The Paralegal Voice

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 Jfrancisco@lawgical.com and HaveASipp@gmail.com. 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

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 Jfrancisco@lawgical.com and HaveASipp@gmail.com . 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

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

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

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

Guest Shannon Lex Bales is the author of “The Trial Presentation Companion” and an experienced educator and consultant who helps attorneys and firms follow standards and models for presenting cases using today’s legal tech. When firms go to trial, a lot of them are just “winging it” with the software and equipment, workflow, and skills they need to present a case. Paralegal professionals will find opportunities through education and certifications to professionally prepare and present data, video, and evidence using today’s technology. We’ve all seen professionally staged “trials” on television shows. So have the jurors. There’s an expectation firms will present a compelling story digitally in the courtroom. What story is your firm telling and how? As Bales says, “Basic legal technology skills are foundational for today’s legal market.” Understanding the use of legal technology in the courtroom is no longer an option. Keep up or fall behind. The skills you learned 10 years ago aren’t today’s skills. Hear how to actively pursue the tech skills you need to add to your resume as a modern paralegal professional. Mentioned in this Episode: "The Trial Presentation Companion," by Shannon Lex Bales Cambodia Tribunal Monitor "White House Executive Office team engages ACEDS to deliver onsite electronic discovery training" Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn Reveal AI eDiscovery and Investigations

Greetings from Day One of the NALA 2023 Conference and Expo! Host Jill Francisco joins NALA past president and experienced paralegal Cassandra Oliver-Divens and paralegal student and first-time conference attendee Joey Jones to share the experience. Learn why the annual NALA conference is a must for today’s paralegal professionals. From ethics classes to the latest technology and trends, you’ll hear how paralegal professionals learn from each other and network with organizations and firms across the country. Paralegals have such transferable skills, and the opportunities never fail to surprise. This year’s conference included classes on the newest developments in real estate law, social media evidence, Roe v. Wade, and more. Learning can be fun. NALA makes sure of it. Meet your CLE requirements in an engaging, supportive environment. Review, refresh, and recharge. Mentioned in this Episode: NALA 2023 Conference and Expo ABA Model Roles NALA student membership brochure NALA membership online

Let’s talk about bias. Not just “explicit” bias, the conscious bias for or against someone. Instead, think about “implicit” bias, those subconscious decisions we all make about hiring, capability, and value because of our own experiences. It happens every day. Guest Al De La Cruz leads the litigation department for the San Diego office of Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP and examines how our own internal biases affect our daily decisions, even if we don’t realize it. When legal cases touch on discrimination or other issues in employment law, start with understanding how the decision was made. What was going on? It’s complicated. To overcome bias, start by being intentional. Learn to reflect on your decisions and understand your own starting point and thought process. It’s not just race, ethnicity, or gender. Think about being tall, short, older, younger, etc. Bias has consequences across our daily lives, from education to business to economics and the law. Take this opportunity to make the best, most equitable, decisions you can. Start with the Harvard University’s implicit bias test. Mentioned in This Episode: Law360 Article, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (free registration required) Implicit Association Test (IAT), Harvard University American Bar Association, “Implicit Bias Videos and Toolkit” New York Times, “Why Many CEOs Are Tall People? The Height Of The Matter” (registration required) The Economic Times, “The Necktie Syndrome: Why CEOs Tend To Be Significantly Taller Than The Average Male” “Thinking Fast and Slow,” Daniel Khaneman “Blink, The Power of Thinking Without Thinking,” Malcolm Gladwell

