Yes, the Blog Is Back

Layoffs have left many paralegals struggling to find work and meaning in their lives. Paralegals who had worked for the same firm for years suddenly found themselves out on the street with a cardboard box full of the contents of their desks and a pamphlet on collecting unemployment benefits. Days turned into months, and these tireless workers found themselves discouraged by the lack of postings, the lack of response from firms who would have aggressively courted them during better economic times, and the lack of income.

What did they do? I can’t speak for all paralegals, but this one, after receiving the news, did everything in her power to find a new job. In fact, that first night, I updated my resume right away and sent it in response to an ad. I answered ads, sent resumes, and networked as much as I could. I took advantage of the Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers, attending seminars in interviewing, confidence building, and job hunting. I even went to the weekly Job Club to commiserate with other unemployed people and receive support from those also navigating the unemployment waters. As the weeks ticked by, I made the decision to broaden my job search to include non-paralegal jobs, and with much deliberation and not a little excruciating pain, I pulled my blog offline. My fear was that it would hinder the possibility of a non-paralegal job, or come across as too public (or too focused - there is such a thing, I suppose) for the firms in my area.

I’m pleased to say that, after six months of searching, not only did I land a paralegal job, but I landed a great paralegal job at a mid-size firm. And, because I am once again employed as a paralegal, I’m relaunching my blog. Thank you, everyone, for your support, and I look forward to providing you with more information and news in the coming weeks.

Kern County Paralegal Association Honors Local Professionals

The Kern County Paralegal Association recently honored several professionals in the field locally.

BARBARA OLDFIELD was named the group’s Paralegal of the Year. She works as a paralegal with Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, Cooper, Rosenlieb and Kimball LLP, in Bakersfield. The law firm nominated her because, it said, she is “a standout among her peers.”

JESSICA STAHL received the association’s Outstanding Member of the Year award. She is a legal assistant and secretary with Klein DeNatale, working in civil litigation, international law, family law, Medi-Cal and estate planning. The award is given to members who contribute to the association’s efforts.

LAURA MEZA was named Volunteer of the Year by the group for her efforts on behalf of the association. She is a secretary and interpreter in Klein DeNatale’s bankruptcy department.

SISSY RUCKER received the group’s Jeannie Conner Memorial Scholarship, which helps pay for paralegal students or professionals to continue their education. Rucker, a paralegal in Klein DeNatale’s bankruptcy department, has been in the legal professional since 1980. She earned an associate’s degree at Bakersfield College, and attended California Pacific School of Law for one year.

(Source: The Bakersfield Californian)

Paralegal Careers Touted in Military, Lottery

Could being a paralegal be like winning your own personal lottery? I've been saying that for years, but if you work for the Arkansas Lottery Commission, you will cash in. A lottery paralegal makes $53,109 per year, while a paralegal for the Judicial Disability and Discipline Commission will make $34,324. (Source: Arkansas Times)

Meanwhile, Forbes has compiled a list of government jobs to apply to:

Job	Location	Salary Range
Contract Specialist	California, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Colorado	$56,411 to $94,200
Wage and Hour Investigator	San Jose, Calif.	$55,015 to $71,520
Paralegal Specialist	Long Beach, Calif.	$51,805 to $97,658

(Source: Forbes.com)

Registration for the NFPA Annual Meeting Is Now Open!

Registration for the National Federation of Paralegal Association’s 2009 Annual convention is now live on the NFPA website.

The Oregon Paralegal Association invites you to Come to Oregon and Be a Paralegal Pioneer at the 2009 Annual Convention being held at the Red Lion Hotel on the River at Jantzen Beach in Portland, Oregon from October 29th through November 1st, 2009. (And for those of you who read Lucky Magazine, there's a great article about shopping in Portland.) Arrive early and take advantage of the excellent schedule of continuing education, including four concurrent CLE tracks: PACE, Paralegal 101, Corporate/Business and Litigation/Technology, being held on Thursday, October 29th. You will also have the opportunity to hear special keynote luncheon speaker Robert Dugoni, a Pacific Northwest attorney and author of legal/crime thrillers. You won’t want to miss the Thursday evening Trade Show Reception spotlighting exhibitors and celebrating NFPA’s 35th Anniversary. Many exhibitors and vendors will be showing off the latest in legal technology and services.

Attendees will also be having fun at our Friday night social event, hob-knobbing with members of AAfPE (who will be also convening in Portland for their annual meeting, and have been specially invited to join us), laughing at comedian Jan McInnis, aka “The Work Lady”, and having fun at our special Harvest Fair. On Saturday and Sunday, local association representatives will be gathering on the Floor of the Convention and helping shape the future of the paralegal profession. So make plans to get on the Oregon Trail and be a Paralegal Pioneer!

For more information, please visit the NFPA website at www.paralegals.org.

Paralegal Hired to XL Insurance Aviation Division

XL Insurance, the global insurance operations of XL Capital Ltd., yesterday announced the expansion of its US Aviation operations with four new appointments to its New York-based underwriting team, including a former paralegal, Eileen Mitchell, as a Class Underwriter.

Eileen Mitchell brings aviation brokerage experience having worked most recently for Integro as well as Marsh. She has also worked with law firm Mendes & Mount as a paralegal working in aviation litigation management. Ms. Mitchell is a graduate of Marist College.

New Overtime Case Encourages Settlement

A Florida paralegal left her employer, only to turn around and sue for back overtime wages.  Neither she nor her attorney told her old firm that a lawsuit was coming, which resulted in annoyed appellate judges.  The moral of the story?  Make sure that, if you're suing for back overtime wages (or for anything else, really) that your lawyer contacts the defendant/defendant's attorney to see if settlement is a possibility.

Florida Registered Paralegal Program Is 3,000 Strong

On the anniversary of the Florida Registered Paralegal program, it had over 3,000 who had registered with the state bar.

In order to qualify for the FRP applicants must meet one of the following requirements: work experience or education, certification or grandfathering. The work experience or education requirement includes a variety of educational degree and years of work experience requirements. (details are available at flabar.org). The certification requirement can be fullfilled through successful completion of testing through either the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Assistants (NFPA).

Paralegals are optimistic regarding the future success of the program.

(Source: Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record)

Layoffs May Be Result of Herd Mentality

Snowballing layoffs may be evidence more of a herd mentality than a careful evaluation of costs and benefits, according to a business school professor.

The article goes on to note that, regardless of the firm's circumstances, the similar approach to cost-cutting may have nothing to do with the realities of each firm's situation.

(Source: ABA Journal)

March Massacres Continue: More Casualties in the Legal Field

In what seems to be a trend lately, firms are waiting until Thursday and Friday to make their layoffs. Today's casualties:

Katten Muchin Rosenman will lay off 23 attorneys and 46 staff members.

Jenner & Block has laid off 34 staff members in its Chicago headquarters and Washington, D.C. offices.

Smith Hired as Paralegal at Assets International

Southfield, Michigan-based Assets International LLC has hired Demetrius Smith as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant.

A graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s paralegal program with prior probate experience, Smith’s primary concentration will be to assist attorneys Michael J. Zwick and Katherine Razdolsky with all parts of the legal system, particularly probate court.

(Source: dBusinessNews)