I live in texas and have 16 years of litigation paralegal experience but this is in a very large and prestigious law firm. Can you please let me know the general deadlines needed. I had a cheat sheet but I lost it. Please advise.
I just started a Paralegal certificate program and I'm so excited! I've been in HR for 13 years and I'm ready for a change. Watching your channel has helped calm merges of what is expected. Thanks!
I've just started my paralegal courses and my self-doubt is definitely getting overwhelming but it's nice to watch these vids and regroup and I LOVE the "pressure makes diamonds" mantra, i'll definitely be repeating that from here on out!!
Glad you like the videos. But don't let self-doubt creep in. You've got this! Your entire legal career will be overwhelming and that is why it is a career and not just a job. However, with the overwhelming feeling also comes feelings of accomplishment and excitement. Just take a deep breath and remember why you started. You can do it - there's a diamond in there 😉. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
All of it - even after school - will be overwhelming at one point or another. You've just got to take a deep breath and remember why you started this journey. Hang in there. You've got this! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
I’m about to start at a small boutique firm next week and this video is by far the most useful and most well presented of the paralegal tip videos. Half those other “day-in-a-life” paralegal TH-cam videos are literally just the girls preening themselves in the mirror and making shakes. Not very useful.
Just started my 1st Para job last week... new sub here. Definitely a change of pace for my career. I'm also hard of hearing, so this is a new experience. Love your video!
I have been a Personal Injury Paralegal for over 3 years. The last firm I was in, changed to a new software, expecting everything to transfer. It didn’t! Not only did we not get any training, we then had to transfer all the information from the previous files, on top of PNC’s coming in, dealing with and managing all current cases. It was a lot. Not having any training for the new software, overwhelmed me. The office manager had no clue and ran around lost in the sauce. I had no one to go to. I stayed productive, coming in 3 hours before and 4 hours after work. It wasn’t enough. This law firm taught me so much.
Just got job as a paralegal in my very first time in lawfirm abroad. So excited and found your channel so helpful. Thank you for sharing all your experiences!
Paralegal is like what a nurse is to a doctor. Without paralegals lawyers would be behind in their job. I hope paralegals get paid well for what they do.
Some of us do and some of us don't, but I completely agree with your comment. That is why I say "NEXT to every great lawyer is an amazing Paralegal." 😉 Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
Being the know-it-all was something I struggled with when I started working as a legal assistant just due to being new and learning and being thrown in the middle of numerous cases with no guidance. I would suggest taking the extra time (I know, what extra time?!) to review/skim a case file to put names with their cases and just get an overview.
This is great! I've worked for a firm for the last several years but just officially took on the litigation paralegal role, so this has some great advice. Thanks for posting!
Good luck with the litigation paralegal role. For me, it has been my greatest roll in my paralegal career. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Thank you for your time in creating videos to ease the overwhelming information in the paralegal practice and your ability to provide great insight and motivation! I graduate in December of 2020 from my Paralegal Studies program and Law Office Administration. I am so glad I found your content, You are truly inspiring! :)
You are very welcome. Glad my content is helpful. So exciting to read about your graduation this December. Good luck to you! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Thank you! If you would like me to talk about something in particular on my channel, please let me know and I'll create a video. I want to help my fellow Paralegals as MUCH as possible.
I start my first paralegal job on August 3rd. I’m really nervous. Your videos have been an exceptional tool to prepare me for what I need to expect at my first paralegal job. Kudos! And many thanks! Could you possibly do a video on what paralegals should have on hand at all times? What are the best resources to have handy all the time? Apps, books, etc. my copy of Paralegal Career for Dummies book, NALA certificate, Paralegal diploma, and Rules of Civil Procedure are a few of mine. Can you go further? Thanks so much again!!
It's your first day at the new job! Good luck to you. So happy to read that my videos are helpful. AND .... thank you for the amazing content idea. I'll certainly have to put something in my production line for that. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
I’m glad I found you I have a teaching background but this is my desired field I feel afraid because idk how to blend my teacher aid skills into a legal field but I am proficient and very discerning and I know Microsoft yet I’m still worried lol
Thank you so very much, Misty! I could not agree with you more: pressure - over time - does, indeed, make diamonds. This is extremely helpful to remember. However, may I ask for some guidance on professional presentation for Legal Assistants/Paralegals? What are some of your thoughts on clothing, hair, and level of modesty, particularly for Black women? How have you experienced ways these factors tend to shape office relationships? Further, have you noticed a change in trends of these factors since the Work-from-Home Revolution spurred by the recent COVID pandemic? Thanks so much again for your work!
