1. Effective Paralegal UtilizationEffective Paralegal Utilization
2010 Municipal Practice Group Retreat2010 Municipal Practice Group Retreat
October 8, 2010October 8, 2010
Jennifer M. Maguire
Paralegal Manager
Best Best & Krieger LLP
2. 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.
3. 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
4. Top Six Responsibilities of aTop 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. What Paralegals Can Do For You and YourWhat 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
9. What Paralegals Can Do For You and YourWhat 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
10. What Paralegals Can Do For You and YourWhat 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
11. Statement on Value of Effective ParalegalStatement 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.
12. 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
13. 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
14. How Can We as a Firm Improve ParalegalHow 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
15. Steps You Can Take, to Improve ParalegalSteps 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
