2005 Index to Articles

By subject for all articles  published between January and December 2005.

Please use our online forms to order Legal Assistant Today reprints and back issues.

FEATURES

• 2nd Annual Unique Paralegal Programs
  Innovative programs provide exciting paralegal education options.
  By Tim Pareti
  January/February
  

• Managing Knowledge 101
  How paralegals can head up KM projects for their firms.
  By Linda A. Potter
  January/February
  

• Conventional Wisdom
  Conference offerings and benefits for the busy paralegal.
  By Rod Hughes
  January/February
  

• Ultimate Resource Guide
  The 10 areas of information you should always have at your fingertips.
  By Neal R. Bevans
  January/February
  

• 2004 Index to Articles
  Online only — click here
  January/February
  

• Peace of Mind
  LAT’s 13th Annual Salary Survey results.
  By Rod Hughes
  March/April
  

• Marketing Game Plan
  Strategies for freelance paralegals.
  By Rachel Ng
  March/April
  

• Vendor Management
  How to get the most out of vendor relationships.
  By JP Kubicki
  March/April
  

• Peering Into the Future
  LAT’s 4th Annual Technology Survey results.
  By Rod Hughes
  May/June
  

• Music Paralegals
  By Rachel Ng
  May/June
  

• 25 Reasons to Make the Switch
  Why paralegals should consider changing from WordPerfect to Word.
  By Kim Plonsky
  May/June
  

• A Class of Distinction
  Class action lawsuits and the legal assistant’s role.
  By Rod Hughes
  July/August
  

• A Formula for Success
  A paralegal-attorney team combines trust and technology in a successful litigation practice.
  By Ari Kaplan
  July/August
  

• Jury Focus Groups
  Examining what matters to a jury could make or break your case.
  By Rachel Ng
  July/August
  

• The Ups and Downs of High-Low Agreements
  By Catherine Astl, CLA
  July/August
  

• 2005 Paralegal of the Year
  Winner S. Kristine Farmer and two runners-up stand out from their peers.
  By Tim Pareti
  September/October
  

• The Worlds of Ethics and Technology Collide
  The ethics rules for electronic communication.
  By  Kathryn A. Thompson
  September/October
  

• When Two Firms Become One
  Tips for making a merger work.
  By Stacey Hunt, CLA, CAS
  September/October
  

• Billing: Friend or Foe?
  What you should know about the newest trend in legal billing.
  By Brett Burney
  September/October
  

• 2005 Rookie of the Year
  Luciana Case
  By Rachel Ng
  November/December
  

• Unique Specialties
  Distinctive areas of law for the nontraditional paralegal.
  By Janet Roberts
  November/December
  

• The DuPont Legal Model
  A winning legal process to grow profits, streamline operations and utilize paralegals.
  By Ari Kaplan
  November/December

COLUMNS

My Opinion/Story

• Should Disbarred Attorneys Be Allowed To Work as Paralegals?
  By Jennifer L. Young and Scott Foster
  July/August
  
• Paralegal Education
  By Luci Hoover
  November/December

Ethics Roundtable
By Therese A. Cannon, Nancy B. Heller, RP, and Stacey Hunt, CLA, CAS

• Giving Advice to Friends
  January/February
  

• Billing: The Bottom Line
  March/April
  

• Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
  May/June
  
• Marketing Your Paralegals
  July/August
  
• Adequate Attorney Supervision
  September/October
  
• Pro Bono Obligation
  November/December

Raising the Bar

• William Wilkinson
  Thompson Hine
  March/April
  
• Frances Kao
  Skadden, Arps
  May/June
  
• Arthur G. Greene
  Greene Perlow
  July/August
  
• Tim Willoughby
  September/October
  
• Jamie Lavergne Bryan
  November/December

Creative Computing

• Updating Firm Technology
  How you can be instrumental in the tech decision-making process.
  By  Denise K. Yancey
  January/February
  
• High-tech Trial Presentation
  Choosing the right software is the first step.
  By Gordon Moffat
  March/April
  
• Courtroom Ready
  Arm your team with essential trial tools.
  By Gordon Moffat
  May/June
  
• Learning to Fly
  Adobe’s acrobatics can make life easier.
  By Kim T. Plonsky
  July/August
  
• Taking a Stab at the Numbers
  Bates numbering software analysis for paralegals.
  By Kim T. Plonsky
  September/October
  