Legal technologies wait for no one, including you. Guest Joy Murao is the Founder and CEO at Practice Aligned Resources, a legal tech support firm that offers a blend of services including e-discovery consulting and advisory, case planning and implementation, vendor and software selection guidance, and trial and war room setup and management. Murao turned her background as a paralegal professional into helping legal teams incorporate technology and available resources to streamline casework, manage projects, incorporate e-discovery techniques, and maximize efficiencies and outcomes. In this podcast: High tech tools aren’t just for big trials anymore. Learn to incorporate the latest tech for depositions and even smaller hearings and trials. Keep track of every detail and hold every bit of data at your fingertips. The COVID-19 pandemic opened doors and highlighted technologies that support paralegals and legal teams in the courtroom and online. Don’t get passed by. Take action today to become comfortable – even expert – with the latest technology. Sounds intimidating? It doesn’t have to be. Murao offers simple steps to set achievable goals and get started today. Mentioned in this episode: NALA conference NALA InfoTrack Legal Up Registration Women in eDiscovery California Lawyers Association Law Practice Management and Technology LACourtConnect Zoom Cat Lawyer “Newsom's Proposed Courts Budget Includes Millions for New Judges, Courthouses,” Law.com

What’s new for NALA in 2023. Start by getting excited about the 2023 NALA conference with NALA’s chief executive officer, Vanessa Finley. This time in Boston in July. You don’t want to miss it. With 30 educational sessions, CLE credits are yours to earn with three ways to attend: the full, in person experience; a hybrid in-person/virtual package; and the single-day pass in person. Early bird specials available until May 12. NALA in 2023 is also providing the CP (Certified Paralegal) exam review track covering every section of the exam – including the writing section. (Psst, co-host Tony Sipp is taking the exam and will be participating!) And the new NALA Compensation Survey Report is out. These are good times for paralegal professionals, we are in demand. The profession is growing by about 12% and salaries are up. Log in to your NALA account and see if you’re getting paid what you’re worth after the COVID pandemic shook things up across the profession. Plus, the new NALA YouTube Channel. See what you’ve been missing and subscribe today for the latest videos. Advocacy, information, community. NALA works for paralegals. “Be in the now, be in the know, be NALA.” Resources from This Episode: NALA conference NALA NALA CP exam prep and educational materials NALA Compensation Survey 2022 NALA on YouTube Vanessa Finley, previous appearances on the Legal Talk Network

Let’s talk about the art, and science, of billing. We’ll go ahead and say it, billing isn’t fun, but it’s crucial to the success of your law firm. And tracking many of those billable hours often falls on paralegal professionals. Getting work done is important, getting paid for that work is crucial. You aren’t alone. Everybody hates billing. Tracking your time and entering it into your system isn’t natural, and maybe it’s not even taught. But you can get better at this, make it part of your daily routine. Guest Karen Tuschak is an experienced consultant who runs her own firm, Spider Silk Solutions. She provides not only coaching and practice management development to law firms worldwide, but she also encourages firms to adopt the latest technologies. She dedicates much of her time helping paralegals understand billable hours and the importance of time capture. Tuschak says a lot of paralegals “self-monitor” their work, they shave time from a task if they feel it could’ve been done faster. Don’t double check yourself, simply mark down the actual time you spend on a task. If you don’t, not only does it take money from the firm, it makes it hard for managers to spot areas of inefficiency where better tech could help. This is a great reminder and could change the way you think about your job. Your “time capture” tells your story and demonstrates your value. Resources from This Episode: San Diego Paralegal Association International Practice Management Association NALA

Our justice system is changing as demand for access to court services grows. Are specially trained paralegal professionals the answer? Across the country, states are looking for ways to grant special licenses so paralegal professionals can handle some issues that have traditionally required an attorney. New programs with names including “allied legal professionals, “limited licensing,” and “legal paraprofessionals” are opening ways to offer access to justice and, at the same time, opening pathways for paralegals to expand their roles and embrace new opportunities. This is important stuff that affects us all, even if the stereotype is that “legal aid” projects are for indigent cases, studies find up to 40% of the legal needs of middle-class people go unaddressed due to high demand and costs. There has to be a better way. The medical community developed new ways to provide care (nurse practitioners instead of an M.D.), so why can’t we build a new tier of legal service providers? It's been a long slog as states individually decide how tiers of limited licensures can ensure access to justice. And it’s been contentious, maybe because the issue isn’t fully understood. Get educated and get involved with this informative episode of the Paralegal Voice. Resources from This Episode: The Landscape of Allied Legal Professional Programs (Report) North Carolina Justice For All Project’s legislative proposal, “Looking Beyond Lawyers To Bridge The Civil Access To Justice Gap” NALA NFPA AAFPE Limited License Legal Technicians, Washington State Bar Arizona Legal Paraprofessionals (limited licensing) N.C. Justice Richard Dietz American Bar Association, access commissions Minnesota Legal Paraprofessionals Pilot Program

