Online Paralegal Courses

An Omaha Bankruptcy Attorney That Understands

norools — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:09:58 +0000

If you are in need of help in these troubled financial times, why not consider an organized bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy is not what it used to be. Thousands of people are suffering in tough economic conditions, and, through no fault of their own, are struggling to make ends meet. Whether you are self employed, earn wages or run your own business, bankruptcy could be an option for you. When your back is against the wall, you owe it to yourself – and your family – to ease the stress. Once and for all.
But you do need to choose your advisors carefully. Use a law firm that understands your situation, and will listen to your concerns. Not one that will preach to you, and tell you what you should have done. You will need guidance and compassion to help you through what is just a hiccup on your journey to financial security.
Ask any Omaha Bankruptcy Attorney, and they will report that new clients put up with creditor harassment and humiliation. They are often fearful of confronting their predicament when a simple phone call can put their minds at rest and ease their burden.
You do not need to put up with fear of the unknown, and a good legal advisor is in a position to guide you through financial difficulties with compassion and understanding. It is certain that more information and knowledge will leave you in a better position to overcome what is a potentially serious situation.
An Omaha bankruptcy attorney that could help is Francis Skrupa, at the Skrupa Law Office, LLC. Their website can be found at http://www.skrupalaw.com.
Mr. Skrupa has handled over 6,000 bankruptcies throughout his long career. They are one of the few nationally board certified bankruptcy specialists and they know the laws inside and out.
The Skrupa Law Office offers a free consultation, and even before contacting them, they provide a wealth of information on their website. There are updates on new legislation and a lengthy question and answer section. A quick browse through their website will tell you that things are not quite as bad as you thought. There is a section on the website that debunks some of the myths surrounding bankruptcy. Some of them may surprise you, and others will astound you.
A common belief is that you can never own your own home if you file for bankruptcy. WRONG. Do you have to give up all your vehicles once you become a bankrupt? NODoes bankruptcy destroy your credit? NOT NECESSARILY.
Skrupa Law office has one Omaha bankruptcy attorney that will tell it like it is. Not everyone in financial difficulties will need to file for bankruptcy, and there may be other solutions. If your situation is not serious, bankruptcy may not be the next step, but you need an objective opinion to work out where you stand and what the best solution is for you. Only rely on advice from experienced attorneys.
On the Skrupa Law Office website, there is a handy contact form for you to take the first step. You can contact them anonymously, or phone them directly and get things moving. If your financial situation is deteriorating, you owe it to yourself to find out all the options. Your family will thank you.

How Reglan Lawyers Can Help

norools — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:15:54 +0000

If you or someone you know has experienced health conditions as a result of taking Reglan medication, you can find a lawyer to help fight your case and get you the financial compensation you deserve. Reglan is a medication which is used to treat heartburn caused by gastric reflux. This antiemetic and gastroprokinetic agent can also be used to treat nausea and vomiting, but has been found to cause long-term involuntary muscle movement among people of all ages.
This condition, medically referred to as Tardive Dyskinesia, can result in an array of frustrating and often even painful symptoms. That includes restless movements in the eyes, tongue and neck, swelling, anxiety, rapid breathing, even hallucinations and depressed mood. This devastating muscle condition is considered as being so severe that it can be disabling to those who develop it, diminishing their overall quality of life and possibly resulting in the development of more serious health conditions in the future.
There is no treatment for Tardive Dyskinesia, but with a Reglan Lawyer you can get some form of compensation for the struggles you are now dealing with in your life. They understand the difficulties you are going through and want to help each and every client in this situation to win their case and get the maximum compensation possible. They offer the lowest rates to ensure you end up with the most money and can live as happy a life as possible from now on.
Whether you have only taken the Reglan medication a few times or have been on it for some time now, if you notice you have experienced one or more of these symptoms, you may have this as a result of the medication. There are a number of different Reglan products including tablets, oral disintegrating tablets, tablets, metoclopramide oral solution and even Reglan injections.
Reglan lawyers help men, women and children who are experiencing symptoms as a result of taking Reglan medication. The Reglan lawyers of Williams Kherkher are dedicated to helping clients who find themselves in this situation and who need someone to represent them and help them win their case. They even offer a free consultation to any potential clients and if they do not win your case, you do not have to pay any attorney’s fees, court expenses, or other incurred costs during your case.
With an experienced Reglan lawyer by your side, you do not have the stress of going at it alone. You know you have the best chances of winning your case. It can be stressful and even overwhelming to have this big of a weight on your shoulders and you can take this weight off your shoulders with the help of an experienced Reglan lawyer. You do not deserve to have medical issues as a result of taking medication and at least a Reglan lawyer at Williams Kherker can help get you financial compensation to improve your quality of life as much as possible. Call to make an appointment and hire a Reglan lawyer of William Kerkher to help you with your case.