I hope the salary is great and the benefits like health insurance. Do you get commissions for every case the law firm win? Because seems to me like a lot of responsibility and stress, plus of the qualifications you need to become a paralegal.
I have an AS in Legal studies but never worked as a paralegal. I am now in school for my bachelors in legal studies. I have a ton of questions having never worked in a legal office. Like where did you find the motion to compel? Is this a form? I know this is probably a very silly question but...
I have a few online courses, but none that will teach you how to draft or write motions. I would look into courses offered by Jackie Van Dyke. She is a fantastic Paralegal. Look her up on LinkedIn. Good luck to you! Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Thank you so much for making this! I’m a senior in high school and I’m very interested in going to school to become a paralegal. Quick question, what are your hours like?
I’m about to be 29 i graduated with a bachelors degree in design in 2016, for many reasons i am no longer passionate about design and recently realized paralegal is actually something I’d love. I am still paying student loans and i work 3 jobs. Am i crazy to think about trying to get a certificate and pursue this career, despite my money problems?
Do you have to really good at administrative work or computer 💻 software Davy for this job? Also would you say you could make a decent living of this job?
Question: Does the attorney tell you that a Motion to Compel will need to be prepared in a case, or is it up to the paralegal to decide what needs to happen in the case? The reason I ask, is that I recently worked for an attorney as her legal assistant, but did some paralegal duties. She would tell me what needed to happen in the case. For example, she would say: “please draft a motion to compel”. I would draft the motion, send it to her, and then remind her that I had sent her the draft, but sometimes she wouldn’t review it on time and I would get in trouble. I would send her follow-up emails and even texts but she still wouldn’t get it done and she would tell me I had a poor follow up system. Any suggestions, and could I have done more as a paralegal?
I have a 2-email limit with my Principal Attorney...if I have not gotten a substantive response to something time-sensitive, I follow up with a face-to-face on the matter no fewer than 3 business days out. Email can get overwhelming, and there can be deadlines at play or even personal distractions which could delay their attention to what seems far off (until it's not). They may not ever say it, but your attorney counts on you to be respectfully persistent about deadlines and other time-sensitive details. Be brave and chalk this up to a lesson learned. Best to you!
To compel is to force. So a Motion to Compel is a pleading that asks the Court to force another party('s attorney) to do or produce something. Think of a Motion to Compel like a Motion of Force. Great question! Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
Hello Misty! I watched several videos of yours over the weekend because my job is currently making me very depressed. I have about 2 years of experience working as a paralegal, most of which is for a real estate and property damage litigation firm. The partner who took over our firm about 7 months ago is an asshole, who micromanages staff and associate attorneys and never wants to admit when he makes mistakes. I replaced a paralegal with 12 years of experience, who actually tried to file a complaint against him. I know of one other person who has been in this role who has also complained about his abusive treatment of staff. I am really struggling and need to find a landing pad as soon as possible. I am reaching out to you because I am desperate for any advice you can give me on dealing with crazy attorneys. Are all attorneys crazy? I feel like a babysitter right now and didn't expect to have to do so much hand holding for an attorney who yells at me on a regular basis. 😭
Hey, m from India & m planning to go with paralegal course because I did my LLB in India however, I m confused and worried about the fieldwork in Canada regarding paralegal that's the reason why m sharing my problem with u. So plzz let me help with this problem and tell me should I go with a paralegal or shouldn't
I would be confused about fieldwork in Canada too, but that's only because I'm in the states. From what I understand about Canada, their court procedures last longer than what they do in the United States, but that is the extent of my knowledge. Sorry I can't be of further assistance. However, regardless of where you go in this field, communication and presentation are paramount. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you. Good luck to you! Canada will be lucky to have you working the field :-)
Great presentation and very useful information. Thank you. Question: It is obvious that you could be an attorney, so why would you be a paralegal rather than a lawyer (or attorney)?
Misty is fantastic, she helps paralegals navigate and especially helps those who are starting/already have their own independent business. She works with them one on one too. However, most really good paralegals end up not being attorneys for various reasons. They are fulfilled already, they cannot afford it, or they just don’t want to be.
Your attorney handed you that fax because he already tried the fax machine, knew it was dead, so he just handed it to you. It offloaded the liability from him/her, to you. If it didn't arrive on time, your fault, not theirs.
