The Paralegals on Fire podcast features guest host Kristy Medo, a paralegal student sharing actionable strategies for current paralegal students or recent graduates entering the field. Kristy draws from her experience transitioning from the wellness industry to pursuing a paralegal career and landing a remote paralegal position. She encourages students to proactively prepare for their future roles by building resumes, creating LinkedIn profiles, and engaging with industry professionals early on to enhance their marketability.

Kristy emphasizes the importance of thinking like a paralegal even during the student phase, asking questions to gain clarity, and utilizing resources like the podcast for supplemental education. Her journey exemplifies how effective networking, being honest about skill levels, and demonstrating resourcefulness can lead to securing valuable opportunities in the paralegal field.

1. Build a comprehensive resume and LinkedIn profile as a student to showcase relevant skills and experiences.

2. Proactively reach out to industry professionals, attend networking events, and engage in conversations to build connections.

3. Develop a web portfolio with work product samples early in the program to demonstrate skills and progress.

4. Embrace the student phase to ask questions, seek clarity, and utilize available resources for continuous learning.

5. Transitioning to a paralegal role requires honesty about skill levels, willingness to learn, and problem-solving abilities.

Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources

In this episode, Ann delves into the power of curiosity as a paralegal superpower and its role in driving success in the legal profession. Drawing from her own experiences as a paralegal and paralegal manager, Ann emphasizes the importance of curiosity in fostering problem-solving skills, embracing a growth mindset, and utilizing technology to enhance career development. With practical tips and real-life examples, Ann highlights how curiosity can propel paralegals towards continuous learning and professional growth.

1. Curiosity serves as a crucial trait for paralegals, enabling them to investigate, learn, and adapt effectively in various legal scenarios.

2. Embracing a growth mindset allows paralegals to view challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation, ultimately fostering curiosity and enhancing decision-making skills.

3. Leveraging technology mindfully can support paralegals in expanding their knowledge base, conducting in-depth research, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving legal landscape.

4. Implementing the five w one h method and delving deeper into workflows and processes can optimize efficiency, organization, and performance in paralegal roles.

5. Continuous learning and exploration through resources like books and podcasts on curiosity at work can nurture curiosity, drive action, and lead to impactful professional development.

Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources

This podcast episode was also recorded as a video! You can watch it on the Paralegal Boot Camp's YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Ns1i8kpeyQw

Technology changes are an opportunity for paralegals to take the lead and be the go-to person on the legal team. AI is that time for paralegals now!

Ann Pearson interviews Jim Sullivan, an attorney-turned-tech person, who is also the co-founder of eDiscovery AI.

Jim gives us insightful tips and thoughts on how AI might affect paralegals and others in the legal industry.

👉 Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding AI vs. Predictive Coding: Learn the differences and advantages of AI over traditional predictive coding in document review.
2. AI for All Firm Sizes: Discover how both large and small law firms can implement AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
3. Practical Uses of AI: See how AI can assist paralegals with everyday tasks, from drafting emails to brainstorming legal arguments.
4. Future-Proof Your Career: Understand why staying ahead of AI trends is essential for career security and professional growth.

Connect with Jim Sullivan: https://ediscoveryai.com

Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources

In this episode, Ann delves into the essential numbers that paralegals working in law firms with billable hour requirements must track. She breaks down the key metrics of utilization, realization, and productivity, offering valuable advice on how paralegals can improve these numbers and enhance their performance in a competitive legal environment.

To see the calculations that Ann goes through in this episode, you can see them here: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-billable-hours-numbers-to-know/

• Improving utilization, realization, and productivity requires accurate time tracking, effective communication with billing partners, and strategic delegation of tasks to optimize workflow.

• Embracing billable hours as an integral aspect of the job role can lead to enhanced performance, increased job security, and career advancement opportunities for paralegals.

Did you know that Ann has a course to help take the stress out of meeting your billable hour requirement?

It's the Billable Hour Boot Camp and it's available here: https://paralegal-bootcamp.thinkific.com/courses/billable-hour-boot-camp-for-legal-professionals

She also teaches it as a live 5-part webinar series for law firms wanting to provide this training to their entire team. Learn more about the training here.

