Carolina Paralegal News

By ERICA C. McADOO, Special to CPN

I loved working in a law firm the first day I started. I think I made copies for about eight hours … on a Saturday … for free. But I did it with a great attitude, and I looked pretty good doing it (I had purchased my first suit for the occasion). 

By the end of the day, I had a job offer as an administrative assistant. It was only part time, and I would ultimately spend the subsequent months copying, making tabs for notebooks and shredding old files. But while some may find such tasks to be demeaning, I used them as an opportunity to observe the inner workings of the firm.

I learned a lot during those months. I picked up various bits of legal jargon from the documents I was handling, started to learn what kinds of questions to ask and I learned that making assumptions often costs more time than it saves. 

And I watched people. I watched other staff, paralegals, associates and firm partners. I tried to discern what tasks were asked of the people in those positions and what attitudes and work ethics were expected and admired. I found myself wondering how I could learn more, how I could learn faster, and, secretly and occasionally, I wondered if one day I would graduate up and out of the copy room.

To date, my answers to those questions are 1) say “yes,” 2) read a lot and say “yes,” and 3) not a chance.

Four months after first setting foot in a law firm, I was offered a full-time position as an administrative assistant/case manager. Three months after that, I was doing litigation and pre-litigation paralegal work. But I worked hard to get there. I read everything I could get my hands on without being asked. I read the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, lien manuals, bicycle and pedestrian safety laws, motor vehicle statutes, Lawyers Weekly and Carolina Paralegal News. I Googled legal and medical terms that I didn’t know. And I asked questions – lots of them. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful senior paralegal and an attorney at the firm who would answer my sometimes incessant questions with neverending patience.

I also signed up to join paralegal associations, receive online paralegal newsletters and and become a member of the N.C. Advocates for Justice.

When I received an e-mail announcing the NCAJ’s Legal Assistants Division needed a communications co-chair, I volunteered. I didn’t even know what it was exactly, but I knew I wanted to be involved and I wanted to learn. I also went to conferences, met other paralegals, forgot my business cards the first time and made sure I had lots the next time.

Reading, saying “yes” to so many things and joining so many legal-related groups and activities helped me learn the ropes. At times I felt like I was overbooked, overwhelmed and over my head. I probably was. But I survived, and I learned so much, so fast. Also, I think being that involved fueled my passion for this career even more.

I have been in a law firm for two years now and love it more than the day I started.  As you all know, it can be stressful, and there are days when I don’t think I can take on one more thing … and then here come two new major cases, a complaint to be drafted, a new set of interrogatories to answer and an article due for Carolina Paralegal News. And then one of the attorneys will need something copied. Yep – I’m still copying. 

And I am perfectly OK with that. I recommend saying “yes” with enthusiasm – yes to copying, to reading, to conferences and to learning. Know your limits and know when to say when, but dive in, explore, find your niche and discover all that this wonderful career has to offer.

Editor’s note: Erica McAdoo is a North Carolina paralegal and communications co-chair for the N.C. Advocates for Justice.

staff.cpn Features, NEWS & FEATURES career advice, Erica McAdoo, law firm, paralegal

By Diana Smith, CPN Managing Editor

diana.smith@nc.lawyersweekly.com

With fall in full swing, many people are donning their long-sleeved sweaters and warmer dress slacks when they head into work each morning.   

But that’s not the case at every law office.

Paralegals say the skirts are getting shorter and the clothing more casual these days – and some don’t like it.

Wearing suits or dresses is a way to convey professionalism right from the outset in the workplace, no matter what the setting, said Cyndy Adams, president of the Catawba Valley Paralegal Association in North Carolina.

“In my office, whenever our paralegals go to court, we wear suits or well-coordinated outfits that match the circumstances,” she said. “To me, you’re in a situation where you need to show respect, both to the court and your client. The way we do that is by dressing appropriately.” 

It doesn’t have to be designer fashion, but it shouldn’t be picnic wear, either, according to most Carolina paralegals.

“Our attorneys say if you can rake in it, you can’t wear it,” said Raleigh, N.C., paralegal Jennifer Watford. “Now, that may not have one ounce of a reflection on my work product. But if I saw somebody looking disheveled, I’d think, ‘Hmm. Are they taking as much care with my stuff as they did with their professional appearance?’”  

