The Paralegal Voice

Guest Christina Hough dives into the topic of neurodivergence in the legal field. The subject refers to how people learn and behave. We’re all “neurodivergent” in that we are all different. The term covers everything from the autism spectrum to ADHD issues to our own individual quirks and how we interact, learn, and understand each other. 

When it comes to neurodivergence, the legal system has a particular interest. It has been estimated about 12.5% of lawyers report having ADHD, attention deficit disorders, nearly triple the rate of the general population. And that’s just the beginning.

Law is a stressful profession, and many may not know they have a neurodivergence issue – issues that may only reveal themselves under extreme stress. That’s why awareness is so important as we learn to account for our own differences and others’ and make sure we are communicating with and understanding coworkers and even opposing counsel and witnesses.

It all starts with being aware and giving thought to how the person across the desk processes information and communicates. As the great (fictional) attorney Atticus Finch taught us in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

Mentioned in This Episode:

San Diego Paralegal Association

“Lawyers With ADHD: Understanding Neurodiversity in the Legal Profession,” JD Nation

“Neurodivergence in Law: The Importance of Advanced Communication in Legal and Neutral Practice” from Will Work for Food with Christina Hough

Christina Hough’s Presentation

“To Kill a Mockingbird Quote Analysis,” Bartleby

NALA Conference & Expo 2025

NALA, The Paralegal Association

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Legal burnout. It’s a real thing. Let’s talk about it. On the podcast “The Legal Burnouts,” guests Kate Bridal and Josey Hoff have opened up about burnout. Both worked in law, Bridal as an attorney and Hoff as a paralegal. One day they realized they’d had enough. They were burned out. They know what they’re talking about, and they know what many in the legal profession are going through. 

Burnout is real. It’s an emotionally grinding field with physically grueling time demands. If you’re feeling the stress, understand what your body is telling you. Understand that you are not alone and know that it’s OK to talk about it. 

Bridal and Hoff explain how to recognize burnout and how to put a name on what you feel. Of course, there are times when you’ll work hard, there are periods of stress in any job. But when you find that you can’t turn it off, that every stressful day leads to another stressful day, when you can’t let yourself take a break, it may be time to examine what’s going on in your life. 

Legal professionals are by nature competitive, driven people. It can be hard to turn that off or accept that you’ve simply reached your limit and don’t have another gear. But there is more to life, take care of yourself. 

If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at [email protected] and [email protected].

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No matter where you fit in an organization in the legal system, you’re likely to find yourself at some point involved in a case headed to alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration. 

Guest Nikki Mehrpoo speaks from a lengthy career in law focusing on Workers’ Compensation and immigration law. In Workers’ Comp cases, the ability of a judge, mediator, and arbitrator to listen without bias and weigh cases solely on the facts and the law is crucial. 

And as a legal professional, when representing a Workers’ Comp complainant, it can be especially vital to sift facts from biases and prepare a case that clearly presents the facts in a manner a deciding party can follow. 

Mehrpoo also shares some excellent career advice on the importance of legal technology, keeping up with the latest developments in tech and the law, and finding a mentor. Your education is never complete. Embrace every opportunity to pick up a new skill and new information, whether that’s from an industry newsletter, a quick tutorial, or in a classroom. Take the time to invest in yourself.

If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at [email protected] and [email protected].

Mentioned in This Episode:

California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)

NALA Conference & Expo 2024

NALA, The Paralegal Association

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Guest Shelly A. Walker has enjoyed a career spanning nearly three decades of perpetual growth and advancement. Hear how she learned to move forward with every step, up to her current position as regional office administrator and paralegal manager for a large law firm. Successful careers in the paralegal profession don’t just happen. It takes work, ambition, and drive. Preparation creates opportunity. 

Walker took advantage of every chance to learn and advance. The paralegal profession never stands still, and Walker explains how seizing opportunities to build skills advanced her career. One example is how she recognized the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and helped her firm create a DEI committee, which she went on to lead. 

