The newsletter discusses several topics: 1. The rise of super paralegals and legal technicians providing direct legal assistance. 2. Cyberstalking and online privacy tips. 3. Qualifying for a stalking order and resources for victims of stalking. 4. Upcoming events from Rainmakers Virtual College and Lorman Education Services on legal technology topics.

1. Paralegal Rainmakers Digest
Monthly Newsletter of Paralegal Rainmakers
January 2013 Volume 2 Issue 1
Stalking Issue
Super Paralegal P.1
Cyberstalking: P.2
Swimming in Shark Waters P.3
Upcoming Events P.4
5 Must Have Legal Apps
1. Dropbox
2. TrialPad
3. Fastcase
4. Black’s Law Dictionary
5. iAnnotate
The Rise of the Super Paralegal
Paralegal Rainmakers News
The legal landscape has changed tremendously over the last decade and non-attorney legal
professionals are being trusted with more and more responsibilities. In June 2012 the Wash- Registration is now open for Rainmakers
Virtual College Winter Semester. Guest
ington Supreme Court passed a rule that allows Legal Technicians to provide legal assistance Speakers for the Winter Session include:
directly to the public. This rule was passed in an effort to fill the gap between low income indi-
 Larry Port, Founder of Rocket Matter
viduals seeking assistance and those that provide the needed assistance. Although, some
attorneys challenged this rule on the grounds that it would harm them the court stated that it  Ellen Lockwood, State Bar of Texas
Paralegal Division past President and
was not a legitimate concern in lieu of the benefits that passing the rule would provide for
Professional Ethics Committee Chair
those that are currently going without legal assistance. This rule is a huge step towards ensur-
 Brenda Cothary, Washington State
ing that all Americans regardless of income level have equal access to justice. It also allows
Paralegal Association President and
paralegals to demonstrate their expertise and value in the legal field. Hopefully with the suc- Washington Supreme Court Limited
cess of this new rule other states will follow suit and see the benefit of allowing paralegals to License Legal Technician Board
Member
provide similar services. All of the other major professions have various professionals that are
given the authority to provide services to individuals. The medical field has nurse practitioners  Viola Ange, Founder Intellectual
Property Paralegals
and doctors. The mental health field has counselors, psychologists. and psychiatrists. All have
Click here or visit
distinct functions but have the authority to operate to some extent without the others over-
www.rainmakerscollege.com/cle-courses
sight. The legal profession is the only profession that has one group of individuals that are
for more information.
licensed to provide services to their clients without the oversight (cont’d on page 3)

2. On-line Privacy Tips
1. Use Security Software that
updates automatically
2. Don’t give out personal
information on-line
3. Protect your passwords and
update them regularly
4. Block profiles of individuals you
Stalking On-line. Say What? suspect of stalking or harassing
you on social media sites
According to the National Center for the
5. Be careful of downloading
Victims of Crimes stalking is a course of con- software of unknown
duct directed at a specific person that would companies and individuals
cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Alt-
hough, the definition is different in jurisdic- Where to go for help
tions across the United States the intent of
the stalker and the harm that it causes to
victims are the same. The stalker uses 1. If you’re in immediate danger
call 911.
threatening behavior in order to intimidate
and frighten the individual that the acts are 2. Seek the support of family,
directed at. On-line stalking or what is more friends, and co-workers
commonly referred to as cyberstalking may 3. Access the Connect Directory
seem to be harmless because there is no for assistance in your area
physical contact but it can lead to more dan- http://victimsofcrime.org/help-
gerous actions like physical stalking, assault, for-crime-victims/find-local-
assistance---connect-directory
and even femicide. Ex-spouses and partners
may resort to cyberstalking when they no
longer have physical access to their ex part-
ner. With the advancements in technology
stalkers now have the ability to use social
media to stalk individuals and download
programs on the individual’s computer to
spy on them and obtain information to stalk Qualifying for a Stalking Order
them in other areas of their lives. They can
also use technology to send threatening Stalking Orders are orders that protect an individual from following or harassing from
messages to the individual. another. Different states have different definitions and criteria for what constitutes
stalking and the qualifications for obtaining an order. Following are some basic ele-
As technology continues to advance and ments of what is needed to quality for a stalking order across the United States. Visit
pervade every aspect of our lives cyberstalk- http://www.victimsofcrime.org/docs/src/aba-cpo-by-state.pdf?sfvrsn=0 to locate a
chart with state specific information.
ing will continue to be a concern. For more
information about cyberstalking visit The 1. Reasonable apprehension of bodily injury
Stalking Resource Center at 2. Facts that constitute stalking
www.victimsofcrime.org for a list of state
3. In most states standard of proof is preponderance of evidence
cyberstalking laws visit http://www.ncsl.org/
issues-research/telecom/cyberstalking-and-
cyberharassment-laws.aspx.