Fashion could also make or break a paralegal’s ability to land a job.

That’s because the first thing that any employer notices about a job candidate is their attire, said California-based Chere Estrin, editor-in-chief of KNOW, a magazine for paralegals. 

Estrin told Carolina Paralegal News that a daily work wardrobe consisting of casual polo shirts and khakis was “great in the ’90s and the dot-com era, but it doesn’t hold water anymore.”

 ”These are tough times, and you have to look better than you’ve ever looked simply because of the psychological impact that a well-put-together person conveys to somebody else,” she said.

However, finding the fashion balance can be difficult to strike in law offices, particularly those without some sort of dress code.

But Vicki Swaringen of Charlotte, N.C., said the paralegals she knows have the common sense to know what’s appropriate.

“On days we have clients come in, I might choose to wear a suit, but usually it’s something that’s comfortable like a blouse and slacks,” said Swaringen, and estate and tax paralegal with Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson.

Swaringen’s firm’s dress code prohibits attire such as sandals, “short” short skirts and sleeveless tops, she said. There is also no “casual Fridays” policy.

When the seasons warm up, the staff also receives a reminder alerting employees of the dos and don’ts of fashion at the firm, Swaringen added.

But from what Watford has seen, not all paralegals seem to get the memo.

Skimpy office attire hasn’t been as prevalent, but Watford told Carolina Paralegal News that overly casual attire is common.

“I’m always surprised at CLEs where people dress as though it’s their day off,” she said.

Among the faux pas she’s seen: one woman dressed in a sweatshirt, yoga pants and a scarf. Another sat Indian-style on the floor with her shoes off, scratching her feet.  

That type of attire could have damaging effects for a line of work that has been striving for years to prove its professionalism, cautioned Estrin.

“In the paralegal field, there’s no hierarchy,” she explained. “It’s ‘once a paralegal, always a paralegal’ in most of these firms. There’s no vertical climb up a ladder. It’s a horizontal climb, so you need to do everything you can to be successful.”

Paralegals are not the only people who could plead guilty fashion crimes.

“What has concerned me is the standards for incoming lawyers, especially females, seem to be very lax,” said Debbie Reynolds, a paralegal with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Greenville, S.C. “I see very short skirts, low tops, sometimes even a midriff showing. I don’t seem to see too many of the staff folks dressing that way, but it does seem to be unaddressed with the attorneys.”

But that’s no excuse for paralegals to get sloppy, Estrin said.

“Lawyers are not an example,” said Estrin. “Paralegals are still looking to be defined, still looking for upgraded assignments and people are going to give it to the people they think are most successful. How are you going to portray that image?”

Even on days when she’s not wearing a business suit, Reynolds said she keeps a nice jacket at her desk in case she unexpectedly gets called into a meeting with a client.

“It’s something to pull on just to dress it up a bit,” she said. “It’s not a power suit, but always neat and professional.”

And it need not be expensive to look the part.

“It is hard to buy an Ann Taylor suit, times seven, on a paralegal salary. I get that,” said Watford. “But you can still dress nicely.”

And what to do with those plunging V-necks and relaxed fit jeans?

“Save it for your social hour,” said Estrin.

Diana Smith, Staff Writer News, NEWS & FEATURES Add new tag, office attire, paralegal, professionalism, promotions

By Lindsay Valek, Special to CPN

Last month I attended a continuing legal education course sponsored by the Association of Litigation Support Professionals. The seminar, entitled “Making the Most of Technology in Trial,” featured a panel of graphic designers, litigation support specialists, an attorney and a representative of the South Carolina Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Introducing myself, I discovered that nearly two-thirds of the attendees were in some form of litigation support.

That got me thinking: Could a paralegal’s perspective benefit a CLE?

South Carolina attorneys are required to complete 14 hours of approved CLE courses, two of which must be committed to legal ethics and professional responsibility. The CLE requirements were implemented in 1982 and are governed by the state Supreme Court’s Commission of Continuing Legal Education and Specialization, which is comprised of 12 members appointed by the high court and includes representatives from the judiciary and practicing attorneys from the four judicial regions.

While many states recommend legal education for legal assistants and paralegals, few and far between require the completion of credit hours. South Carolina does not require that paralegals meet any CLE quota.

