THE LEGAL LOWDOWN

The Humbling Reality of Working for an Abusive Attorney

To those of you who have worked for an abusive attorney… my heart truly goes out to you.

I know what it feels like.

I have worked for an abus...

Paralegals in California: Understanding Business & Professions Code §§ 6450-6456

What Every Paralegal and Employer Should Know and Why It Matters

If you’ve ever heard someone casually say, “Oh, I’m ...

Probate cases often involve multiple safeguards designed to protect estate assets and beneficiaries. But even with court orders, bonds, and blocked accounts in place, things can still go wrong when...

In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a “fee waiver” in order to file for free. With a fee waiver, you also ...

When the Law Takes Its Toll: Burnout in the Legal Field (and what you can do about it)

Working in the legal profession (especially in family law, litigation, or a high-stakes practice) can feel deepl...

In estate planning, few assumptions are as dangerous as “The house is already in the trust.” Even when a client says it with complete confidence. 

One of the most common and costly issues that surfac...

The holiday season in a law office has a rhythm all its own - part festive cheer, part frantic deadlines, and part shared camaraderie born from navigating both at the same time. As the days grow short...

If you’ve worked in a California law office in the last few years, you know the term “e-filing” can spark either gratitude or groans. Gone are the days of dashing to the courthouse before 4:00 p.m. wi...

Embarkation

I suppose I’ve always had an interest in the law. Even as a young person, something about the structure of rules, the clarity of procedure, and the way people relied on the legal system d...

So, you’ve been asked to “research the case law” on a topic and you don’t have LexisNexis, Westlaw, or a law library that smells like old paper and caffeine. Don’t panic. You can still do solid, relia...

Let’s be honest. Law offices run on organization, communication, and good coffee (or tea, or energy drinks). Whether you’re a seasoned paralegal or new to the legal world, managing daily tasks can som...

You may think formatting is just aesthetic, but courts take it seriously. Poor formatting can make your document hard to read, get it rejected or delay the process, and give the impression you’re n...