A well-known legal staffing trailblazer, Chere Estrin demonstrates a solid range of expertise: from CEO of
The Estrin Organization, a Los Angeles-based legal and financial staffing organization; to senior executive in
a $4 billion staffing conglomerate; to president of a legal staffing division in one of the country's top three
international litigation support companies; to successful entrepreneur building one of the largest paralegal temporary
staffing organizations in the country. Her history as an administrator in two Top Ten law firms allowed her access
into this niche field.
Ms. Estrin founded C.B. Estrin and Associates in 1986, which quickly rose as one of the largest multioffice
paralegal staffing organizations. The company was acquired by Interim, where Ms. Estrin held a senior management
position as head of a $40 million division. She then joined The Quorum/ Estrin Group as president of a division
of an international litigation support company. She is now CEO of The Estrin Organization, a Los Angeles-based
professional staffing organization. Ms. Estrin is a well-known national seminar leader and teaches at prestigious
universities such as UCLA.
Recently featured in Newsweek, magazine and The Los Angeles Times Business Section as head of a fast-tracking
staffing company, her achievements and awards include winner of the Century City (Los Angeles) Chamber of Commerce
prestigious "Woman of the Year 2000 Achievement Award"; finalist for Inc. magazine's "Entrepreneur
of the Year Award"; and winner of California Lawyer Magazine's LAMMIE award. She was featured on the cover
of Legal Assistant Today magazine as the legal field's "Career Guru." Ms. Estrin is the author of eight
career books including 10 Unbeatable Steps to Phenomenal Career Success, The Successful Paralegal's Job Search
Guide (West), and The Attorney Career Guide (West, 2002).
In addition to her column in Legal Assistant Today, Ms. Estrin has been featured in Newsweek magazine, The Los
Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Working Woman, CNBC.com, BusinessWeek Online, Entrepreneur
magazine,
Preface
Since the first publication of this book in 1992 (and the second edition in 1996), my greatest satisfaction
has come from readers who report, "I followed your instructions and my career zoomed." I have also been
gratified by the many paralegals and paralegal educators who recommend my book to their students, colleagues, and
bosses.
When I considered what needed revision for a new edition, a logical question arose. If it isn't broken, why
fix it? Certainly, the basic information in the first and second editions remains as reliable today as it was in
1992 and again in 1996. However, our ever-changing world, as well as the rapidly changing paralegal field, calls
for some changes.
In this third edition:
I've reported on the cutting edge of technology which is vital to your career now and in the future. Certainly,
the Internet has changed the way we deliver legal services.
I've interviewed 20+ paralegals, managers, technology professionals, and litigation support managers. Their
stories are not only interesting, but they also provide ideas for your own career.
I've explored the latest in practice specialties including the controversial MDP's which, despite the outcome,
offer more opportunities for paralegals.
Stacey Hunt has been, once again, a real hero in writing a couple of dynamic chapters for litigation paralegals,
the bulk of the profession. Her step-by-step guides are invaluable.
I've added numerous resources found on the Internet. A handy guide is always useful.
I've introduced new competitive strategies for moving your career along based upon what the workforce is like
in the new millennium. I've added some information about the 26 states that now have a definition for paralegals,
along with the controversial California decision for mandatory hiring requirements.
In the paralegal field, we are just beginning to see how the apparent impersonal dot-com world is cross-pollinating
the field of law. Despite our culture's full entry into the electronic era, human beings, not Intel chips, continue
to power the paralegal world. After all, the impact of one paralegal's job on a matter, case, or client is a highly
personal experience. Word of mouth or the smile on an attorney's or client's face from a job well done by a paralegal
beats out the Internet each and every time.
I trust that this third edition will guide you to transform your career into the vision you seek. I also wish
you the reward of wonderful relationships with your bosses, coworkers, and peers. To report on your success, say
hello, or ask questions, just send an e-mail to [email protected] or write in care of my publisher, Elizabeth Sugg,
Prentice Hall.
Chere B. Estrin, Ph.D.
Los Angeles, California
Summary
A well-known legal staffing trailblazer, Chere Estrin demonstrates a solid range of expertise:
from CEO of The Estrin Organization, a Los Angeles-based legal and financial staffing organization; to senior executive
in a $4 billion staffing conglomerate; to president of a legal staffing division in one of the country's top three
international litigation support companies; to successful entrepreneur building one of the largest paralegal temporary
staffing organizations in the country. Her history as an administrator in two Top Ten law firms allowed her access
into this niche field.
Ms. Estrin founded C.B. Estrin and Associates in 1986, which quickly rose as one of the largest multioffice
paralegal staffing organizations. The company was acquired by Interim, where Ms. Estrin held a senior management
position as head of a $40 million division. She then joined The Quorum/ Estrin Group as president of a division
of an international litigation support company. She is now CEO of The Estrin Organization, a Los Angeles-based
professional staffing organization. Ms. Estrin is a well-known national seminar leader and teaches at prestigious
universities such as UCLA.
Recently featured in Newsweek, magazine and The Los Angeles Times Business Section as head of
a fast-tracking staffing company, her achievements and awards include winner of the Century City (Los Angeles)
Chamber of Commerce prestigious "Woman of the Year 2000 Achievement Award"; finalist for Inc.
magazine's "Entrepreneur of the Year Award"; and winner of California Lawyer Magazine's LAMMIE
award. She was featured on the cover of Legal Assistant Today magazine as the legal field's "Career
Guru." Ms. Estrin is the author of eight career books including 10 Unbeatable Steps to Phenomenal Career
Success, The Successful Paralegal's Job Search Guide (West), and The Attorney Career Guide (West, 2002).
In addition to her column in Legal Assistant Today, Ms. Estrin has been featured in Newsweek magazine,
The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Working Woman, CNBC.com, BusinessWeek Online, Entrepreneur
magazine,
Table of Contents
Foreword by Richard Shaffran, Esq.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author.
Introduction.
1. After the Revolution: The Radically Changing Paralegal World.
2. Firing Up Commitment for Strategic Career Planning.
3. Educating Paralegals.
4. Talking the Talk.
5. Paralegal Careers in the New Millennium.
6. When to Say NO to Your Dream Job.
7. Cutting-Edge Legal Careers In the Virtual Workplace.
8. In Pursuit of Success.
9. Shifts in Legal Temporary Staffing Trends.
10. Careers with Legal Vendors.
11. Learning the Secrets of Quality Service.
12. Baby Boomers Meet Generation X.
13. The Experienced Paralegal: Climbing the Invisible Career Ladder.
14. Using Vendors to Upgrade Your Career.
15. Billables: A Win-Win.
16. Getting Up Off the Sticky Floor.
17. You Call This Networking?
18. Paralegal Orientation Program for New Hires and Temps.
19. The Paralegal Manager.
20. Straight Talk from a Few of the Most Powerful Paralegal Administrators in the Country.
21. Creating an Environment for Keeping Talent.
22. Formal Evaluations.
23. How Partners Get Paid Those Big Bucks.
24. Toxic Bosses.
25. Positive Career Changes.
26. Career Questions and Answers.
27. Reaching Out: The Joys of Writing and Teaching.
28. Legal Secretaries Seeking Paralegal Positions.
29. Creating A Business.
30. Trial: The Brass Ring.
31. A Quiet Revolution.
32. Surfing the Net.
33. Litigation Support: Systems, Software, Services You'll Need to Know.
34. Just Do It.
Appendices.
