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The Paralegal Voice
Legal Talk Network
190 episodes
4 days ago
The Paralegal Voice covers the latest issues and trends in the paralegal world. Hosted by Jill I. Francisco and Tony Sipp, The Paralegal Voice is an award winning show where leading paralegals and legal professionals discuss a range of topics from career tips and tactics to writing skills and hiring trends. The Paralegal Voice is a comprehensive educational resource for paralegals and all legal professionals at any level of experience.
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All content for The Paralegal Voice is the property of Legal Talk Network and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The Paralegal Voice covers the latest issues and trends in the paralegal world. Hosted by Jill I. Francisco and Tony Sipp, The Paralegal Voice is an award winning show where leading paralegals and legal professionals discuss a range of topics from career tips and tactics to writing skills and hiring trends. The Paralegal Voice is a comprehensive educational resource for paralegals and all legal professionals at any level of experience.
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Politics
Technology,
Business,
News
Episodes (20/190)
The Paralegal Voice
How Freelance Paralegal Professionals Boost Law Firm Efficiencies
Ever think of hanging up a shingle and going it alone as a freelance paralegal services provider? It can be done and there is a demand. Working in a firm isn’t your only option. Guest Corrin Swintosky is a freelance paralegal professional at her own company, Lucid Legal Support LLC, who specializes in helping small and midsize law firms increase efficiencies by providing extra help with criminal law cases as needed.   A former probation officer, Swintosky’s passions include helping expunge criminal records, getting offenders back on their feet and get their lives back on track after minor offenses and missteps. Even a minor mark on a person’s record can create barriers to housing, employment, voting, and everyday life.  Hear how Swintosky as a one-person show balances tech and business skills, how she learned to work side-by-side with attorneys, and how she leans confidently into her expertise.  Mentioned in This Episode: “New York Clean Slate Act Takes Effect on November 16, 2024, With New Obligations for Employers Running Criminal Background Checks,” LawAndTheWorkplace.com  “It's Time for a Federal Clean Slate,” The Clean Slate Initiative  NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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4 days ago
35 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Justice for All: A City’s Fight for Inclusion, Respect, and Fairness for Everyone
How do professionals in the legal community help protect and enhance the civil rights we all deserve? Guest Capri Maddox is the executive director of the Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, working to ensure Los Angeles is a city of belonging, justice, and a welcoming space for all.  She’s an attorney, but she also worked as a paralegal professional, and she recognizes how big projects depend on every level of the legal team.  As a former prosecutor, Maddox says she knows no city can arrest its way to safety. Described as “a powerhouse of purpose,” she believes the only way to ensure public safety is to make sure everyone feels included, feels represented, and feels that justice works for all, not just a few.  Her team’s latest campaign is a simple, yet powerful project called “Just Say Hello.” The idea is that if people say “hello” to a stranger once in a while, it can create a friendlier, more inclusive city. As she notes, it’s unlikely someone will mistreat someone if they’ve just said “hello” to each other. Hear how we can all do something in our own communities to ensure everyone feels welcome, respected, safe, and empowered. NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2026 Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department  LAIsForEveryone.com “LA Civil Rights Celebrates ‘Just Say Hello’ Campaign Citywide for International Friendship Day 2025”  The LA For All Campaign “I Belong. You Belong. We Belong. Theme for Fourth Annual LA For All Week”  LA Law Day 2025 Using social media? The campaigns’ hashtag is #LAIsForAll Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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3 weeks ago
37 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Beyond CLE, Training for Life and Living as a Paralegal Professional
Paralegals can find themselves on an island at the workplace, left without training, mentorship, and opportunities for growth and advancement in a sink or swim environment. It doesn’t have to be that way.  Guest Eda Rosa is a former paralegal who founded her own firm, Eda Rosa LLC, in 2017. The legal consulting and training company is dedicated to transforming the legal industry from the inside out. Rosa says CLE classes are fine for the nuts and bolts, but what about training to avoid burnout and build “soft skills” that make life and work better?  Training shouldn’t stop with paralegal classes and company onboarding. Continuous education and team building exercises ensure teams remain strong and develop as a unit. Every player on a legal team has a role, failure to bring along every player hurts the entire firm.  Hear how Rosa “learned by doing,” growing into her own professional self, earning a master’s degree in law, and then turned her insights into a mission to help paralegal professionals advance their careers and live their best lives both in and out of the office.  Resources:  Previous appearance on the Legal Talk Network, Legal Rebels, “What Does the Future Hold for Licensed Paraprofessionals?”  NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 month ago
43 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
The Shifting Sands of Immigration Law and AI: What to Know Now
