Paralegals Practice Unparalleled Phone Propriety

Your mission, legal assistants, should you decide to accept it, is to handle many of your boss? phone calls. A good legal assistant continually strives to free up the attorney?s time for court appearances, meetings, and more in-depth legal research. After all, this is how an attorney earns his fees. But in order to have fees that can be earned, new work must materialize. The majority of new work for attorneys comes in the form of phone calls. Handle these phone calls wisely.

The ability to filter through types of phone calls and handle as much of the phone work as possible, with finesse, is an excellent skill to develop. A paralegal must be familiar with her boss? schedule, his caseload, his clients, and his particular style in order to filter the phone calls well. She must also be thoroughly familiar with the types of new cases her boss may accept. This includes understanding the office?s standard procedure for inquiries he is either unable to fulfill or too busy to fulfill.

Often new assignments are derived from repeat business - a client who has used your attorney?s services in the past. A paralegal should possess basic knowledge of these return clients, including how to get in touch with clients by mail, phone, fax, and e-mail. Utilize your office?s file management system to keep this information handy. (If your business has no file management system, I urge you to campaign for one as soon as possible.)

One of your duties may be to recall old matter files for a returning client. Many law offices utilize off-site storage for closed files. Depending on the situation, old files may contain valuable information that will assist your attorney in handling new matters.

Sometimes new clients are referred by your boss? colleagues, professional peers, friends and acquaintances. When referrals occur, make note of it so you can prepare a thank you letter from your boss. If this type of appreciation is not standard practice at your firm, discuss the benefits with your attorney. Once approved, do just that, automatically. Do not slack on the newly adopted nicety. Niceties often develop into more business referred your boss? way. In any event, it shows appreciation and is a highly professional touch.

There will also be ?cold callers? who are shopping through advertising resources: phone books, the internet, television advertising. Here is where the true colors of a paralegal come out ? having the ability to ferret which callers are just shopping for free advice over the phone. Some folks will be unable to afford your attorney?s services. For those types of calls, there may be organizations to which you can refer such a caller. Know your community so that you will be able to efficiently refer callers to appropriate help.

Other ?cold calls? may concern cases your boss will accept, but the potential client may need some selling tactics to win their business. Highlight your boss? skills and track record. In the process of doing so, you will also be highlighting your own skills. This makes hiring your boss doubly attractive because you are already establishing good rapport with the new client.

Never forget the importance of professional handling of phone calls. If phone etiquette is lacking, it can actually lose business for your attorney. Support him well by handling phone calls with tiptop professionalism.

Are you fascinated by trials? Do you like helping people? A career as a Paralegal is challenging, rewarding, and NEVER boring. Sign up for free newsletters that show you how to step into this exciting career. Adventures await you....

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Laura McDonald is a paralegal, employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. She is a member of NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). Laura is experienced in the areas of personal injury, civil litigation, family, environmental and corporate law, estate planning and bankruptcy.

The Principal P's of a Paralegal Career

Being a paralegal, or legal assistant, is a fulfilling and challenging career. It can be rewarding. It can also be quite stressful. The four P?s will pave the way for a successful paralegal career. These are:

1. Punctuality. Ever notice how your stress level rises when you?re late for work or a meeting? You sit in traffic and the clock is ticking out a drumbeat in your head. By the time you get to work, you?re flustered and certainly not in the best mind frame to calmly begin your work tasks. Instead of this nerve-racking scenario, the practical, punctual paralegal plans on leaving for work 15 minutes earlier. This allows extra time for unforeseen circumstances to intrude but not alter one?s sense of serenity. I have a rule of thumb ? anticipate five irritations while driving to work and smile through them. If there?s more than five, well, maybe it?s time to pull off the road and let the maniacs go on ahead.

2. Patience. Be gentle with yourself. If you feel tenseness building, take deep, cleansing breaths, and several more as needed. Oxygen fills your lungs, your pulse lowers, and a feeling of peacefulness returns. Paralegals practice patience toward co-workers, clients, phone callers, anyone who may not quite have being gentle with themselves mastered yet.

3. Perseverance. A missing witness? Keep trying to locate him, and stop when you do. A file has disappeared? Search until it?s found and ask others for assistance. Feeling brain-dead while summarizing a very dry deposition transcript? Get up and stretch, look out a window for a few minutes while you feel yourself relaxing. Then don your determination again, and get back to the grind. Legal assistants who excel in their jobs are dedicated to completing tasks.

