The Paralegal Coach

Linda Odermott, NFPA certified paralegal and Oregon Certified Paralegal, discusses the process that she and a team of others went through in Oregon related to the paralegal licensing program that has been in the works in Oregon for over ten years.

Linda also enlightens us on how paralegal licensing can benefit paralegals, the paralegal profession, and the community. Several states (including Washington, Utah, Arizona, and Minnesota) already have some level of paralegal licensing, and that list now includes Oregon thanks to the decision that recently came in from the Oregon Supreme Court.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

The debate has been going on for some time on whether paralegal licensing (or regulation) would be a good thing or a bad thing for the paralegal profession. But what about whether or not it’s a good thing for the community? Here are just a few statistics:

• Did you know that over seventy percent (70%) of small civil and family law cases don’t have legal representation because they can’t afford it?
• A majority of the general public does not trust lawyers and the court system. 84% of the people surveyed in Oregon as part of the research into this licensing program said that if they needed a lawyer, they either would not know where to find one or couldn’t afford one.
• We all think legal aid and pro bono should resolve the access to justice issue. But, in order to meet the current needs, every attorney licensed in this country would need to put in 150 hours of pro bono time every year.

In this episode of the Paralegals on Fire! Podcast Show, Ann talks about the importance of eDiscovery and how it has been a game changer for so many litigation paralegals.

Whether you are just starting out your career as a litigation paralegal, or you’ve been holding off on embracing eDiscovery or technology in your practice area for a while, this episode will help you understand why gaining these skills in eDiscovery matter!

Show Highlights:

• Why embracing eDiscovery matters when it comes to career security
• Examples of how eDiscovery can help you work more efficiently
• How this now required skill can open up more opportunities

In this episode, Ann encourages you to reserve your seat for our upcoming masterclass. Join us for our FREE masterclass Why EVERY litigation paralegal should be a MASTER in eDiscovery on August 25 at 12PM EST and learn how to level up in your career for more opportunities, increased job security, and more money! We can’t wait to show you what’s possible.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

Being a personal injury paralegal can be stressful and rewarding at the same time.

In this solo episode, Ann gives you some tips on how to stand out as a rockstar personal injury paralegal. Like all episodes, you’ll walk away with some actionable strategies and some motivation!

Show Highlights

• The three “hats” a personal injury paralegal wears
• Nine things you can do to stand out in your paralegal role
• The importance of finding the bottleneck that’s holding up the PI claim files

Level up these skills to ensure your success as a personal injury paralegal:

1. Learn the basics of anatomy and medicine
2. Know the statute of limitations period
3. Learn medication abbreviations
4. Understand medical terminology
5. Know how to obtain medical records quickly and efficiently
6. Develop templates and keep improving them
7. Keep a database of outside experts
8. Know the litigation process
9. Listen to the full episode to get #9!

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

The legal industry is slowly but surely moving towards automation and away from paper-based processes. Of course, this is good for the industry and good that it can free up a paralegal’s time to work on higher-level work. However, this has started the conversation as to how it might affect the people working in this industry, especially paralegals.

The question of where robots will leave paralegals in the coming years is a crucial one, and that’s what Ann is discussing in this week’s podcast show.

Show Highlights

• The difference between AI and automation; and how those might change a paralegal’s role
• How some specific paralegal skills might be compared to a robot using those skills
• The pros and cons of automation

1. Embrace the technology
2. Improve your problem-solving skills
3. Work on your critical-thinking skills
4. Focus on your career security

Episodes and articles mentioned by Ann in this episode:

Podcast Episode 5: Paralegal Career Security

Podcast Episode 15: Problem-solving skills

Things we’re glad to have changed in the paralegal profession

Brett Surbey blog article: Critical Thinking – What it is, Why it is Important, and How to Improve it

Litigation Boot Camp

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

In this episode of the Paralegals on Fire! Podcast Show, Ann interviews Bert Binder, a former paralegal and the founder of Paralegal Career Coach, to bring you some great advice on the impacts, trends, and career opportunities for the paralegal profession.

Show Highlights:

• Why every paralegal should write their own resume and not outsource it
• One of the often overlooked employment opportunities for entry-level paralegals
• What to do when the salary in the employment offer is too low
• Other factors to consider beyond just the paralegal salary

In all of our podcast episodes, we try to give paralegals an actionable strategy that they can take away from the show because we know your time is valuable.