We’re at an interesting and dynamic point in time for immigration law, with Supreme Court rulings and presidential executive orders reshaping the field and challenging the system’s status quo.  The administrative area of immigration law is especially difficult for legal professionals. In an immigration hearing, the judge is essentially on the same “team” as the prosecutor, and because immigration policies are largely under the federal executive branch, the rules seem to shift every four years with a new presidential term.  Guest Nikki Mehrpoo is a former judge, a scholar, and the first and only California dual certified legal specialist in immigration and Workers’ Compensation law. She is a lawyer as well as a professor of law at West Los Angeles College. She recently created the  MedLegal Professor, a project dedicated to the ethical use of AI technologies in the field of law and medicine.  In this timely episode of Paralegal Voice, Mehrpoo unpacks recent Supreme Court rulings, executive orders, and even the use of AI facial recognition that are reshaping the field of immigration law. As a legal professional, what we think we know may be subject to change day by day, ruling by ruling.  Mentioned in This Episode: Previous appearance on Paralegal Voice, “Digging Into California Workers’ Compensation (Plus, Career Advice From a True Pro)”  LAPA Noem v. Perdomo, SCOTUSblog coverage “Immigration Officers Intensify Arrests in Courthouse Hallways on a Fast Track to Deportation,” Associated Press “ICE Awards Clearview AI $9.2M Facial Recognition Contract,” Biometric Update “Nevada Judge Takes Creative and Unusual Approach to Combat AI-Generated Fictitious Citations,” LawNext “The EU Artificial Intelligence Act” Clearview AI NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 month ago
48 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Blazing a Trail: The Role of Paralegal Associations in a Changing World
The paralegal profession is evolving at breakneck speed, driven by emerging technology such as AI and the era of “video connectivity” brought on by the pandemic. It’s up to paralegal associations to keep up.  Guests Milady Cambare and Travis Chow are veteran paralegals and the respective presidents of the Orange County and Los Angeles paralegal associations. They share how their associations are working to stay ahead of technology and ensure no member is left behind or left out.  Today’s information jungle can be beneficial, including social media, Chow says, and paralegals need to keep up with the array of technology. But, Cambare adds, there is still space for in-person events, such as dinner cruises, conferences, and even ice cream socials. As tech takes over more of our lives, she says it’s vital that associations remember the importance of in-person events that connect generations of paralegal professionals. Cambare and Chow are trailblazers in the paralegal field, envisioning the future of paralegal associations and championing the value of membership, networking, and lifelong learning. Hear how association membership and engagement is more important today than ever before.  The paralegal profession is evolving at breakneck speed, driven by emerging technology such as AI and the era of “video connectivity” brought on by the pandemic. It’s up to paralegal associations to keep up.  Guests Milady Cambare and Travis Chow are veteran paralegals and the respective presidents of the Orange County and Los Angeles paralegal associations. They share how their associations are working to stay ahead of technology and ensure no member is left behind or left out.  Today’s information jungle can be beneficial, including social media, Chow says, and paralegals need to keep up with the array of technology. But, Cambare adds, there is still space for in-person events, such as dinner cruises, conferences, and even ice cream socials. As tech takes over more of our lives, she says it’s vital that associations remember the importance of in-person events that connect generations of paralegal professionals. Cambare and Chow are trailblazers in the paralegal field, envisioning the future of paralegal associations and championing the value of membership, networking, and lifelong learning. Hear how association membership and engagement is more important today than ever before.  Mentioned in This Episode: Google Meet Zoom Survey Monkey Orange County Paralegal Association Los Angeles Paralegal Association NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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2 months ago
35 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
From Paralegal to “Paraleader.” What Legal Recruiters Look For.
Guest and professional legal recruiter Tracey Perkins says in 2025 every paralegal professional should know the importance of technology, especially AI. But she stresses the best paralegals always manage the tech and never let the tech manage them. AI is a tool that can spur efficiency, but it will never replace the mind and analytical skills of a skilled paralegal professional. In the rapidly advancing world of legal tech, grit matters. You’ve got to keep up. Pushing yourself through even the toughest challenges builds the professional you are destined to become. Perkins is a paralegal professional, educator, and legal industry recruiter who has driven herself forward for more than 20 years. She brings the lessons she learned to every aspect of her life and strives to share each one with every student and every job seeker. Plus, learn insider tips for when you’re applying for a new position: Don’t include photos on your resume, learn to professionally format everything. Time is money, so get to the bullet points and focus on clear, concise communication. No fluff, no fillers. (And please, no silly email addresses, keep it professional). Hear Perkins’ golden rules for building professional relationships and her pro tips for your LinkedIn page. Get fired up and get hired. Mentioned in This Episode: CliftonStrengths assessment NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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4 months ago
44 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
AI Is Here, How Will Paralegal Professionals Remain Vital?