By contrast, the Legal Assistants Division of the State Bar of Texas requires that paralegals obtain six hours of continuing legal education each year to maintain their voting rights and active membership within the organization. California, Indiana and Oklahoma also require their paralegals to obtain some CLE credit.

The practice of law is constantly evolving. Societal changes impact not only the laws that govern us, but the very process by which attorneys conduct business. Electronic discovery, encrypted metadata, iPhones and social networking are just a few examples of how the legal field has been touched by societal evolution. CLE courses keep attorneys and their support staff educated on the latest issues that affect their practices.

Ask any paralegal and chances are likely that his or her job responsibilities already include tracking and managing their attorneys’ CLE requirements. But just below the surface – right underneath their attorneys’ noses – lays a smorgasbord of knowledge that is quietly waiting to be unearthed. 

It is the paralegal that is called upon to design PowerPoint presentations for hearings and arbitrations. 

It is the paralegal who structures document databases or, in many firms, hard copy files containing hundreds of thousands of pieces of evidence.

A tech-savvy paralegal splices video deposition transcripts and embeds them into trial presentation software.

It is the paralegal who often lays the first eyes on the documents that will become the backbone of a case.

Paralegals navigate the courthouses, getting to know not only the docketing clerk who will let them make an emergency copy, but also the technology (or lack thereof) available.

So why aren’t paralegals teaching CLEs?

Robert Dodson, a local Columbia attorney, has been in practice 12 years and specializes in civil litigation. He said that attorneys often discount their paralegals’ ideas and perspectives.

“Lawyers are bad at managing people. That stems from the fact that we don’t get any training or education [in that area],” Dodson said. “I would love to know what a paralegal’s perspective is when getting ready for a trial or hearing or interacting with clients and potential clients. Those are probably two of the most stressful parts of my paralegals’ jobs and hearing what they say on that would be interesting.”

Without sugarcoating the subject, paralegals aren’t teaching and participating in the instruction of CLEs for a host of reasons that, in reality, lack sufficient standing.

Either those coordinating CLE programs don’t think attorneys would respond to a paralegal’s perspective or paralegals themselves aren’t showcasing how tremendously valuable their skills, insights and roles within the legal arena really are. Perhaps it is a combination of both.

In April, I wrote to the S.C. Bar’s CLE Division requesting permission to develop a CLE program taught by paralegals on trial preparation and technology use at trial. My inquiry was bolstered by a letter of support from an attorney who had held the role of opposing counsel in a trial that I had attended.

“Ms. Valek demonstrates a strong understanding of trial preparation and the use of technology in the courtroom,” he wrote. “Most often, attorneys do delegate this responsibility to paralegals and consequently they are in the best position to provide education concerning these matters. I wholeheartedly recommend that you approve Ms. Valek’s proposed CLE seminar.”

Despite follow-up letters and telephone inquires – which inevitably led directly to voicemail – I have heard nothing from the CLE Division.

It goes without saying, then, that the paralegal’s perspective is undervalued by attorneys, CLE coordinators and in many cases, paralegals themselves. 

I encourage all paralegals to showcase their talents, if not to a conference room, then to your fellow staff members. Create opportunities to educate your colleagues and bosses on those skills that you perform best.

Perhaps eventually the CLE seminar circuit will catch up to how amazing we really are. 

Editor’s note: Lindsay Valek is a paralegal and writer based in Columbia, S.C.

lindsay.valek Features, NEWS & FEATURES CLE, lindsay valek, paralegal, South Carolina Bar

By Darryl Hammill, Special to CPN

In 2008, I began a journey. It started by a simple conversation with one of my wife’s beauty shop clients, a North Carolina attorney named Amy Nutall.

Amy went to law school later in life, passed the bar exam and now works as a family law attorney in Raleigh. It was a career path that I had once dreamed of.   

Even though I had put all of the pieces in place to prepare for the LSAT and began looking at law schools, a lack of time and money caused me not to proceed. I thought that my wish of becoming involved in the legal community had reached a dead end.

Amy suggested that if I had such a strong desire to work in the legal profession, perhaps I should consider becoming a paralegal. I had never thought about that before and began researching what it meant to be a paralegal. 

