Member Spotlight: Breaking Down a Top Group Discussion

The Classic Entry-level Catch-22

The classic entry-level catch-22 is familiar to almost everyone entering the legal field: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.

If you are holding an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or transitioning into the legal field and looking for your first big break, you don't have to wait for luck to strike. By leveraging your transferable skills, education, and strategic positioning, you can capture a hiring manager's attention and secure that crucial first interview.

6 Break Through Proven Strategies

Here are 6 proven strategies to help you break through the entry-level barrier and land your first paralegal interview—along with practical advice to elevate your interviewing habits.

1. Build a Writing and Work Sample Portfolio
One of the most effective ways to prove your capability is to show, rather than just tell. During your AAS coursework or legal studies, you likely drafted research memos, complaints, discovery requests, or case summaries. 
Gather your strongest academic assignments, scrub any identifying details, and assemble them into a clean, professional digital or printed portfolio.
Interview Mastery Tip: Bring these real work samples to an interview to provide concrete evidence of your writing, research, and formatting skills. This immediately sets you apart from candidates who only discuss their abilities in theory.

• Do not just offer writing samples at random.

Frame your answers around the documents so they serve as a direct illustration of your professional skills and education. 
For example: "When I conducted legal research for a mock slip-and-fall complaint in my Torts course, I structured the legal memo using IRAC format—as you can see right here on page two of my portfolio."

2. Gain Real-World Hours Through Pro Bono and Volunteer Work
If you lack paid legal experience, volunteer work offers a fast track to building your resume. Legal aid clinics, court self-help centers, bar association pro bono projects, and local non-profits frequently need assistance with intake interviews, document organization, and basic administrative tasks.
Even dedicating just a few hours a week to pro bono work gives you real-world legal tasks to list on your resume and discuss during job interviews. Beyond expanding your technical skills, it demonstrates high initiative and a genuine commitment to the legal profession.
Many volunteer opportunities teach students how to gather crucial case, biological, and family details from clients—a skill in high demand within the legal community. However, despite how sought-after this capability is, many volunteers feel that personal intake data isn't "glamorous" enough to advance their careers. They couldn't be more wrong. If you find yourself in a volunteer role gathering facts and completing biographical forms, you are mastering a foundational skill that can set you apart. Don't squander it.

3. Master the STAR Method for Interviews
When you land an interview, preparation is key to overcoming a lack of formal experience. Frame your responses using the STAR method to keep your answers structured and persuasive:

• Situation: Set the scene and give context.
• Task: Explain the challenge or task at hand.
• Action: Detail the step-by-step actions you took.
• Result: Highlight the positive outcome, key metric, or grade achieved.

Example: When asked about your ability to handle tight deadlines, describe a complex research project from your degree program.
Explain the time constraints involved, detail how you prioritized your workload and utilized legal databases, and conclude with the high grade or positive instructor feedback you received. This structure ensures your answers sound polished, organized, and deeply professional, while highlighting skills that are otherwise difficult to demonstrate.

Think STAR is just for interviews? Use it in networking in person and on social media. A quick 30-second Situation-Task-Action-Result frame helps you sound polished, highlight team wins, and hold attention without rambling.

4. Leverage Professional Communities and Career Coaching
Networking remains one of the most reliable avenues for discovering unadvertised job opportunities—often referred to as the "hidden job market." Actively participating in online legal groups, attending local paralegal association meetings, and connecting with working paralegals on professional networks like LinkedIn can open doors that traditional job boards simply cannot.
Networking is not constantly broadcasting that you need a job. Doing so comes across as desperate and self-serving, which actually pushes people away instead of pulling them in. 

Professional networking isn't a digital breadline; it's a two-way street built on mutual value, trust, and connection. If you join a Facebook group or community and only show up to ask for favors, nobody has any reason to help you because they don't know who you are, what you stand for, or what skills you actually possess. 

True opportunities flow when you consistently contribute, share insights, demonstrate your expertise, and build genuine relationships long before you ever need to ask for a job.

For candidates who want a tailored roadmap, working with an established career coach or professional service—such as Best Virtual Paralegal LLC—can provide personalized guidance on resume optimization, mock interview practice, and targeted job search strategies designed specifically for the legal sector.

5. Highlight Transferable Administrative and Soft Skills
Legal teams depend heavily on organization, discretion, communication, and project management. Even if your prior work history is in retail, customer service, healthcare, or corporate administration, those experiences hold immense value.
Audit your past roles and map them directly to paralegal responsibilities:

• Customer service becomes client intake and dispute de-escalation.
• Office management becomes document tracking, scheduling, and file management.
• Data entry becomes fact-checking, indexing, and high-accuracy billing.

Tailor your resume bullet points to emphasize these transferable strengths so legal recruiters see an asset, not a novice.

6. Optimize Your Resume for Legal ATS Systems
Many law firms and corporate legal departments use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human ever reads them. Without prior paralegal job titles, your resume must be strategically keyword-optimized based on the job posting.
Feature your AAS degree, relevant legal coursework (e.g., Civil Litigation, Legal Research & Writing, Ethics), software proficiencies (e.g., Clio, LexisNexis, Westlaw, MS Office), and key legal terminology near the top of your resume in a dedicated Core Competencies or Technical Skills section.

Ready to Turn Your Applications into Interviews?
Landing your first paralegal role without prior experience isn't about luck—it's about strategy, positioning, and confidence. With a proactive plan, strong work samples, and a sharp interview approach, landing that first big break is well within your reach.
If you are ready to stop sending resumes into the void and start landing interviews, Best Virtual Paralegal LLC is here to guide your journey. Our specialized Career Coaching & Resume Services are tailored specifically for aspiring paralegals and legal professionals. From ATS-optimized resumes and portfolio building to targeted mock interview coaching, we give you the expert tools and competitive edge needed to stand out.

Holly A. Sheriff is the founder and CEO of Best Virtual Paralegal LLC, a pioneer in the virtual legal support industry, and an award-winning master coach with over 30 years of legal experience. A veteran litigation paralegal, certified career and empowerment coach, speaker, and legal educator, Holly empowers legal professionals and law firms to streamline workflows, eliminate burnout practices, and achieve true work-life balance and professional excellence. Connect with Holly & her team:  Phone (Voice & Text): (717) 747-3588
Connect & Bio Link: Best Virtual Paralegal - Holly Sheriff

👉 Contact Best Virtual Paralegal LLC Today to schedule your career consultation and take the first decisive step toward your new legal career!

After spending more than 20 years working in the legal industry and the last several years in legal recruiting, I’ve been on both sides of the interview process. I’ve been the nervous candidate trying to make a great impression, and I’ve also been the recruiter preparing candidates for interviews and hearing feedback afterward.

One thing I can tell you is that interviews are not only about having the right experience on your résumé. How you prepare, communicate, and present yourself can make a huge difference.

