On-the-Job Realities: Thriving in the Legal Workplace
Being a paralegal means more than just knowing the law – it also means learning to navigate the people, systems, and challenges of a professional legal office. This seminar focuses on the realities of working in the legal field, with practical advice for managing day-to-day issues that paralegals face on the job.
We’ll cover topics like effective communication, handling office politics, and building strong working relationships with attorneys, secretaries, and other support staff. Participants will learn what to expect from a performance review, how to work with both attorney-managers and attorney-advocates, and what it means to be assertive without being aggressive.
The session also addresses legal workplace dynamics, such as recognizing harassment, understanding the value of supervision, and how to use tools like journals and career development files to stay on track. We’ll also look at the importance of office systems – what works, what doesn’t, and how to contribute to a more effective and supportive environment.
Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to sharpen your workplace skills, this seminar will help you better understand how to thrive as a paralegal in the real world.
Course Format
Your enrollment includes immediate access to the on demand recording along with a downloadable copy of the accompanying PowerPoint presentation in PDF format.
As always, you’ll enjoy lifetime access to all course materials, so you can revisit the recordings and resources whenever it’s convenient for you.
This course includes computer-generated captions in English and Spanish to support a variety of learning preferences; captions may contain minor inaccuracies.
Video length: 1 Hour.
Continuing Legal Education Credit (CLE)
NALA CP or ACP: This program meets the requirements of the NALA Certifying Board for continuing legal education credit required to maintain the CP (Certified Paralegal) credential. This program is pre-approved by NALA for 1.5 hour of Non-Substantive CLE.
Florida Bar FRP: As approved by NALA, this seminar meets the requirements under Rule 20-6.1 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar for continuing legal education credit required to maintain the FRP credential.
North Carolina: This program has been pre-approved by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification for 60 minutes of general credit plus 0 minutes of ethics credit. This approval shall expire on March 8, 2027 unless extended.
Meet your Speaker – Linda McGrath-Cruz
Linda McGrath-Cruz brings a wealth of hands-on experience to her seminars, accumulated since 1997, from the dynamic world of civil litigation. Specializing in areas such as products/premises liability, bodily injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice defense, Linda’s expertise is not just theoretical but deeply rooted in real-world practice. As a testament to her dedication and skill, she has earned the designation of NALA Advanced Certified Paralegal in key areas including discovery, eDiscovery, trial practice, social security, and entity medical liability, alongside her recognition as a Florida Registered Paralegal. Linda is the Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor for the St. Johns River State College Paralegal Program.
Linda’s academic journey underscores her commitment to the paralegal profession, holding two paralegal certificates, a Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies from Barry University, and a Master’s in Paralegal Studies from National Juris University. Linda also holds degrees in medical assisting and secondary education. Her educational background, paired with her extensive experience, positions her as an instructor with a deep understanding of the field’s nuances and complexities.
She is the proud founder and operator of Perfectly Paralegal, a vibrant community that offers resources, support, continuing education, and much more for paralegals across all levels of experience and education. This initiative highlights Linda’s commitment to nurturing the paralegal community, making her not just a mentor but a relatable ally who understands the challenges and triumphs of the profession.
In Linda’s classes, you’re not just learning theory; you’re gaining practical insights from someone who has lived it. Her approachable nature and dedication to sharing her wealth of knowledge ensure that every participant leaves with valuable, actionable information. Join her to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, and empower yourself with the tools for success in the dynamic world of paralegal work.
On-the-Job Realities: Thriving in the Legal Workplace