Host Jill Francisco is joined by NEW Paralegal Voice cohost (and a longtime friend of the podcast) Tony Sipp. Together, they kick off the new year with a rundown of upcoming events and news in the paralegal profession. NALA Conference and Expo, July 12, in Boston. New continuing education requirements are coming. Are you ready? NALA’s six-part series on real estate education, coming soon (and why you need this) Black History Month and how diversity and inclusion makes you better and helps you support your firm. We’ll also take a look at the current state of paralegal work with the NALA jobs report. How has the profession changed in recent years? You’d be surprised at how technology affects the tasks we all do and why it’s so important to stay current. You never know when you’ll be asked to step up to something new. The paralegal profession is never dull. Mentioned in This Episode: Los Angeles Paralegal Association NALA American Heart Association 2023 NALA Conference and Expo NCCA PSI Exams NALA Job Analysis Survey Advanced Certified Paralegal Exam NALA Webinars Black History Month Embracing Diversity Through Inclusion: Round Table

In 2022, so many things changed. If you don’t love your job, this is your year. Find out if your pay, and job, measure up. Is your work arrangement still fair? Get out, join associations, network, and learn new skills. The pandemic showed us we can work from home if that’s what we want. Firms requiring workers to come back to the office risk losing valuable paralegals. It’s a job seeker’s market. If your firm is looking for paralegal help, you can poach from employers who aren’t adapting to the new reality. And if you’re a paralegal professional, polish your resume and be ready when an opportunity knocks. Start the new year by writing down your goals, personal and professional, and ask yourself, what’s holding you back? (But be careful, not all jobs are created equal. Know what you really want). New laws in some states require “pay transparency.” Job listings must list pay ranges. Even if you’re not looking, look. Know where your salary stands in the market. Let 2023 be your reward for making it through the Great Pandemic. You’ve earned this.

A year-end farewell as co-host Carl Morrison steps away from the mic. It’s been a great ride for the past five years, and Carl closes with a look back at 2022. Have no fear, co-host Jill Francisco stays with the podcast and will continue to deliver important insights in 2023. We’re watching so many changes to the role of paralegal professionals: more responsibilities, better tools, improved processes, and more options than ever. How can we make the legal profession more efficient and deliver more value? Think of paralegal professionals as “revenue protectors” not a “cost center.” By adding value, paralegals let firms keep more of what they earn. Process management remains key. Carl also revisits “DEI,” diversity, equity, and inclusion. How are we doing in the legal profession? And then there’s ALSP, alternative legal service providers. Did that turn out well for paralegals? The creativity of paralegal professionals continues to improve the process and drive the profession.

No matter if you’re new to the profession or a seasoned vet, paralegal professionals can never know too much. Guest Cathy L. Davis is an assistant professor and department chair of the criminal justice and legal studies programs at Alabama’s Faulkner University. She’s a champion of continuing education and the lifelong pursuit of new skills. Make your job your passion, and make learning your passion. Lexus, Clio, Mycase, Microsoft Office, local paralegal associations, and others all offer opportunities to learn and demonstrate competencies. Get every certification you can. For those new to the business, start with: Professionalism: Be organized, manage time, and listen. Writing matters: Hone your skills. Really work on your writing. Research skills: Go beyond traditional sources, even social media counts. Preserve and protect data: Evidence and research are crucial. Offer to attend hearings or assist at the courthouse, even if some tasks are outside your scope. Consider volunteering at a legal aid office, neighborhood associations, and community causes. Ever thought about teaching or speaking at a local college? Never stand still.