Tennessee Personal Injury Representation

norools — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:39:21 +0000

Injury is not something that is ever pleasant. It is painful, of course, but can also be inconvenient in a number of other ways. It can be time consuming, stressful and expensive. The cost is often more than just medical bills. The cost of injury does include standard medical expenses as well as other items such as medications or physical therapy in situations that cause long term injury. Occasionally a person injures themselves with no influence by anybody else, but all too often there is somebody who is at least partially responsible. When these things happen, there are steps that must be taken.

When you are injured by circumstances of somebody other than yourself, whether it is a person or a business at fault, you must seek legal council. A Tennessee personal injury attorney can appraise your situation and let you know if you are entitled to compensation from the responsible party. In most instances a case is a matter of a suit against a business. Usually such matters are handled by insurance policies and the suit becomes an insurance claim more than anything else. Such claims, when there is enough clear evidence, can be settled with the company without even a trip to court.

Never, should you attempt to work this type of thing on your own. Without legal experience there is absolutely no point in attempting to discuss terms with insurance companies. If the case can not be handled outside of court that applies even more. It is extremely dangerous to try to represent yourself in court. With no grasp on laws and policies, even if you do manage to settle, it is likely that the settlement would be significantly less than it would be with proper legal representation. You are much better off hiring help in such situations.

Pohl and Berk has the representation you need. It is the place to go for a skilled and experienced Tennessee personal injury attorney. With experience in every state and several nearby countries to the south, they are sure to be able to tackle your troubles with confidence. You are sure to find aggressive representation that you deserve. The success of a firm is measured on the winnings they make for their clients. Pohl and Berk has made over two hundred fifty million in recoveries for their clients. With a track record like that you are sure to have your case end well in your favor.

When you have to suffer because of the mistakes of somebody else, that should be made right. With the right bit of representation, you will be compensated for your suffering. Not just your medical bills but lost wages, suffering and other factors will also be taken into effect. All you need is a Tennessee personal injury attorney to help you along with the process. With representation from Pohl Berk you are sure to get your fair share. They will fight relentlessly until you get what you deserve, your injury is sure to be put right.

Paralegals and Real Estate Law

KathyO — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:03:41 +0000

Paralegals with a concentration in real estate law will find work in real estate agencies, law firms or title companies dealing in areas of residential, commercial or leasing purchase and sales. Duties will vary from office to office but most will include such responsibilities as:

Preparation of leases
Review of title reports
Preparing closing documents
Financing and leasing transactions

Most paralegal real estate jobs require a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in real estate or an associate’s degree in paralegal studies with real estate experience. Accredited paralegal schools typically offer concentrations in real estate practices but students should make sure that there are also opportunities for practical experience through a practicum specifically in this field.

In addition to what students will learn in their paralegal courses, there are certain skills that all those working in real estate law should possess. These are:

Lease negotiations
Real estate financing
Lending procedures and documentation
Superior communication skills; both verbal and written

Although all of the above areas are taught to some extent in most paralegal schools, a real estate concentration will place an emphasis on these and other subjects that are necessary for this field or work. Real estate paralegals must also be able to work on all aspects of related transactions from the initial contact with a client to closing.

Job prospects for paralegals are at an increase with the demand for real estate paralegals to be as much as twice that of the industry in general. Although salaries will vary from state to state as well as firm to firm, the average salaries range from $28,000 to $71,000 annually while about 80% falling in the $44,000 range.

Real estate law provides such a broad range of employment possibilities with many opportunities for advancement. Anyone who has an interest in starting a career in law and specifically in real estate law is wise to research paralegal schools that offer bachelor and associate degrees in this field. Once you have successfully completed all course and practicum requirements, graduates must also be prepared to take their paralegal certification exams. For more information about certification, prospective students can contact their state American Bar Association (ABA) for specific details.

Online Paralegal Studies

KathyO — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:00:10 +0000

The number of accredited schools that offer online certificate and degree programs has grown steadily over the last several years and online paralegal courses are no exception. Going back to school on a full time basis is simply not an option for most people due to personal and financial commitments. Studying from home on your own time is an ideal solution for those who wish to attain a certificate or degree in order to advance in their careers or improve employment opportunities.

The goal of enrolling in online paralegal courses should always be with the view of attaining your professional certification. Although certification is not mandatory for working as a paralegal or legal assistant in the United States; it is highly recommended. One key factor that must be considered before choosing any of the paralegal schools is to find out if there is a provision for participating in an internship program. This will ensure students that they will receive important hands-on experience working in the field. This is also a critical component when creating a resume as most employers will require that applicants have experience working for a lawyer or law firm.

