All Entries in the "Articles" Category
Gawker Interviews America’s First Neo-Nazi Lobbyist (and He’s a Paralegal)
Our friends over at Gawker recently interviewed Paralegal John Taylor Bowles who was recently registered as The American Nazi Party’s first Capitol Hill lobbyist. We thought we would share the same here and welcome your thoughts and opinions. [Ed: PLEASE NOTE: ParalegalGateway (PG) did NOT interview Mr. Taylor but merely linked to this article from another [...]
One in Four Attorneys Plans to Hire in Second Quarter According to National Legal Survey
More than one-quarter (26 percent) of lawyers interviewed for the quarterly Robert Half Legal Hiring Index plans to hire full-time legal staff during the second quarter of 2012, while 4 percent anticipate staff reductions. The net 22 percent increase in hiring activity compares with a net hiring increase of 27 percent forecast in the first [...]
Alternative Paralegal Careers: Litigation Support Professional
Local law firms have hung out help-wanted signs. The demand for litigation support personnel — an emerging field where the law and technology overlap — is running strong. Local firms are hiring to keep up with demand that stems from fast-growing litigation practices and the proliferation of digital documents and communication in every area of [...]
Paralegal Justice Files: The Hidden Truth Behind the Formation of America (One Judge’s Quest for Answers)
The following article was written by a former Judge. He doesn’t reveal his full name, but the information contained within the writing is well-worth reading and digesting anyway. It is worth reading because it should stimulate your pursuit to understand the truth behind the formation of America. It was written in 2008 and we do [...]
Getting Ethical With Paralegals
Since the birth of the paralegal profession in the 1960s, it has evolved into an essential component of every successful legal team. The role of a paralegal is fundamentally shaped by the legal ethics that he or she must follow. When considering the ethical use of a paralegal, one criteria is to determine whether the [...]
Autistic Paralegal Reflects on “Good Grief”: A Holiday Inspiration
It’s now been over a year since Mom died. It’s unbelievable how fast those 365 days have come and gone. As I sit and write this, I think a lot about what happened during those 365 days. More importantly, I think about what I’ve accomplished. The funeral took place on Thursday, December 2. It was [...]
Environmental Law Offers New Opportunity for Paralegals
Mother Nature has a unique but simple way of taking care of herself—a sort of “no BS” attitude towards unnatural manipulation that has routinely come back to bite many people and corporations where it hurts. At the beginning of December, the EPA released a report saying that Monsanto’s program for monitoring suspected cases of resistance [...]
How the Cloud is Impacting the “Legal Departments” within the Healthcare Industry
Written by Valeh Nazemoff. As healthcare IT executives continue to explore ways to implement Cloud Computing technology into their organization, there are many considerations that the overall organization needs to consider that does not involve just the IT department. An organization that had their infrastructure in-house were setting their service level agreements (SLAs) and performance [...]
Five Unorthodox Paralegal Careers
So you like the law, but you’re not into being a lawyer, or you just haven’t gotten there yet. Now you’ve got quite a bit of experience as a paralegal, but the economy has tanked, and even your plan B is losing its appeal. You’re in luck! Here are five great ways to use your [...]
Paper Court Filers in Florida May Receive a Penalty
The Florida Senate is considering a bill that would impose a surcharge to submit a paper filing to a court. Courts have attempted to build the adoption of eFiling in different ways. In some counties, such as Orange County, California and San Francisco County, the courts will mandate it for specific types of court filings. [...]
FRCP Readiness: 10 Practical Tips for Paralegals
The amended Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP)[1] place a tremendous amount of responsibility on parties to meet and confer to identify and resolve issues related to the preservation and production of electronically stored information. The rules also reinforce the notion that lawyers must communicate with their clients to become familiar with their clients electronic [...]
Witness Statements
It is important to memorialize the sequence of events in any given incident. One way to accomplish this is to obtain statements from the percipient witnesses. Nailing down a witness’ version of how an incident occurred early in a case can be one of the most important components of a thorough investigation. A paralegal should [...]
