minnesota!): "A new survey found that 95 percent of in-house attorneys in Minnesota are satisfied with their jobs. "The highest paid in-house lawyers worked for health care companies, and attorneys in public companies were better paid than those in private corporations. The average salary for all in-house lawyers responding to...
Here's some good advice for getting people to work on a new project: "Many times in your life you will make requests of others: to join a group, committee or team, to perform a task or to assist with a project. This month's question: How do you make the ask? Often the key to getting to 'Yes' involves how you make your request. "Whether you are: building a board of directors forming a...
These legal-focused Web 2.0 apps -- described by Law Technology News -- look very helpful (& fun!): "What started out as a two-part tour of Web 2.0 products and services of interest to the legal profession has easily turned into three parts. In fact, our journey could easily continue for several more columns, given the abundance and assortment of useful Web 2.0 sites. Fear not, though,...
Another strong opinion about regulating Canadian paralegals: "Ontario has passed a law that will regulate paralegals. This is good news. Until now, what has it taken to be a paralegal? Call yourself one. That's it. No training required. No liability insurance. No minimum standards. No discipline for bad ones. "I've seen some good paralegals. I've seen some bloody awful ones too. Of...
First time I've heard about this software, but sounds like it works quite well: "Juries don't always believe what people say, but they do tend to believe what is on paper. The difference that thorough e-mail review and analysis can make in the outcome of litigation is dramatic, and attorneys cannot risk overlooking key evidence that can make or break a client's case. "More and more...
Is this another example of how automation can negatively affect employment? I'm not sure there are really fewer paralegal jobs, particularly for people with experience or specific skills: "Thanks in part to new technologies that help law firms sort and scan documents, firms are hiring fewer paralegals than they did during the 1990s, when demand was so high that people with little...
Very helpful tips for tech-oriented paralegals interested in the challenging field of knowledge management (KM): "Law firms struggle with knowledge management. On the one hand, law firms are classic examples of information and knowledge businesses. On the other hand, managing lawyers has often been likened to 'herding cats.' Combining 'knowledge' with 'management' in the law firm setting has...
Cases like this undoubtedly supported the fight to regulate paralegals in Canada: "It was a dream payday for Brampton, Ont., paralegal Vince Chiarelli: He made $1,800 for just two hours of work. "But for his client, Pamela Elliot, that contract with Mr. Chiarelli would represent her lowest point in a year of sheer hell. "Having already lost her husband and her job, the 39-year-old...
Can't quite figure out if this story is mostly funny or sad. Of course, 'dress for success' is usually a good idea, right? "A colourful Toronto paralegal is seeing red after his forceful ejection from court for a 'fashion crime.' "Ex-lawyer Harry Kopyto alleges that a Toronto cop 'manhandled' him out of a Scarborough court yesterday after a justice of the peace adjourned a case because...
This news is not a surprise, but it does sound like the battle continues: "Ontario became the first province in Canada to regulate paralegals Thursday, but many in the profession worry they could be forced out of business because they will be regulated by lawyers - the very people they compete against for most of their work. "The Liberal government had to use its majority to out-vote...