Monday, February 21, 2011

Paralegal CLE: 10 Ways to Prepare Top Civil Injury Settlement Demands

There is much more to crafting an effective settlement demand package than gathering medical records and bills.

A knowledgeable paralegal can be indispensable to a successful outcome.  How do you become that indispensable paralegal?
You'll find out when my Paralegal Voice co-host, Lynne J. DeVenny, NCCP, and I team up to present a new online CLE course, 10 Ways to Prepare Top Civil Injury Settlement Demands on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.

You will learn:
How to manage civil injury cases from A-Z

How to avoid common mistakes that may decrease the value of a claim

The extra steps to take in the development of a case that may mean the difference between an unsatisfactory outcome and a fair and reasonable resolution.
A working knowledge of the best way to prepare civil injury settlement cannot be underestimated. This 90-minute webinar will also include:
How to prove your case

The best way to document all damages

Tips for guiding clients through the process

How to prioritize statutory liens

Actions to take so you don't miss medical damages

Tips for assisting with the determination of the case value

How to write demand letters that work

How to submit a well-done settlement package

Important resources
Register here to learn the 10 Ways to Prepare Top Civil Injury Settlement Demands

There's more!

** CLE Credit: this 90-minute webinar qualifies for 1.5 hours CLE  certificate of completion provided to registered attendees

** Course Delivery:via telephone, Skype, or your computer ... your choice!

** You'll receive a comprehensive hand-out you'll refer to long after the course is completed.

Be sure to register now for this outstanding continuing education opportunity.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Paralegal Profession Loses a Rising Star: Tessa Conradi-Marella


The paralegal profession lost one of its rising stars when Pacific Northwest Paralegal Association (PNPA) President, Tessa Elizabeth Conradi-Marrella, died in an automobile accident on February 7, 2011.

Tessa, 32, earned her Associates degree from Clark Community College and was employed as a paralegal at Zuricha, N.A. in Portland OR. She married Walter Marrella on January 11, 2007.

Once Tessa joined PNPA, she served as the Public Relations Coordinator and then became President in July, 2010. She had an unbridled enthusiasm for both her work and her association involvement.

While I never met Tessa in person, I felt I knew her well as we corresponded often when she would forward PNPA's outstanding monthly newsletter, Hearsay.

PNPA will host In Remembrance of Tessa Conradi-Marrella on Friday, February 18th, from 4-8pm at Courtyard Portland City Center, 550 SW Oak Street, Portland OR.

Is Your Career Stuck in the "Someday" Trap?

When opportunities come your way, do you usually say, “I’ll do that when I have time!”?

When you consider your career goals, do you usually think, “I’ll get around to that in the future!”?

When the sticky notes and piles of papers and files accumulate in your office, do you usually think “I can’t be bothered with this so I’ll ignore the clutter for now!”?

You may be stuck in the ‘someday’trap!

The 'someday' trap brings your goals to a standstill. It plays havoc with your future. It kills productivity. It causes procrastination. If you allow yourself to let 'someday' be a part of your thinking you're going to find it very difficult to move your career forward and reach your life goals.

Consider:
* Someday you'll sit for a certification exam.
* Someday you'll move to anarea of the law that really interests you.
* Someday you'll join your local association, join a committee and run for office.
* Someday you'll attend a national convention.
* Someday you'll take a few continuing education courses.
* Someday you'll present a CLE course.
* Someday you'll write an article for a professional journal.
Someday...someday...someday. Stop! Someday is NOT a day of the week. How about a new way of thinking? How about having 'someday' be today?

Here are some simple suggestions for turning 'someday thinking' into 'today thinking':

Think, first, about your top 5 short term goals, perhaps what you want to accomplish in the next 90 days. Then examine those goals to determine the steps you’ll take to reach them. Once you’ve done this, schedule the steps so that they get done.

Once you’ve determined your short term goals, use the same process to determine and accomplish your long term goals (say in the next 3 years), and your really long term goals...what do you want to accomplish in your lifetime. As you’re doing this, don’t hesitate to dream and to think big. Do not limit yourself.

For all these goals, make an appointment in your calendar to get each step done and don't let the 'someday trap' stop you.

You can’t do everything at once, of course, so you’ll have to make choices. You’ll have to choose to do the things that are important to you and your goals and let the other things go.

When you change your thinking to ‘today’ instead of ‘someday’ you’re not only going to feel better about yourself, but you’ll move your career in the right direction: forward.

