The Paralegal Voice podcast

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Action Academy | Replace The Job You Hate With A Life You Love

1
How To Replace A $100,000+ Salary Within 6 MONTHS Through Buying A Small Business w/ Alex Kamenca & Carley Mitus 57:50

1 year sitten57:50

Toista Myöhemmin

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Tykkää

Tykätty

57:50

Alex (@alex_kamenca) and Carley (@carleymitus) are both members of our Action Academy Community that purchased TWO small businesses last thursday! Want To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses? 👔🏝️ Schedule A Free 15 Minute Coaching Call With Our Team Here To Get "Unstuck" Want to know which investment strategy is best for you? Take our Free Asset-Selection Quiz Check Out Our Bestselling Book : From Passive To Passionate : How To Quit Your Job - Grow Your Wealth - And Turn Your Passions Into Profits Want A Free $100k+ Side Hustle Guide ? Follow Me As I Travel & Build: IG @brianluebben ActionAcademy.com…

The Paralegal Voice

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Sarjan koti•Feed

The Paralegal Voice covers the latest issues and trends in the paralegal world. Hosted by Jill I. Francisco and Tony Sipp, The Paralegal Voice is an award winning show where leading paralegals and legal professionals discuss a range of topics from career tips and tactics to writing skills and hiring trends. The Paralegal Voice is a comprehensive educational resource for paralegals and all legal professionals at any level of experience.

182 jaksoa

#Law #Tech #Business #Careeradvice #Legaladministrator #Legalsecretary #Legalsupportservices #Legal Talk Network #News #Politics #Paralegal

The Paralegal Voice

64 subscribers

updated 8 päivää sitten

Jaa

Sarjan koti•Feed

182 jaksoa

#Law #Tech #Business #Careeradvice #Legaladministrator #Legalsecretary #Legalsupportservices #Legal Talk Network #News #Politics #Paralegal

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The Paralegal Voice

1
Be a Legal MacGyver. Learn More, Create Solutions 30:02

8 päivää sitten30:02

30:02

Guest Huascar Matos is a paralegal professional and the new president of the International Practice Management Association (IPMA). He has a varied background including a degree in Spanish and time in the fashion and art industry. After an unusual and unexpected path, he has found himself as a director of paralegals at the firm of Foley & Lardner. It’s an exciting time for the IPMA as members consider international expansion, the “elephant in the room” of artificial intelligence, and the evolution of a constantly changing profession. AI may shake up the game, but Matos reminds us the legal profession is never static, enduring the shift from paper to e-discovering, the addition of computer capabilities, and other technologies. Paralegals, Matos says, will adjust and adapt as they always have. Being part of an organization such as IPMA helps paralegals understand new trends and learn new skills. Robots are not going to take over your job, but AI could help you do it better. Hear about Matos’ own career path and the advice he has for those new to the profession. Stepping up, volunteering for new duties, and learning as you go will build your career and get you noticed. Don’t put yourself in a box. Be a “legal MacGyver.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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50 Years of NALA! Get the Scoop on 2025 From NALA CEO Vanessa Finley 40:01

22 päivää sitten40:01

40:01

What’s new for NALA in 2025? Get the scoop from guest Vanessa “Vinnie” Finley, the CEO of NALA since 2019. There’s plenty of news about the upcoming NALA conference and new initiatives to help you be your best professional self. 2025 is no ordinary year for NALA as the paralegal association celebrates 50 years. Start with the latest on the 2025 NALA Conference & Expo , July 10-12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Earn continuing education credits, network, learn new skills, and hear about NALA’s plans for the future. Early bird registration ends May 7. Plus, dig into NALA’s newest national survey on utilization compensation and learn about trends in pay, billing, and benefits. You’ll also hear about new limited licensing programs, AI, and trends across the field. And we’ll talk about NALA’s new Resource Navigator, pulling together vendor information and the newest in tech, and a new collection of relevant articles and updates on NALA’s free Paralegal Brief page. Even more? How about a review of NALA’s work with affiliates and students nationwide and an upcoming free webinar on billable hours. This special episode has it all. Mentioned in This Episode: Vanessa Finley, prior appearance on Paralegal Voice, “The Year Ahead For NALA, Plus A Preview Of The 2024 Conference” Vanessa Finley, prior appearance on Paralegal Voice, “The NALA Paralegal Jobs Report: Get Paid What You’re Worth!” NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA Resource Navigator NALA Paralegal Brief Get involved with NALA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Acclaimed Author Jesse Leon on Tragedy, Struggle, Hope, and Success. 31:00

