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Paralegal Voice

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

Aug 19, 2015

Tips and Tricks for Your Annual Performance Review

Most paralegals have an annual review with their employer, and many dread the day it arrives. But this meeting can be useful and informative. During your annual review, you can receive praise...

Jul 29, 2015

Technology Competence for Paralegals and Lawyers

As paralegals (or any legal professional really), it is difficult to keep up with technology trends, firm software, or even client data security. Listeners of The Paralegal Voice are likely ahead of...

Jun 24, 2015

How To Manage Emails for an Efficient Workflow

As paralegals, we are known multitaskers, often confronting many tasks at once. While multitasking seems like a process of getting more done, it often results in distraction and inefficiency. And while it...

May 21, 2015

Legal Staffing Agencies and Your Paralegal Job Search

New paralegal graduates often lack sufficient experience when they encounter job opportunities. Even seasoned paralegals have a hard time standing out from the crowd when applying for positions with thousands of applicants....

Apr 29, 2015

The Legal History of LGBT Community Rights and Coping with Discrimination

The legal history of rights against discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people is changing rapidly. In April 2015, 38 states and Washington, D.C. granted legal benefits of marriage to same-sex...

Mar 3, 2015

Results of the 2015 NALA Utilization and Compensation Survey for Paralegals

Every 2 years, the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) conducts a survey of paralegals to establish current trends in the paralegal industry. Among those surveyed are NALA members, non-members, and members...

Feb 10, 2015

Paralegal Education and Landing a Job

Many paralegals have problems getting a job with no experience but can’t get experience without having a job. This is one of the worst paradoxes in the field. Paralegal education programs have...

Jan 13, 2015

Why Writing Skills are Necessary for Paralegals

Paralegals and paralegal students often have difficulty developing their writing skills to the level expected from legal industry. The legal professionals rely heavily on both verbal and written communication, and writing is...

Dec 10, 2014

Revitalize Your Paralegal Career

Although being a paralegal is a rewarding job, sometimes paralegals experience burnout in their careers and consider changing positions or leaving the profession altogether. There are many ways to revitalize your paralegal...

Nov 12, 2014

A Day in the Life of a Senior Paralegal

Marilyn Wass ACP, CAS is the Senior Paralegal at Lopez McHugh, LLP, a nationally recognized plaintiffs law firm that takes on pharmaceutical companies, nursing homes, insurance companies, auto manufacturers, and the manufacturers...

Oct 8, 2014

The Paralegal’s Role in a Family Law Practice

Family law and divorce can be a very difficult practice due to the amount of emotion and transition surrounding the client’s life. The lawyers practicing in this area are directly responsible for...

Sep 9, 2014

Legal Writing Strategies for Today’s Busy Reader

The majority of people today are getting their information electronically, whether on a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone. In the legal world, this means lawyers, paralegals, clients, and even judges are reading...

Jul 30, 2014

What Paralegals Need to Know About Information Governance, Social Media, and Data Security

Technology has changed the world of law firms and businesses, affecting the way lawyers are required to retrieve, record, and archive information. Instead of communicating entirely by email or phone, professionals are...

Jun 27, 2014

Attorney L. Lin Wood on Representing the Ramseys and Other High-Profile Individuals

John and Patsy Ramsey, Richard Jewell, and Gary Condit are names everyone has heard as they were all on trial in the court of public opinion. These cases were spread throughout the...

Apr 18, 2014

Paralegals: What If Your Client Claims Innocence?

Despite US notions of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, many innocent people have been sent to prison for lengthy to life sentences. Common reasons for these wrongful convictions are...

Mar 10, 2014

The Limited License Legal Technician: Washington State’s Paralegal Law Practice

In reaction to rising legal costs and decreased access to legal services, Washington State has authorized paralegals to practice law on a limited basis through its new Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT)...

Feb 11, 2014

How to Manage Your Paralegal Career in Today’s Economy

Today’s economy can be challenging for paralegals. Make sure you’re taking the right steps to advance your career. On this episode of the Paralegal Voice, host Vicki Voisin interviews future President of...