Through my research, I discovered Meredith College’s post-baccalaureate paralegal program. Time was running short to register, but fortunately I crossed paths with Marisa Campbell, the program’s director. Since I was able to get my paperwork into her quickly, she admitted me. This simple act of kindness set me on a path that has taken my professional career in directions I would never have imagined.

Through the Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association’s mentoring program, I had the good luck of meeting Julianne Fink, assistant director of Sections and the Paralegal Division with the N.C. Bar Association. She offered to work with me to make needed adjustments to my résumé. She also offered excellent recommendations about my professional paralegal portfolio.

I always assumed that I would follow a very traditional path upon graduation – working in a law firm, probably in civil litigation. But Sarah Kaufman, an instructor at Meredith and paralegal with Ellis & Winters, helped me see my options in a different light.

Sarah organizes meetings so Meredith’s paralegal students can meet with graduates and receive real-world experience directly from practicing paralegals. One of the speakers in 2008 was Grace Carter, a crop genetics research strategic planner with Syngenta. She had many years of paralegal experience, but after taking the traditional route in her career, she switched gears and went to work for a corporation. I vividly recall how pivotal that evening was in teaching me that there were career options beyond the typical law firm job.

In May 2009, I began my paralegal career at Emanuel & Dunn in Raleigh. I received great advice and guidance from the departing paralegal, Karen Winer, who showed me the ropes of the job.

Emanuel & Dunn is primarily a civil litigation firm practicing in the local, state and federal courts. I supported three attorneys, including Stephen Dunn. Stephen gave me the chance to be a part of the legal community the way I had always wanted. Even though I didn’t become an attorney, I had nonetheless reached my destination. But I didn’t know that an adventure was in store for me.

Earlier this year, I was approached by a national recruiter about a position with a company headquartered in Rocky Mount, N.C. They needed a contract administrator, and the recruiter felt that I might be a perfect fit.

The position required someone who could handle multiple projects and assignments concurrently, be highly motivated, work well independently and in a team environment, have knowledge regarding contract law and contract administration, excellent communication skills and be tech-savvy.

As the interviewing process began, I recalled Grace Carter speaking about how her paralegal experience opened doors for her at Syngenta. I came to realize that the basic editing to my résumé and paralegal portfolio by Julianne Fink helped me catch the attention of a recruiter. Most importantly, I recognized that the training, education and experience I gained at Meredith was benefiting me in an unexpected way.

In August, I became the contract administrator for Engine Systems Inc., a division of Kirby Corporation.

If anyone told me in 2007 that I would go back to school to become a paralegal, I probably would have thought they were talking about someone else. If anyone told me in 2009 that I would be commuting to Rocky Mount from my home in Raleigh, I probably would have asked, “Are you sure you have the right guy?”

But what started as a journey down a traditional path for a paralegal brought me to an unexpected crossroads. Making the decision of which way to go was made so much easier because of all the wonderful people I mentioned in this article.

If I can offer any advice to someone either entering or graduating from a paralegal program, I would paraphrase the poet Robert Frost and tell them not to be afraid to take the road less traveled. Because just as the Frost quote suggests, “… that has made all the difference.”

dmc-admin Features, NEWS & FEATURES meredith college paralegal program, paralegal, thank you

By Kimberly M. Johnson, Special to CPN

In addition to attending seminars and CLEs, paralegals across the country are increasingly turning to blogs to gather information about the profession.

Everything from current legal news, the latest employment trends and even humorous office tales are available on paralegal-oriented blogs. Most are written by paralegals themselves, but attorneys have also jumped on board and are posting content as well.

Winston-Salem, N.C., paralegal Lynne DeVenny uses her blog, Practical Paralegalism, to provide a look at legal commentary and general news geared specifically to support staff. Topics include tips on social networking, office relations and professional advice.

For example, one post provided a cautionary tale about a legal secretary who was fired for violating her firm’s e-mail policy.

“With so many blogs and publications focusing on attorneys, I wanted a place online to recognize the other critical part of the legal team: the talented staffers whose work is necessary to the practice of law today,” said DeVenny.

DeVenny was inspired to create her own blog from reading existing ones and co-writing materials with her supervising attorney.

“Inspired by some of my favorite legal blogs, such as Above the Law and Legal Blog Watch, I decided a paralegal blog was the way to go. There aren’t many paralegal blogs in the blawgosphere, so I hoped there was room for one that focused on paralegal news, legal humor, technology and career development,” she said.