5 weeks sitten31:00

31:00

In this powerful, and deeply emotional and inspirational episode, acclaimed author and speaker Jesse Leon tackles sensitive issues including human trafficking and substance abuse and how he rose above the challenges on his path to success. Leon grew up homeless, addicted, and sexually trafficked. But he survived and is here to remind all of us that we all matter, and we can grow and rise above. None of us are alone. Leon shares his struggles and ultimate triumph as motivation and inspiration. No matter where you are in life, you are important, you can overcome. We are all warriors. If you’re struggling, if you’re hurting, there is help. People do care about you. There is help out there. Mentioned in This Episode: “I’m Not Broken” by Jesse Leon, available at Amazon National Public Radio (NPR) “'I'm Not Broken' Is About Being Broken — And Building a New Life” 2022 MenHealing.org NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Making Yourself Essential, The Art of Becoming Indispensable. 37:32

7 weeks sitten37:32

37:32

Guest Natalie Athas is an experienced international paralegal for a Southern California law firm. She set out to become a nurse but wound up getting into the legal profession and found her place. She worked her way up through a number of positions, starting at the ground floor. Funny how things work out. Hear about the typical day of a busy paralegal serving a litigation team. She travels extensively as part of her job, mentoring new paralegal groups for her firm around the country. “My day is like a box of chocolates,” she says. “I never know what I’m going to get.” As she worked through the ranks, Athas took advantage of every opportunity to take on new tasks, from making herself an “essential employee” during the COVID pandemic, coming into the office while others worked from home (even doing the “COVID Cleaning” of door handles and keyboards) to learning Zoom trials and filling in when other branches of the firm are short staffed. This episode is a great guide to self-propelled career advancement and becoming so essential to your firm’s operations they wouldn’t even think of leaving you behind if they downsize. Stay visible, put in the hours, and build your skills. These are tips for success you don’t want to miss. Mentioned in This Episode: Trial Director OnCue trial presentation software NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Los Angeles Paralegal Association California Lawyers Association Orange County Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Evidence, Tech, and You. How Paralegals Shine in the Digital World. 44:16

9 weeks sitten44:16

44:16

Today’s legal evidence, more than ever, is digital. We’re not digging through boxes of paperwork and memos anymore. In its own way, paper evidence was easy – if time consuming – to request, sift through, organize, present, and protect. But today, evidence lives in the digital universe. We find evidence in emails, tablets, mobile devices, computers, the cloud, cell phones, even digital doorbells and devices connected through the Internet of Things (IoT). Guest John Sammons is an author and professor teaching digital forensics at Marshall University and is the associate director of the Marshall Institute for Cyber Security. He explains how vital paralegal professionals have become in the struggle to gather, understand, decipher, explain, and protect today’s digital evidence. More than ever, well-educated and up-to-date paralegal professionals become indispensable as they help their legal teams understand what to ask for, where digital evidence might be hiding, and how to clearly explain these complex clues to a judge and jury. Sammons explains how advancing technologies, AI, digital duplicates, and speech replication tech are making tech-savvy paralegal professionals irreplaceable components inside their organizations. Get inspired to get out there and learn something new today. Mentioned in This Episode: American Academy of Forensic Sciences CES, Consumer Electronics Show Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Passing the NALA CP® Exam, Help Is Here! 36:01