In the event that the online paralegal courses you have enrolled in do not offer internship opportunities, students are advised to contact law firms in their area to find ones that will accept practicum students. It is also important to understand the prerequisites and specific requirements necessary to take paralegal certification exams. There are several professional associations that offer certification and contacting them for more information regarding examination eligibility is an excellent way to find out if the courses you are taking will adequately prepare you for certification. A few of these certification bodies are:

National Federation of Paralegal Associations
National Association for Legal Professionals
National Association of Paralegals

One may also contact their local state American Bar Association (ABA) for information on paralegal certification. Whether you decide to get a certificate or a degree in paralegal studies the two critical factors for securing employment will always be how much practical experience you will have as well as obtaining your professional paralegal certification.

Certificate or Certification – What’s the Difference?

KathyO — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:59:03 +0000

Anyone who has successfully completed the required number of accredited paralegal courses is entitled to receive their certificate of completion. This simply means that a student has passed all their classes in one of the many available paralegal programs. Whether or not this will prove to be sufficient in getting a job will to a great extent depend on how thorough the programs was and if it covered all the topics that law firms are looking for when hiring paralegals. Also taken into consideration will be whether or not the student participated in a practicum which would have given them hands on experience working in a law firm.

While receiving one’s certificate is important, it is not a designation that an individual is certified as a paralegal. In order to receive paralegal certification, graduates must meet certain requirements such as:

A specified amount of hands on experience in the field
Pass qualifying examinations
Must have attended and graduated an accredited paralegal program

The American Bar Association (ABA) approves paralegal programs or schools as opposed to certifying paralegals themselves. It is therefore critical that prospective students ensure that the paralegal programs they are considering be approved by the ABA before enrolling. Once all courses have been successfully completed, there are a number of organizations that graduates can turn to for certification, some of which are:

Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
The National Association of Paralegals (NALA)
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)

There are also state specific organizations where one can apply to for their certification such as the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Simply check with your local ABA for information on state certification agencies.

Continuing on to receive paralegal certification after graduation is important as the ABA does encourage lawyers in promoting continued education and higher levels of excellence for all paralegals that they employ. Paralegals that have passed their professional certification exams open themselves up to greater employment opportunities and also helps in ensuring both attorneys and clients that they have a more in depth understanding of their duties and are highly competent in their work.

Freelancing Careers for Paralegals

KathyO — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:32:21 +0000

Law firms and solo practice lawyers are increasingly realizing the financial value that paralegals have within their practices. With this heightened demand and their continued popularity, paralegals have begun to offer their services on a free lance basis. As this trend continues to grow, legal assistant firms are now becoming an integral part of law practices all over the country. Even well established law firms who employ paralegals on a full time basis often find the need for additional help on an occasional basis. Where available, most lawyers prefer to contract for services from a legal assistant firm rather than the broader temporary employment agencies to ensure the highest level of the paralegal’s qualifications and experience.

The cost savings to law firms using these services as opposed to employment agencies is tremendous. In addition to the hourly wage, firms are generally also required to pay agency fees when hiring temporary employees. By utilizing a legal assistant firm, lawyers pay only for the services they are contracting for. In addition, paralegals then have the option to set a flat rate or to request an hourly rate depending on the work that is being requested of them. This system is proving to be a win/win situation for both the paralegal and for the lawyer.

Since paralegals are not able to provide any service that is considered to be practicing law or to set fees, legal assistant firms only provide their services to law firms or independent lawyers. Issues around ethics and the unauthorized practice of law must be a high priority for all freelance law firms since they do not have the luxury of depending on the ethics of the firm they work for. Anyone one or firm providing freelance paralegal services has an obligation to an even higher standard of ethics than those who are employed by lawyers.

Graduates who have just completed their paralegal certification and students who are enrolled in paralegal programs also benefit from the experience that these firms can offer. Students enrolled in online paralegal courses can gain a tremendous amount of experience which will greatly enhance their resumes, improving any future employment opportunities. The possibility of working as a freelance paralegal is certainly an area that deserves serious thought for both the seasoned professional as well as those who have recently graduated or are about to graduate from paralegal schools.

Paralegal Jobs: Writing Your Resume

KathyO — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:38:00 +0000

Whether you have just completed your paralegal certification or have already been working at paralegal jobs for a while and looking for new career opportunities, your resume will determine if future employers invite you for that all important interview. Your paralegal courses may have gone over the basics on how to craft a resume; here we will give you tips to make sure your resume is concise and all inclusive without overpowering the reader.