How to Create a Discovery Plan
Attorneys devote an enormous amount of time on the discovery phase of litigation. The California Civil Discovery Act encompasses California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 2016.010 – 2036.050. California Code of Civil Procedure § 2019.010 outlines the methods of discovery as oral and written depositions; interrogatories; inspections of documents, things, and places; physical and mental [...]
Practical Pointers for Trial Binders
I haven’t met a litigation trial lawyer yet that doesn’t use trial binders. In fact, binderizing a complex case from the date of inception is a great way to help your attorney stay organized. What are trial binders? A trial binder is a binder where various documents are organized, properly tabbed, and indexed at the [...]
Paralegal Salary Survey Reveals Positive Turn in Paralegal Compensation
In this positive article, Sally Kane gives us an update on the recent results of Paralegal Today’s salary survey. While salaries aren’t rising like they did in apex years, the legal job market is thawing and compensation is slowly climbing back from previous levels, according to Paralegal Today magazine’s 19th Annual Salary Survey, published in [...]
10 Toxic Character Types You’ll Meet on the Job
Our friends over at TechRepublic have hit the nail on the head again with this wonderful offering by Alan Norton that can easily apply to Paralegals and law firms. No doubt you’ve run across the kid who doesn’t play well with others. There’s the kid who cheats in sports. There’s the neighbor who came up [...]
ParalegalGateway Now Offers Virtual Document Production Services
ParalegalGateway is proud to announce our partnership with Document Pros that allows our visitors to order document production jobs virtually!! Simply use the form below to order or request a quote. Once you submit the form, a representative will be in touch with you via telephone to confirm receipt of the same and to obtain [...]
Five Tips for Securely Destroying Data
As paralegals we are often tasked with destroying confidential data once a case has closed, etc. Our friends over at TechRepulic have offered this excellent article on how to do this safely and securely. A critically important part of data lifecycle management is destroying data at the end of a medium’s useful life. If this [...]
Paralegal, Pamela Jones is Calling it Quits on Groklaw
Sad news out of the legal tech arena as Paralegal, Pamela Jones has decided to call it quits on her eight year old award-winning website Groklaw. The site will remain online, but it will stop publishing new articles next month because its creator believes the site is no longer needed. Groklaw was started as a [...]
Protecting Privileges When Doing Online Research
“The commercial tracking of online legal research is a growing threat to the three confidentiality interests relating to legal representation. Attorney-client privilege, attorney work-product protection, and an attorney’s ethical rule of confidentiality are bedrock principles for the United States justice system and for the practice of law. The rapid expansion in data tracking technologies, decreasing [...]
Using LexisNexis with MicroSoft Office
Many Paralegals live in MicroSoft Office and LexisNexis. We found this exceptional article LexisNexis Unveils Office Integration Today on Robert Ambrogi’s LawSites and he graciously allowed a reprint of the same. Although it was originally written with lawyers in mind, it certainly applies to Paralegal professionals as well. Lawyers spend much of their time at [...]
Court Day Count iPhone App
ParalegalGateway is excited and proud to introduce our very first iPhone application for Paralegals and legal professionals. Court Day Count allows you to quickly calculate the number of court days or calendar days (or a combination of the two) before or after a given date. It is simple to use and allows you to calculate [...]
iPad As a Legal Tool
As technology advances, paralegals get more and more in tune with software which can assist us, personally and professionally. Paralegals are consistently looking for ways to streamline our organizational structure with technology, from word processing to trial presentation software. As technology advances, society continually looks for the smaller, more portable, most functional option. After using [...]
The Influence of Graphics in Litigation Support
People think using pictures. Before we can talk, we learn through seeing and responding to our surroundings. Dr. Lynell Burmark, Ph.D. Associate at the Thornburg Center for Professional Development and author of several books and papers on visual literacy, asserted that ideas and concepts not associated with an image are harder to process by our [...]