AI is coming, and it may be coming for your job. Guest Dan Lear, vice president of partnerships at the digital case management company InfoTrack, shares how paralegal professionals can adapt and remain vital. Spoiler, you can’t ignore the AI revolution, but you can learn, evolve, and deliver insights and human skills that AI simply can’t match.  File, case, and data management has come a long way, from physically moving boxes of paper filings to electronic management, and Lear has done it all, from moving paper files to his current position legal tech. Along the way, Lear advanced from a file clerk position to a career as a paralegal professional, then earning his law degree. Now he’s exploring and embracing AI capabilities. Having worked as a paralegal, Lear understands how vital the profession is to the practice of law, at times even “training” newly minted attorneys as they transition from learning the principles of the law to actually getting the job done.  As Lear explains, lifelong learning, networking, and building strong connections will become increasingly important moving forward, whether you’re a newcomer to the field or an experienced veteran.  Mentioned in This Episode: “Behind the Curtain: A White-Collar Bloodbath,” Axios “Tech CEO Warns AI Will Eliminate Jobs. What Can You Do to Protect Your Career?” ABC7 Los Angeles “The Free-Time Paradox in America,” The Atlantic Claude AI ChatGPT / OpenAI Google Gemini Off The Record NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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5 months ago
36 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
From Classroom to Social Media to Cruise Ship? New Ways to Learn.
Guest Linda McGrath-Cruz worked as a paralegal professional in private practice and in-house (including Royal Caribbean) for 28 years, and she’s a leader for the Paralegal Navigating Perilous Waters cruise, a CLE paralegal conference that takes place on a cruise ship (how cool is that?).  She is currently the program coordinator and a full-time faculty member in the paralegal program at St. Johns River State College in Florida, a hands-on, real-life program that helps students get jobs and then get the job done. She is also the founder and leader of the social media program Perfectly Paralegal, a community that offers resources, support, and continuing education to paralegal professionals nationwide. We all need NALA continuing ed credits, but why not make it a family vacation on a cruise ship? Courses on the Perilous Waters cruise are arranged to provide both credits but also leave time for networking, sharing tips, and having fun. Make it a family trip, a friends group outing, or a company event. Learn while you sail.  Whether it’s in the classroom or on the high seas, McGrath-Cruz is dedicated to sharing what she’s learned with practical teachings that make you better and advance your career. Get excited and get involved. Mentioned in This Episode: Paralegals Navigating Perilous Waters Cruise, March 6, 2026  St. Johns River State College Paralegal Program NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA CP exams NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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6 months ago
49 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Be a Legal MacGyver. Learn More, Create Solutions
Guest Huascar Matos is a paralegal professional and the new president of the International Practice Management Association (IPMA). He has a varied background including a degree in Spanish and time in the fashion and art industry. After an unusual and unexpected path, he has found himself as a director of paralegals at the firm of Foley & Lardner.  It’s an exciting time for the IPMA as members consider international expansion, the “elephant in the room” of artificial intelligence, and the evolution of a constantly changing profession. AI may shake up the game, but Matos reminds us the legal profession is never static, enduring the shift from paper to e-discovering, the addition of computer capabilities, and other technologies.  Paralegals, Matos says, will adjust and adapt as they always have. Being part of an organization such as IPMA helps paralegals understand new trends and learn new skills. Robots are not going to take over your job, but AI could help you do it better.  Hear about Matos’ own career path and the advice he has for those new to the profession. Stepping up, volunteering for new duties, and learning as you go will build your career and get you noticed. Don’t put yourself in a box. Be a “legal MacGyver.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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6 months ago
30 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
50 Years of NALA! Get the Scoop on 2025 From NALA CEO Vanessa Finley
What’s new for NALA in 2025? Get the scoop from guest Vanessa “Vinnie” Finley, the CEO of NALA since 2019. There’s plenty of news about the upcoming NALA conference and new initiatives to help you be your best professional self.  2025 is no ordinary year for NALA as the paralegal association celebrates 50 years. Start with the latest on the 2025 NALA Conference & Expo, July 10-12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Earn continuing education credits, network, learn new skills, and hear about NALA’s plans for the future. Early bird registration ends May 7.  Plus, dig into NALA’s newest national survey on utilization compensation and learn about trends in pay, billing, and benefits. You’ll also hear about new limited licensing programs, AI, and trends across the field. And we’ll talk about NALA’s new Resource Navigator, pulling together vendor information and the newest in tech, and a new collection of relevant articles and updates on NALA’s free Paralegal Brief page. Even more? How about a review of NALA’s work with affiliates and students nationwide and an upcoming free webinar on billable hours. This special episode has it all. Mentioned in This Episode: Vanessa Finley, prior appearance on Paralegal Voice, “The Year Ahead For NALA, Plus A Preview Of The 2024 Conference”  Vanessa Finley, prior appearance on Paralegal Voice, “The NALA Paralegal Jobs Report: Get Paid What You’re Worth!”   NALA, The Paralegal Association  NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA Resource Navigator NALA Paralegal Brief Get involved with NALA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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7 months ago
40 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Acclaimed Author Jesse Leon on Tragedy, Struggle, Hope, and Success.
