Jill Francisco

Jill Francisco

Host of Paralegal Voice

Jill I. Francisco, ACP, received her BA in Criminal Justice, (concentration in Legal Studies), from Marshall University in 1994. She became a certified paralegal in 2005 and obtained two advanced certifications (trial practice and discovery) in 2010. Mrs. Francisco is employed as a paralegal with Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, in their Huntington, West Virginia office. She previously worked as a paralegal at Huddleston Bolen LLP, 1997 through January of 2015 when they merged with Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP.

She is very active in local and national professional associations within her profession. She was Charter President of the Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia and has served as a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Professional Development Committee, NALA’s Affiliated Associations Secretary, Affiliated Associations Director, NALA’s Treasurer, Secretary, Second Vice President, Vice President, and was the President of NALA 2018-2020.

She is an adjunct professor at Mount West Community & Technical College in Huntington, WV, in their Paralegal Studies Program. She also serves on the ABA Approval Commission and the Marshall University Big Green Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees.  She is also host of The Paralegal Voice podcast on the Legal Talk Network. She resides in Kenova, West Virginia with her husband, Shawn and their son, John David.

Host of
Recent Episodes
February 15, 2024

Tackling Tech, Getting The Education You Need To Advance

Guest Joy Murao is an expert in teaching others to learn, and apply, the latest in legal tech. Get inspired to take a course and advance your career.

December 14, 2023

That’s A Wrap. What A Year: AI, Mental Health, And Conferences!

Co-host Jill Francisco returns just in time to help Tony Sipp wrap up the year that was – from AI to hybrid working from home – and peek ahead to 2024.

October 19, 2023

Litigation Support Skills, eDiscovery, And Advancing Your Career

Guest Cheryl Garner, CEDS, walks through not only becoming a better paralegal, but pursuing higher career goals, earning credentials, and specializing in eDiscovery and litigation support. She’s a litigation manager overseeing her...

August 10, 2023

Courtroom Tech: Increase Your Value By Perfecting Presentations

Guest Shannon Lex Bales shares his experiences learning, and keeping up with, the latest courtroom tech and presentation software.

July 20, 2023

Live From The 2023 NALA Conference: An Inside Look

Greetings from Day One of the NALA 2023 Conference and Expo! Host Jill Francisco joins NALA past president and experienced paralegal Cassandra Oliver-Divens and paralegal student and first-time conference attendee Joey Jones...

May 25, 2023

Overcoming Subconscious Bias, How We Can Do Better

We all have hidden biases that affect our decisions. Learn to identify and counter them with employment attorney Al De La Cruz.

April 13, 2023

The NALA Paralegal Jobs Report: Get Paid What You’re Worth!

What’s new for NALA in 2023. Start by getting excited about the 2023 NALA conference with NALA’s chief executive officer, Vanessa Finley. This time in Boston in July. You don’t want to...

March 30, 2023

Show Us The Money: The Art and Best Practices Of Time Capture and Billing

Let’s talk about the art, and science, of billing. We’ll go ahead and say it, billing isn’t fun, but it’s crucial to the success of your law firm. And tracking many of...

March 16, 2023

How Paralegals Can Fill Legal System Gaps, A Panel Discussion

Our justice system is changing as demand for access to court services grows. Are specially trained paralegal professionals the answer? Across the country, states are looking for ways to grant special licenses...

February 14, 2023

New Cohost Tony Sipp Helps Kick Off A Year Of Big Upcoming Events

Host Jill Francisco is joined by NEW Paralegal Voice cohost (and a longtime friend of the podcast) Tony Sipp. Together, they kick off the new year with a rundown of upcoming events...

January 20, 2023

Paralegals: This. Is. Your. Year! (So, What Do You Want?)

In 2022, so many things changed. If you don’t love your job, this is your year. Find out if your pay, and job, measure up. Is your work arrangement still fair? Get...

October 7, 2022

Paralegals: It’s Your Mind. Use It Or Lose It

You can never know too much or learn too much. In this inspiring episode, learn to build your skills, your knowledge, and your career.

August 31, 2022

And What, So What, Now What? An NFL Star And The Power Of Positive Thinking.

In a very special, and very personal, episode host Jill Francisco is joined by her good friend, NFL star and Super Bowl champion Vinny Curry of the New York Jets. The power...

June 16, 2022

Incoming President NALA President Talks NALA Conference 2022

Guest Debbie L. Overstreet, the incoming NALA president, gives an overview of the upcoming NALA conference – a return to the in-person gathering after two years of virtual, but with a remote...

April 28, 2022

Expand Your Horizons: Standing Still Is Not An Option

Guest Bobby T. Rimas is a man in motion. Hear how he has used professional organizations, networking, formal classwork, and teaching to stay ahead.

February 24, 2022

Modern Legal Project Management: Agile and Scrum Processes

Alicia Mitchell-Mercer breaks down modern legal project management by applying the Agile philosophy and Scrum management techniques.

December 23, 2021

The “Great Resignation” Is a Great Opportunity for Paralegals

Guest Tony Sipp, paralegal manager, predicts 2022 will be a great year for paralegals to break into the profession or move up.

November 1, 2021

Get Up and Get Out There

Paralegals, you have even more to offer. Explore opportunities in writing and presenting for peers and advising and teaching the next generation.

August 30, 2021

Paralegals Back to School: It’s a New (Tech) World

It’s back to school time. That means for paralegals, too. New software, new online processes, new ways of doing things.

June 30, 2021

Job Growth Alert: Paralegals In Demand

Given how fast the paralegal field is growing, it’s no wonder NALA expects record meeting attendance. CEO Vanessa Finley offers a preview.

April 23, 2021

Cultivating Curiosity

Educator and trainer Amy Johnson shows how simple changes in work habits can save time, increase productivity, and add value to a legal team.

February 11, 2021

Navigating Law Practice Post-Pandemic

Partner Marc Williams recaps the rapid litigation transition from in-person to virtual and what he expects will be the new normal.

December 17, 2020

Labor & Employment in the Age of COVID-19

Lawyer Brian Moore details evolving regulatory changes that impact employers and workers as the pandemic rages and vaccines hit the market.

November 12, 2020

Stand Up, Speak Up

Creating a diverse and inclusive culture requires action. Jill Francisco explores big and small ways to support diversity in the workplace.

July 6, 2020

Get Ready for the 2020 NALA Conference @ Home

Carl Morrison, Jill Francisco, and Brian Moore discuss the exciting experience in store at NALA’s virtual conference.

June 11, 2020

Sneak Peek of NALA Conference & Expo 2020

In this brief announcement, host Jill Francisco shares some of the details about NALA’s first virtual conference.

June 11, 2020

What a Legal Recruiter Can Do For You

Jillian Kuehl outlines how the recruitment process works and how to find the right recruiter for your needs.

April 23, 2020

The At-Home Paralegal: Tips & Tricks for Remote Work

Debbie Hrytzay offers remote work tips for paralegals.

February 28, 2020

The Power of You: Building a Paralegal Career That Will Move, Touch, and Inspire

Kristine Custodio Suero shares career development insights for paralegals.

January 31, 2020

NALA’s 2020 Outlook

Vanessa Finley gives insights on NALA’s offerings for members and plans for 2020.

December 23, 2019

Paralegal Hot Topics: The ABA’s Proposed Definition Changes and New Education Guidelines

New Paralegal Voice co-host Jill Francisco talks with Chris Jennison about potential changes to the ABA’s legal assistant/paralegal definition and new guidelines that would approve online paralegal coursework.