Microsoft Builds Intranet Site for Its Attorneys, Paralegals; Sees $3 Million Productivity Gain
Microsoft attorneys and paralegals had too many document templates, stored in too many places, to efficiently create effective contracts. So, they used the company’s own collaboration technology to create a document portal that includes animated instructions and automated workflows. User adoption has exceeded projections, and satisfaction is high. As a bonus, the company gains U.S.$3 [...]
How To Conduct Research Safely on the Web
Adapted from The Paralegal’s Guide to the Microsoft Office System by Dorian S. Berger and Anthony T. Mann and originally posted on TechRepublic. As a paralegal, you need to conduct a significant amount of research on the Web. You conduct your research by using a Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0, but you [...]
How to Grow the Bond Between IT and Legal
In this recent article from CIO Update, Dean Kuhlmann offers great insight into the importance of Paralegals learning as much as possible about eDiscovery and deduplication programs. Going the extra mile when executing and learning these programs could be a great way to set yourself apart from others who may be in the running for [...]
How to Prepare a Personal Injury Settlement Brochure
This excellent guide was posted by our friends over at Personal Injury Utah and we wanted to share it here as well. Thoroughness is the key when preparing a settlement brochure or demand package to attempt settlement of an injury case. Here are 32 tips gleaned from over 20 years experience that comprise a checklist [...]
Internet Law: U.S. Court Decides Emails Equal a Signature for Contracts
New York appellate court has ruled that e-mails were signed writings that modify contracts, in a April 1, 2008 ruling. The case was filed in October 1999, and related to the claim of breach-of-contract. The court wrote, “The e-mails from plaintiff constitute “signed writings” within the meaning of the statute of frauds, since plaintiff’s name [...]
Law Day 2010
Law Day 2010 is May 1st and many local legal associations will be celebrating. Be sure to check with your local Bar and Paralegal associations to see if they are participating. Be sure to check out Law Day’s official website too! As we begin the second decade of the twenty-first century, the law is changing [...]
How a Paralegal at Microsoft Uses Access 2010 Web Databases
Meet Malori! Malori is a paralegal in Microsoft’s legal department. She manages patent applications and assigns them out to attorneys and portfolio managers as well as other paralegals. Malori was looking for a way to make her team more efficient by presenting all of the information they needed in a single web page or application. [...]
Paralegal Tip: Employment Outlook
In this video Paralegal Tip, we respond to a Paralegal student (Harold) who would like our opinion on the Paralegal job outlook in the next few years.
Paralegal Tip: Paralegal and State Bar Certification
In this video Paralegal Tip we respond to a PA Paralegal who asked us, “Can a Paralegal become certified by their State Bar Association.”
Paralegal Tip: Gathering Computer-Based Discovery
This helpful Paralegal video discusses tips for gathering computer-based discovery.
Paralegals’ Pet Peeves — Working with Attorneys
Contributed by Clara L. Buckland, C.P.** Originally printed in the December 2009 TYLA eNews When I was asked to write this article I thought, “Oxymoron or a true quandary?” I found myself perplexed as I have worked with the same attorney for fifteen years and yes, some of the things he does drive me crazy [...]
Paralegals Take a Walk on the Cloud
Contributed by Kim Walker** We’ve all heard of computing and we’ve all heard of clouds. And now, more and more we are hearing the strange term “cloud computing.” Sounds ominous, sounds way too out there, sounds more like something a computer geek should be concerning himself with, not you. Not true. As a paralegal in [...]
Paralegals Beware: Storefront Legal Organizations
Contributed by Jeannie S. Johnston** After sixteen plus years working in the legal profession I, like so many others, have enjoyed bonding with my colleagues. We truly have become family and it has been a joy to watch each other grow and succeed. Not only do we share professional bonds but through online communities, we [...]
Difficult Debtors: Tips From the Front Line
Contributed by Jessica Slappey** Bad debts are a source of irritation, and sometimes ruin, for all companies. According to a July 15, 2008 article by Melanie Lindner on Forbes.Com, a business can expect to collect nine out of ten dollars of a debt within the first 90 days of the due date- after that the [...]