Be the first to get notified of the AI bootcamp by going here.

Learn how to make money on the side by applying to develop a course here.

In this episode, Ann delves into the delicate topic of receiving counteroffers from employers when attempting to transition to a new role. She shares personal experiences and insights to caution against seeking counteroffers solely for a salary increase and highlights the potential pitfalls of this strategy.

By analyzing the reasons why firms might not provide counteroffers, Ann sheds light on the dynamics of such situations and advises listeners on how to approach salary negotiations sensibly.

• Avoid seeking counteroffers from employers solely for a salary increase, as it may lead to unintended consequences.

• Understand the various reasons why firms might not provide counteroffers, such as budget constraints or firm policies.

• Approach salary negotiations with transparency and honesty, focusing on the actual value and growth opportunities in a new role.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career and cut YEARS off the typical learning curve that most new paralegals encounter when starting their careers. View our course offerings to see how we've helped thousands of paralegals like you.

Website: https://Paralegal-BootCamp.com

For more free paralegal resources, visit our Paralegal Resources page on the website.

Be the first to get notified of the AI bootcamp by going here.

Learn how to make money on the side by applying to develop a course here.

If you're interested in guest hosting, reach out to Ann on LinkedIn here.

In this episode, Ann delivers a series of exciting announcements, including a switch to Tuesday releases, the introduction of guest hosts on the podcast, plans to start recording video episodes, updates on new courses, and an intriguing project on creating online courses for paralegals. From practical strategies for paralegal success to innovative opportunities for skill development, this episode sets the stage for upcoming changes and enhancements to the podcast.

• Ann Pearson introduces guest hosting opportunities for paralegals specializing in various practice areas.

• The podcast will transition to video recordings, offering a new platform for engaging with the audience.

• Exciting new courses, including an AI Bootcamp for paralegals, are in the works to enhance professional development.

• Listeners can sign up for newsletters and stay updated on upcoming courses and opportunities for growth in the legal field.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career and cut YEARS off the typical learning curve that most new paralegals encounter when starting their careers. View our course offerings to see how we've helped thousands of paralegals like you.

Website: https://Paralegal-BootCamp.com

For more free paralegal resources, visit our Paralegal Resources page on the website.

In this episode, host Ann discusses the topic of making mistakes as a paralegal and how to handle them. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and assessing the mistake, notifying the attorney, fixing the mistake, and reflecting and learning from it. Pearson shares a cautionary tale of a secretary who tried to hide a mistake and the negative consequences that followed.

• Mistakes happen to everyone, even attorneys, and it's important to acknowledge and address them rather than trying to hide or cover them up.

• When a mistake occurs, it is crucial to assess how it happened and take responsibility for it. Avoid making excuses or blaming others.

• Communicating the mistake to the attorney should be done with honesty, professionalism, and a focus on potential solutions.

• Fixing the mistake may involve correcting documents, amending filings, or taking immediate steps to mitigate the impact on clients or cases.

• Reflection and learning from the mistake is essential to prevent similar errors in the future. Consider implementing workflows or procedures to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Are you a paralegal who wants to skip the learning curve and kickstart your career?

The Paralegal Boot Camp offers online courses to fast-track your paralegal career and cut YEARS off the typical learning curve that most new paralegals encounter when starting their careers. View our course offerings to see how we've helped thousands of paralegals like you.

Website: https://Paralegal-BootCamp.com

For more free paralegal resources, visit our Paralegal Resources page on the website.

What is Panic Mode Paralegal? It's that state you're in when you're new to your career, you haven't had any kind of structured on-the-job training, the attorney brings you another last-minute piecemeal project that needs to be done, and you panic, wondering and guessing if you're doing it the right way or not.

It doesn't have to be that way! In this episode, Ann discusses the Litigation Paralegal Career Accelerator method that helps new litigation paralegals move from Panic Mode Paralegal to Confident Case Strategist.

Join Ann inside the Litigation Paralegal Boot Camp if you want to accelerate your paralegal career. She holds monthly live group coaching calls with you for one year to support you as you work through the course video lessons.

Enrollment closes on May 2, 2024. Learn More Here.