Effective Paralegal UtilizationEffective Paralegal Utilization2010 Municipal Practice Group Retreat2010 Municipal Practice Group Retreat

October 8, 2010October 8, 2010

Jennifer M. MaguireParalegal Manager

Best Best & Krieger LLP

What is a “Paralegal Manager”?What is a “Paralegal Manager”?• Person responsible for directing and managing

the paralegal staff in all office locations and for administering firm policies regarding paralegals.

Who Employs a Paralegal Manager?Who Employs a Paralegal Manager?• Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP• Miller Nash LLP• Morrison & Foerster LLP• Jones Day• Fenwick & West LLP• Burr & Forman LLP• Pierce Atwood LLP• Hanson Bridgett LLP

Top Six Responsibilities of a Top Six Responsibilities of a Paralegal ManagerParalegal Manager

• Develop Training Programs • Monitor Productivity• Develop Policies and Procedures for Paralegals• Interview, Hire and Orient Paralegals• Be an Advocate• Administer Performance Reviews and

Compensation Plan

Goals for 2010/2011Goals for 2010/2011

• Meet With Paralegals, Practice Group Leaders and Office Managing Partners

• Improve Performance Evaluation Process• Look at Cross-Training and Networking Opportunities• Develop an Overall Paralegal Training Program• Improve Paralegal Utilization

Best Best & Krieger’s ParalegalsBest Best & Krieger’s Paralegals• Members of Professional Organizations

• Certified Paralegals

• More Than 20 Years of Service to BB&K

• Developed Specialties

• Possess Advanced Degrees

• Involved in the Community

Areas of ExpertiseAreas of Expertise• Brown Act• Public Records Act• Political Reform Act• Public Contracts and Construction• Real Property Acquisition and Relocation• Code Enforcement• Complex Litigation• CC&R Reviews

What Paralegals Can Do For You and Your What Paralegals Can Do For You and Your ClientsClients

• Work With Clients Directly• Perform Research

– Procedural, administrative, and case law– Public Records– Other authorities applicable to the practice area

What Paralegals Can Do For You and Your What Paralegals Can Do For You and Your ClientsClients

• Analyze– Research of real property legal descriptions,

contracts, property profiles, and title reports– Evidence for hearings– Summarize and make recommendations– Brown Act, Political Reform Act, CEQA,

Redevelopment statutes

What Paralegals Can Do For You and Your What Paralegals Can Do For You and Your ClientsClients

• Coordinate and Organize– Select, assemble, and compile substantive

information– Keep track of deadlines and help distribute

assignments– Assist with issue formulation and perform data

collection

Statement on Value of Effective Paralegal Statement on Value of Effective Paralegal UtilizationUtilization

• Best Best & Krieger LLP recognizes the importance and value of effective paralegal utilization as a key means of controlling legal costs and delivering efficient legal services to its clients.

Advantages to Paralegal UtilizationAdvantages to Paralegal Utilization• Having access to a great paralegal and utilizing

that paralegal properly can result in:– Greater efficiency– Improved client satisfaction and retention– Increasing your billable rate– Sharpening your competitive edge – Improved quality of life

Why Aren’t Paralegals Fully Utilized?Why Aren’t Paralegals Fully Utilized?

• Confusion About What Paralegals Can and Should be Doing

• Lack of Appropriate Delegation– The “legal food chain”

• Availability of Paralegals is Overlooked

How Can We as a Firm Improve Paralegal How Can We as a Firm Improve Paralegal Utilization?Utilization?

• Educate Attorneys on Paralegal Tasks• Educate Attorneys on How to Delegate• Train Paralegals

– In client service– In promoting effective delegation– In the latest substantive and procedural

developments

Steps You Can Take, to Improve Paralegal Steps You Can Take, to Improve Paralegal UtilizationUtilization

• Try Working With a Paralegal• Utilize Paralegals in Other Offices• Increase Visibility• Be Cognizant of Delegated Tasks• Recognize Paralegals as Professionals

The EndThe End