In this powerful, and deeply emotional and inspirational episode, acclaimed author and speaker Jesse Leon tackles sensitive issues including human trafficking and substance abuse and how he rose above the challenges on his path to success. Leon grew up homeless, addicted, and sexually trafficked. But he survived and is here to remind all of us that we all matter, and we can grow and rise above. None of us are alone.  Leon shares his struggles and ultimate triumph as motivation and inspiration. No matter where you are in life, you are important, you can overcome. We are all warriors. If you’re struggling, if you’re hurting, there is help. People do care about you. There is help out there.  Mentioned in This Episode: “I’m Not Broken” by Jesse Leon, available at Amazon National Public Radio (NPR) “'I'm Not Broken' Is About Being Broken — And Building a New Life” 2022 MenHealing.org NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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7 months ago
31 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Making Yourself Essential, The Art of Becoming Indispensable.
Guest Natalie Athas is an experienced international paralegal for a Southern California law firm. She set out to become a nurse but wound up getting into the legal profession and found her place. She worked her way up through a number of positions, starting at the ground floor. Funny how things work out.  Hear about the typical day of a busy paralegal serving a litigation team. She travels extensively as part of her job, mentoring new paralegal groups for her firm around the country. “My day is like a box of chocolates,” she says. “I never know what I’m going to get.”  As she worked through the ranks, Athas took advantage of every opportunity to take on new tasks, from making herself an “essential employee” during the COVID pandemic, coming into the office while others worked from home (even doing the “COVID Cleaning” of door handles and keyboards) to learning Zoom trials and filling in when other branches of the firm are short staffed.  This episode is a great guide to self-propelled career advancement and becoming so essential to your firm’s operations they wouldn’t even think of leaving you behind if they downsize. Stay visible, put in the hours, and build your skills. These are tips for success you don’t want to miss.  Mentioned in This Episode: Trial Director OnCue trial presentation software NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Los Angeles Paralegal Association California Lawyers Association Orange County Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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8 months ago
37 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Evidence, Tech, and You. How Paralegals Shine in the Digital World.
 Today’s legal evidence, more than ever, is digital. We’re not digging through boxes of paperwork and memos anymore. In its own way, paper evidence was easy – if time consuming – to request, sift through, organize, present, and protect. But today, evidence lives in the digital universe. We find evidence in emails, tablets, mobile devices, computers, the cloud, cell phones, even digital doorbells and devices connected through the Internet of Things (IoT).  Guest John Sammons is an author and professor teaching digital forensics at Marshall University and is the associate director of the Marshall Institute for Cyber Security. He explains how vital paralegal professionals have become in the struggle to gather, understand, decipher, explain, and protect today’s digital evidence.  More than ever, well-educated and up-to-date paralegal professionals become indispensable as they help their legal teams understand what to ask for, where digital evidence might be hiding, and how to clearly explain these complex clues to a judge and jury.  Sammons explains how advancing technologies, AI, digital duplicates, and speech replication tech are making tech-savvy paralegal professionals irreplaceable components inside their organizations. Get inspired to get out there and learn something new today.  Mentioned in This Episode: American Academy of Forensic Sciences CES, Consumer Electronics Show Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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8 months ago
44 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Passing the NALA CP® Exam, Help Is Here!
