As you sit in your car outside the courthouse, your hands tighten around the steering wheel. You know you need to file for temporary guardianship of your aging father — his memory is slipping, and he’s no longer able to manage his medical appointments or pay his bills. But as you glance down at the list of requirements you hastily scribbled from an online search, the process feels impossible.
Do you need a lawyer? You know you don’t have the funds for that. So, what now? Where do you even get the right forms? How long does it take? Questions swirl in your mind as the urgency of the situation presses down on you. The bank won’t let you access his accounts, the doctors won’t share his medical information, and without legal authority, you can’t make decisions on his behalf. You take a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle over you. You need help, but you don’t know where to turn.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2025-03-17 13:11:022025-03-18 10:43:50The Role of Paralegals in the Community Justice Movement
When I began working as a paralegal, I envisioned spending my entire career in a law office. I dreamed of working at a big firm and specializing in family law. I had found my calling and loved the work I did because it gave me a deep sense of purpose – I knew I was helping people through some of their most difficult life experiences. I sought a paralegal degree after navigating the process to get custody of my niece and nephew without legal help. I remember feeling lost and overwhelmed, with no money to hire an attorney. Since I didn’t have a computer at that time, I resorted to doing research at the local library to learn how to draft a custody complaint and serve it. That experience fueled my passion for helping others in a similar position who feel as helpless as I did.
This desire to help others also set me on the path to getting involved with pro bono work and my tenure as the Paralegal Division’s Pro Bono Committee Co-Chair for five years. Incidentally, my role in pro bono was also the catalyst to my transition out of a traditional paralegal role and into the nonprofit world. Networking and volunteerism are the two driving forces that catapulted my career into something more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined when I first began working in the legal field.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2025-03-06 10:52:272025-03-06 10:52:27Career Crossroads: How Paralegal Skills Open Unexpected Doors
In North Carolina, while the File & Serve (eFiling) system is widely implemented to streamline the filing process, there are still significant inconsistencies across different counties and courts. These inconsistencies can create challenges for legal professionals, including paralegals, who need to navigate the system for filing documents. Below are some of the most common inconsistencies with the eFiling platform across the state:
Debra Hall, known as Debbie to her colleagues and friends, did not set out to become a paralegal, but the field found her. She began her career as a computer programmer, a role that sharpened her analytical skills, which she now applies daily in contract management. When a legal opportunity opened up at a pharmaceutical research company, she stepped into her first paralegal role. With the company’s support, she pursued an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Forsyth Tech.
Now a paralegal and contract manager at Inmar, Inc., based in Winston-Salem, Debbie supports in-house counsel by drafting, reviewing, redlining, and negotiating contracts. She also oversees corporate insurance programs, manages client communications, and mentors new paralegals.
Mastering the Art of Contracts
Debbie’s paralegal career has spanned corporate law, bankruptcy law, and contract management. She has worked on everything from NDAs to complex quality agreements (QAg) — a niche area many paralegals do not often encounter. The shift from a law firm to a corporate setting has been rewarding.
“I feel like the corporate environment has provided more room for growth, better benefits, and more opportunities,” she explains.
She enjoys the collaborative working environment of Inmar’s corporate legal department.
Social media platforms have transformed the way individuals and professionals communicate, share information, and connect with others. For legal practitioners, these platforms offer powerful tools to engage with clients, promote services, and participate in public discourse. However, the use of social media also raises significant ethical considerations. Navigating these challenges requires an understanding of the intersection between legal ethics rules and the unique characteristics of social media.
Key Ethical Considerations for Legal Professionals for Social Media
Confidentiality
The duty of confidentiality is a cornerstone of the attorney-client relationship. Legal professionals must avoid sharing any client information on social media that could inadvertently reveal confidential details, even in anonymized scenarios. Even seemingly harmless posts about case outcomes or legal strategies may breach this duty if identifiable information is disclosed.
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In the ever-evolving landscape of legal technology, the International Legal Technology Association Conference (“ILTACON”) stands out as a pivotal event. This annual conference brings together legal professionals from around the world to share insights, explore new technologies, and discuss best practices. For paralegals, ILTACON offers unique opportunities to enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge, and network with industry leaders.
What is ILTACON?
ILTACON is the premier educational and networking conference for legal technology professionals. Held annually, it features a wide range of sessions, workshops, and keynote speakers who dive into the latest trends in legal technology. Topics often include data management, cybersecurity, AI in legal practices, and more. The conference attracts a diverse group of attendees, from legal IT specialists to paralegals, making it an invaluable resource for anyone in the legal field.
ILTACON 2025 will be held this year on August 10-14, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2025-01-31 16:42:172025-02-04 11:28:59Exploring ILTACON: A Game Changer for Paralegals
Erica Weiss serves as the senior paralegal, office manager, and case manager for attorney Michael D. Nash at Lloyd & Nash, PLLC, in downtown Greensboro. With over eight years of experience, Erica specializes in case management, client communication, and attorney schedule coordination. Her core strengths include maintaining detailed case files, conducting thorough legal research, and investigating case-relevant information. Erica excels at managing multiple priorities and ensuring attorneys are well-prepared for their commitments weeks in advance.
My last post on AI focused on simple and practical ways that artificial intelligence can make everyday tasks in the legal field more efficient. In this post, I will give more examples and introduce specific AI tools other than large-language models (LLMs) to utilize in legal practice. While I no longer work in a traditional paralegal role, I am still working in the legal field in a nonprofit with a focus on operations and program management. I look back on the years when I did work as a paralegal and can identify ways that AI could have enhanced my work.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2025-01-15 11:20:062025-01-15 11:20:06Ethical and Practical Uses of AI for Paralegals: Part 2
HELM (Higher Educational Legal Managers) is a nationwide group of legal administrators from both public and private colleges and universities across the United States. This voluntarily-formed body of like-minded colleagues is not incorporated nor affiliated as a legal entity with any other association. Members join HELM to exchange ideas, share job experiences, and seek continuing education opportunities.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2024-12-16 16:09:012024-12-16 16:09:10Exploring New Horizons: Attending HELM – A Premier Conference for Higher Education Professionals
North Carolina’s eCourts platform has revolutionized how legal professionals file documents, manage cases, and access court records. However, as with any technology, there are challenges and limitations that users, including paralegals, face when using the system. In this article, we will explore common issues experienced with the File & Serve (eFiling) platform and offer practical tips for navigating these problems.
Introduction to eCourts in North Carolina
North Carolina’s eFiling system is part of the broader eCourts initiative designed to modernize and streamline the court processes by enabling electronic filing, viewing, and management of court documents. While the system has improved efficiency and accessibility for legal professionals, it is not without its hurdles. When filing documents with North Carolina’s eFiling system, users often encounter several challenges. Some of the known issues that can cause frustration or delays include:
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2024-12-04 10:01:052024-12-04 10:01:05Navigating Issues with North Carolina File & Serve Platform: A Paralegal’s Guide, Part 1
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