“The Billable Hour’s Staying Power”

One of my least favorite tasks -- & I'm sure others' as well -- billing time! "As Abraham Lincoln once said, "A lawyer's advice is his stock in trade." That short phrase has been repeated by attorneys throughout the years and is etched on brass plaques hanging in law firms worldwide. "Clearly, Abe knew the value of his expertise. He also was reportedly a stickler for...

“There’s Always a First Time for Tech at Trial”

This case is a remarkably successful demonstration of how to use technology to win a case. Waiting until you absolutely NEED technology to LEARN how it works, however, is NOT recommended: "On May 24, 2001, Claire Duncan was driving on Route I-95 near Petersburg, Va., when a Winnebago made a sudden shift into her lane. The 26-year-old pharmacology Ph.D student swerved her 2000 Ford Explorer...

Toronto Bill 14 to Regulate Paralegals

Here's a letter from Margaret Louter in support of regulation to the Toronto Star: "Marshall Yarmus suggests in his letter that the Paralegal Society of Ontario disagrees with Bill 14 because it will increase the cost of legal services to the public and small businesses and will increase lawyers' monopoly on certain legal services. He suggests that every Ontarian should be opposed to it. I...

“Enron Defense Firm Stuck With the Tab”

I guess this shouldn't be surprising news to anyone who's followed the Enron mess: "To the list of employees, investors and businesses who suffered financial misfortune in Enron Corp.'s demise, add this one: the law firm defending former chief executive Jeffrey K. Skilling. "Los Angeles-based O'Melveny & Myers LLP, which has represented Skilling on both civil and criminal charges...

Paralegals in Australasia

Yes, Australasia, namely Australia, New Zealand, & neighbouring islands: "An increasing number of UK, US and international law firms are swarming around Australia's and New Zealand's shores in search of highly skilled, hard-working partners, associates, paralegals and trainees."

Manila Institute’s First Paralegals

The Phillippines' Manila Institute has graduated its first class of paralegals: "The Manila Times Institute for Paralegal Studies will award certificates of completion to its first batch of graduates at ceremonies scheduled for Friday at the Manila Hotel. "Presiding Justice Ruben Reyes of the Court of Appeals will be the commencement speaker. Dr. Dante A. Ang, founder of the institute,...

“Lawyers plan increased hiring in next 12 months, survey shows”

Good news for those interested in making a change: "The hiring outlook for law firms and corporate legal departments remains positive, a new survey shows. Fifty-five per cent of lawyers surveyed plan to add personnel in the coming year. Only 1 per cent of respondents anticipate reductions in personnel. These results reflect little change from a similar poll conducted in 2005, in which 55 per...

Over 1,000 paralegals have worked on the Oxycontin case(s)…!

And at least who will pay the legal bills has been decided: "Purdue Pharma has settled with its insurer over lofty legal costs the drug maker had racked up in defending against OxyContin suits. "None of the pending OxyContin lawsuits has gone to trial, WSJ reported. The report further noted that, although insurance payment disputes are common, the Purdue-Steadfast imbroglio was a...

What happened on June 13, 1966?

Many important events, we're sure, but one in particular came from the Supremes: "Washington, June 13--The Supreme Court announced today sweeping limitations on the power of the police to question suspects in their custody. The justices split 5 to 4. In stinging dissents the minority denounced the decision as helping criminals go free to repeat their crimes. "The majority opinion, by...

Computer Forensics 101 for paralegals & others

This free course can give paralegals a valuable skill: "Project Leadership Associates, Inc. (PLA),continues to meet the demands of the legal industry and corporate counsel by offering a Computer Forensics Training Session in Chicago on Tuesday, June 27th. "Computer Forensics 101 is a free training session hosted by PLA. Our introduction to Computer Forensics is designed for attorneys,...