Whether you’re interviewing for your first paralegal position, looking for your next opportunity, or trying to move into a more senior role, here are some of the things I recommend before your next interview.

Your Interview With the Recruiter Counts Too

One thing candidates sometimes forget is that your interview with the recruiter is still an interview. Whether you’re speaking with an agency recruiter or someone who recruits directly for the firm, treat that conversation with the same professionalism you would in an interview with the employer.

Be on time for scheduled phone and video calls, be prepared to talk about your experience, and remember that the impression you make matters. Your recruiter may be the person introducing you to the hiring team and advocating for you throughout the process.

You should absolutely be honest with your recruiter — that’s how we learn what you’re really looking for and whether an opportunity is a good fit. But there’s a difference between being honest and becoming too comfortable.

And please don’t bash your current or former employer. I completely understand that sometimes there’s a very good reason you’re looking for a new job, but an interview isn’t the place to unload all of it. Keep your explanation professional, then shift the conversation to what you’re looking for in your next opportunity.

Your recruiter is there to help you put your best foot forward, so start making that impression from the very first conversation.

Before the Interview — Do Your Homework
Please research the firm or company before you interview.

You don’t need to memorize the entire website, but you should know what they do, what practice areas they handle, where their offices are located, and, most importantly, what position you’re interviewing for.

If you know who you’ll be meeting with, look them up too. Read their firm bio and take a look at their LinkedIn profile. Knowing a little about the people you’re meeting can make the conversation feel much more natural.

Also, read the job description again before the interview. Think about your experience and have a few specific examples ready that show why you can do the job.

In-Person Interview Tips:

Dress Like You Want the Job

Even though many legal offices have become more casual, an interview is not the time to test just how casual they are.

Unless you’re specifically told otherwise, I recommend professional business attire. You can always adjust later once you understand the firm’s culture.

Make sure everything is clean, fits well, and makes you feel confident. You don’t want to spend the interview worrying about your outfit.

Arrive Early — But Not Too Early
Aim to arrive at the building about 10–15 minutes early. Give yourself extra time for traffic, parking, security, elevators and figuring out exactly where the office is.

But there is such a thing as arriving too early. Walking into a law firm 30 or 40 minutes before your interview can actually create an awkward situation for the receptionist and interviewer.

If you’re extremely early, sit in your car or find somewhere nearby to wait.

Bring Your Résumé

Yes, they already have it.

Bring copies anyway.

I recommend bringing several clean copies of your résumé in a folder or portfolio, along with a notepad and pen. If references, writing samples, or other documents are relevant to the position, have those available too.

Being prepared never hurts.

Remember That Your Interview Starts Before You Sit Down

Be polite to everyone you encounter — the receptionist, legal assistants, paralegals, and anyone else you meet along the way.
In a law firm, people talk.

The person greeting you at the front desk may not be making the hiring decision, but that doesn’t mean their impression of you won’t make its way back to the person who is.

Be friendly, professional, and respectful from the moment you walk through the door.

Pay Attention to Your Body Language

Smile. Make eye contact. Sit up straight. Try not to cross your arms or fidget constantly.

And yes, nerves are completely normal.

You don’t have to pretend you’re not nervous. Most interviewers understand. Take a second before answering a question if you need to. A thoughtful pause is much better than rushing into an answer because you’re afraid of silence.

Video Interview Tips:

Video interviews may feel more casual because you’re sitting at home, but treat them exactly like an in-person interview.

Test Everything Beforehand

Do not wait until two minutes before your interview to discover that your microphone doesn’t work or your computer suddenly needs an update.

Test your camera, microphone, internet connection, and whatever platform you’ll be using ahead of time. If possible, do a quick test call with someone.

Then log in a few minutes early on interview day.

Look at What’s Behind You

Your background doesn’t need to look like a staged office, but it should be clean and free of distractions.

Find a quiet area with good lighting and position your camera at eye level. You want the interviewer to see your face clearly without looking up your nose or staring at a ceiling fan behind you.

Also, look at your screen before the interview and see exactly what the interviewer will see.

You’d be surprised what we notice.

Eliminate Distractions

Silence your phone. Turn off computer notifications. Close unnecessary browser tabs and let everyone in your house know that you’re interviewing.

Pets and children occasionally make surprise appearances — life happens — but do what you can beforehand to minimize interruptions.

Look at the Camera

This one takes practice.

When we’re on video, our natural instinct is to look at the person’s face on the screen. But looking into the camera creates the appearance of eye contact.

You don’t have to stare into it the entire interview, but try to look at the camera while you’re answering important questions.

Notes Are Fine — Reading a Script Is Not

One advantage of a video interview is that you can keep a few notes nearby.

Write down a few reminders about your experience, accomplishments, and questions you want to ask. Just don’t turn the interview into a reading exercise.

If your eyes keep moving to the same spot every time you’re asked a question, the interviewer will probably figure out what’s happening.

Tips for Every Interview:

Have Examples Ready

Don’t just say, “I’m very organized.” Show them.

Maybe you managed a large litigation docket, coordinated discovery deadlines across dozens of cases, helped prepare for trial or created a system that made your department more efficient.

Specific examples are much more memorable than generic answers.

Prepare Questions to Ask

Almost every interview ends with some version of, “Do you have any questions for us?”

Please don’t say no.

You are interviewing them too.

Ask what success looks like in the position. Ask about the team you’ll be working with. Ask why the position is open, what the day-to-day responsibilities look like, or what they enjoy about working there.

Your questions should help you decide whether this is somewhere you actually want to work.

Be Yourself

You don’t need to become a completely different person for an interview.

Professional doesn’t mean robotic.

Let your personality come through. Be engaged, ask questions, and have a conversation. Firms aren’t only considering whether you have the skills to do the job. They’re also thinking about whether they can see themselves working with you every day.

Send the Thank-You Email

After the interview, send a short thank-you email.

It doesn’t need to be an essay. Thank them for their time, mention something specific you enjoyed discussing, and reiterate your interest in the position.

If you interviewed with several people and have their contact information, send individual notes rather than one generic message to everyone.

One Last Piece of Advice
Try to remember that an interview isn't only about convincing someone to hire you. You're trying to determine whether the opportunity is right for you, too. Pay attention to how you're treated during the process. Ask the questions that matter to you. Learn as much as you can about the position, the people you'll be working with, and the expectations of the role.

And if you don't get the job, don't automatically assume you did something wrong. Sometimes another candidate simply has experience that more closely matches what the employer needs at that particular moment.

Prepare well, be professional, be yourself, and give them a reason to remember you.

Good luck on your next interview!

About the Author: Crystal Cornett is the Founder of Paralegals Connect and has more than 20 years of experience in the legal industry, including several years in legal recruiting. She created Paralegals Connect in 2013 as a support group for paralegals and legal professionals to learn, connect, and support one another.