She encourages today’s up and coming paralegals to understand their worth and show initiative. Speak up with confidence at your organization and demonstrate your value with everything you do. If you’re looking for advice on advancing your career, this episode offers valuable tips. Step up, stand out, and succeed.

If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at [email protected] and [email protected].

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The return of an annual tradition: NALA CEO Vanessa Finley joins hosts Jill Francisco and Tony Sipp to talk about all things NALA, including the upcoming NALA Conference & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky July 11-13. (It’s hybrid, live or online, so if you can’t make it in person, you can still take part). 

Enjoy both fun and serious sessions, including keynote speaker Iliana Oris Valiente, CPA, CA, as she shares insights into the role of AI and the paralegal profession, while you earn valuable CLE credits. And if you attend in person, you also get the chance to watch recordings of any sessions you miss and pick up those extra CLE hours. Plus, our own Jill Francisco will be a featured speaker, and you can meet co-host Tony Sipp in person as well. Stop by and say hello. 

Hear all the conference has to offer, how to register, how to attend in person or online, one day or all, and even learn about early bird and group discounts. Don’t be left out. 

It’s a big year for NALA. Hear about the upcoming member survey (including a salary survey, are you being paid fairly?) Watch your inbox for a link to the survey. More? How about the latest on NALA core competencies and the expanding role of paralegals! This is a jam-packed episode.  

If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at [email protected] and [email protected].

Mentioned in This Episode:

NALA Conference & Expo 2024

NALA, The Paralegal Association

NALA Paralegal Core Competencies

NALA YouTube Channel

American Association for Paralegal Education

NALA Talks DEI Microlearning Episode 1: Access to Justice with Michael Houlberg, IAALS

Equality Ohio

“Exploring the Vital Role of Paralegals in the Legal System” By James David

Louisville Tourism Office

Prior episode, “Live From The 2023 NALA Conference: An Inside Look”

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Let’s talk about changes in the law and legal technology in 2024 and how to make yourself more valuable to your firm and reenergize your career. Hear where the legal field is going (and how you’ll get there) with tech guru and guest Joy Murao. 

Maybe you’ll even find the motivation and courage to sign up for a course and learn new skills in the coming year. Technology isn’t something mystical or even unusual in the legal field. It’s as vital as a paper and pen. Make this the year you overcome any lingering fears and learn to use the myriad tools available to you, from eDiscovery to AI. 

Don’t underestimate what you’ve learned in the past, don’t overestimate the learning curve as you get accustomed to new tools, and never underestimate yourself. Get inspired. 

If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at [email protected] and [email protected]. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

PAR training and classes

NALA education programs

NALA Advanced Certified Paralegal courses

LA Law Library   

2024 NALA Conference & Expo

 “Nala Certifying Board Announces New Certified Paralegal Exam Specifications”

NALA, The Paralegal Association

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The return of Jill Francisco! She’s back after a busy autumn just in time to join co-host Tony Sipp as they wrap up 2023 and take a look at what’s ahead for 2024.

There’s a lot to go through, but you can start with a moment to remember to take care of yourself this holiday season. There’s a natural tendency to put yourself last, behind career, family, and so many other things. Be good to yourself. Mental health is important.

Looking ahead, make 2024 the year you get up to speed on the latest legal tech and take advantage of educational opportunities through NALA.org. Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t going away, and while it won’t steal your job, it will change how you do it. Ethics, research, e-discovery, and many other tasks are changing thanks to AI. You may as well embrace it and become the expert in your firm.

We’re also looking ahead to lots of programming from NALA, The Paralegal Association, in the coming year. The national conference takes place in Louisville, KY, this year, packed again with valuable information.

Thanks for a great 2023, and we look forward to making the coming year even better. If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at [email protected] and [email protected] .