Imagine, seizing opportunities when they come your way. Imagine your office without clutter and piles. Imagine being able to find documents when you need them. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment as you reach your goals. When you imagine that it feels wonderful, right?

Actress Camryn Manheim said it best:
“Waiting, waiting, waiting. All my life, I've been waiting for my life to begin, as if somehow my life was ahead of me, and that someday I would arrive at it.”
You can’t wait for your life to begin or for your paralegal career to be what you want it to be. You have to operate on the premise that you can’t wait for someday to make changes. You have to take steps today to make those changes.

What are you waiting for? You have the ability to transform your career and your life beginning today. It’s up to you to make that happen and to stop waiting for someday.

What changes will you make? How will you make those changes? Leave a comment below to let me know.
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©2011 Vicki Voisin, Inc. Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can so long as you include this entire blurb with it:


Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a weekly ezine titled Paralegal Strategies and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice, a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network. More information is available at http://www.paralegalmentor.com.

Paralegal Profile: Patrick J. Sweis

Patrick J. Sweis is a legal assistant with Luce Forward in San Diego, CA. He earned an AA Degree in legal assisting from Miramar College where his favorite course was legal research.

Working as a paralegal is a family affair. Patrick's daughter, Gayle S. Bennett, CLA, is with The Gray Law Firm in Tacoma WA.

As much as Patrick loves his day job, he's probably happiest on stage performing with the San Diego Opera. He's just wrapped up Turandot. Of course his favorite music is jazz and opera and you'll find him listening to Nessun Dorma from Turandot on his iPod.

You'll enjoy Patrick's answers to the Paralegal Mentor's Thirteen Questions where he shares his insight into the paralegal profession.

1. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I always wanted to be an attorney

2. What is your favorite part of your job? Putting the pieces together for a successful project

3. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? That would definitely be eDiscovery and Litigation support

4. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Learn everything and anything in the Paralegal profession. I started out as a file clerk and took everything in that I could to learn about the ins and outs of a law firm.

5. You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? Definitely Ron Bryuere, Litigation Support Manager for our firm. We were on a project together and I wasn't really involved but he gave me some responsibility for the project and let me run with it.

6. What advice would you give yourself if you met you as a first-year paralegal? Don't take no for an answer.

7. What is the best live concert you've ever attended? Rolling Stones in 1973 in Philadelphia. I was the bus driver for the group for the whole day. Followed them everywhere that day.

8. What sports team are you passionate about? Any team from Philadelphia

9. If you could not be a paralegal, what would be your dream job? Sportscaster.

10. What is the one thing you wish you were better at? Saying no at work.

11. What scares you the most? High places and opening night.

12. What was your first car? A 1957 Ford.  What's your dream car? One that's paid for!

13. Is there one thing in the world you wish you had the answer to? How to go back in time. I'd go back to 50's and learn more about my family.

Bonus Question: You've been given the chance to have dinner with anyone living or dead. Who is it? My father (he died when I was 3 years old).

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Need to count court days? Paralegal Gateway has an APP for that!

ParalegalGateway has announced its very first iPhone application for Paralegals and legal professionals.

Court Day Count allows you to quickly calculate the number of court days or calendar days (or a combination of the two) before or after a given date. It is simple to use and allows you to calculate multiple dates on a single screen.

The app is a real steal...only .99 on iTunes. Each purchase helps to keep ParalegalGateway free for Paralegals and that's a really great thing!! For more information, follow this link:  http://paralegalgateway.com/2011/02/08/3977/


Thanks to Jeannie Johnston and Paralegal Gateway for this terrific resource!

Monday, February 7, 2011

The No. 1 Myth You Should Never Believe

Myth: Once you have your paralegal education and your job as a paralegal, you don't have to do anything else to have a successful, fulfilling paralegal career.

Truth: Your paralegal job and education are just the foundation for your career. That foundation simply serves as a facilitator for the rest of your career, much the same way a blank canvas serves as the facilitator for a beautiful portrait.

While your job may be interesting, time-consuming and challenging, it is not the sum total of your career. Consider my situation for a moment:

My entire working life has been spent in a small law office in a very small town. This has been a job I've enjoyed immensely. The attorneys would come and go...and name of the firm would change...but I remained like a favorite old shoe: reliable, durable...and also knowledgeable.

Had I remained in that comfortable cocoon, where would I be today? Probably preparing to retire with a cheese and cracker reception attended by people I've known all my life...wonderful people, I might add.