4. Pride. If you know you?re doing your best, you will feel proud of your accomplishments. Ensure your work product reflects positively on you and your boss. Every document going out of your office gauges quality; for professionals this is extremely important. Sloppy work does not go unnoticed. Check and then doublecheck your documents. Are they as clean and attractively presented as possible? If so, sit back and smile.

The above principal P?s for paralegals are, of course, only part of what highlight good skills. But they are very important. They also contribute to attaining satisfaction and pleasure in one?s position. Being good at your job AND enjoying it, what a great combination!

Laura McDonald is a paralegal. She has many years of experience in the areas of personal injury (accident related and medical malpractice), workers? compensation, civil litigation, family, environmental, and corporate law, estate planning, and bankruptcy. She is employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her website is: http://www.paralegalsecretary.bravehost.com. Laura is available to encourage anyone interested in entering the paralegal field or seeking to improve related skills

Facts And Insights Of California Paralegal

There are currently no California laws that govern the licensing of California paralegals. But in an effort to standardize more the parameters of a paralegal work from the legal viewpoint, the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) promulgated during the year 2000 legislative session a legislation that aimed to do just that. This legislation was called the Assembly Bill (A.B.) 1761, the pertinent portion of which provides for a definition of the term paralegal.

Strongly promoted as a consumer protection measure, A.B. 1761 was considered to be a dream bill. The reason behind this law on California paralegals is to differentiate traditional paralegals from those who work independent of lawyer or attorney direction.

In order to protect the public from con artists and other disreputable individuals who prey upon unsuspecting persons seeking alternatives to attorney-provided legal services, A.B. 1761 sets forth some stringent measures and restrictions on a paralegal scope of responsibility.

Before the passage of A.B. 1761, the only legislation on California paralegals set forth a few requirements for paralegals who directly serve the public. One of the stipulations provided that such California paralegals could no longer call themselves as paralegals but, instead, must be named legal document assistants (LDAs).

Directives seeking to implement such legislation additionally provide that California paralegals or LDAs must post a bond in each country where they work. Penalties for LDAs who cross over the line into the unauthorized practice of law were also imposed.

With the passage of A.B. 1761 and upon its signing into law as Sections 6450, et. Seq., of the California State Business and Professions Code, more aspects of the field of California paralegal profession are covered.

For instance, California paralegals who violate the laws could face stiff fines and/or jail time. The duties that a California paralegal could perform were also narrowly defined. Other aspects that were directly addressed by A.B. 1761 include the following:

* Continuing Education Programs for California Paralegals to be provided only by either the state bar or by state bar-approved providers * Legal disputes with a California paralegal attorney fees are only awarded to prevailing plaintiff, i.e., a paralegal would never receive attorney fees even if he prevails in court * Educational standards California paralegals are now required to maintain extensive educational and continuing education records

No sooner than six weeks after the Business and Professions Code sections 6450, et seq., went into effect that a new bill was introduced by a Sacramento law firm, seeking to clarify the allowable tasks that a California paralegal may perform. The bill includes the following language: Paralegal means a person who holds him or herself out to be a paralegal, who is qualified by education, training, or work experience.

Read More On Facts And Insights Of California Paralegal

New Bankruptcy Training Course Provides 7 CLE Credits for Paralegals

713Training.Com develops first nationally-recognized bankruptcy training materials

Columbus, Ohio based company, 713Training.Com has recently introduced the first nationally-recognized training materials for bankruptcy paralegals working in the debtor area of law. The recognition was provided by NALS (the association for legal professionals.)

The training materials developed by 713Training.Com are quite extensive. The book, How to Start a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant Service is based on the idea that "bankruptcy assistants" can now work from home for bankruptcy attorneys nationwide. Under the new law, electronic filing is now mandatory for attorneys filing bankruptcy petitions. This has opened the door to create the "virtual bankruptcy assistant" field - which is growing very rapidly.

Attorneys love to use virtual bankruptcy assistants because they save them an average of 55% to 80% on overhead expenses. The process begins when attorneys are provided with a set of detailed Client Intake Forms that they give to their clients to fill out and return. The attorney reviews the information provided by the clients, then he or she sends the Client Intake Forms to the virtual bankruptcy assistant.

The virtual bankruptcy assistant inputs the initial draft of the bankruptcy petition, then contacts the client to obtain any additional information or to clarify data they provided on the Client Intake Forms. This crucial step is one of the reasons attorneys love the service of a virtual bankruptcy assistant. The client gets to know the "assistant" and this reduces redundant telephone calls to the law firm.

Next, the virtual assistant does an extensive online criminal, civil and deed search to verify some of the information provided by the client on the Client Intake Forms. This assists the attorney in meeting the "due diligence" requirement under the bankruptcy law.