North Carolina Paralegal Association president Patti Clapper has also picked up on the blogging trend. Her blog, Patti’s Paralegal Page, provides entries that range from acknowledging paralegal students to providing tips on scams and other news. It also spotlights free and low-cost informational websites.

“I started reading other legal blogs and decided I wanted to do one. I have taught seminars for many years on how to find information on the web and a blog seemed like the best way to share the websites I had found,” she said.

California-based Chere Estrin said that inspiring paralegals and legal assistants has been the key to her success with her blog, The Estrin Report.

Estrin envisions her blog as a support system for paralegals. She said she wanted readers to know “that things will be better in the morning … that losing your job may turn into a good thing, that getting a bad review may turn you into a fantastic paralegal, that there are options out there and lots and lots of paralegals who are successful and happy.”

Estrin’s website hosts an array of employment-related entries to help paralegals navigate the ups and downs of the workplace. Categories include paralegal compensation, office management, legal technology and humor.

Use with care

Estrin stressed that she does not use her blog for personal reasons. She warns blog authors to be on guard for those who send anonymous e-mails to colleagues and employers and post videos on the Internet.

That advice is based on personal experience. Estrin said she was once embroiled in a situation in which a blogger used YouTube to harass her. Eventually, the person was caught and reported to the authorities.

But Estrin did not use her blog to chronicle the events.

“No, I wouldn’t write about that. I went through hell because of her viciousness, maliciousness and lies,” Estrin said. ”We traced her ISP, found out who she was and reported her to the FBI. She has admitted to sending the e-mails and making a video about me.”

Setup

For those interested in setting up their own blogs, determining its purpose and structure is important, paralegals said.

DeVenny wants readers to learn and to be entertained.

“I want to raise the profile of the paralegal profession and recognize the many educated, intelligent and multi-talented legal staffers working behind the scenes, as well as provide information for career development. And some posts are simply intended to entertain readers. The legal profession can be stressful and fast-paced. Sometimes we need a place to go where we laugh at ourselves,” she said.

Clapper, DeVenny and Estrin agree that the easiest part of maintaining their websites is providing inspirational stories. Free blogging tools such as Blogger help to create a user-friendly format, they said.

DeVenny adds that layout and design skills and marketing are part of the package.

“While a simple blog is not difficult to set up, creating an attractive template and deciding how to make the best use of the space on your site is more challenging,” she said. “More advanced blogging skills include learning how to add sophisticated elements to your posts, such as video, as well as mastering marketing and search engine optimization techniques to bring traffic to your blog. I learned these skills on the job by reading a lot and studying other blogs.”

The most challenging part of blogging is updating the content, according to Clapper and DeVenny. Sifting through websites and electronic outlets can be overwhelming, they said.

Some bloggers may use shortcuts and repost old news stories or outdated blog entries. Clapper suggested that would-be bloggers thoroughly research material and then market the finished product on media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.

“Most importantly, be sure you are updating the blog to keep your readers,” she said. DeVenny also recommended joining forces with an attorney.

“The blawgosphere definitely needs more dedicated paralegal blogs. If you’re seriously thinking about blogging professionally, check your employer’s social media policies, get your supervising attorney’s blessing, have a plan for your content and commit to publishing a post at a minimum several times a month,” she told Carolina Paralegal News.

Be original and newsworthy, Estrin added.

“Write to your audience. Write what they want to hear, not what you want to preach. Understand your audience and speak to them in a way that establishes you as a leader in their minds,” she said.

Here’s a list of paralegal blogs to check out:

• Practical Paralegalism: www.practicalparalegalism.com

• Patti’s Paralegal Page: http://lglduck.blogspot.com

• The Estrin Report: http://estrinlegaled.typepad.com/my_weblog

• New York Paralegal Blog: www.newyorkparalegalblog.com

• The Paralegal Mentor: http://www.paralegalmentorblog.com

• Paralegalese: http://para-mel.blogspot.com

• The Empowered Paralegal: http://theempoweredparalegal.com

• Paralegal Pie: http://kimwalker.typepad.com/paralegalpie

• www.blawg.com

• www.abajournal.com/blawgs

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