Ever wonder what it takes to pass the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) certification exam? Let’s break it down and set you apart in your field. You can do this.  Guest Lori Young is a full-time faculty member at the College of the Canyons in California and a part-time instructor at the University of California Santa Barbara. She has been a paralegal professional for more than 25 years and specializes in legal tech, contract law, estate planning, and helping students just like you prepare for and pass the CP exam.  Young knows firsthand the ins and outs of the CP exam. She freely admits she failed it the first time, so she’s been there, done that, and knows what it takes. She buckled down and passed, then helped develop a curriculum to help others pass the exam the first time. She offers tips and inspiration for anyone considering taking the plunge. (Spoiler: Taking a prep course can give you the confidence you need).  In California, CP Exam test prep programs are free at community colleges, but they’re also available at a very low cost online for those outside the state. Certification can boost your career, elevate your performance, increase your confidence, and make you more valuable to your team. Bottom line: the CP designation opens new doors. No more putting it off.  Lori also offers her first hand experience with the recent California wildfires. The College of the Canyons became an evacuation center for the community and served as a center for the Incident Command team. She urges paralegal students to become more involved in their communities via volunteer opportunities and working with legal clinics to assist those impacted by disaster.  Mentioned in This Episode: NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) program NALA CP practice exam Certified Paralegal Exam Test Preparation Program, College of the Canyons NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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9 months ago
36 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Learn, Learn, Learn. Grow Your Career Through Education And Involvement
Life is an opportunity to learn, and learning never stops. Guest Jonathan Dang served in the military, then earned a bachelor’s degree, and then earned his master’s degree. He’s a big believer in lifelong learning, there’s never a bad time to take a course, boost your career, and learn something new.  Hear how Dang started out looking for direction, found his way, learned from mentors, and finally became a leader in his field. If you’re new to the field and want to take on a leadership role, start with being a “servant leader,” go above and beyond and accept new challenges and volunteer for unexpected tasks. Learn something new every day. Yes, it’s hard. But it’s also fun.  Dang’s openness to new experiences, his networking and involvement in his local Paralegal Association, and his journey from mentee to mentor continues to fuel his career. You can do this. Break out of your shell and be excited.  Mentioned in This Episode: Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) LAPA on LinkedIn LAPA events page Marine Corps, Toys for Tots NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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9 months ago
25 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Mastering E-Discovery, Legal Tech, and Herding Digital Cats at Your Firm
Digital information management is a delicate balancing act, connecting the moving parts of a busy legal operation with the information technologists who manage the data. How do you pull an entire office together and manage and leverage all that information?  Guest Stephanie Clerkin is the Director of Litigation Support at Korein Tillery and a 2024 recipient of the Gayle O’Connor Spirit Award, which celebrates e-discovery and legal technology leaders who make noteworthy contributions to the fields of e-discovery, legal tech, information governance, cybersecurity, and data privacy. The award is named for the late Gayle O’Connor.  Hear some of the secrets of bringing people together around technology (even dragging along some of the stragglers who have “always done it this way”). You’ll learn to adapt to different styles, demonstrate the value of efficient data management, and sometimes do more with less. Legal tech and data management never sleeps. Helping everyone – from support staff to senior attorneys – keep up is a challenge.  Finding a mentor, establishing a work life balance, and mastering technology test us all, but Clerkin has tips you can put to work now.  Mentioned in This Episode: Gayle O’Connor Spirit Award announcement Relativity e-discovery platform Relativity certifications Make-A-Wish Young Professionals NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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10 months ago
36 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Paralegals To The Rescue, Leading The Way In Legal Tech Integration
Where do technology and the paralegal profession intersect? Everywhere. Guest Karen Tuschak is a legal tech pioneer with more than 30 years of experience in the legal profession. She combined her experience, knowledge, and her passion for innovative technology to form her own company, Spider Silk Innovative Solutions in Toronto, Canada. Her company helps law firms and paralegals become more productive through technology and innovation.  Tuschak believes every paralegal professional can be their firm’s technology champion and driver. Technology continues to push the legal profession forward. E-discovery, data visualization, and case management are getting faster and better.  Tuschak doesn’t worry about an AI systems taking over a paralegal’s job. Today’s latest tech actually helps paralegal professionals do better work, faster. Don’t be afraid of the latest and greatest. Instead, master it.  The paralegal profession never stands still, and Tuschak sees endless opportunities for paralegal professionals. Project management, wrangling details, managing billing, and driving the adoption of legal tech create new roles seemingly daily. Hear how Tuschak nudges firms to invest in staff development, education, and tech and how you can get ahead in your own career through technology. Mentioned in This Episode: LinkedIn  NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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10 months ago
