September 2011 Issue
Read the September 2011 issue of Carolina Paralegal News online. Click here
Read MoreLeave it to the lawyers
The stakes are about to get higher for individuals engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) in North Carolina. A new law taking effect Oct. 1 will empower individuals harmed by UPL to bring a private cause of action against a defendant.
Criminal penalties already are in place: In South Carolina, a UPL violation constitutes a felony, while in North Carolina it’s a Class I misdemeanor. But the added layer of personal liability makes this a good time for paralegals to safeguard themselves against common pitfalls that can lead to UPL.
Read MoreBar members seek credit for for paralegal continuing ed
More than a dozen State Bar of Wisconsin members are seeking permission from the state’s highest court to earn Continuing Legal Education credit for teaching a legal specialty course in a paralegal program.
Attorney Richard Opie, coordinator of the paralegal program at Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wis., filed a rules petition on July 28 to amend Supreme Court Rule 31.05(3) to expand the authority of the Board of Bar Examiners to award CLE credit.
Read MoreFor litigation paralegals, the rules, they are a-changin’
The 2011 legislative session saw major changes to how plaintiff’s personal injury lawyers will do business in the future. I’m going to share my column space with Mark Scruggs, one of the Lawyers Mutual claims attorneys, to talk about changes that litigation paralegals can expect to see.
Read MoreCommentary: Leveraging the value of paralegals
It is well demonstrated that paralegals improve a firm’s bottom line. These paralegals may be employed within the firm itself, or they may provide outsourced services in a virtual relationship.
Either way, paralegals epitomize the highly effective concept of leverage as a way that law firms enhance their profitability by doing billable work as members of client service teams. In this way, their lower rates, when blended with other team members, boost partner profitability.
Read MoreHow to interview a legal assistant candidate
Looking to hire a paralegal or legal support staffer? Find the ideal candidate while avoiding pitfalls by following these interviewing tips from recruiting experts:
Read MoreWhat do you really want? Create your own vision today
In the past we have written a lot about how to do your job better, which got us to thinking about how to feel better about yourself. We have talked to many paralegals out there and the one theme we hear loud and clear is uneasiness about the future. There is a lot of stress out there.
Read MoreA mystery unfolds, with few clues on hand
It was a typically muggy August afternoon, indistinguishable from countless other lingering days of summer, trying to hold on before the autumn leaves began to fall. I found myself and Mr. Craig*, the attorney I worked for, walking up the front steps to his office. We had met at the courthouse earlier that morning and this was the first time either of us had made it to the office that day.
Read MoreNorth Carolina Association News – 2011
Alamance County Paralegal Association Upcoming events: • Regular membership meetings are on the third Tuesday of every month at 12:20 p.m. at Carver’s on Elm in Graham. Asheville Area Paralegal Association Upcoming events: • AAPA will hold its Fall Seminar on September 30 from 8:30 a.m. …
Read MoreNational Association News – September 2011
National Association of Legal Assistants Notes: • NALA Campus LIVE provides online educational courses for paralegals. The courses are offered during two sessions per year. Twelve of the 44 courses offered through the program are recommended as preparation for the certified paralegal examination. For more …
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Digital edition March 2013
Read the March 2013 digital edition of the Carolina Paralegal News here.