In a very special, and very personal, episode host Jill Francisco is joined by her good friend, NFL star and Super Bowl champion Vinny Curry of the New York Jets. The power of positive thinking. Paralegal work is stressful and at times emotional. There are deadlines, complicated problems, and even difficult people and situations. It’s OK to feel frustrated, sad, even angry. But as Curry explains, the key is to acknowledge those feelings and work through them with the help of the positive, supportive people you surround yourself with. Curry was a standout college player and enjoys a productive, rewarding career at the highest level of the most popular league in the country. But even a star goes through rough patches. Hear how Curry faced down a scary health issue that threatened his career by thinking positively. The paralegal profession takes a special kind of person. Take a moment to step back and recognize your contributions, abilities, and expertise. Feel good about yourself and your work. Take a breath, get some rest, and be thankful a 300-pound lineman isn’t going to try to knock you to the ground on your next trip to the copier. Be sure to visit Curry’s foundation,Rush2Victory, dedicated to helping economically challenged students through motivation, mentorship, and empowerment.

Guest Memme Onwudiwe was a speaker at July’s NALA 2022 Conference & Expo delivering a presentation titled “Corporate Paralegals in the Age of Contract AI.” It’s an exciting topic as the role of corporate paralegals shifts from generating contracts to overseeing, managing, and validating contract data. This doesn’t mean corporate paralegals will lose their jobs, instead Onwudiwe expects they’ll be more valuable than ever, applying their expertise more productively. Imagine, no more "fire drills” when someone needs a specific data point buried deep inside complex language. Automated content extraction is only one use. Consider automated reviews, language management, and datapoint classification, freeing paralegals to apply their expertise to the highest-level tasks. Imagine legal turning the corporate library of contracts and all that information into tools that help the bottom line, prioritizing customers during supply chain snarls or spotting opportunities to boost profit. With AI, legal turns from a cost center to a revenue center. Hear how to integrate AI into your workspace and how to avoid missteps. For corporate paralegal professionals, this changes everything. Mentioned in This Episode: 2022 NALA Conference & Expo Article, “Finding New Pathways in your Legal Operations Career”

Guest Debbie L. Overstreet, the incoming NALA president, gives an overview of the upcoming NALA conference – a return to the in-person gathering after two years of virtual, but with a remote option as well. Plus, the state of the job market for paralegal professionals and the role of the paralegal in government organizations. Now is a great time to be in the paralegal field. Jobs abound, and the field is transforming with new options for flexibility, including working from home. But every new step requires a willingness to embrace change. The field is never going back. What’s new for NALA? Overstreet vows to continue national outreach to affiliates, working with colleges to supporting students, and looks for NALA to reach out to government-affiliated paralegal professionals who need national support in a niche that can get lost. Don’t miss the upcoming conference, chances to network, meet vendors, and earn continuing education credits. Hot topics include the legal side of social media, modern policing, climate change, ethics, and motions in limine. Mentioned on this Episode: NALA 2022 NALA Conference & Expo NALA Keynote Speaker Melissa Zabor Q&A With NALA Board, 2022, Including Debbie Overstreet USAjobs.gov U.S. Department of Justice careers CIA careers DEA careers FBI Jobs IRS Jobs BIA Jobs Judiciary Jobs Oklahoma Northern District Bankruptcy Court (each District has own website) Army Civilian Service Defender Services Office Training Division Federal Government Jobs Government Jobs

When it comes to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), our guests believe legal organizations want to do what’s best. But they don’t know where to start, or even have the data tools to point out shortcomings. The issue can seem so overwhelming the process falls into analysis paralysis. But as host Carl Morrison hears, even beating a problem so overwhelming can be done with the right tool, one bite at a time, like eating the proverbial elephant. Where can firms get the data they need? Where to start? Guests Mark Harris and Emmanuel Smith of JusticeBid explain how data from JusticeBid analytics helps the legal community progress, build diversity, and leverage available talent by expanding opportunities to all. And because one of our guests is an NFL Super Bowl Champion (hint: Smith), we hear what the legal community can learn from the NFL’s struggles with DEI and the so-called “Rooney Rule” that’s been in the news.