We yoke the law to ethical standards because ethics serve both the cause of justice and the efficacy of the work. However, ethical standards—such as the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct—present a variety of challenges, especially when it comes…

Paralegal work can be extremely stressful.  Beyond your regular assignments, you frequently deal with impossible deadlines and angry clients, all while performing secretarial, administrative and/or clerical work. Your mind is constantly pulled from one project to another, between work and…

Preparing and serving out-of-state business records subpoenas can seem like a daunting task to the most experienced California paralegal.  Fortunately, the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA), enacted in 2007, can help demystify this task.  Use the following steps…

The sudden loss of San Francisco State’s Paralegal Studies’ (PLS) beloved Program Director Pat Medina was felt by the paralegal and legal community around the world. Palmira “Pat” Medina began her career as a high school English teacher but loved…

In February of this year, 30 paralegals from across the state – myself included –  took the first California Certified Paralegal (CCP) exam sponsored by the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA)  This exam tests a paralegal’s knowledge in the…

Communication in the legal field—as seemingly everywhere in our interconnected world—continues to grow at a breathtaking pace. But communicating more quickly does not necessarily mean communicating efficiently. In a field where every minute is precious, it’s understandable for attorneys to…

Several years ago, I was visiting my friend who is a veterinarian. At the end of a patient visit, as the pet owner left the clinic, she told her receptionist in a low voice, “Blue dot.” “What’s a blue dot?”…