• Turning the Tables
  Programs to create a professional-looking Table of Authorities.
  By Kim T. Plonsky
  November/December

Career Advice

• Finding the Perfect Job
  Look within yourself and think outside the box.
  By Beth L. King, RP
  January/February
  
• Covering the Basics
  Don’t underestimate the importance of your cover letter.
  By R.J. Ruppenthal
  May/June
  
• Designing a Training Program
  Another step up the career ladder.
  By Elizabeth A. Gillis
  July/August
  
• Implementing A Training Program
  Continue your career advancement and help others.
  By Elizabeth A. Gillis
  September/October
  
• Learning to Communicate More Effectively
  Skills that can make or break your career.
  By Elizabeth A. Gillis
  November/December

Legal Research & Writing

• A Writing Makeover
  Tips to improve the quality of work coming from your office.
  By J. Renee Moore
  January/February

   

• 10 Priority Points for Pleadings
  Attention to detail means the difference between a good pleading and a very bad pleading.
  By J. Renee Moore
  March/April
  

• Books vs. Bytes
  Which works best in today’s law firm library?
  By Mark A. Gediman
  May/June
  
• Our Government at Work
  Tips and resources for researching federal legislation.
  By Mark A. Gediman
  July/August
  
• The Best Federal Web Sites
  Easy access to government information is just a click away.
  By Mark A. Gediman
  September/October
  
• Secrets of Ghostwriting
  Anonymously writing legal articles and marketing materials.
  By Claudia J. Taller
  November/December

Manager’s Desk
By Fawn K. Barnes, CLA

• Future Leadership Candidates
  How to encourage and develop the best qualities in members of your firm.
  January/February
  

• The Family and Medical Leave Act
  Is your firm or company in compliance?
  March/April
  

• Employee Policies and Procedures Manuals
  An answer to labor law litigation.
  May/June
  
• Keep Your Employees Happy
  Tips for raising retention rates.
  July/August
  
• Getting Your Share of the Budget
  Tips to help you prepare for the negotiations.
  September/October
  

• Paralegals and Profitability
  Making your case for new hires.
  November/December

Student’s Workshop

• Combating Online Scams
  A whole new job market is waiting for tech-savvy paralegals.
  By Neal R. Bevans
  January/February
  

• A Student’s Perspective
  From college to paralegal program to first job.
  By Jonathon Schuster
  May/June
  

• Reality Check
  How real-life paralegal jobs stack up to expectations.
  By J. Renee Moore
  July/August
  
• 7 Deadly Sins That Can Kill Your Career
  Common shortcuts can damage your credibility.
  By J. Renee Moore
  September/October
  
• Finding the Right Job
  Distinguishing between paralegal and legal secretary duties.
  By Luci Hoover
  November/December

Litigation Corner

• Opportunities in Mediation
  What role can legal assistants play?
  By Celia C. Elwell, RP
  January/February
  

• A Powerful Investigative Tool
  Event Data Recorders can change the course of a collision case.
  By Stacey Hunt, CLA, CLAS and Charles F. Plemons Jr.
  March/April
  

• Navigating Document Review
  5 steps for paralegals in the pilot’s seat.
  By Joe Kanka
  May/June
  
• The Power of Reconstruction
  PhotoModeler can be helpful in accident litigation cases.
  By Stacey Hunt, CLA, CAS, and Charles F. Plemons Jr.
  July/August
  
• Tracking Litigation Trends
  As technology and civil litigation evolve, so does the way paralegals and the courts operate.
  By Catherine Astl
  September/October
  
• Dealing With Foreign Language Documents
  Tips for translation, production and organization.
  By Oliver Gierke
  November/December

Corporate Comment
By Claudia J. Taller

• Starting a New Business
  What to look for when helping your small business client grow.
  January/February
  

• A Repertoire of New Tools
  Managing technology in a corporate practice.
  March/April
  

• Understanding Financial Transactions
  Experience is the best teacher.
  May/June
  
• Timing Is Everything
  Checklists and timelines help you stay focused when closing a transaction.
  July/August
  
• Attending the Annual Stockholders Meeting
  Your time to shine as a corporate paralegal.
  September/October
  
• Demystifying Legal Opinions
  Understanding the part paralegals play.
  November/December

