This document summarizes a presentation for the Richmond Paralegal Association about developing judgment and analytical skills. It discusses the expectations for modern paralegals, including having knowledge of the legal system, skills to complete tasks, and competencies to react professionally. It emphasizes understanding issues, analyzing facts, and clearly communicating conclusions. The presentation provides rules for success, including understanding assignments, analyzing issues, and communicating results. It also discusses how these skills are tested on certification exams and how experience helps develop the expected competencies.

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