​By Anna Allard-Veillon

We're shown the layout of the office (there's the bathroom, your desk, the copy machine, the coffee machine), the layout of the software (client name here, case number here), the case files, and hopefully some template forms. But we're rarely shown the layout of a case file. A prelitigation motor-vehicle file has a shape; the framework travels, though the statutes, cases and clocks change at the border.

1. Open the File – Representation letters go out to every involved insurer, including health, Medicare, and GAP, as well as the body shop and all treating medical providers, promptly after retention (preferably within two weeks). This is not a courtesy – it's positioning. It lets everyone
know who is in charge from the get-go. Request the policy, Declarations Pages, coverage confirmation, and acknowledgement now – you'll need them, and it's never easier to ask than at the beginning. Watch for: Most states require underinsured motorist coverage unless validly rejected, many in writing, though not all (e.g. Ohio). In WA, both PIP and UIM can be rejected, but must be in writing with a valid signature (RCW 48.22.030 (UIM), .085 (PIP)). If an insurer cannot produce this paper, a claim can be forced open.

2. The Property Damage Track – This runs on a parallel track to the rest of the claim, and resolves early in most cases. The decision point is: whose carrier, which policy? If there is collision coverage, the simplest route is often first-party: the client's own carrier pays, subrogates against the at-fault carrier, and the client usually gets the deductible back once the carrier recovers. Diminished value, though, is usually a third-party claim – unless a court or statute has read the first-party policy to cover it (e.g. Mabry in Georgia, Moeller in Washington).

3. The Bills – PIP/MedPay, health, and liability each pay under their own rules; the order depends on coverages. Repayment claims arise even when everyone is being paid correctly. Get the ledgers on day one. Track the bills. When the benefits exhaust, send written notice to all affected parties. If an insurer underpays, or a provider balance-bills the client when it shouldn't, identify the charge and the governing rule first – then go the complaint route.

4. Evidence, While It Still Exists – This decays on a schedule. Memories fade; skid marks are lost with the first rain. Preserve perishable evidence now and continue to develop it throughout. Witness declarations lock memory; they don't replace testimony. Get the full police report and photos of every vehicle. Obtain provider narratives with specific questions. These will all go into your settlement demand packet, to show the third-party insurer what you'd bring to trial against their insured.

5. The Medical Team – Providers are not adversaries, but they are creditors. Build a good relationship with your client's medical providers so that they will accept a letter of protection rather than filing a lien or balance-billing the client, and so you know how flexible they'll be at settlement. Know who is making the records requests and who is receiving them. A request by the patient for her own records often gets better fee caps and deadlines than a third-party authorization, but every state has its own rules and procedures. Choose the route deliberately.

6. Money Time – To work, a demand has to beat the machine. That means you have to be more meticulous, pay more attention, and show why your client was more affected – why it was more real for them than the machine thinks it was. It needs the liability facts, the full ledger, the medical narrative, the wage loss with employer verification, and the human consequences, each supported by an exhibit the adjuster can hand to a supervisor.

We always asked for policy limits early, in writing, and noted the answer. And before a client signed
anything, we sent the UIM adjuster a waiver of subrogation, pressed them to sign it, and gave them a
time limit. If they didn't, we sent the twenty-day IFCA notice.

7. Hands Off the Recovery – We started tracking repayment claims from the beginning of a case and kept track of bills all the way through. Arguing reductions is just a lot of math. Find your state's made-whole and common-fund doctrines. ERISA plan terms can override them (McCutchen), and Medicare uses its own formula. In Washington: Thiringer, Mahler, Winters.

8. When the Carrier Misbehaves – Frankly, the attorney handled this one. But from my desk it looked like: they'd blow a deadline, he'd send out the IFCA notice – twenty days, to the insurer and the Insurance Commissioner – and they'd usually snap back the same day. In our office it was the attorney's decision whether something was IFCA-worthy – a blown deadline or an unsigned waiver isn't a claim by itself. Your job is to know the deadline was blown, document it, and have the notice drafted.

The Clocks
Every file runs on several clocks at once. Some are law: statute of limitations, government-claim prerequisites, notice-and-cure windows. Some are contract: policy notice, the pre-release UIM procedure. And some are yours: the opening window, demand response dates, your own status cadence. We kept them all on one shared Google calendar. The firm targets are the ones you can move. The others move you.

The Point
None of this is about templates. A form library is only as good as the sequence it sits inside, and the sequence is what nobody shows you on the first day. It is learnable in an afternoon, and the framework travels: adapt the sequence to the claim, the coverage and the jurisdiction, but the shape holds. 

Find your situation, follow the sequence, send the letter.

About the author
Anna Allard-Veillon spent fifteen years inside Washington personal injury firms – legal assistant to managing paralegal to executive director – and now writes the books she wishes someone had handed her in year one. She is the author of The Paralegal Pocketbook and Cruise Control: Law Firm Essentials, and the creator of The Corner Office, a free interactive tool that walks paralegals through building real letters, question by question. She is Deaf, disabled, and based in Seattle.

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​
This article is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes, case law, and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and change over time; confirm the rules in your own state before relying on any of it.

When a client inherits a non-qualified annuity, almost everyone assumes the settlement letter from the original
carrier is the only option — a lump sum, a five-year payout, or whatever terms happen to already be in place.
That's rarely the whole picture, and the right move depends on one thing: whether the beneficiary is the
surviving spouse or someone else. Both situations come with an option most people, and most advisors, never
hear about.

Non-Spouse Beneficiaries: The Stretch Most People Never Hear About
Under IRC Section 72(s), a non-spousal beneficiary of a non-qualified annuity can elect to stretch the death
benefit over their own life expectancy instead of being forced to take it within five years. Done correctly, this
keeps the money tax-deferred and compounding for years or decades longer, instead of triggering a large,
immediate tax bill on the gain. The catch: the election has to be made within one year of the owner's death, and
most carriers don't make this option obvious, don't offer it competitively, or don't offer it at all.
This is a piece of the business we specialize in. There are only a small handful of top-rated insurance companies
that offer non-qualified, non-spousal stretch contracts, and we work with all of them. We identify inherited nonqualified
annuities that qualify for the stretch and, where it benefits the client, execute a compliant post-death
1035 exchange into a contract from a carrier that actually supports the stretch — with stronger current rates than
the original company was offering. The client avoids the tax timebomb, keeps the money growing, and never
touches a check.

Surviving Spouses: The Option Most Spouses Never Hear About
A surviving spouse has the option of spousal continuation: stepping into the contract as the new owner, with no
forced distribution clock and full tax deferral intact. What almost nobody explains is what happens next — once
the spouse is the owner, they are free to shop that contract to a different carrier entirely through a standard 1035
exchange. They are not obligated to keep the original company's crediting rate, riders, or fees just because that's
who the money happens to sit with today.