My Specialty

• Insurance Defense Work
  Tricia Creech, CP
  January/February
  
• Civil Litigation Law
  Kim J. Cantu, CLA
  March/April
  
• Conservation Real Estate
  Annette R. Brown, CLAS
  May/June
  
• Corporate Law
  Carolynn R. Dodgson
  July/August
  
• Family Law
  Nelida M. Yanez
  September/October
  
• Medical Malpractice Defense
  Linda R. Hillerich
  November/December

Reviews

• May/June
  Deadlines On Demand By Denise Yancey
  CaseMap 5.1 By Gordon Moffat
  
• July/August
  askSam 6.0 By Kim Plonsky
  ProVantage 7.1 By Denise Yancey
  
• September/October
  Concordance 8 and Opticon 3 By Kim Plonsky
  HotDocs 2005 Professional Edition By Denise Yancey
  
• November/December
  USlegalforms.com By Kim Plonsky
  LexisNexis Total Search v.3.1 By Pamela S. Brown

What’s New

• January/February
  TyMetrix 360
  SmartDraw 7
  Immigrant Software Corp.’s Forms Gold
  Docuity Inc.’s Targeted Data Extractor
  Kroll Ontrack Inc.’s ElectronicDataViewer 4.0
  Atlast Solutions’ File Notes Organizer 3.4
  LiveNote/iConect integration
  Ipro Tech version 8.5
  Magic Lantern Group/Nelson Delmar Learning distribution agreement
  Thomson West’s WestClip on Westlaw
  Accutrac Software Inc./Iron Mountain Inc. integration
  ABA "Creating Winning Trial Strategies and Graphics"
  ABA "A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting"
  James Publishing Inc. "Legal Secretary Federal Litigation"
  ABA "Fundamentals of Franchising, Second Edition"

• March/April
  Abacus Data Systems Inc.’s AbacusLaw v.2005
  Nextance Inc.’s Intellectual Property Optimization Suite
  Corel WordPerfect Office 12 Legal Quick Start bundle
  World Software Corp.’s Worldox 2005
  CT Corp.’s Edgar Ease Docs
  ProVantage Software Version 7.1
  Verdict Systems’ Sanction/CaseSoft’s TimeMap integration
  Interwoven Inc.’s OffSite
  Thomson West Information Technology Management Services
  Streamload.com
  Special Counsel’s Concise deposition service
  Glasser LegalWorks "What Makes Juries Listen Today"
  NITA "The Arbitrator’s Handbook"
  NITA "Fourth Amendment Practice and Procedure"

• May/June
  LeapLaw Secretary of State Blawg
  Fios Inc.’s remote evidence collection service
  Syngence’s Synthetix/CaseSoft’s CaseMap/Dataflight Software Inc.’s Concordance integration
  IE Discovery Inc.’s InfoDox Discovery Management Platform upgrade
  SmartDraw 7
  Software Technology Inc.’s Tabs3 and PracticeManager Version 12
  CrossTec Corp. NetOp Remote Control version 8.0
  LexisNexis Market Intelligence

• July/August
  CaseSoft’s TimeMap 4
  Advanced Productivity Software Inc.’s DTE InHand for BlackBerry
  Image Capture Engineering Inc.’s Z-Print/Dataflight Software Inc.’s Concordance 8 integration
  BQE Software Inc.’s BillQuick 2005
  Hubbard One FirmConnect Communicator
  CCH Inc.’s and Aspen Publishers’ CCH Copyright Integrated Library
  TheLaw.net
  TransPerfect Translations Inc.’s pro bono program
  Legal Files Software Inc.’s MyLegalFiles 3.0
  InterLegis Inc.’s InterLegis Express
  ABA "The Legal Assistant’s Practical Guide to Professional Responsibility, Second Edition"
  ABA "ABA Approval: A Reference Manual for Paralegal Educators"
  ABA "Creating Winning Trial Strategies and Graphics"
  Elmo Corp. "Document Cameras/Everything You Need to Know About Giving a Presentation"