Finally, the draft is returned to the attorney (via PDF format) to review. After review, the attorney can make changes to the document and file the bankruptcy petition or turn the job of electronic filing over to the virtual bankruptcy assistant.

Law firms have been using offsite services for many years, so this idea is not entirely new. Attorneys use runners to file documents in court. They use court reporters who prepare documents offsite. In fact, many attorneys take their work home and prepare their own documents outside the law firm anyway. Drafting bankruptcy petitions can now be added to that list of offsite services for law firms.

But drafting bankruptcy petitions (especially under the new law) requires a skill that needs a high-level of training. Drafting bankruptcy petitions is not simply data entry. Now, this high-level of training is being taught throughout the country by 713Training.Com. Through their books, videos, DVDs, weekly teleconferences, online exams and seminars - 713Training.Com is leading the way in providing professional training that will be a tremendous asset to the bankruptcy field in the years ahead.

To view the upcoming seminars that provide 7 CLE credits to paralegals, visit http://www.713training.com/seminars/

Submitted by:

713Training.Com http://www.713training.com Columbus, Ohio 43212-2303 Office: 614-875-4496

Since 1988, Victoria Ring has developed 7 different businesses from the ground-up. This experience enables Victoria to identify with almost every stage of business growth and the marketing tips and techniques she reveals to her audience can be put to use immediately. Currently, Victoria Ring is the CEO of 713Training.Com - a company dedicated to training debtor bankruptcy attorneys and their staff in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 petition drafting sk

Tips On Choosing The Best Online Paralegal School

Although the demand for many professional fields seem to be diminishing, the outlook for paralegals continues to be very bright. There is an ever increasing need for qualified individuals to help lawyers and corporations by indexing and filing the large amounts of paperwork that are involved in legal proceedings. Paralegals also may be used to interview witnesses and hold hearings as well. And a paralegal career is often a stepping stone to even greater involvement in the legal and governmental field.

So obviously, advanced training will be necessary in order to become a qualified paralegal. And here are some tips to help you choose the best paralegal school for your needs.

1. The very first and most important consideration regarding education in almost any field is to make sure that the school and the courses you will take are fully accredited by a recognized accreditation agency. This is important because in recent times there has been an increase in education scams, commonly referred to as diploma mills, that seem to offer quality training courses at bargain prices, whereas in reality the education received is of very little value in the workplace.

So when considering an online paralegal school, the first step is to make sure that their education program has been reviewed and accredited by educational peers who validate or verify that the education received is of high quality according to accepted educational standards. And you also will want to be sure that the program is approved by the American Bar Association.

2. Before choosing any online paralegal training program, it's good to ask a few questions of the school to determine how effective their training really is. For instance, you can ask them how many of the enrolled students actually finish or complete the courses provided? Also, how many other former students have gone on to find meaningful employment in the paralegal field? The more success that their former students have had, the more likelihood that you can enjoy the same kind of results yourself.

3. Next you should also consider the costs associated with any particular online paralegal training program. Bear in mind that you will be saving the cost of having to stay on campus or travel back and forth as you would normally do at an off line school. Also, many online colleges that offer paralegal training have financial aid programs to help students out who cannot afford to pay all of their class tuition. So whichever school seems to appeal to you, be sure to contact them and ask about aid and assistance for meeting the costs of paralegal courses to find out what is available to you.

Choosing a career in the paralegal field is very timely as there is a tremendous need and demand for qualified paralegals in the workplace. And there are several high quality online schools that specialize in paralegal training to help fill that need. So if you use the suggestions are provided above to find an online paralegal training school, most likely you will be able to enjoy an exciting career in the legal field for many years to come.

You can find an online paralegal school and paralegal certificate programs and more by visiting our education website.

Do You Need A Paralegal Certificate?

Paralegals are an integral part of any law office, corporation or government agency that must work with lawyers. Paralegals keep the paperwork under control by indexing, photocopying, and organizing documents. Paralegals may also help draft legal documents, conduct hearings, and interview witnesses. The work of a paralegal depends both on experience, additional educational specialization, and the environment in which the paralegal works.

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations recommends that most paralegals have a bachelor?s degree. Although a survey indicated that only 50 percent of paralegals had a bachelor?s degree in 2001, the four-year degree is quickly becoming an expected standard in this rapidly growing field.

Paralegal certificate programs are offered by most colleges and universities, as well as online. Before enrolling in any program, make sure the program is approved by the American Bar Association. Paralegal certificate programs typically require a bachelor?s degree, strong critical thinking and communication skills, a secure understanding of law ethics, a legal vocabulary, experience in a law office, and the ability to conduct legal interviews and research. Some programs also require a minimum college GPA.