Dec 31, 2013

Public Speaking: Conquer Your Fears, Deliver Your Message, and Change Lives

“Say something to make them put down their salad fork,” public speaking coach Deb Sofield said. The window of opportunity to engage an audience is small, and your introduction is a key...

Dec 5, 2013

The Soft Skills Every Paralegal Needs

Hard skills can be taught in school – things like speaking a foreign language, earning a degree or certificate, or the ability to type efficiently. Soft skills are more complicated to master....

Nov 8, 2013

How to Unearth Your Worth: Chat with a Career Transformation Coach

After 15 years working in different offices and positions, Lori Howard decided she was burnt out and her career needed a major fix. She discovered her passion is career transformation – helping...

Sep 20, 2013

Top Apps for Paralegals

On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, Vicki Voisin invites Kathy Miller, ACP, CAS and Karen Trumpower, ACP to discuss legal apps for paralegals. Miller and Trumpower presented 90 Apps in 90 Minutes at...

Aug 26, 2013

Paralegal Proofreading Tips

In this episode of The Paralegal Voice, Paralegal Mentor Vicki Voisin chats with Kathy Sieckman about the importance of proofreading and specific proofreading tips for paralegals. Kathy Albrecht Sieckman, PLS, PP, ACP...

Jul 19, 2013

Paralegal Writing Skills

Fine tuned writing skills are pivotal to a firm’s success. They affect first impressions through websites, newsletters, client leads, emails or network listings, client representation, legal write ups, and the list goes...

Jun 24, 2013

Paralegals Are Key in Witness Preparation

Katherine James was getting her masters in acting when her mentor was called to jury duty. The stories he had after his experience in court inspired her to open ACT of Communication:...

May 16, 2013

2013 Paralegal Hiring Trends

On this episode of The Paralegal Voice Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal, joins host Vicki Voisin to discuss the future of the paralegal profession, how it’s changing, and specific steps you...

Apr 19, 2013

Maneuvering Your Paralegal Career from Start to Finish

On the April edition of The Paralegal Voice Vicki Voisin hosts Charlsye Smith Diaz, a professor of technical writing at The University of Maine, who got her start as a paralegal. Diaz...

Mar 15, 2013

Communicating with Clients

On The Paralegal Voice host Vicki Voisin welcomes guest Beverly Michaelis, president of Oregon Law Practice Management, to talk about the changes in lawyer-client communication since the Internet and how lawyers can best...

Feb 15, 2013

Surviving the Workplace Transition – Tips from NALA

On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-host Vicki Voisin welcomes Elizabeth H. Nellis, ACP and Beverly A. Pace, ACP from NALA to discuss tips for transitioning into the legal workplace and...

Dec 30, 2012

Paralegal Career Opportunities in Litigation Support

On The Paralegal Voice co-host Vicki Voisin welcome’s guests Ann L. Atkinson, ACP, NALA President, Michael Potters, CEO/Managing Partner of Glenmont Group, Inc. and Patrick Oot, co-founder of the Electronic Discovery Institute...

Nov 1, 2012

Virtual Paralegals: Forming a Magical Team

Are you thinking about working virtually but don’t know how to get started? Paralegal Voice co-host Vicki Voisin welcomes virtual professionals Tina Marie Hilton, owner of Clerical Advantage and Cathy L. Ribble,...

Sep 24, 2012

Paralegal Career 101: Dealing with Work-Related Stress

On this September edition of The Paralegal Voice,  co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin explore the different kinds of work-related stressors many paralegals face on a day-to-day basis. They talk about the...

Aug 29, 2012

Paralegals and Microsoft Office Suite

How well-versed should paralegals and and paralegal students be in Microsoft Office Suite? Paralegal Voice co-host Vicki Voisin welcomes Deborah Savadra who blogs at LegalOfficeGuru.com, to take a look at the skills...

Jul 25, 2012

Best Billable Hour Practices for Paralegals

Are you looking for answers when it comes to billable hour practices?  Paralegal Voice co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin join Jennifer Karns, Legal Professional Training Manager for Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.,...