Why This Matters Now
Many of these contracts were written years ago, at crediting rates or with rider terms that are no longer
competitive by today's standards. A spousal continuation followed by a proper review — and, when it makes
sense, an exchange to a stronger contract or even an accompanying stretch strategy for the eventual next
beneficiary — can mean a materially better outcome without giving up a single dollar of tax deferral.

Where We Come In
This is the piece of the business we specialize in, whichever situation it is. We review the contract, confirm which
option applies, and — only where it truly benefits the client — handle the exchange or continuation directly with
the carriers. We work alongside the client's attorney, planner, or trust company, not around them, and the client
comes right back to you for everything else. Think of us as your annuity department for this one specific situation.

Why This Matters to You
Most estate attorneys, fee-only planners, and trust companies don't want the commission-based annuity piece of
an inheritance — and for fee-only planners, you often can't touch it at all. That's fine. It's not where we compete
with you, and it's not where you want to spend your time. Whichever situation shows up — a non-spouse
beneficiary or a surviving spouse — we handle this one piece, keep you fully informed, and send the client
straight back to you for everything else. Think of us as your annuity department — the specialist you call the
moment either of these situations shows up.
We've built these partnerships with estate attorneys, fee-only planners, and trust companies for decades for one
reason: we stay in our lane, and we only recommend what's genuinely best for the client. That's what keeps the
referral — and the relationship — with you.
If a client has recently inherited an annuity — as a spouse or otherwise — or you'd just like a second opinion on a
settlement offer before they sign anything, reach out. There's no cost to you or your client to ask the question.
P.S. If you have any annuity questions at all, or an existing client contract you'd like us to take a look at, just give us a call
anytime.

How a referral works
1. You flag the situation — a client has inherited, or is about to inherit, a non-qualified annuity,
whether as a spouse or not.
2. We review the contract and payout options at no cost, and tell you plainly which option applies and
whether there's an opportunity.
3. If there is, we handle the paperwork and carrier coordination directly. The client's relationship --
and yours — stays exactly where it is.

Who we are
Curt Zacharias Sr. & Curt Zacharias Jr. — a father-son team based in Dunlap, Tennessee. Curt Sr. has 38 years in the
annuity business; Curt Jr. has 10. Curt Jr. lives in Dunlap with his wife and four children on a small homestead;
Curt Sr., also of Dunlap, lives with his wife of 51 years and has nine grandchildren. Annuities and safe-money
strategies are the only thing we do, which is why attorneys, fee-only planners, and trust companies have trusted
us with this piece of their clients' planning for decades.
The Annuity Doctor — a referral partnership built on one rule: we only recommend what's best for your client.
Curt Zacharias Sr. & Curt Zacharias Jr. • Dunlap, Tennessee • [email protected] • (520) 990-0009 •
Licensed nationwide

By JuJu Davis, Former Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster | Founder, AI Arsenal Activators & Demand360

After five years on the other side of the desk as a bodily injury claims adjuster, I can tell you exactly what makes an adjuster put a demand letter in the “easy deny” pile versus the “let’s talk settlement” pile. The difference often comes down to details that get missed before the letter ever leaves the plaintiff’s office — details that paralegals are perfectly positioned to catch.

Here are five red flags adjusters flag immediately, and what to look for before you hit send.

1. Treatment Gaps Without Explanation
A gap in treatment is one of the first things an adjuster looks for. If your client stopped treating for three or more weeks during their recovery period and the demand letter doesn’t address why — vacation, insurance lapse, personal hardship — the adjuster will use that silence to argue the injuries weren’t serious. Always account for gaps explicitly. A one-sentence explanation in the demand narrative can protect thousands in settlement value.

2. Medical Specials That Don’t Match the Records
If the demand states $18,500 in medical specials but the billing records you attached only add up to $16,200, you’ve handed the adjuster a credibility problem. They will add it up. Discrepancies between the demand amount and the actual documentation — even small ones — signal sloppiness at best and inflation at worst. Always reconcile your totals before the letter goes out.

3. A Demand-to-Specials Ratio That Screams Inflation
Most carriers use internal benchmarks for what’s considered a reasonable demand relative to medical specials. When a demand is 10x or 15x the specials with no documented future treatment, surgery recommendation, or significant lost wages to justify it, adjusters flag it for pushback or litigation routing rather than desk settlement. Know your ratio going in and make sure the narrative supports it.

4. Missing or Vague Liability Support
A demand without a police report, witness statements, or a clear liability narrative puts the full burden of proof on the adjuster to build the case for settlement — and they won’t. If liability is even slightly contested, the demand needs to preemptively address it. Photos, diagrams, recorded statements, or an independent witness can make the difference between a fast settlement and a file that sits for months.

5. No Settlement Deadline — or an Unrealistic One
Demands without a deadline get deprioritized. Demands with a 10-day deadline on a complex multi-plaintiff file signal inexperience and often result in a denial on procedural grounds alone. The deadline needs to be firm enough to create urgency but reasonable enough to be taken seriously — typically 30 days is the industry standard for most BI claims.

A Final Note
The demand letter is often the first and most important impression a carrier gets of your case. Paralegals who understand what adjusters are looking for — and catch these issues before the letter goes out — directly impact case outcomes and firm revenue.

For firms handling high volumes of demand letters, AI tools are now available that can cross-reference documentation, flag inconsistencies, and score demand packages in under a minute. One such tool built specifically for the PI/claims space is Demand360 (demand-analyzer.vercel.app) — free to try, no login required.

JuJu Davis spent five years as a bodily injury claims adjuster before founding AI Arsenal Activators and Demand360, an AI-powered demand package analysis tool built specifically for the PI and insurance claims industry. She can be reached at [email protected].

I have been a Traditional Commissioned Notary Public in the State of Texas since 2004. I have heard about the ability to notarize documents online since the start of the Pandemic. However, I never spent the time to research how to become an online notary (sometimes call a “remote online notary” or “RON”), until now. I’ve seen so many posts in Paralegals Connect asking which RON Platform is recommended and have always been curious about this process and the platform.
 
For those of you wanting to incorporate online notarization into your workflow and/or choosing a RON Platform, I’m hoping that this article helps you learn, through my experience, how to become an online notary, answers your important questions, and assists you in making your platform decision.  Fortunately, my RON Platform provider had a “turnkey” service walking me through each step including, platform training, discussion of the rules and requirements, and assisted in creating the digital certificate and electronic seal.
 
*The steps and requirements discussed in this article pertain to notaries and online notaries in Texas. The requirements in other states will vary, so consult the Secretary of State, or regulating agency in your state, which will usually provide the requirements for becoming a RON.
 
Steps to Become a Remote Online Notary
 
Step 1:
 
You must first be an active commissioned Traditional Notary Public.
 
With your active traditional commission, you may apply to be commissioned as an Online Notary Public, but you will need a few things discussed below in Step 2.
 