Instead of choosing that cocoon, I chose to make my world large and if I were to retire today (and I'm NOT!) I could at least expect good wishes from paralegals from every state in the U.S.
How do you make your world large? Here are some tips for you:

Never stop learning. If you follow the Thirteen Questions column in Paralegal Strategies, you'll notice that everyone says that to make your career interesting, you must never stop learning. This includes new technology, new systems, and new areas of the law.

Accept challenges. If you think you can't speak before a large group of people or that you could never write an article for a professional journal, you're dead wrong. But how will you know what you can do if you don't try? When you're asked to do this, always jump at the chance. What if you're not asked? Volunteer! You'll always be glad you did.

Join groups and participate. Joining groups (professional associations in particular) is like throwing a pebble into a pool of water and watching the ripples widen. You will widen your circle of acquaintances (who will probably become best friends!) as well as your professional network.

You will be surprised at your capacity for growth. The ripples spread even wider when you take an active part, run for office, serve on a committee, and attend annual meetings. Wide ripples are good for your career.

Write and speak. Considering your capacity for growth, you will be shocked by the words that will come from your mouth and flow from your pen as you expand your horizons.

Get out of your comfort zone. When I traveled just from tiny Charlevoix to Detroit to join a professional association, I might as well have been traveling to Mars! Today, I can maneuver most any travel and enjoy it immensely. You can do this, too, but you have to take chances and leave your cocoon.

Your career is always a work in process. It doesn't happen all at once. In fact, it takes a lifetime. As you take the steps above (and there are many others, you will be painting on the canvas where the brush strokes illustrate the bright colors you've chosen for yourself.

Your challenge? Consider the steps above and choose at least one challenge. This will be your first step in painting the gorgeous picture that will, in the end, be your outstanding career.


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©2011 Vicki Voisin, Inc. Do you want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or Web site? You can so long as you include this entire blurb with it:

Vicki Voisin, "The Paralegal Mentor", delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers. Vicki spotlights resources, organizational tips, ethics issues, and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential. She publishes a weekly ezine titled Paralegal Strategies and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice, a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network. More information is available at http://www.paralegalmentor.com.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Professional Profile: Terry Halstead, ACP

Terry Halstead, ACP, of Stevensville, MT answers my Thirteen Questions this week. Terry works at the Law Firm of Joan Cook in Missoula. Be sure to check out her recommended steps you can take to keep your career interesting.

1. Where do you work and what is your job title? I am employed by the Law Office of Joan E. Cook in Missoula, Montana where my job title is Paralegal/Office Manager.

2. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? My interest in the law began with a personal legal event. I could not afford an attorney so I went to the law library where I did my research and then prepared all my own paperwork. I found the law to be very interesting and a challenge so I returned to school for my Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? That would be attending trials with my attorney. I enjoy the hard work that goes into preparing for and during the trial. I also find it rewarding to be able to work with the clients and help them through a tough time in their lives.

4. What professional associations do you belong to? I am a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) where I serve as Region 8 Director. I am also a member of the Montana Association of Legal Assistants (MALA) where I have served in several capacities as an officer and committee, including the office of President.

5. How has your membership benefited you? Memberships in associations have provided me with a network system across the entire United States which allows me to promote the paralegal profession.

6. Do you have any professional certifications? I received my Certified Paralegal (CP) designation in 2006 and my Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) designation in Trial Practice in 2007. Both are from NALA.

7. What has been the highlight of your career? The highlight of my career would be the enjoyment I receive from teaching in the local paralegal program, being a speaker for paralegal associations, and representing the paralegal profession through my achievements in NALA and MALA.

8. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? Technology will always be a hot trend. Paralegals need to learn as much as they can about the newest technology and the ethics issues that surround it.

9. Have you dipped your toes in the social media waters? I have not at this time but this would definitely be something to research for the future.

10. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? The paralegal profession is not just about working in a law office. There are many other avenues a paralegal can take in their career. I would say, be open to anything and, most important, love what you do.

11. Is there a quote that inspires you? "Don't live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable."

12. You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? I would have to give credit to my husband for supporting me in my career choice. Because of his tremendous sacrifice, I am able to travel for work and for my associations. His willingness to allow me this freedom enables me to do what I love and promote the paralegal profession.

13. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? 
  • Always be willing to learn.
  • Join paralegal associations and get involved
  • Attend conferences and continuing legal education events
  • Network with other paralegals to gain valuable information
  • Get your certification designation
  • Be willing to take your career to a higher level of professionalism.
Bonus Question: What unusual item do you own? That would be our a llama named Hank. He is there to protect my son's 4-H sheep from predators but he really only wants to give kisses to anyone who will accept them.