Jun 21, 2012

The “Pink Collar” Profession: The Male Paralegal’s Perspective

Is the paralegal profession a woman’s world?  Or is the number of male paralegals on the rise in this female-dominated profession? Paralegal Voice co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin get the male...

May 31, 2012

The Best Paralegal Law Technology Trends

Paralegals need to know the latest trends in law practice and productivity technology to contribute to a successful law practice. For the hottest tech trends, Paralegal Voice co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki...

Apr 20, 2012

Six Hats: Parallel Thinking for Paralegals

Edward De Bono’s, Six Thinking Hats, also known as parallel thinking, is a fun method used in NALA’s year-long leadership webinars for those involved in state and local affiliated associations.  On The...

Mar 26, 2012

2012 Paralegal Hiring Trends

Are you ready to search for a paralegal job? On The Paralegal Voice Kim Wierzel, Esq., a reformed litigator and Placement Director with Special Counsel, joins co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin...

Jan 20, 2012

A Fun Dose of Paralegal Ethics

Can paralegal ethics be fun? On The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin join lawyer/humorist Sean Carter, founder of Lawpsided Seminars, to share his comedic approach to legal education, the...

Dec 13, 2011

Paralegals & Process Servers

Usually a law firm will hand off documents to a process server who will then take care of service. Locating a process server who will do this promptly and ethically is very...

Nov 9, 2011

Career Tips: How to Advance in the Paralegal Profession

Want some tips from the experts about how to get ahead in the paralegal profession? On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin join NALA President, Karen...

Oct 18, 2011

Exploring Modern Redaction Methods for Paralegals

When it comes to redaction and the process of removing confidential information from legal documents, some paralegals still rely on the traditional yet cumbersome method of using a black marker and the...

Sep 22, 2011

Paralegal Resume 101: How to Stand Out from the Competition

Is your resume up to par? Will it rise to the top in a stack of other paralegals’ applications? On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin...

Aug 29, 2011

Trends in the Paralegal Profession

How do you keep up with constantly evolving trends in the paralegal field and stay ahead of the pack? The Paralegal Voice, co-host Lynne DeVenny joins very special guest Jeannie S. Johnston,...

Jul 22, 2011

Paralegal 101: How to Launch Your Paralegal Career

Are you thinking about becoming a paralegal, or are you already working toward a paralegal degree? On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin address the most...

Jun 30, 2011

What Paralegals Need to Know about “The Cloud”

What exactly is this ‘Cloud’ that everyone is talking about?  On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin welcome Tom Mighell,  legal technology expert and senior consultant...

May 19, 2011

Ethics and Professionalism within the Paralegal Profession

Ethics and professionalism are essential to becoming a successful paralegal.  On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin welcome paralegal, Camille Stell, Director of Client Services for...

Apr 22, 2011

Paralegals Giving Back

Volunteering can be an uplifting experience for all involved.   On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin spotlight two paralegals who are ‘giving back’ to the community...

Mar 18, 2011

Paralegals Who Love Their Jobs…and Why

A spotlight report on four successful paralegals from across the country who LOVE their jobs. The Paralegal Voice, co-hosts Lynne DeVenny and Vicki Voisin welcome Brian Haberly, Corporate and Securities Paralegal with...

Feb 24, 2011

Revitalizing Your Career with Continuing Education

Looking for new opportunities in the paralegal world? On The Paralegal Voice, co-host Vicki Voisin welcomes Karen G. McGee, ACP, President of NALA and Christine E. Porter, ACP, Chair of  NALA’s Continuing...

Jan 28, 2011

Management Careers for Paralegals: Spotlighting IPMA

Want to hear ideas about how to advance your paralegal career? On this edition of The Paralegal Voice, co-host Lynne DeVenny welcomes Karen Tuschak, President of the International Paralegal Management Association, Stacie...

Your Hosts
Jill Francisco

Jill I. Francisco, ACP, received her BA in Criminal Justice, (concentration in Legal Studies), from Marshall University...

Tony Sipp

Tony is a highly accomplished and results-driven Legal Professional with 17 years of legal industry experience.  He is...

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