Step 2:
 
First, you will need a x.509 Digital Certificate.  The digital certificate, also known as a digital signature, will be registered to you as a RON and will be filed with the Secretary of State, and is valid for two (2) years. The x.509 Digital Certificate will be your electronic signature in every online notarization you perform and must be dedicated solely for your online notarizations and no other purpose and must be x.509 compliant.

 
What does a x.509 Digital Certificate do? I’ll try to explain this in nontechnical language as it was explained to me. When you place your x.509 Digital “tamper evident” Certificate on an electronic notarized document, it will take a “snapshot” of that document on a given date and time, it will contain your information as the RON, and it will reflect if the document is the exact same document, or if the document has changed or been tampered with since the certificate was applied.
 
Second, you will need your online Electronic Notary Seal (Notary Stamp). This is an image file that looks exactly like your “ink stamp” notary seal. This electronic seal will need to be renewed when your traditional notary commission is renewed.
 
Step 3:
 
You will apply online for your Online Notary Commission on the Secretary of State website, upload your x.509 Digital Certificate, and Electronic Notary Seal, and pay an application fee via credit card to the Secretary of State.  Once you are commissioned and sworn in you will need a RON Platform to perform online notarizations.
 
What is a RON Platform?
 
A Remote Online Notary Platform (“RON Platform”) is a secure online software platform wherein you will meet with your clients or other signing party remotely, identify them, administer an oath, if need be, complete affidavits, verifications, acknowledgments, or other notarial acts, and notarize their electronic documents. This is all done through a secure video conference, which will be recorded by and stored on the RON Platform service provider.
 
Recommended RON Platform: Notary.io
 
So, who do I recommend using for your RON Platform? I would absolutely recommend Notary.io!
 
While researching RON Platforms, I came across Notary.io. I asked them to be an Affiliate Partner with Paralegals Connect since I was impressed with their platform, quality of training, and services. Notary.io went above and beyond and gave me pointers on how to efficiently and effectively complete electronic online notarized documents.

Reasons to use Notary.io
 
Reason 1:          Assistance throughout the Traditional and/or Online Notary Commission Process.
 
During your online training session, Notary.io will walk you and/or your notary staff through the online application process with the Texas Secretary of State. Notary.io provides professional training on Texas online notary rules and requirements to get you quickly up and running as an online notary.
 
Reason 2:         Notary.io creates your x.509 Digital Certificate and Online Electronic Notary Seal.
 
Before my training, Notary.io requested that I email the following:
 

• Name(s) and email(s) of individuals participating in training.
• Notary ID Number of individuals participating in training. (Found on your notary stamp.)
• Sign a blank piece of paper with a thick marker, (like a sharpie) so they can digitize your signature.

 
Notary.io then creates the x.509 Digital Certificate and Electronic Notary Seal for you and your team!
 
Reason 3:         Notary.io provides Professional Training on how to use the Notary.io Platform.
 
Reason 4:         No Recurring Fees. There are no reoccurring annual or monthly software/platform fees, no minimum use charge, and fees for online notarizations are solely based on use ($16 per online notarization).
 
Reason 5:         You access the Notary.io platform through your web browser so there is no app to install or update.

Online Notarization in a Nutshell
 
1. Login to the Notary.io platform, enter name and information about the signing party, select a method of identifying the signing party, and generate a link to the upcoming session.  You may also add a client/matter number to track the session for billing your law firm’s client. 

2. Email the signing party the session link, document(s) to be notarized, and date/time to meet online. 

3. Online Notary joins the session.  Signing party follows the link and Notary.io walks them through the identification process, obtains an electronic signature, and then the signing party meets the online Notary in the secure video room. 

4. A recorded session is initiated, and the online Notary makes a statement of the method of identity (personal knowledge, photo ID credentialing plus knowledge-based authentication test, or other approved method). 

5. Online Notary performs the necessary notarial acts that are also recorded. 

6. The signing party electronically signs the document(s) and the recording and session ends. 

7. Online Notary then completes the certificate following the rules and reflecting that the notarization was an online notarization and then applies the Electronic Seal and x.509 Digital Certificate signature to the document. 

8. The Online Notary will have the “original” electronic file of the notarized document (typically in PDF format), and in Texas, you will need to create an image copy of the original for e-filing.

Bottom Line:  So how much
does the entire process cost?
 
The good news is the cost was minimal to get started as a RON, and going forward I will only incur and expense when I use Notary.io’s platform.
 
1.            Traditional Notary Public Commission.
 
Notary.io offers a $125 complete package for applying to become a new, or renewed, Traditional Texas Notary Commission, which includes your Texas SOS application fee, notary stamp, notary journal, and a $10,000 bond.
 
*The Notary.io Store also provides notary items such as notary stamps, embossers, seal ink, and notary journals.
 
2.           Online Notary Public Commission.
 
The application is $51.35, paid directly to the Secretary of State.
 
3.           x.509 Digital Certificate and Electronic Notary Seal.
 
$25 fee per notary, paid to Notary.io, which will be billed to account holder on the first month’s invoice.

4.           Setup and Online Training: For business account holders (law firms, corporations with notaries as employees, contract paralegal businesses, etc.) Notary.io offers a “Business Plan”, which provides complimentary services (free unless a charge is indicated) including:
 

• Provides professional training on how to use the Notary.io platform.
• Provides professional training on Texas online notary rules and requirements.
• Provides the x.509 Certificate. ($25 for each 2-year x.509 certificate)
• Provides the electronic seal.
• Provides assistance in the online application process with the Texas Secretary of State.

 
Notary.io offers the “Mobile Notary Plan” a $125 startup package. This package is for startup remote notaries and sole proprietorships who cannot provide proof of frequent notarizations. This package includes a $20 Notary University Training session, and five (5) prepaid Online Notarization Sessions.
 
5.           The only cost after your initial set up is $16 for each notarization performed on the platform and Notary.io will provide a monthly invoice setting out each online transaction. 
 
The $16 charge for each online notarization includes the creation and Texas required five (5) year storage of online notary’s electronic record (including the required video recording).  Note that some states will have records retention periods longer than 5 years.
 
Also check with Notary.io for details and applicability of the $48 session cap/discount when multiple online notarizations are completed within the same online session.​

​About the Author: Crystal Cornett is a Paralegal with over 19-years of experience in the legal industry. She earned her Paralegal Certificate from the University of Houston in March 2006. Crystal received her degree from Center for Advanced Legal Studies in 2010. She is a member of the Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society for Paralegal / Legal Assistant Studies (LEX).
 
In February 2022, Crystal resigned from her position as a Real Estate paralegal after working in a law office for over 18 years. In March 2022, Crystal started a new career with Newhouse + Noblin as a paralegal recruiter to continue her passion to support paralegals and the legal community. Connect with Crystal on LinkedIn.
 
Crystal is the Founder of Paralegals Connect and creates The Paralegals Connect Magazine, which is distributed quarterly to our 38k worldwide members. This June we will celebrate the 10-Year Anniversary since the start of Paralegals Connect and the 5-Year Anniversary of The Paralegals Connect Magazine!

