Messages

1

Paralegal Questions / Re: Do They Really Think That They're Smarter Than Us BCuz Of That Piece of Paper?

« on: December 27, 2012, 06:45:46 AM »

If they have to keep pointing out their additional education, it's obviously to make up for their failings elsewhere.  Such as competency or basic human decency.  I've worked with a few of these in my time, and the only thing is to move on to another firm when the opportunity arises.  It took me 4 different firms to find one worth staying at, and even then my biggest problem is with the Office Manager, who at least isn't an attorney.

2

What my boss did today... / Re: Lawyers are Psychopaths - Proof!

« on: December 27, 2012, 06:41:31 AM »

Thanks.  Traffic here isn't what it used to be, but it's nice to see some people are still finding it.

3

What my boss did today... / Re: Lawyers are Psychopaths - Proof!

« on: November 15, 2012, 07:57:18 AM »

Screwed?

4

What my boss did today... / Lawyers are Psychopaths - Proof!

« on: November 14, 2012, 09:08:56 AM »

A study was just published about the top professions linked to Psychopathic Personality Disorder.  Lawyers were #2 behind CEO's.  Are any of us truly surprised?

http://www.digitalspy.com/odd/news/a437450/professions-with-most-psychopaths-revealed-lawyers-journalists.html

5

Crazy Clients / CoWorkers / Re: Probate is hell >:(

« on: October 17, 2012, 07:25:37 AM »

I've worked in a lot of areas, but managed to avoid Probate thus far.  Sounds like I was lucky!

6

Crazy Clients / CoWorkers / Re: Your health as a paralegal

« on: July 26, 2012, 07:56:58 AM »

Important lesson, sorry you had to learn it that way.  I worked in that kind of environment when I started out, and got out of it as soon as I could.

7

General Stuff / Re: On Being New

« on: July 26, 2012, 07:55:20 AM »

Actually it's better for your boss to communicate primarily by e-mail in some respects.  That way, it's much harder for him to deny something he said earlier because you have a written record. 

8

General Stuff / Re: Office Structure for Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Accounting - HELP - SOS

« on: May 09, 2012, 08:24:15 AM »

You're missing Security, Building Maintenance, and the Parking Garage Attendant.  I think they go between Runners and Vendors.

9

General Stuff / Re: Professional Day..... Was it Recognized??? Do Tell

« on: May 09, 2012, 08:22:41 AM »

One of our new young associates gave me a nice card and a gift card.  The office did a group card for me and the secretaries.  Otherwise, not much of a big deal was made.

10

Share Good Things Here / Must have been created by a Paralegal

« on: March 15, 2012, 09:30:23 AM »

11

Share Good Things Here / Happy Friday!

« on: March 02, 2012, 01:20:23 PM »

12

General Stuff / Re: Paralegals and Legal Assistants

« on: February 28, 2012, 08:44:21 AM »

Where I am, there's no formal certification process for Paralegals or Legal Assistants, but most firms/employers of any significant size have specific duties in mind for each type of position.  It's possible to move from one position to the other, but usually only as the firm/employer deems you fit to do so based on experience and/or education. 

On occasion some of the smaller firms here, especially solo practitioners, blur the lines based on staffing needs and attorney preferences.  It's pretty hard to move from one of those practices into the bigger firms/employers though without education or extensive specific experience.

In short, it's a pretty formal split between Administrative Assistant/Secretary and Legal Assistant and Paralegal here.  I have heard of states/regions where the split is much less definitive though.  Wouldn't hurt for the ABA to set up stricter national standards for this type of thing, though. 

13

Whine Here / Re: This is what I am talking about...

« on: February 09, 2012, 08:24:23 AM »

Perhaps he will respond to guilt?  Try sending him an e-mail thanking him for the presentation and saying how much you appreciated the information.  Some people just need a little nudge to realize they screwed up.

14

Workin' for the Weekend / Feelin' Old

« on: February 07, 2012, 11:24:02 AM »

You're welcome!

15

Ask the IT guy / Re: Encoded media on DVD

« on: February 02, 2012, 11:16:51 AM »

If you can put the decryption software onto a laptop, you might be able to hook that up to the TV and play it.  Most laptops with DVD players have some kind of video output that works with modern TV's. 

Otherwise, I can't really say.