1. Be prepared now to be able to take advantage when that opportunity opens up.
2. Don’t leave your career to chance. Set career goals and make them happen, rather than hoping something comes your way.
3. Listen to the podcast episode on going from receptionist to firm-wide director.
4. Listen to the podcast episode about paralegal burnout if you think you are headed there.
5. If you are looking for a career change, contact The Paralegal Career Coach.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

Are you really busy and stressed? Or are you headed towards paralegal burnout?

We’re going to talk about paralegal burnout in this week’s episode, but just like all of our other podcast episodes, Ann also gives you some actionable strategies to help get you out of paralegal burnout so that eventually, you can enjoy your career again.

In the show, Ann discusses how to recognize when paralegal burnout is headed your way. And like all of the podcast episodes, she gives you some actionable strategies to help you overcome burnout.

Show Highlights

• Burnout is costing us billions of dollars per year
• Nine symptoms to look out for when you’re headed toward burnout
• Five things to do now to prevent or reduce the impact of burnout if you’re already there

Actionable Strategies

Write these five things on a post-it note and put it next to your computer as a reminder each day to:

1. Find your available resources
2. Take a break
3. Review work habits
4. Find time for self-care
5. Set boundaries

In this podcast episode, Ann also suggested you listen to the full episode on Self-Care for Paralegals and read the blog article from Ana Londona on 6 Tips to Reduce Paralegal Stress.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

In this solo episode of the Paralegals on Fire! Podcast Show, Ann Pearson shares 7 tips other paralegals have sent her over the years.

Hear some great advice from your colleagues and leave some of your own in the comments below!

In all of our podcast episodes, we try to give paralegals an actionable strategy that they can take away from the show because we know your time is valuable.

In this podcast episode, Ann encourages you to implement some of the great tips from this episode and check out Episode 31 for more great paralegal tips.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

In this solo episode of the Paralegals on Fire! Podcast Show, Ann Pearson provides examples of paralegals showing really poor judgement on social media and and how that cost them their jobs.

She highlights trends in the industry that point to law firms screening individuals’ social media accounts prior to hiring and also while on the job. It is alarming how much of your data social media companies keep! Ann gives you tips you can use to protect yourself and your job.

In all of our podcast episodes, we try to give paralegals an actionable strategy that they can take away from the show because we know your time is valuable.

In this podcast episode, Ann wants you to protect your job on social media

Strategy #1: Review your firm’s social media policy

Strategy #2: Don’t film yourself at work

Strategy #3: Never post anything about your boss or a colleague, that would embarrass you if they found out.

Strategy #4: Don’t try to win an argument on the internet

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

In this solo episode of the Paralegals on Fire! Podcast Show, Ann Pearson shares some actionable strategies that you can do right now that have the potential to increase your pay, job security and future job prospects.

If you've every wondered "Why should I care how many billable hours I have, it's only making the firm more money not me?" then this episode if for you! Ann covers why it matters particularly for paralegals with billable hour requirements and shares three easy tips you can start today that might make the difference in whether or not you meet your annual goal.

In all of our podcast episodes, we try to give paralegals an actionable strategy that they can take away from the show because we know your time is valuable.

In this podcast episode, Ann wants you to listen to Episode 27 for Paralegal Time Management Tips.

Strategy #1: Change your mindset about billable hours. Make billable hours work to your advantage!

Strategy #2: Understand your role as a timekeeper.

Strategy #3: Use your timer to capture ALL those billable hours

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.

In this guest episode of the Paralegals on Fire! Podcast Show, Ann Pearson has a very special guest and this episode is going to inspire you, whether you’re a new paralegal, struggling to break into the field or an experienced paralegal who thinks there’s no such thing as a career ladder for a paralegal.

Kim Barrett is the Director of Paralegals and Legal Professionals at a Global Law Firm and her story is important for you to hear. Kim started her paralegal career as a part-time night receptionist at a law firm. She shares her amazing journey and career along with some great tips for paralegals.

In all of our podcast episodes, we try to give paralegals an actionable strategy that they can take away from the show because we know your time is valuable.

In this podcast episode, Kim Barrett suggested that paralegals connect with their colleagues. Join your paralegal organization. Speak to colleagues at other firms. Ask questions and don’t take No, for an answer. Keep moving forward. Remember: If you don’t ask the answer will always be No!

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career, including a course on how to master your attention to detail. View our course offerings.  

https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com.

For more resources, visit our podcast page and blog.