3. Swimming in Shark Infested Waters
Do you have what it takes?
Shark is a personality type attributed to The Rise of Super Paralegal
those with more aggressive and competitive
(Cont’d from page 1)
personalities. Anyone that has worked in
of the other. Not only does this situation
the legal field for any length of time will
allow for the monopolistic and power driven
come to realize that it is made up predomi- Paralegal Rainmakers Spotlight
operation of legal services it harms the pub-
nantly of individuals with this personality Protective Order Advocates
lic good. When an individual goes for mental
type. Although, the traits that make shark
health assistance they can choose from
personality types effective when working Protective Order Advocates work
counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. for the Protective Order Advocacy
with opposing counsel or trying to convince
Program. This program is part of
a jury to decide in favor of their client these Some will argue that there is no licensing the Domestic Violence Resource
same traits can make working in the profes- amongst other legal professionals to ensure Center and provides assistance
sion similar to working in a war zone and the delivery of quality legal services but this with filing stalking protective or-
ders, restraining orders, elder/
make work miserable. Believing that you situation is easily remedied with the creation disabled abuse protective orders,
can work in the legal profession without of separate divisions for paralegals within and civil stalking protective orders.
understanding how to work with shark per- state bar associations or the oversight by The Domestic Violence Resource
sonality types is like believing that lady jus- paralegal associations. There are several Center assists individuals who are
tice is still blind. states including Texas, Utah, and New Mexi- seeking legal assistance with do-
co that have separate divisions for parale- mestic violence, elder abuse and
Knowing how to swim in shark infested wa- disabled abuse issues. The Center
gals. There are also several national and is located in Washington County
ters will prove to be one of the most effec-
state paralegal associations that provide Oregon. Specifically providing as-
tive tools in operating successfully in the
licensing to paralegals. The National Federa- sistance with filing protective or-
legal profession. All the education and skills ders , safety planning, trainings,
tion of Paralegal Associations, National Asso-
in the world will be useless if a paralegal, and more.
ciation of Legal Assistants, American Alliance
legal secretary, or other legal professional Protective Order Advocates ac-
of Paralegals, Association of Legal Profes-
does not become comfortable with working company individuals to hearings,
sionals, Delaware Paralegal Association, and provide safety planning, filing assis-
in shark infested waters. It is similar to a
Louisiana State Paralegal Association are tance, and other services to indi-
soldier going to war with a gun and a uni-
just a few. With the oversight of paralegals viduals needing assistance with
form without the knowledge of the terrain domestic violence, abuse, and
by a state bar or paralegal association the
in which he or she is fighting on. Once stalking issues.
concern about unlicensed individuals provid-
dropped within the combat zone the gun In addition, to the Protective Order
ing crucial services to the public can be elim-
and armor become useless against the ele- Advocacy Program the Domestic
inated. Violence Resource Center provides
ments and terrain that they must trudge
a 24 Hour Crisis Line, an Emergency
through. When the legal profession is operated as an Shelter, Clinical Counseling Ser-
elite club that protects the interest of its vices, and Community Outreach.
Swimming in shark infested waters is simply
members instead of one that protects the If you are interested in learning
knowing how to tailor methods and practic-
interests of those that it serves, the needs of more, becoming a volunteer, or
es to work effectively within a profession donating visit their website at
clients will always be sacrificed at the altar
that is dominated by individuals with a cer- http://www.dvrc-or.org/domestic/
of prestige and power. When companies
tain personality type. Simply put if you violence/resources/C38 or call
operated with this same mindset it led to 503-640-5352.
bleed in the water you’re sure to get bitten
the likes of Enron, WorldCom, and Tyco. The
and eaten up. Exude strength, confidence,
cure to the ailments that lead to similar dis-
and competence and you’ll not only avoid
asters in the legal profession is creating and
being bitten you will demonstrate your value
adhering to client centric practices and rules.
to your firm or organization.

4. Upcoming Events
Rainmakers Virtual College
January 29, 2013 1:00PM PST Cloud Computing for Legal Professionals
More information available: http://www.rainmakerscollege.com/cle-courses
Lorman Education Services
February 6, 2013 1:00PM ET A Paralegal’s Guide to Ethical Use of Technology
http://www.lorman.com/audio-conference/390380?
affiliate=prainmakers&cd=16374:0:1:4:13&discount_code=P7409901
The Stalking Resource Center
Various Dates & Events across the United States during Stalking Awareness Month
More information available: http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-
center/resources/national-stalking-awareness-month/NSAM2013
Paralegal Rainmakers
a service of Agility Paralegal
9175 Judicial Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
866-255-7175-p
www.prainmakers.com