How to

[joywilder]

I've been out of the legal field for approximately 2 years and was wondering if any of you have suggestions about how to dust those legal cobwebs from my brain.


Are there any legal/paralegal websites that you frequent?
Are there any continuing education classes (online or otherwise) that you can rec?

How do you stay current in your field?

[katekindred]

Hi Joy, I take 10 units of continuing education classes through the local bar assn. in my area annually. This is also a good place to strike up conversations with attorneys that also attend these classes and maybe get a client or a referral.

[Reynetta]

I also find it very helpful to attend the local/state meetings for paralegal associations. Where I am, there are two separate groups I can get involved with that help get my name out there as well. When I started my contract business working in-house for vacation leave, sick leave, etc., I got most of my business from fellow members of the associations referring me to the office manager.

In addition, it is good to contact the local ALA (Association for Legal Administrators). They may let you speak at their monthly meeting to inform them of your services or possibly agree to speak on a topic that would be helpful for them such as "Dealing with Difficult People" or "Breathing in the Workplace." This will open a door to get your name in their radar for future work.

Best of luck to everyone!! Have an awesome day!

Rey

[katekindred]

Oddly, I haven't found traditional paralegal assns. very supportive of the freelance/VA option. I had wanted to advertise my services in the paralegal assn newsletter here in Oregon a few years ago and got such a weird grilling ("why do you want to advertise in our newletter, it's not for attys") from the editor, who felt she must introduce me to the board before I could run an ad, that I no longer belong to the Oregon Paralegal Assn. I guess it looked to the editor that I would be a threat to traditional jobs? Very odd experience.

[joywilder]

Wow, that is quite a response from a Paralegal Association. They must not understand what we do, either! LOL

Truthfully, every day I walked into the office I felt I could do the same work at home. I'd say they see a Legal VA as a potential threat...just my opinion?