Posted on by Chere Estrin
NFPA Pro Bono Conference
Tip of that hat to LawCrossing for pointing to this info: "While reviewing news releases and other noteworthy items pertaining to the paralegal world this week, I came across a notice about an upcoming Pro Bono Conference sponsored by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). The conference, which will be held in Denver at Holland & Hart on March 24 and 25, 2007, will...
“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...
“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...
“Firms Hire Nonpracticing Lawyers in Manager and Support Roles”
Well, this is interesting. Think it will hurt paralegal advancement into these positions? "Ron Friedmann posts on a new trend at large firms: use of nonpracticing lawyers as managers. He writes that firms now hire nonpracticing lawyers for jobs such as marketing, e-discovery, knowledge management, professional development and practice support. There are some pitfalls, of course, as Friedmann...
“Looking for Clues in a Juror’s ‘John Hancock'”
Paralegals can be soooo involved in this process....: "For Bob Marx, a signature on a juror's questionnaire is more than a scribbled name -- it's a tool he uses to prepare for trial. "Marx, a personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Marx in Hilo, Hawaii, regularly hires a handwriting expert to help him select a jury. "'I feel like it's a significant competitive edge,'...
“Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf?”
Surely not paralegals! People who work with lawyers every day? "Living in fear is living a life of mediocrity. Your fear may be of going back to school, networking with other professionals, job security or competency at work. Perhaps it is the fear of taking your career to the next level, as a paralegal student or a working professional. Whatever your fear may be, ask yourself if this fear...
“Paralegals and Smartphones”
I'm not saying you should buy a smartphone, but the Indiana Paralegal Association rightly points out the value of quick email replies: "I am willing to go out on a limb with this one, but I have come to the conclusion that smartphones are quickly becoming a requirement for paralegals. Whether we like it or not, we live in a world of invisible fences and constant communication (as one of my...