11 weeks sitten36:01

36:01

Ever wonder what it takes to pass the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) certification exam? Let’s break it down and set you apart in your field. You can do this. Guest Lori Young is a full-time faculty member at the College of the Canyons in California and a part-time instructor at the University of California Santa Barbara. She has been a paralegal professional for more than 25 years and specializes in legal tech, contract law, estate planning, and helping students just like you prepare for and pass the CP exam. Young knows firsthand the ins and outs of the CP exam. She freely admits she failed it the first time, so she’s been there, done that, and knows what it takes. She buckled down and passed, then helped develop a curriculum to help others pass the exam the first time. She offers tips and inspiration for anyone considering taking the plunge. (Spoiler: Taking a prep course can give you the confidence you need). In California, CP Exam test prep programs are free at community colleges, but they’re also available at a very low cost online for those outside the state. Certification can boost your career, elevate your performance, increase your confidence, and make you more valuable to your team. Bottom line: the CP designation opens new doors. No more putting it off. Lori also offers her first hand experience with the recent California wildfires. The College of the Canyons became an evacuation center for the community and served as a center for the Incident Command team. She urges paralegal students to become more involved in their communities via volunteer opportunities and working with legal clinics to assist those impacted by disaster. Mentioned in This Episode: NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) program NALA CP practice exam Certified Paralegal Exam Test Preparation Program, College of the Canyons NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Learn, Learn, Learn. Grow Your Career Through Education And Involvement 25:00

13 weeks sitten25:00

25:00

Life is an opportunity to learn, and learning never stops. Guest Jonathan Dang served in the military, then earned a bachelor’s degree, and then earned his master’s degree. He’s a big believer in lifelong learning, there’s never a bad time to take a course, boost your career, and learn something new. Hear how Dang started out looking for direction, found his way, learned from mentors, and finally became a leader in his field. If you’re new to the field and want to take on a leadership role, start with being a “servant leader,” go above and beyond and accept new challenges and volunteer for unexpected tasks. Learn something new every day. Yes, it’s hard. But it’s also fun. Dang’s openness to new experiences, his networking and involvement in his local Paralegal Association, and his journey from mentee to mentor continues to fuel his career. You can do this. Break out of your shell and be excited. Mentioned in This Episode: Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) LAPA on LinkedIn LAPA events page Marine Corps, Toys for Tots NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Mastering E-Discovery, Legal Tech, and Herding Digital Cats at Your Firm 36:23

15 weeks sitten36:23

36:23

Digital information management is a delicate balancing act, connecting the moving parts of a busy legal operation with the information technologists who manage the data. How do you pull an entire office together and manage and leverage all that information? Guest Stephanie Clerkin is the Director of Litigation Support at Korein Tillery and a 2024 recipient of the Gayle O’Connor Spirit Award, which celebrates e-discovery and legal technology leaders who make noteworthy contributions to the fields of e-discovery, legal tech, information governance, cybersecurity, and data privacy. The award is named for the late Gayle O’Connor. Hear some of the secrets of bringing people together around technology (even dragging along some of the stragglers who have “always done it this way”). You’ll learn to adapt to different styles, demonstrate the value of efficient data management, and sometimes do more with less. Legal tech and data management never sleeps. Helping everyone – from support staff to senior attorneys – keep up is a challenge. Finding a mentor, establishing a work life balance, and mastering technology test us all, but Clerkin has tips you can put to work now. Mentioned in This Episode: Gayle O’Connor Spirit Award announcement Relativity e-discovery platform Relativity certifications Make-A-Wish Young Professionals NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Paralegals To The Rescue, Leading The Way In Legal Tech Integration 40:41

19 weeks sitten40:41

40:41

Where do technology and the paralegal profession intersect? Everywhere. Guest Karen Tuschak is a legal tech pioneer with more than 30 years of experience in the legal profession. She combined her experience, knowledge, and her passion for innovative technology to form her own company, Spider Silk Innovative Solutions in Toronto, Canada. Her company helps law firms and paralegals become more productive through technology and innovation. Tuschak believes every paralegal professional can be their firm’s technology champion and driver. Technology continues to push the legal profession forward. E-discovery, data visualization, and case management are getting faster and better. Tuschak doesn’t worry about an AI systems taking over a paralegal’s job. Today’s latest tech actually helps paralegal professionals do better work, faster. Don’t be afraid of the latest and greatest. Instead, master it. The paralegal profession never stands still, and Tuschak sees endless opportunities for paralegal professionals. Project management, wrangling details, managing billing, and driving the adoption of legal tech create new roles seemingly daily. Hear how Tuschak nudges firms to invest in staff development, education, and tech and how you can get ahead in your own career through technology. Mentioned in This Episode: LinkedIn NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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New President Cheryl Nodarse Leads NALA Into Its 50th Year 46:33