Recent Graduates

First, the obvious; Your personal information such as name, home address, phone number and e-mail address should be at the top of the page. Always use traditional fonts such as Times New Roman in 12 point font however; your name, etc can be in bold with a slightly larger font. Keep in mind that prospective employers often receive hundreds of resumes making it important for yours to stand out and should be kept to a single page. You can use separate sections to highlight each topic. The most common and accepted sections in the order that they appear include:

Career objective – Since this is the first section it is important to let the reader what your career objectives are. You might say something like, “To work in a cooperative environment utilizing my exceptional research and organizational skills.”

Education – This section is especially important for recent graduates of paralegal programs. Include your degree/certification along with the college you attended and your major as well as when you graduated. Also include specific courses that reflect the skills being asked. With limited experience you can point out any academic activities, leadership skills and organizations that you are or were involved with. Any academic achievements are also important such as making the Dean’s list or contributions to the college newspaper, etc.

Experience – This will be the crux of your resume. Even without previous full time employment there are other things that qualify as experience. Internship programs you completed is an important point as they will bring to light the skills you obtained as well as the responsibilities and duties you performed.

Finally, it is important to state on the bottom of the page, “References available upon request”. Make sure that you have three references available and that you have contacted each one asking them if you can use them as references. When you do receive an interview, bring along any letters of recommendation that you might have.

Ethics and Electronic Communication

KathyO — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:18:09 +0000

Client confidentiality has long been the foundation for building strong relationships between lawyers and their clients. The advent of modern technology including electronic communication has added an important dimension to maintaining that trust. As paralegal duties expand they are often the person that a client communicates with most frequently. Understanding all issues that may pose a breach in confidentiality must be a high priority for all paralegals. Although the American Bar Association (ABA) addresses Model Rules of Professional Conduct, state regulations may differ and are highly influential with both ethics regulators and the courts of each state. There are also the lawyer’s or law firm’s rules of professional conduct that must be adhered to and in the end it is these codes that must be strictly followed.

Although the ABA does not consider confidential information sent by unencrypted e-mail a violation per se, there is an ethical duty to protect confidential client/attorney information and do include very specific guidelines. Lawyers, paralegals and all employees must ensure that reasonable precautions are taken whenever confidential information is being exchanged. It is therefore imperative that paralegals keep current of any new technological advancement which might result in information ending up in the wrong hands. The use of cell phones and other wireless devices are also relatively new threats to client confidentiality. Interception of information of any wireless device is greater than those that are land based. Lawyers and paralegals alike must be highly cognizant in discussing any confidential information over cell phones, wireless e-mails, etc.

Most accredited paralegal schools have incorporated the issue of confidentiality and modern technology into one or more of their paralegal courses to help students understand the seriousness of this type of breach. It is up to each paralegal to ensure that they fully understand the professional rules of conduct of the lawyer or firm they work for. Many legal assistants regularly enroll in online paralegal courses to keep abreast of new Model Rules and opinions that govern both the ABA and their state court system. Continually updating one’s skills will also go a long way in securing your position as a valuable member of any law firm.

Advantages in Expanding the Role of Paralegals

KathyO — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:47:00 +0000

The roles of a paralegal within law firms have grown considerably over the years and continues to do so. Lawyers have begun to understand that much of the work they perform does not require a law degree and that they can significantly increase their profitability by focusing on the “business of law”. This has resulted in firms hiring paralegals who have taken more advanced paralegal courses during their studies.

Qualified employees within a law firm are restricted only by not being allowed to perform duties that are considered to be the practice of law. These restrictions are generally fashioned according the American Bar Association’s rule 5.5. The common functions that must be done by a lawyer in most states include:

Take depositions
Make legal decisions
Appear in court
Set fees
Accept cases
Plan strategy
Give legal advice

Employees with that hold a paralegal certification can perform most other duties under the supervision of a lawyer.

Most accredited paralegal schools understand that today’s career paralegal must have knowledge in a wide array of legal topics. Continuing education is also an important consideration in order to stay in tune with changes in local and state laws. Online paralegal courses are an excellent way for paralegals to advance in their careers and be able to expand their role within a law firm.

While busy law firms understand the value of employing qualified paralegals to allowing them to focus on “the practice of law”, they also need to make certain that having paralegals in their firm is financially profitable. There are several key factors that law firms must adhere to in order to maintain and even increase their profitability through the use of paralegals, which are:

1. Hiring the right person – All legal assistants must have their paralegal certification and be experienced in the areas of law the firm practices. Time must also be taken to ensure that the person will be a good match for whomever they will be working for.

2. Dependability and trust – A paralegal must have the confidence in his/her work and abilities to gain the trust of both the clients and the lawyer.

3. Appropriate delegation – It is not profitable to assign work to a paralegal that can be done by a file clerk, receptionist, etc. All assignments should relate to work that can only be performed by a qualified legal assistant.

There are other factors that lawyers must consider to maintain their profitability but the fact is that under the right conditions, the financial status of a law firm can be increased with the right paralegals.