Category Archives: Law Firm Efficiency

7 Reasons to Use a Contract Paralegal

In today’s legal market, many small firms and solos operate on tight budgets with little or no support staff.  What some attorneys fail to realize is that there comes a point when doing everything yourself actually costs you more than getting a little help from a contract, freelance or virtual paralegal (I use the terms…

Three Common Objections To Outsourcing Paralegal Work

I am privileged to work with very talented and forward-thinking attorneys.  I realize working with a virtual or freelance paralegal is a little off the beaten path.  One of the challenges I encounter is convincing firms to break out of the mold and try something new.  Attorneys are change resistant, but those willing to move…

Emotional Stages of a Document Review

Document reviews have changed drastically since I became a paralegal in 1992. E-discovery is now its own industry and the market place is full of document review technology products that did not exist only a few years ago.  Even though we have moved from paper to PDF,  I have found something that remains the same…

What’s In Your Briefcase? 5 Essentials That Could Save Your Reputation

I recently helped to save the professional reputation of one of my attorney-clients (that might be a reach, but I did save her some embarrassment).  I did not do it with my paralegal expertise; I did it with a few things I carry in my brief case/laptop bag. Maybe these items could save your reputation…

Resources for Solo Attorneys

Last week I attended  Solo Practitioner Boot Camp at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, hoping to glean  a few helpful ideas to pass along to my solo attorney clients.  What I got was five hours chocked full of great information to share with you.  I will just be hitting the high points as I condense…

Your Legal Cloud Nine

What puts you on cloud nine in your professional life?  Is it  a successful settlement, winning a motion, calming a client’s fears?  For most litigators, it is winning in court. Last year, I represented myself in a small civil matter (less than $17,000) in magistrate court.  Yes, I know what they say about someone who…

Are Virtual Paralegals Misunderstood?

“It’s not easy being green.” Kermit the Frog “Green” as in different, out of the ordinary; not “green” as in inexperienced.  When I attend local CLE’s or networking events, I am usually the only paralegal not employed by a law firm, corporation, or government agency. One of the most shocking things about working as a virtual…

Should Attorneys Be Concerned with Paralegal Certification?

More than ever before, your clients are demanding lower-cost, yet high-value legal services, which is exactly why you should be concerned with the certifications of the paralegals you work with.  Whether you are are a solo or in a large firm; employ one paralegal or one hundred paralegals;  occasionally contract with  freelance paralegals or use…

Lawyer Burnout? Change It Up.

The very things we thrive on in the legal profession such as the adversarial nature of the system; the duty to provide competent representation; and the ability to manage complex information, situations and people are also the things that can drive us down the road to burnout. I am not a counselor, psychologist or life…

Risk a Little, Improve A Lot

Attention attorneys: Every improvement you make to the way you practice law will involve a little stretching, a little risk-taking. Your practice will never reach its peak without a willingness to try new things. If you have never worked with a freelance or virtual paralegal is it because: (a) Your practice is not busy enough…