Nice theory, but LMAO ..... he didn't even know where the fax machine was let alone how to use it 😂. He delegated a task to me, but to say he was "offloading the liability" is a bit of a stretch. If the fax didn't arrive on time, his malpractice insurance could have been on the line, not mine. 😉 Thanks for watching! 😊
What’s sad is you can’t even spell to insult paralegals, people whom read and self educate most of the day. But still think it’s ok to bash a profession. Get a life, and let people live theirs. No we are not failed attorneys, you fool.
Paralegals do the administrative tasks of a lawyer. Its a completely different position. Thats like saying a nurse is a failed doctor. Are you the type that judges someone on how prestigious the title of their job is? Must be stressful for you to worry about other peoples jobs
Tell me your most resourceful story. I want to hear about the amazing things you've done for your attorney.
Worth my weight in gold. Looks like I need to be working on gaining some weight!
What was that time management program you kept mentioning? Sounded like sauna?
I live in texas and have 16 years of litigation paralegal experience but this is in a very large and prestigious law firm. Can you please let me know the general deadlines needed. I had a cheat sheet but I lost it. Please advise.
I just started a Paralegal certificate program and I'm so excited! I've been in HR for 13 years and I'm ready for a change. Watching your channel has helped calm merges of what is expected. Thanks!
Best of luck to you with your program. I look forward to our chat! Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you. 🙂
I've just started my paralegal courses and my self-doubt is definitely getting overwhelming but it's nice to watch these vids and regroup and I LOVE the "pressure makes diamonds" mantra, i'll definitely be repeating that from here on out!!
It’s getting the best of me too it’s the overwhelming part lol
Glad you like the videos. But don't let self-doubt creep in. You've got this! Your entire legal career will be overwhelming and that is why it is a career and not just a job. However, with the overwhelming feeling also comes feelings of accomplishment and excitement. Just take a deep breath and remember why you started. You can do it - there's a diamond in there 😉. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
All of it - even after school - will be overwhelming at one point or another. You've just got to take a deep breath and remember why you started this journey. Hang in there. You've got this! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
where are you taking the courses?
I’m about to start at a small boutique firm next week and this video is by far the most useful and most well presented of the paralegal tip videos. Half those other “day-in-a-life” paralegal TH-cam videos are literally just the girls preening themselves in the mirror and making shakes. Not very useful.
Just started my 1st Para job last week... new sub here. Definitely a change of pace for my career.
I'm also hard of hearing, so this is a new experience. Love your video!
I have been a Personal Injury Paralegal for over 3 years. The last firm I was in, changed to a new software, expecting everything to transfer. It didn’t! Not only did we not get any training, we then had to transfer all the information from the previous files, on top of PNC’s coming in, dealing with and managing all current cases. It was a lot. Not having any training for the new software, overwhelmed me. The office manager had no clue and ran around lost in the sauce. I had no one to go to. I stayed productive, coming in 3 hours before and 4 hours after work. It wasn’t enough. This law firm taught me so much.
Just got job as a paralegal in my very first time in lawfirm abroad. So excited and found your channel so helpful. Thank you for sharing all your experiences!
So happy to read this. How are things going?
Paralegal is like what a nurse is to a doctor. Without paralegals lawyers would be behind in their job. I hope paralegals get paid well for what they do.
Some of us do and some of us don't, but I completely agree with your comment. That is why I say "NEXT to every great lawyer is an amazing Paralegal." 😉 Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
I use this analogy all of the time because they are almost two of the same.
I don't care for this analogy because it probably deters men from pursuing paralegal jobs. It's already like 75% female to 25% male.
Exactly!!! 🤓💪🏽⚖️💋
Being the know-it-all was something I struggled with when I started working as a legal assistant just due to being new and learning and being thrown in the middle of numerous cases with no guidance. I would suggest taking the extra time (I know, what extra time?!) to review/skim a case file to put names with their cases and just get an overview.
I start my first semester of classes to become a paralegal in 2 weeks. Your videos are very useful.
Best of luck! I love reading this. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you ☺
How's it going
This is great! I've worked for a firm for the last several years but just officially took on the litigation paralegal role, so this has some great advice. Thanks for posting!
Good luck with the litigation paralegal role. For me, it has been my greatest roll in my paralegal career. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
I know I’m late but can I ask you what you did to get into a firm without being a paralegal?
Great info... (the music is distracting)... Pressure makes Diamonds! Love it!
Noted about the music, but happy to see you enjoyed the video otherwise. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Thank you very much for this content I just started my first paralegal job and your tips and energy have been of great help.
Thank you very much for watching and commenting, and ....... Welcome to the Paralegal club!