Mentioned in this Episode:

Previous episode with Sonya Sigler, “Career Pressures, The Holidays, And Taking Care Of Yourself” 

Previous episode with Karen Tuschak, “Show Us The Money: The Art and Best Practices Of Time Capture and Billing” 

“Best Billing Practices For Paralegals,” NALA 2023 conference 

NALA 2023 Conference Recording Bundle

2024 NALA Conference & Expo

“Nala Certifying Board Announces New Certified Paralegal Exam Specifications”

NALA LEAD program

NALA, The Paralegal Association

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Mayo Clinic

CLE courses on AI from Law.com

“How Can Bias Be Removed from Artificial Intelligence-Powered Hiring Platforms?” Harvard University

“Judge Sanctions Lawyers For Brief Written By A.I. With Fake Citations,” CNBC

“Rethinking Returning to the Office,” Legal Business World

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Legal professionals are goal-oriented and driven to succeed. But as we approach a traditionally stressful time of year – the holiday season – it’s important that we remember what’s important and to balance work and life and our own health. 

Guest Sonya Sigler is an accomplished attorney who now devotes herself to executive coaching and consulting as well as speaking and writing. Her focus is on work/life balance, understanding your own goals and needs, and focusing on personal development and growth. Mental health and managing burnout in the legal field is crucial. 

Sigler’s story started as a busy mom and attorney and volunteer. She was juggling as many roles as she could when she wound up in an emergency room with heart attack-like symptoms. It wasn’t a heart attack, but it was a wakeup call. Sometimes you need to put yourself first and say “no.” 

During the holidays, we may feel obligated to do too much. Listen to yourself, and if we need to decline an invitation or a volunteer request, it’s OK. As Sigler says, we all deserve a life we don’t need a vacation from.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Books by Sonya Sigler

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Mayo Clinic

Vistage

Hallmark Holiday Movies, Countdown To Christmas

San Diego Paralegal Association

SDPA, Virtual Lunch With Leaders

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Guest Cheryl Garner, CEDS, walks through not only becoming a better paralegal, but pursuing higher career goals, earning credentials, and specializing in eDiscovery and litigation support. She’s a litigation manager overseeing her firm’s eDiscovery program, educating attorneys and colleagues on best practices, and staying abreast of the latest trends. Litigation paralegal professionals play a key role in law firm operations. 

Successful paralegals are comfortable with technology and embrace every opportunity to learn. Today’s top litigation paralegals are eDiscovery pros. 

Negotiating with vendors, establishing rates, managing operations, and freeing up attorneys to focus on legal strategy with the assurance that the foundations are strong are all part of a paralegal’s role in litigated cases. 

The skills and demands are always changing and evolving. Preservation, data collecting, and presenting evidence at trial have changed as the legal world shifts from boxes of paper records to electronic documents, emails, and eDiscovery. Tech skills and expertise with digital review platforms are table stakes in this new environment. Learn to uncover opportunities to advance your skills and career.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM)

Relativity

CSDisco

Reveal

Everlaw

What is a "Load File,"

NALA ACP Certification

ACEDS Certification

Electronic Discovery Institute

Rutter Group guides

Matthew Bender Practice Guides

Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA)

NALA, The Paralegal Association

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The role of experienced paralegal professionals continues to evolve in exciting new directions. Hear how driven paralegals are finding opportunities in organizational leadership as technology and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to disrupt the legal profession. The sky is the limit for today’s paralegals.   

Guest Tara Kim Eberhart shares how the International Practice Management Association (IPMA) is leading the way with its four pillars: people, process, profits, and progress. Paralegal professionals more than ever are driving the operation of successful firms and organizations creating management opportunities for paralegals.

 What are the best practices and standards of care in management, and how do organizations incorporate these into their own operations and prioritize goals? Practice management and practice support may be two different fields, but they share the goal of driving an organization in orderly, focused manner.   

Moving from daily paralegal duties to practice management and oversight can be an exciting career development opportunity for experienced paralegals seeking new challenges. 

And don’t forget IMPA’s 2023 conference, Building Today For A Successful Tomorrow, Oct. 11-13 (pre and post conference events begin Oct. 9 and wrap up Oct. 15). 

Mentioned in this Episode:

IMPA 2023 Conference, Building Today For A Successful Tomorrow

NALA, The Paralegal Association

Organizations Affiliated With IPMA

California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA)

National Capital Paralegal Association

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