The East Coast Paralegal
Contributed by Ann-Marie Allen** I can honestly say that I am very proud to be a paralegal and a Canadian one at that. Welcome, everyone. Welcome to Nova Scotia, the Atlantic Provinces and Canada. As all of you know it takes much more than just a certificate to be a paralegal. It requires stamina, trust [...]
Getting to Paralegal
Contributed by Lisa Devlin** My Name is Lisa Devlin. I am a paralegal for Martin L. Alvey, P.C., in Portland, Oregon. Our firm specializes in Social Security Disability, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Longshore cases. Being a paralegal had been my goal since I first stepped foot into my first legal position. I absolutely love [...]
Paralegal Perspective: A Disability Should Not Be A Life Sentence
Contributed by Andrea Marie Fisher** It is not a crime to be different or be a person with a disability. A disability is sometimes a hidden factor in the thread of a person’s life. To me the word disabled is just a label we use in everyday society. Many times people do not understand what [...]
How Does Paralegal Regulation Affect You?
Contributed by Shirley Caroline Bryant, PLS** The following article is reprinted here by permission via NALS (www.nals.org). Paralegal regulation is increasingly affecting legal professionals in the 21st century and creates unique challenges wherever it is implemented. Although only a handful of states have followed through on regulating the paralegal profession, there are several other states [...]
Working in the 21st Century with Virtual Paralegals
Contributed by Melodee K. Currier** In today’s competitive market place, are you looking for ways to reduce costs and provide faster turnaround to your clients? Do you operate with a budget in mind and find getting help on a temporary or full time basis is too expensive? Do you have difficulty finding competent help when [...]
Paralegals and Online Social Networking
Contributed by Jeannie S. Johnston** Recently, I’ve received correspondence from many of ParalegalGateway.com’s site visitors regarding online social networking and how it may or may not impact them professionally. Realizing that the internet is constantly changing faster than most of us can blink, I felt this is a subject that welcomed some cogitation specifically regarding [...]
LEAP: A Primer to National Leadership
Contributed by Christina L. Koch, ACP** The National Association of Legal Assistants has always promoted and encouraged active state and national leadership as a career tool for its members. In 2008, NALA introduced a new pilot program called LEAP, an acronym meaning “Leadership Enhancement and Preparation”, designed to build upon the experience and leadership abilities [...]
Working with The Players: Witnesses, Judges, Clerks, Bailiffs & Expert Witnesses
Contributed by Christina L. Koch, ACP** Successful paralegals are challenged every day by the litigation process. A big part of that challenge is understanding the differences in the responsibilities of the key players as the litigation progresses. This includes not only the client, but fact witnesses, expert witnesses, judges, clerks, bailiffs and court staff. This [...]
Paralegal Practice Tips: Medical Records
Contributed by Lynne J. DeVenny** Well-qualified paralegals who are responsible for obtaining and reviewing medical records in workers’ compensation practices should: ■ Know the relevant state statutes, case law and/or state agency rules regarding obtaining and disclosure of medical records, as well as contact with medical providers. ■ Know how frequently contacted medical providers accept [...]
RU Vetting?
Contributed by Vicki Voisin, ACP** Vetting has nothing to do with horses and cows! This is a process of examination and evaluation. Used as a verb, ‘to vet’ means ‘to subject somebody or something to a careful examination or scrutiny, especially when this involves determining suitability for something.’ This often translates to performing a background [...]
“Attorney Supervision” Running and Capping, and the Rogue Paralegal
Contributed by Suzanne Bowlby Ervine** You’ve seen the ads. Countless “rogue” paralegals, who are nothing more than illegal, unregistered legal document preparers, advertise their services as being “provided pursuant to Business & Professions Code section 6450, et seq.,” or “attorney supervised,” or “attorney available for consultation.” Most of the California legal community is aware that [...]
Paralegal Compensation: A Primer to Permissible and Impermissible Pay Structures
Contributed by Peter G. Golden** Last month, we highlighted the federal overtime law as it applies to paralegals, concluding that in most cases, paralegals are not exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime laws and must be appropriately compensated for any hours work in excess of 40 in a given week (1) . [...]