Thank you for your time in creating videos to ease the overwhelming information in the paralegal practice and your ability to provide great insight and motivation! I graduate in December of 2020 from my Paralegal Studies program and Law Office Administration. I am so glad I found your content, You are truly inspiring! :)
You are very welcome. Glad my content is helpful. So exciting to read about your graduation this December. Good luck to you! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Winning Summary Judgement Motions for my Attorney Makes Me Feel Awesome!!!
Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
This is awesome for beginning Paralegals. Great advice.
Thank you! If you would like me to talk about something in particular on my channel, please let me know and I'll create a video. I want to help my fellow Paralegals as MUCH as possible.
Ok, I am hooked Misty! I will be adding stories as they happen!
I start my first paralegal job on August 3rd. I’m really nervous. Your videos have been an exceptional tool to prepare me for what I need to expect at my first paralegal job. Kudos! And many thanks! Could you possibly do a video on what paralegals should have on hand at all times? What are the best resources to have handy all the time? Apps, books, etc. my copy of Paralegal Career for Dummies book, NALA certificate, Paralegal diploma, and Rules of Civil Procedure are a few of mine. Can you go further? Thanks so much again!!
It's your first day at the new job! Good luck to you. So happy to read that my videos are helpful. AND .... thank you for the amazing content idea. I'll certainly have to put something in my production line for that. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Wow! Fantastic Practical Overview of PL job and keys to success. (I'm a nurse switching to paralegal)
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
I just did this exact thing! I switched from RN to a paralegal - I’d love to know how you feel now 5 months later!
@@melissamcclellan9051 Do you like being a paralegal ? I’m a CNA thinking about switching .
You're amazing! I love your video, strong advice, and nice energy. I've just started applying, I'm a fresh graduate!
I’m glad I found you I have a teaching background but this is my desired field I feel afraid because idk how to blend my teacher aid skills into a legal field but I am proficient and very discerning and I know Microsoft yet I’m still worried lol
Go for it! We're always worried before taking that leap into the next journey. Trust your intuition. You've got this 🙌
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Content
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Artistic creativity
Your personality and expertise are next-level. Thank you for creating this content!
Jessica Landa thank you 🙏 so much 😊
Such a boss. Very Inspiring and love your content!
Glad you enjoy it! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Thanks so much for this video!
Thank you so very much, Misty! I could not agree with you more: pressure - over time - does, indeed, make diamonds. This is extremely helpful to remember.
However, may I ask for some guidance on professional presentation for Legal Assistants/Paralegals? What are some of your thoughts on clothing, hair, and level of modesty, particularly for Black women? How have you experienced ways these factors tend to shape office relationships? Further, have you noticed a change in trends of these factors since the Work-from-Home Revolution spurred by the recent COVID pandemic?
Thanks so much again for your work!
Love the sounds!!! Keeps me calm❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you 😊
You are really good. Thanks for your tips. I am a newbie!
Thank you so much for your positive feedback. Welcome to the Paralegal Club 😊
I hope the salary is great and the benefits like health insurance. Do you get commissions for every case the law firm win? Because seems to me like a lot of responsibility and stress, plus of the qualifications you need to become a paralegal.
extremely helpful tips!🙏🏼thank you!
You're so welcome! Glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
I have an AS in Legal studies but never worked as a paralegal. I am now in school for my bachelors in legal studies. I have a ton of questions having never worked in a legal office. Like where did you find the motion to compel? Is this a form? I know this is probably a very silly question but...
Do you have online curses I need to learn how to draft, write motions etc
I have a few online courses, but none that will teach you how to draft or write motions. I would look into courses offered by Jackie Van Dyke. She is a fantastic Paralegal. Look her up on LinkedIn. Good luck to you! Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Thank you so much for making this! I’m a senior in high school and I’m very interested in going to school to become a paralegal. Quick question, what are your hours like?
What is a sauna for time management?
Asana ☺️
Hi girl 👋 just wanted to reach out & say that I love your videos !! New to your page ☺️💙
Thank you so much!! Welcome to my channel 🙌. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
I’m about to be 29 i graduated with a bachelors degree in design in 2016, for many reasons i am no longer passionate about design and recently realized paralegal is actually something I’d love. I am still paying student loans and i work 3 jobs. Am i crazy to think about trying to get a certificate and pursue this career, despite my money problems?
Got for it! I’m 33.
What's that time management app called? Sauna? Sounded like sauna. Anyone know the proper name for it?
The program is Asana. It is fabulous. Give it a try. It's free 😀🙌
Priceless
Very informative thank you 🙂
You’re welcome 😊. Glad it was informative. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
How many cases does a new paralegal start out with? Thanks
Do you have to really good at administrative work or computer 💻 software Davy for this job? Also would you say you could make a decent living of this job?