40 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
New President Cheryl Nodarse Leads NALA Into Its 50th Year
Guest Cheryl Nodarse, ACP, talks about her goals as the new president of NALA. With her background as past NALA vice president and secretary, Nodarse has a clear vision for the national organization of paralegal professionals.  NALA’s relationship with affiliated associations takes a spot at the top of Nodarse’s agenda, as well as developing the relationships between paralegal educators and students. Plus, 2025 marks NALA’s 50th anniversary and the first National Paralegal Day.  Nodarse and hosts Jill Francisco and Tony Sipp also discuss a new era of “breakaway careers” for paralegal professionals and how the skill set and education positions them well in an increasingly complex and digital world. Doesn’t matter what the job title is, a foundation in paralegal work applies to so many interesting career paths. Your skills are in demand.  As the profession changes, as opportunities arise and evolve, Nodarse has her sights set on helping NALA stay involved and help guide the profession forward. This is a great time to be a part of NALA. Mentioned in This Episode: National Paralegal Day, August 6, 2025 List of NALA Affiliated Associations  “Rule Change To Allow Paraprofessionals To Offer Limited Legal Services Proposed By Top Texas Court,” ABA Journal  Paralegal Association of Florida, Palm Beach Chapter NALA, Facts and Findings  NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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12 months ago
46 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Neurodivergence, Communication, and Connections. Understanding Our Differences.
Guest Christina Hough dives into the topic of neurodivergence in the legal field. The subject refers to how people learn and behave. We’re all “neurodivergent” in that we are all different. The term covers everything from the autism spectrum to ADHD issues to our own individual quirks and how we interact, learn, and understand each other.  When it comes to neurodivergence, the legal system has a particular interest. It has been estimated about 12.5% of lawyers report having ADHD, attention deficit disorders, nearly triple the rate of the general population. And that’s just the beginning. Law is a stressful profession, and many may not know they have a neurodivergence issue – issues that may only reveal themselves under extreme stress. That’s why awareness is so important as we learn to account for our own differences and others’ and make sure we are communicating with and understanding coworkers and even opposing counsel and witnesses. It all starts with being aware and giving thought to how the person across the desk processes information and communicates. As the great (fictional) attorney Atticus Finch taught us in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Mentioned in This Episode: San Diego Paralegal Association “Lawyers With ADHD: Understanding Neurodiversity in the Legal Profession,” JD Nation “Neurodivergence in Law: The Importance of Advanced Communication in Legal and Neutral Practice” from Will Work for Food with Christina Hough Christina Hough’s Presentation “To Kill a Mockingbird Quote Analysis,” Bartleby NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA, The Paralegal Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 year ago
37 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
Stress, Burnout, and the Legal Profession: It’s OK To Talk About It
Legal burnout. It’s a real thing. Let’s talk about it. On the podcast “The Legal Burnouts,” guests Kate Bridal and Josey Hoff have opened up about burnout. Both worked in law, Bridal as an attorney and Hoff as a paralegal. One day they realized they’d had enough. They were burned out. They know what they’re talking about, and they know what many in the legal profession are going through.  Burnout is real. It’s an emotionally grinding field with physically grueling time demands. If you’re feeling the stress, understand what your body is telling you. Understand that you are not alone and know that it’s OK to talk about it.  Bridal and Hoff explain how to recognize burnout and how to put a name on what you feel. Of course, there are times when you’ll work hard, there are periods of stress in any job. But when you find that you can’t turn it off, that every stressful day leads to another stressful day, when you can’t let yourself take a break, it may be time to examine what’s going on in your life.  Legal professionals are by nature competitive, driven people. It can be hard to turn that off or accept that you’ve simply reached your limit and don’t have another gear. But there is more to life, take care of yourself.  If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at Jfrancisco@lawgical.com and HaveASipp@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1 year ago
38 minutes

The Paralegal Voice
The Paralegal Voice covers the latest issues and trends in the paralegal world. Hosted by Jill I. Francisco and Tony Sipp, The Paralegal Voice is an award winning show where leading paralegals and legal professionals discuss a range of topics from career tips and tactics to writing skills and hiring trends. The Paralegal Voice is a comprehensive educational resource for paralegals and all legal professionals at any level of experience.