On December 4, 2019, the ABA issued a formal opinion that directly affects the value of your work. The ABA, in Formal Opinion 489, indicated that clients are not property and when an attorney moves from one firm to another or even out on their own, the old firm must allow the client to choose whether he goes with the attorney, stays with the firm, or finds new representation altogether. Further, the former firm cannot withhold resources from the client either. The ethics rules do not allow non-competition clauses in partnership or employment agreements.
 
How does this affect your value to a firm or attorney?
Attorneys will be encouraged to start their own firms much more frequently than before. Departing attorneys won't necessarily have to start from scratch and can afford to hire skilled paralegals when they start their new firm.
 
Attorneys will have the ability to negotiate higher pay to remain with the current firm. In order to keep key associates, firms will have to pay their associates more if they cannot prevent the associates from leaving with existing clients. This will directly affect the paralegals as law firms will seek to be more reliant upon paralegals than associates, due to the risks associated with their departure and the increased expense. Further, since key paralegals can exit with an attorney, compensation may increase for top paralegals as well. Either way, firms will want to keep their key personnel happier, especially their top paralegals.
 
Law firms will be more dependent upon paralegals for client support. One strategy to keep your clients from leaving with a key associate is to have your top paralegals work with those clients through a principal or partner. The principal or partner will need greater paralegal support to avoid relying upon associates as a client contact.
 
Independent paralegals have an added marketing advantage.
While it is a very delicate conversation and I do not recommend you state this directly, an independent paralegal can't walk out the door with the firm's clients. Hence, as you negotiate your relationship with a firm, this is important to know and important that its communicated, albeit, delicately.
 
So, celebrate the small wins. If you decide to share this ruling, tread lightly and don't upset anyone. While it helps you in some ways, it could potentially undermine the stability of a firm. Additionally, there are often raw feelings when associates leave and start their own firms. Partners may feel that the associates are stealing their clients, while the associates feel that they have earned the trust and business of those clients. Plus, since many associates make between $60K - $120K per year (about $30 - $60 per hour) and have tremendous law school debt to manage, it is very easy for them to look at the billing rates of $225 - $325 per hour as a significant pay raise. You have to find the right place and the right time to share this information if you decide to share it at all. Many attorneys are not yet aware of this opinion.
 
More importantly, however, just be great at what you do! Become an expert in your space and know your worth. Your value will continue to increase exponentially.

The Law Society of Ontario began licensing paralegals as independent representatives in 2007. This was not a major shift. In fact, paralegals had been independent advocates for people well before the licensing came about. Formerly, paralegals were known as “court agents.” In order to become licensed an applicant must have a college diploma and must also pass a full day examination and a comprehensive background check.

Paralegals in Ontario are licensed by the same body that licenses lawyers. This has not been without significant controversy. Paralegals are regulated by their competition, which by its very nature restricts our practice to highly defined areas and often areas which aren’t appealing to lawyers to begin with. We are bound by the exact same rules and the exact same standards as lawyers when practicing within our scope.
Our role is expected to further develop with paralegals being able to act as notaries and take on family law matters. Although not confirmed, I believe the next step would also be for paralegals to accept and take on “legal aid matters.” Legal aid, for those who aren’t familiar with it, is a government funded service that pays for lawyers to represent clients in certain matters.

There have been issues with paralegals practicing out of scope, non-payment of fees, and a few non-competence issues from paralegals who have been grandfathered into the practice. Most of the convictions against paralegals by the Law Society Tribunal seem to be for violating rules that restrict our practice or our advertising, but not very many wherein competence is the heart of the issue. 
Paralegals are currently licensed to appear at any board, agency, or tribunal in Ontario. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, we can represent before the federal tribunal, although the Law Society of Ontario is of the position we can’t represent fully at the Immigration and Refugee Board. This issue will be resolved through the courts at some later juncture and is much more complicated than I described in the previous sentence. 

Paralegals can also appear at any matter under the Provincial Offences Act¸ and for a whole host of Criminal Code offences, when the prosecution is proceeding summarily (almost like a misdemeanor), and on cases that are proceeding in the Small Claims Court, which hears matters up to $35,000.00. The rule of thumb is if a matter is being heard at the Ontario Court of Justice, generally speaking, we can appear there.
Our representation is full representation and includes selecting the forms, drafting the pleadings, and running the trials.
 
A full list of approved criminal offences, can be found at:
https://lso.ca/about-lso/legislation-rules/permitted-criminal-code-summary-conviction-offence.

Paralegals who don’t practice fully independently will work under lawyers as a law clerk. This is more analogous to the American version of a paralegal. A paralegal working under a lawyer can take on a murder case, a family law matter, or any other matter, up to, but not including appearing at court - except with some exceptions when appearing as an agent for their lawyer. In many cases, paralegals will work both as a paralegal and as a law clerk for a law office. So, for example, if a client comes in with a small claims matter, the law firm and the client can experience considerable savings by having the paralegal take care of the matter and run the trial. Many colleges offer a double diploma option enabling students earn a diploma as a law clerk and as a paralegal.
​
We provide a tremendous access to justice for our clients. We can often put in twice the amount of work than a lawyer to represent and defend someone. Our criminal scope is mostly poverty related crimes. Our Provincial Offences Act is comprised mostly traffic tickets, and our civil litigation is small claims. We work with the most marginalized members of our community. It is my hope that America will adopt a similar model so that people aren’t “priced out” from the justice system. It is also my hope that in Ontario and throughout Canada we will garner more respect and trust from the judiciary and be permitted in a wider array of matters.

In any job search you will be screened, judged, and measured against other applicants. Employers want the ideal candidate, the perfect addition, and the right fit.

They are sizing you up - looking for standout traits, specific qualities, education, and experience which demonstrate you are capable of performing the duties assigned to a particular role. Seek out any career counseling professional, recruiter for coaching, or conduct an internet search, and you will have unlimited access to countless training resources. They will break down the anatomy of an interview and offer suggestions for what to wear, what to bring, and how to “wow” a potential employer. Everything you need to increase your chances for success and not tank in the process is at your fingertips.
 
Being prepared for an interview is important. Employers want to know that you are a good match for them and that you will be able to make meaningful contributions. A job offer is unlikely if you have done zero homework on the opportunity, show up late, fail to look the part, or are unable to articulate how your skills and accomplishments could translate to the role.
 
It is equally important to determine whether a potential employer is a good match for YOU! Every company will have a different organizational structure and personality. Fleshing out the nuts and bolts of a new position requires more than a review of the job description, pay scale, and benefit package.
 
Use the interview as an opportunity to gauge the potential employer’s ability to meet your needs. The meeting is as much for you as it is for them. Make note of your observations and when given the opportunity for questions, ask the ones that will help you decide whether or not to take the job if it is offered. It is important to get an overall feel for the office culture, the challenges, and the benefits of working for an organization. The interview is a two-way street and you should walk away confident in your ability to fit in and be successful.