Awesome video, I, m legal assistant
Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Question: Does the attorney tell you that a Motion to Compel will need to be prepared in a case, or is it up to the paralegal to decide what needs to happen in the case? The reason I ask, is that I recently worked for an attorney as her legal assistant, but did some paralegal duties. She would tell me what needed to happen in the case. For example, she would say: “please draft a motion to compel”. I would draft the motion, send it to her, and then remind her that I had sent her the draft, but sometimes she wouldn’t review it on time and I would get in trouble. I would send her follow-up emails and even texts but she still wouldn’t get it done and she would tell me I had a poor follow up system. Any suggestions, and could I have done more as a paralegal?
I have a 2-email limit with my Principal Attorney...if I have not gotten a substantive response to something time-sensitive, I follow up with a face-to-face on the matter no fewer than 3 business days out. Email can get overwhelming, and there can be deadlines at play or even personal distractions which could delay their attention to what seems far off (until it's not). They may not ever say it, but your attorney counts on you to be respectfully persistent about deadlines and other time-sensitive details. Be brave and chalk this up to a lesson learned. Best to you!
I love this video! Thanks for all these tips! I have been in the legal field for about 12 years but I learned so much with this video!
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you!
Great opening
Thank you!!!
I did my masters in law in India. what's the best paralegal certification. where can I do?
Thank you!!!
You're welcome! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you 🙂
Super informative!
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
What’s motion to compel?
To compel is to force. So a Motion to Compel is a pleading that asks the Court to force another party('s attorney) to do or produce something. Think of a Motion to Compel like a Motion of Force. Great question! Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.
Great!
Hello Misty! I watched several videos of yours over the weekend because my job is currently making me very depressed. I have about 2 years of experience working as a paralegal, most of which is for a real estate and property damage litigation firm. The partner who took over our firm about 7 months ago is an asshole, who micromanages staff and associate attorneys and never wants to admit when he makes mistakes. I replaced a paralegal with 12 years of experience, who actually tried to file a complaint against him. I know of one other person who has been in this role who has also complained about his abusive treatment of staff. I am really struggling and need to find a landing pad as soon as possible. I am reaching out to you because I am desperate for any advice you can give me on dealing with crazy attorneys. Are all attorneys crazy? I feel like a babysitter right now and didn't expect to have to do so much hand holding for an attorney who yells at me on a regular basis. 😭
Great vid but the music is very distracting.
Hey, m from India & m planning to go with paralegal course because I did my LLB in India however, I m confused and worried about the fieldwork in Canada regarding paralegal that's the reason why m sharing my problem with u. So plzz let me help with this problem and tell me should I go with a paralegal or shouldn't
I would be confused about fieldwork in Canada too, but that's only because I'm in the states. From what I understand about Canada, their court procedures last longer than what they do in the United States, but that is the extent of my knowledge. Sorry I can't be of further assistance. However, regardless of where you go in this field, communication and presentation are paramount. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you. Good luck to you! Canada will be lucky to have you working the field :-)
Great presentation and very useful information. Thank you. Question: It is obvious that you could be an attorney, so why would you be a paralegal rather than a lawyer (or attorney)?
Misty is fantastic, she helps paralegals navigate and especially helps those who are starting/already have their own independent business. She works with them one on one too. However, most really good paralegals end up not being attorneys for various reasons. They are fulfilled already, they cannot afford it, or they just don’t want to be.
Your attorney handed you that fax because he already tried the fax machine, knew it was dead, so he just handed it to you. It offloaded the liability from him/her, to you. If it didn't arrive on time, your fault, not theirs.
Nice theory, but LMAO ..... he didn't even know where the fax machine was let alone how to use it 😂. He delegated a task to me, but to say he was "offloading the liability" is a bit of a stretch. If the fax didn't arrive on time, his malpractice insurance could have been on the line, not mine. 😉 Thanks for watching! 😊
This was a harsh reality for me lol
I think I love you
Paralegal is just a failed lawyer. It’s denigrating
What’s sad is you can’t even spell to insult paralegals, people whom read and self educate most of the day. But still think it’s ok to bash a profession. Get a life, and let people live theirs. No we are not failed attorneys, you fool.
Nope
Paralegals do the administrative tasks of a lawyer. Its a completely different position. Thats like saying a nurse is a failed doctor. Are you the type that judges someone on how prestigious the title of their job is? Must be stressful for you to worry about other peoples jobs
Thank you!
You're welcome! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate you.