Paralegal certificate program participants can choose a variety of classes, such as management, public administration, policy-making, ethics and public responsibility, interviewing and research techniques, writing, and introductions to criminal, commercial and government law and litigation. The courses may also provide the foundation for a bachelor of arts degree in justice.

Though California is currently the only state to have educational requirements for paralegals, many employers require similar standards, including certification. Paralegal certification may be granted by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), by examination, and by the NFPA, by examination. Both of these programs require educational requirements to take the examination, which is why a paralegal certificate program may help a paralegal become certified. NALA has different combinations of education and experience to qualify for the test, and NFPA requires bachelor?s degree with at least two years paralegal experience.
 

What Is An Online Paralegal Bachelor's Degree Actually Worth?

Many people who choose to get online degrees as paralegals may be wondering how much they are worth in the job market. Most online colleges allow you to study for your Bachelor's degree as a paralegal. How much will the degree be worth when you graduate?

The employment of paralegals is expected to increase over the next eight years. Many law firms and other agencies want to reduce the costs of their services by hiring paralegals to assist them. Much of the work lawyers do is now carried out by paralegals. Competition for these types of jobs will continue and those who have formal training will have the best opportunities for quality employment.

Because of this, getting a Bachelor's degree from an online college will put students in high demand for employment. The amount that you will earn as a paralegal is dependent upon your education, and where you choose to work.

A student with a Bachelor's degree as a paralegal working in a large city or for the federal government can expect to earn as much as sixty thousand dollars a year. This is over half the income that the average American makes, and is above average.

Private law firms are the largest employers of paralegals. Despite this, more banks, corporations, insurance companies, and real estate firms are beginning to hire paralegals as well. This creates a large amount of employment opportunities for those who choose to pursue this type of career.

Paralegals who choose to specialize in areas such as bankruptcy or product liability will also have enormous employment opportunities. More corporations have begun setting up their own legal departments in order to save money. The market for paralegals will grow as large agencies and corporations assign paralegals larger and more important tasks.

People who choose to get degrees, as paralegals do not have to worry about such things as outsourcing, which primarily affects IT jobs. Being employed as a paralegal is stable in the sense that corporations and agencies will want paralegals working inhouse, and will not look overseas for this type of work.

However, paralegals maybe somewhat effected by recessions. Once business cycles decline, some paralegal services such as estate planning and other things maybe in less demand. Some paralegals maybe laid off or have their hours reduced during a recession. At the same time, the number of bankruptcies and other problems will increase, and this will give paralegals good employment opportunities even during a recession.

Despite this, the field of paralegals is expected to expand into the public as well as private sector. Community legal services, which help the poor, or elderly, will look to cut their costs by hiring paralegals. This presents even more employment opportunities for those who wish to pursue this field.

Getting an online Bachelor's degree as a paralegal is worth it, and an excellent investment in your future. It is a field, which is expected to grow for the next decade, and more and more different types of businesses will need paralegals. It is a field, which is protected from outsourcing and only moderately affected during a recession.

Mansi gupta recommends that you visit Online Paralegal Bachelor's Degree for more information.

Know The Necessity Of Paralegal Education

 

If you're seriously interested in knowing about paralegal education for paralegal jobs, you need to think beyond the basics. For Colleges where you can earn your Paralegal degree online or throughout the U.S. talk to an Admissions Advisor or google-search paralegal information online today and take the first step in becoming a paralegal.

The paralegal person is very important in the day to day running of legal firms and the legal departments of both Government and Private Organizations. Paralegal training equips Paralegals to have the same insightful knowledge about legal matters as lawyers so that they can be able to organize the efficient function of the law firms and legal departments.

The job of a Paralegal will among other things include preparing case files, indexing documents, interviewing witness, writing legal documents and conducting hearings. The one thing that makes the difference between a lawyer and a paralegal person is court appearance, which a paralegal does not do.

To be able to function effectively in the above capacity, a beginner paralegal should be a holder of a bachelor degree as stipulated by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)

This precondition is not nationally consistent, there is about 50% adherences; with about 30% other paralegals who are making do with associates degrees. The other 20% are people who have learned on the job and working without adequate qualifications.

You know that adequate training and qualification as a paralegal will help you make progress in your paralegal job. If you learned anything new about paralegal education for paralegal jobs in this article, you should go about becoming a paralegal armed with the necessary information you can easily find online.

Recommended: Online Paralegal Degree Success or Online Paralegal Degree Blog for more information and resources before you embark on online a Paralegal course