23 weeks sitten46:33

46:33

Guest Cheryl Nodarse, ACP, talks about her goals as the new president of NALA. With her background as past NALA vice president and secretary, Nodarse has a clear vision for the national organization of paralegal professionals. NALA’s relationship with affiliated associations takes a spot at the top of Nodarse’s agenda, as well as developing the relationships between paralegal educators and students. Plus, 2025 marks NALA’s 50th anniversary and the first National Paralegal Day. Nodarse and hosts Jill Francisco and Tony Sipp also discuss a new era of “breakaway careers” for paralegal professionals and how the skill set and education positions them well in an increasingly complex and digital world. Doesn’t matter what the job title is, a foundation in paralegal work applies to so many interesting career paths. Your skills are in demand. As the profession changes, as opportunities arise and evolve, Nodarse has her sights set on helping NALA stay involved and help guide the profession forward. This is a great time to be a part of NALA. Mentioned in This Episode: National Paralegal Day, August 6, 2025 List of NALA Affiliated Associations “Rule Change To Allow Paraprofessionals To Offer Limited Legal Services Proposed By Top Texas Court,” ABA Journal Paralegal Association of Florida, Palm Beach Chapter NALA, Facts and Findings NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Neurodivergence, Communication, and Connections. Understanding Our Differences. 37:52

26 weeks sitten37:52

37:52

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Stress, Burnout, and the Legal Profession: It’s OK To Talk About It 38:40

30 weeks sitten38:40

38:40

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 Jfrancisco@lawgical.com and HaveASipp@gmail.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Digging Into California Workers’ Compensation (Plus, Career Advice From a True Pro) 35:18

36 weeks sitten35:18

35:18

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 Jfrancisco@lawgical.com and HaveASipp@gmail.com . Mentioned in This Episode: California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) NALA Conference & Expo 2024 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Advancing Your Career: Advice From A Real-Life Success Story 29:33

50 weeks sitten29:33

29:33

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 Jfrancisco@lawgical.com and HaveASipp@gmail.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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The Year Ahead For NALA, Plus A Preview Of The 2024 Conference 45:19

52 weeks sitten45:19

45:19

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 Jfrancisco@lawgical.com and HaveASipp@gmail.com . 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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Tackling Tech, Getting The Education You Need To Advance 37:30

1 year sitten37:30

37:30

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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That’s A Wrap. What A Year: AI, Mental Health, And Conferences! 42:06

1 year sitten42:06

42:06

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Career Pressures, The Holidays, And Taking Care Of Yourself 40:40

1 year sitten40:40

40:40

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Litigation Support Skills, eDiscovery, And Advancing Your Career 36:31

2 years sitten36:31

36:31

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Paralegals Rise Up! The New Opportunities In Practice Management 32:08

2 years sitten32:08

32:08

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Courtroom Tech: Increase Your Value By Perfecting Presentations 32:13

2 years sitten32:13

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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Live From The 2023 NALA Conference: An Inside Look 33:19

2 years sitten33:19

33:19

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Overcoming Subconscious Bias, How We Can Do Better 38:17

2 years sitten38:17

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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Keep Up With Today’s Legal Tech (Or Be Left Behind) 40:52

2 years sitten40:52

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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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The NALA Paralegal Jobs Report: Get Paid What You’re Worth! 46:46

2 years sitten46:46

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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Show Us The Money: The Art and Best Practices Of Time Capture and Billing 47:19

2 years sitten47:19

47:19

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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How Paralegals Can Fill Legal System Gaps, A Panel Discussion 50:57

2 years sitten50:57

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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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New Cohost Tony Sipp Helps Kick Off A Year Of Big Upcoming Events 40:45

2 years sitten40:45

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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Paralegals: This. Is. Your. Year! (So, What Do You Want?) 46:42

2 years sitten46:42

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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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Paralegal Voice

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Goodbye, Farwell, and Amen: Host Carl Morrison Departs With Words of Wisdom 33:20

2 years sitten33:20

33:20

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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