Verbal Judo for Paralegals: The Art of Staying Cool Under Fire

In the legal world, tension is part of the job. Clients are stressed, deadlines are looming, attorneys are under pressure, and opposing counsel… well, you know. As a paralegal, you’re often the one in the middle — fielding calls, calming tempers, and keeping cases moving forward. The question is: how do you handle those tense moments without letting the stress get the best of you?

That’s where Verbal Judo comes in.

Verbal Judo is a proven communication method that helps you redirect conflict, diffuse tension, and turn heated exchanges into productive conversations — all without raising your voice or losing your cool. Developed by Dr. George Thompson and used for decades by professionals in high-pressure environments, Verbal Judo teaches you to control yourself first, so you can influence others more effectively.

This one-hour webinar is designed specifically for paralegals. You’ll learn how to use the “gentle art of persuasion” to navigate tricky interactions with clients, attorneys, court staff, and even difficult opposing parties. We’ll focus on real-world legal scenarios so you can immediately put these tools to work.

What You’ll Learn

• How to keep control of conversations when emotions run high

• The five universal truths of human interaction — and how they apply in a law office

• Deflection and redirection techniques to stop an argument before it starts

• The tactical 5-step method to gain voluntary cooperation

• How to use tone, pacing, and phrasing to be heard without creating defensiveness

• Practical examples for handling angry clients, snarky emails, and pressure from your own team

Who This Is For

Whether you’re in litigation, family law, probate, criminal defense, or corporate work, these strategies will help you handle conflict with confidence. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, I wish I’d handled that better, this webinar is for you.

Why It Matters

Every interaction you have shapes your professional reputation. When you can stay calm under pressure and guide conversations toward productive outcomes, you become the person everyone trusts to handle the tough situations. That’s not just good for your stress level — it’s good for your career.

Join us for Verbal Judo for Paralegals: The Art of Staying Cool Under Fire and discover how to win with words instead of volume. You’ll leave with practical tools you can use immediately — and the confidence to keep your cool no matter what the day throws at you.

Course Format

This is an on demand seminar – you’ll receive immediate access to the on demand recording along with a copy of the Powerpoint. You have lifetime access to this program, so once it’s in your account, you can return to complete it whenever it is convenient for you.

Video length: 1 Hour and 7 Minutes.

NALA CLE Sponsor

The NALA CLE credit approval for this program is sponsored by Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia (“LAPSWV”). Please visit their website to learn more about the work they are doing to empower paralegals and legal assistants in West Virginia.

Membership – Benefits – Events

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 1.0 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.