5 Key Questions to ask During an Interview:

1. Is the position open due to an internal promotion?
What you are trying to glean from this question is whether the company is adding jobs or if the role was recently vacated. If several people have left a position it might indicate volatility. A newly created position can be equally risky, especially if performance expectations are poorly defined, or if the company is unsure about a permanent addition to their team. However, it could also signify company growth and a great opportunity to start or advance your career. Asking this question will usually reveal if there is upward mobility or opportunities to progress within an organization.

2. What is your onboarding process?
This should not be confused with orientation. What you want to know is if there is a plan to help socialize new employees and assimilate them to company policies and workflow. A deeper dive should give you information on how learning and improvement are supported. Mentorships, job shadowing, cross-departmental training, and professional development can be positive indicators that the organization places emphasis on growing their employees and retaining them long term.

3. What is the most important thing you would expect me to accomplish in the first 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, and/or year?
This question is designed to give you information on the exact goals an organization has for a role, expectations which need to be met, and results which need to be delivered. Not only will it give clues as to the workload volume and associated deadlines, but it will also provide some specific insights into what the work-life balance may look like.

4. How will I receive feedback regarding my performance during the introductory period and thereafter?
Post-hire check ins and evaluations are important. They provide opportunities to review accomplishments, discuss areas where improvement is needed, set goals, and plan future actions. Employers who incorporate staff support, career development, and regular performance discussions demonstrate that they are committed to your professional growth, happiness, and success.

5. Would you be able to show me around the office?

Observe the physical environment. Cluttered or dirty areas can be an indicator of company disorganization. Just like a person’s appearance, the appearance of an office makes an important first impression and speaks volumes about its culture and work style. If possible, check out the meeting room, lunchroom, breakroom, and washroom. Are these areas in disarray? Often, there is a negative relationship between messiness and productivity.

Consider the greeting you receive and how employees speak to you and others.  Are they open and friendly or rude and abrasive? Is their tone formal or informal?  A warm and inviting reception by staff who are encouraged to converse and engage with you is ideal. How they interact with each other is equally important. 
 
Assess employee morale and non-verbal communication.
Are employees smiling and communicating behind closed doors? Do they appear to be on task or completely overwhelmed? Non-verbal cues and body language convey important interpersonal and emotional messages about office dynamics and job satisfaction. If they are negative it can signal upspoken issues and other problems, such as slow business, inadequate staffing, or disengagement.
  
Present yourself as someone who wants a legal position.
This means showing up on time for the interview dressed appropriately with a resume that reflects your training and background. Ask questions so that you understand the role, the firm, it’s organizational and cultural structure and how you would be a good fit for the job. Finally, mail a thank you note after the interview.
 
Not only is the prospect for more jobs apparent, but as new practice areas also evolve to address emerging issues, a variety of new and different jobs are anticipated on the legal landscape. The scope of work for paralegals is expanding and the outlook is bright. Paralegals have been in high demand and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.

I have worked remotely for several years. So, when the stay-home orders hit, my firm did not have downtime. We continued as if it were any other day. But there was something new going on at home. I still had to work. I still have an attorney and clients who need me. When I am working, I need to focus. I cannot work distracted. But how was I going to find focus during crisis panic, homeschooling, mothering, and isolation? It has not been easy.
 
I have one mantra: I will survive and thrive. Why do I tell you this? Because I want you to know that you still have control over your work. You still have the ability to be productive during this time.
 
Here are tips to help get you through this:

1. Create a dedicated workspace.
I have learned that without one, I never “leave” work to be “home.” Instead, I am working from the moment I wake to the moment I go to sleep. By having a dedicated workspace, I can walk away from work (even if I’m just walking to the next room). I can go outside for a break. I can leave work to make dinner for my kids. I can sleep.
 
Whether you have an apartment or a multi-bedroom home, you too can do this. Take over the bedroom or the kitchen table. Go outside and work in the fresh air. Create a workspace and hours where no one will bother you.

2. Communication.
If you don’t communicate with your attorney every day, now is the time to start. I’ve established “morning check-ins” where I email my attorney a list of what I’m working on for the day. We set up calls or video conferences when there are projects we’re working on together. He also keeps me posted on what he’s doing.
 
Communication is not just about work. You need to be real with your attorney about what is going on at home. You have been told to leave your personal life at home, but that does not work here. Your bosses need to know what is going on. They can’t help you or make creative solutions without this knowledge.
 
3. You have Control.
Many paralegals have lost their jobs recently because they (or their law firms) haven’t found a way to make it work. There have been many reasons for this. “I just can’t focus at home.” “My house has slow internet.” “I don’t know how to use the software the firm wants me to use.” These are excuses, not solutions.
 
You can make this work. You need to take control. It is okay to change or reduce your work hours because you need to care for kids. But it is not ok to assume you’re going to get paid to “not work.” There are solutions out there as long as you are willing to look for them.
 
4. De-Stress and Prioritize.
You are likely overwhelmed right now. I get it. I was too. If you feel anxiety coming on, try meditating: Stop what you are doing, set your alarm for three minutes, and breathe deeply in and out. Your brain will wander but bring it back to now. Feel what your body feels. Listen to what is happening around you. Do this often. It helps relieve your stress.
 
Now, let’s talk priorities. If your plate is like mine, it is overflowing. But not everything is pressing. And you can’t do everything at once. You have to prioritize. What deadlines are coming up? Do those first. What does your attorney need? Do that next. Ask yourself what matters now and what can be done later. Prioritizing makes it all more manageable, and it helps you focus on one thing at a time.
 
5. Be Productive Amid Chaos.
How do you eat a whole elephant? One bite at a time. Productivity will come as you find your workflow. Be flexible. What works one week may not work the next one. That’s okay. Just don’t give up. Continue to look for creative solutions until there’s normalcy again. You will find that you are able to be as productive, if not more, than you were before.

Remember, you can do this! 

​About the Author:
Candess Zona-Mendola is a Trial Paralegal at a national law firm that helps victims of food poisoning outbreaks. She is the author of The Indispensable Paralegal—Your Guide to Getting It All Done, a paralegal guidebook published by Trial Guides. She has been featured on several paralegal media sites and podcasts, including The Paralegal Voice through the Legal Talk Network, and NALA’s webinar series.

​By: Kylie Clayton

That was my first thought when I was asked to present to a college paralegal course. What better way to educate the next group of paralegals than to tell them what I wish I would have known. When I reached out to an online group of paralegals, the responses were very quick and on point.

