1. Judgment & Analysis:
A Real Approach for
Real Paralegals
A Presentation for
Richmond Paralegal Association
March 21, 2015

2. Meet your Facilitator
O Owner and Managing Director of
Paralegal Solutions, LLC, a company the
supports the education of PARALEGALS
through:
O CLE Trainings;
O Certification-readiness; and
O Onboarding services.
O More than 20 years’ experience
paralegal → paralegal educator

3. PARALEGAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Judgment & Analytical Ability
Simple solutions seldom
are. It takes a very unusual
mind to undertake analysis
of the obvious.
-Alfred North Whitehead
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alfrednort165023.html#rrqrhS2i3mo6YPw4.99

4. Putting it into Perspective
Judgment
↓
Process used to
reach a decision
Analysis
↓
process of
separating
something into
its constituent
elements

5. The Job of a the Modern
Paralegal
What does your supervising attorney
expect?
O Knowledge of the legal system and the
(assigned) substantive and procedural
areas of law;
O Skills to complete assigned tasks and
provide a professional system of support;
and
O Competencies to react professionally
within specific situations.

6. The Knowledge Requirement
O Knowledge = Education +
experience
O Need to know:
O The foundation of our legal system;
O The structure of the court system
and jurisdiction & venue rules;
O The sources of modern law & where
to find “the answers”; and
O Alternative resolution options.
Goldman, T.F. & Cheeseman, H.R. (2014). The paralegal professional: the essentials, 4th ed. (Chapter 12: Legal
Research)

7. The Skill Requirement
O Finding Answers
O Interviewing & Investigation
O Legal Research
O Thinking Critically
O Communicating Info(oral &
written)
O Organizing Info
O Utilizing technology
O Managing the attorney’s daily
practice
http://www.aafpe.org/About_AAfPE/files/core_comp.pdf (Retrieved 3/12/15)

8. The Competency Requirement
O Demonstrating understanding
of:
O Paralegal Profession, Role, &
Workplace;
O Ethical Duties & Obligations;
and
O UPL and how to avoid it.
O Demonstrating commitment:
O To the firm and supervising
attorney; and
O Toward managing your own
career.
http://www.aafpe.org/About_AAfPE/files/core_comp.pdf (Retrieved 3/12/15)

9. So, how does all of this work in
Real life?
“Rules” for
Success for every
project assigned:
OUnderstand it!
OAnalyzing it!
OCommunicate it!

10. Understand it
O Gather and sort the
facts.
O Identify the info
gaps.
O Identify the info
conflicts.

11. Analyze it
O Identify the question
to be answered
(Issue).
O Find the answer
(Rule).
O Process it
(Application).
O Answer the initial
question
(Conclusion).

12. Communicate it
O Know your
audience.
O Utilize the
appropriate form of
communication.

13. Time to Practice

14. So, how does all of this work
on NALA’s CP Exam?
O Types of Questions: T/F, multiple-choice,
matching, and Essay question.
O Successful test-taker will demonstrate:
O Ability to identify relevant facts and main issues;
O Ability to apply law to facts;
O Ability to analyze issues and form conclusions; and
O Ability to organize info and be clear in communicating
results.
O Practical experience is helpful, but not
necessary.
O Use the same rules for success!

15. Q&A

16. Conclusions
O Expectations to perform are higher today
than ever.
O Modern paralegals are expected to provide
legal judgment and analysis based on
knowledge, skills, and competencies.
O Knowledge, skills, and competencies are
DEVELOPED over time and with practice!
O Certifications are one way to distinguish
yourself in the industry and prove your
commitment and your worth.

17. Paralegal Solutions, LLC
Contact us for all of your training needs!
804-230-9015
O www.paralegalsolutionsonline.com
O support@paralegalsolutionsonline.com
O www.linkedin.com/company/paralegal-solutions-
llc
O www.twitter.com/PSolutions_RVA
O www.facebook.com/ParalegalSolutionsRVA