5 ways attorneys can support other legal professionals within the firm
Discover how supervising attorneys can improve on how they support non-lawyer employees around the firm, and improve the working environment for all.
5 ways to be a standout employee in your law firm
Why sit back when you can stand out? Check out these ways to prove your value to the firm and develop your career.
Paralegals are changing the world: 5 examples to prove it
Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your profession? Here are some examples of ways that paralegals are changing the world, one step at a time.
How to become a mentor in the legal profession
Discover how to share your experience and wisdom with others in your industry. Are you ready to become a mentor to a fellow legal professional?
12 ways to turn your job into a profession: from two career paralegals
Have you recently joined the legal industry as a legal support staff member? Or are you an experienced professional who’s ready to invest in your future, and in your career? During the One Legal Live virtual event in March of this year, two long-time paralegals and experts in their field took the time to share […]
5 tips for studying for a paralegal certification class WHILE working full time
Studying for a paralegal certification—or any professional certificate—is a full-time job. But so is your actual full-time job. How can you do both at the same time? How do you maintain your performance at work, prepare for a certification examination, and not lose your sanity? Here are five tips for legal support professionals who are […]
7 ways to step outside of your paralegal comfort zone
Fear of change is a natural human emotion, but fear can help keep you in your comfort zone, afraid to venture out. Don’t let yourself get stuck in a rut; instead, explore new things as a legal support professional. Does any of this sound familiar? Here are 7 ways to break out of your paralegal […]
Are you a certified paralegal or a paralegal with a certificate?
And what’s the difference, again? Paralegal certificate: is recognition earned from an approved paralegal studies program Paralegal certification: when a professional has passed a rigorous legal skills test to become a certified paralegal Too many paralegals make the mistake of claiming to be certified (having passed a certification test) when instead they have received a […]
How to start preparing for your next legal job
Planning a career move in 2018? Thinking about changing law firms? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell…) A job change is a natural progression in your professional life. But just thinking about changing jobs won’t make it happen. The transition from one field or firm to another takes focus, commitment, self-examination, and a set of goals […]
The evolution of legal support: past, present, and future
From creating elaborate presentations to navigating ever more complex legal technology, the responsibilities of paralegals and legal support staff have grown significantly since the days when lawyers worked alone with paper and pen. More than one quarter-million paralegals and legal support staff are currently working throughout the nation, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects […]
Are you an I- or a T-shaped paralegal?
The legal profession is renowned for being traditional, conservative, and extremely resistant to change. Consequently, many lawyers (and some paralegals as well) tend to avoid the unfamiliar and focus on just one thing – their chosen area of expertise. However, at a time when creativity and ideas are vital to the success of a law […]
Top tips for getting along with colleagues in your law firm
Getting along with colleagues can sometimes be easier said than done. While everyone’s job is focused on the practice of law, personal differences sometimes outnumber similarities, and disparities in temperament, work ethic, efficiency, and general work habits can cause friction among colleagues and undermine the success of the law firm. Although you can’t – and […]
6 legal support skills to be proud of wherever you go
As a paralegal or legal secretary, you have highly specialized experience in submitting court filings, managing case files, planning presentations for trial, and other tasks that usually happen only in a law firm or legal department. But working in legal support gives you skills beyond the day to day technical duties. In fact, the work […]
Do more with less: strategies for busy legal professionals
Today’s law firms are more focused on efficiency – doing more with less – than ever before. Due to greater pressure on the bottom line, new regulations, and unpredictable workloads, firms are increasingly looking to keep costs under control while continuing to provide value to their clients. In this challenging environment, paralegals and other legal […]
Considering a virtual paralegal? What you need to know
Do you need extra help in your law firm but don’t feel quite ready to hire someone full-time? Are you just starting out in your practice and need some assistance during the transition? Are you an office manager supporting too many attorneys with an overwhelming case load? A virtual paralegal could be a good fit […]
10 tips for paralegals to improve client communication
The need to improve client communications is a challenge that many law firms find themselves faced with over the course of their practice. And as the central source of information, paralegals are often the main point of connection for clients, legal professionals, and court staff, A study published in 2016 by the American Bar Association […]