In no particular order, the top 20 things I wish I would have known are:

1. Be nice—especially to the court clerks and the bailiffs. They are your lifeline with the courts.
2. Document everything—each time you touch a file, notes, and time entries for referencing back to.
3. Double-check your calendar hearings, dates, and deadlines.
4. Admit to your mistakes—right away! Someone will find them. Better you point them out instead of opposing counsel.
5. Embrace change, nothing stays the same.
6. Always be prepared when you meet with your attorney.
7. Know your courts! They all have different local rules and Judges want different things in different ways.
8. Do not wait until you are swamped to let your attorney know you are behind, ask for help when you need it.
9. Slow down—proofread again and again.
10. Ask questions and take notes—each firm does things differently, be a sponge and learn all that you can from day one.
11. Create a procedure book for yourself for all you do for quick reference. At some point you will be asked to train a new paralegal, and this will be a major time saver.
12. Take pride in your work—when your attorney looks good, you look good!
13. Follow your gut—if something seems off, say something.
14. It’s okay to play the devil’s advocate with your attorney—sometimes a new perspective on an old case can make all the difference.
15. Never give your attorney originals of anything.
16. Know your worth, don’t let people walk all over you.
17. Save as a template every type of document that you prepare, with all confidential information removed for future use.
18. Learn on the job—what they teach you in school is not generally what you will be doing on a day-to-day basis.
19. Don’t take an attorney’s bad day personally—we all have them.
20. Breathe—it will all be okay.

All in all, when it comes to a new paralegal the most important thing is to know that you are not alone, and we have all been there. There are now so many great resources and mentors ready and willing to assist in all aspects. We have been in your shoes and are excited to help bring up the newest group of paralegals into the ever-growing profession.

About the Author:
Kylie Clayton has worked in finance and debt resolution for over 15 years. As the paralegal at Patino Law Office, Kylie supports clients in all types of debt resolution cases from Chapter 13 plans for individuals to complex agricultural and business workouts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and completed her paralegal certification through the College of St. Mary. 

The whole world has been rocked by Covid-19. Completely shaken to its core. People are full of anxiety right now and trying their best to make it through each day. This is an unprecedented time that we all hope to soon forget. But, for now, let us appreciate that we are not alone—even if we must stay at least 6 feet apart!

We know many of you are now working from home, which is challenging even for the seasoned remote worker. It is tricky juggling work, home life, your children’s education, and countless distractions all day long. Now is a great time to join our Mentorship Program, so you can get or give support to another member of our community.

We know some of you are still expected to be in the office every day, regardless of social distancing. We understand you are in between a rock and a hard place. You may want to talk with your boss about reconsidering a work-from-home option.

We are aware that many of you have been laid off or fired from your jobs. Worst. Timing. Ever. Know that the Paralegals Connect community is here for you! Keep your eye on our Employment Board for the latest job opportunities.

​We have compiled a list of resources to answer some of your questions and help you through this time.

• Tax Day Extended to July 15
• Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments
• Coronavirus Tax Relief for Businesses and Tax-Exempt Entities
• Coronavirus: Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
• Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak

Most importantly, please stay safe out there and continue taking every precaution to #flattenthecurve.

​By: Tami Riggs

1. Attend class!​
Attendance in class is a big indicator of your reliability and performance. Be in class and take advantage of the expertise and experience offered by our faculty. 

2. Work on your resume and cover letter.
Create these documents from scratch or customize existing ones. The Office of Career Services at Center for Advanced Legal Studies (“CALS”) has moved to a remote format of service but remains available to assist students and alumni and can provide sample templates and expert advice.

3. Craft your elevator speech and define your professional persona.
This is a brief but compelling summary (1 minute or less) of your background and experience and what skills you offer. It should be short but adequately explain who you are, what you can do, and why you should be considered. This introduction can be used during interviews, when you meet a potential business connection, at networking events, job fairs, career expos, in your resume, and on social media profiles.

4. Clean up your social media presence.
Hiring managers look at social media accounts and posts to learn about potential candidates and their personalities, interests, and activities. Assess your online presence from an outside perspective, implement privacy settings, and scrub material that might be considered inappropriate. A regrettable post or photo could hurt your job search.

5. Create a professional e-portfolio and link it to your resume.
An electronic portfolio is a digital compilation of work and other activities and evidence that showcases student learning, skill development, and career progression. It is assembled and managed on the web and typically includes files, images, multimedia, blog entries, and hyperlinks. Your class assignments can be used to customize and personalize the collection.

6. Access free online tutorials to improve your writing and typing.
Many lessons are available that address spelling, grammar, punctuation and keyboarding skills. Online learning tools and resources can help you build upon your academic and technical skills.

7. Listen to podcasts and webinars.
There is a rich landscape of informative recordings that support professional skills development and provide practical tips and inspiration on how to develop and succeed in your career.

8. Continue learning and reading.
Employers value candidates who stay abreast of the latest industry trends and engage in activities that deepen their knowledge and improve career readiness.
 
There is fear and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 situation. We are all grappling with it in different ways. However, you can take steps to keep your professional development continuous and strengthen yourself personally during this crisis. Hang in there!

bout the Author:
Tami Riggs is Director of Outreach and Career Services at Center for Advanced Legal Studies in Houston, Texas. She has an extensive and varied professional background that spans criminal justice, paralegal education, and international school marketing and communication. Her career has been guided by a focus on developing strategic partnerships that facilitate school growth and student opportunity. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University. Connect with Tami on LinkedIn.

Best Virtual Paralegal LLC (The Attorney Panic Button™) is a nationally recognized boutique consulting company comprised of experienced paralegals, administrative assistants, educators, content creators, dedicated to reinventing the way attorneys and paralegal work together™.

Life as an entrepreneur is a thrilling, daunting, hot mess adventure and it can be very lonely. Legal entrepreneurs should not build their empires alone. We specialize in helping legal professionals tap into genius ideas, gain clarity, and build thriving, scalable, efficient firms at affordable customized rates.

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​Paralegals Connect is happy to announce our Affiliate Partnership with Armenhyl Group LLC! 

Dispatch your Service of Process Documents to ARMENHYL and let us do the leg work! ARMENHYL can handle your Civil Process whether near or far throughout the 50 States!

Our Nationwide Process Service can ease your workload. You can assign your Service of Process needs to us with confidence, then focus on other priorities. Let us do the leg work of ensuring that your documents are delivered successfully both near and far!
We look forward to being a quality resource for you and/or your business!
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Our goal is to provide you with relevant Private Investigation, Security Guards & Patrols, Mobile Notary Public, Realtor Safety and Family Support services. We can offer important information, confirmation and protection for your matters of concern.

 If you need your Subpoena Served once you have it created, let us know!

Contact us now and let us Investigate, Notarize, Secure, and Serve for you!

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (866) ARMENHYL - (866) 276-3649 
Website: www.armenhyl.com
Instagram: #armenhyl
Twitter: @armenhyl

◼︎Nationwide Process Service ◼︎Private Investigations ◼︎24 Hour Mobile Notary Public Services ◼︎Security Services