• September/October
  Abacus Data Systems Inc.’s AbacusLaw Gold/SmartDraw Legal Solution bundle
  Hummingbird’s LegalKey Conflicts Management 4.0
  Image Capture Engineering Inc.’s PreDiscovery product bundle
  LiveNote Inc.’s acquisition of RealLegal litigation technology division (Practice Manager)
  PentaWare Inc.’s PentaSuite-Pro
  Red Earth Technologies’ Superior SQL Builder version 2.0
  RTG Data Systems’ RTG Bills
  Solutions In Software Inc.’s CaseManagerPro new version
  Spellex Corp.’s Perfect Defense with Spellex Legal 2005
  Synaptec Software Inc.’s LawBase Matter Management/Handshake Software integration
  Workshare DeltaView PE
  askSam Viewer
  LexisNexis Shepard’s Reports with Headnotes integration
  ABA "Case Dismissed! Taking Your Harassment Prevention Training to Trial"
  NITA "The Digital Projector and Laptop Computer"

• November/December
  Robot Lawyer
  CaseLogistix 4.0
  Client Profiles Version 8.0/Microsoft Outlook/Exchange integration
  ImageTag Inc./Thomson Elite integration
  Document Automation Developers’ WorkSpace Builder version 1.0
  LexisNexis PCLaw Version 7.5
  Control Systems Copitrak Inc.’s Eclipse Embedded for eCopy ShareScan OP
  Thomson West’s West Research Partner
  CompuLaw/BlackBerry Alliance Program; CompuLaw Vision 9.0
  LexisNexis Applied Discovery Online Review Application
  ABA Advocacy Words: A Thesaurus
  NITA "Advanced Negotiation and Mediation Theory and Practice: A Realistic Integrated Approach"

NEWS

Association

• LAMA Votes to Change Name
  Membership votes reinforce the national trend toward paralegal title.
  By Rod Hughes
  January/February
  
• A Day in Circuit Court
  GMALP offered an inside view of daily court activities.
  By Kenya McCullum
  January/February
  
• New Paralegal Group Sets Sail
  NFPA welcomes the Navy Legalmen Association.
  By Jon Matsumoto
  March/April
  
• NALA Finds Salaries on the Rise
  Biannual survey shows CLA and CLAS designees earning more.
  By Rod Hughes
  May/June
  
• Database of Disbarred Attorneys
  NFPA project names those working as paralegals.
  By Makebra Anderson
  May/June
  
• S. Kristine Farmer Elected NFPA President
  Goals include Web site redesign and increasing membership.
  By Brian R. Hook
  July/August
  
• Changing of the Guard
  Meet the 2005-2006 NALS president.
  By Tina Dhamija
  July/August
  
• Ready for a Change
  NALA revamps its specialty program.
  By Brenda Castillo
  July/August
  
• Delaware Approves Certified Paralegal Program
  By Kathryn Feather
  July/August
  
• News Brief: Certification Available
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• NALA Celebrates 30th Anniversary
  More than 300 people pack the convention for the milestone event.
  By Patrick Vuong
  September/October
  
• Changes in Texas
  By Kathryn Feather
  September/October
  
• Paralegals Face Similar Issues Worldwide
  Foreign associations work to unite the profession.
  By Jon Matsumoto
  September/October
  
• Paralegal Utilization Committee Formed
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October
  
• NFPA Takes a Position on Outsourcing
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  November/December
  
• Networking Abroad
  Paralegal associations see the importance of acquiring international members.
  By Tina Dhamija
  November/December

Education

• Ontario Colleges Unite
  Group to pursue unified education standards.
  By Walaika Haskins
  May/June
  
• Education for the Legal Professional
  Paralegals at Reed Smith find higher learning within the firm.
  By Tina Dhamija
  July/August
  
• Long-time Paralegal Program to be Sold
  University of West Los Angeles plans to sell to National University.
  By Tina Dhamija
  November/December
  
• Online University Works Toward ABA Accreditation
  Kaplan would be the first such university to receive approval.
  By Rachel Ng
  November/December

Litigation and Court Decisions

• Foreign Attorneys Fight to Practice Law
  British attorneys battle Louisiana high court ruling while one works as a paralegal.
  By Kenya McCullum
  January/February
  
• Link To Terrorism
  A court-appointed paralegal faces life in prison.
  By Heather Smith
  March/April
  
• Politician-Paralegal Found in Contempt
  Montana senator enjoined from practicing law.
  By Kenya McCullum
  March/April
  
• We The People Settles FTC Case
  Company admits no wrongdoing, but will pay civil penalty.
  By Heather Smith
  March/April
  
• Cap on Paralegal Services Overturned
  Iowa Supreme Court said capping fees is an abuse of discretion.
  By Kenya McCullum
  May/June
  
• An Unappealing Mistake
  Ninth circuit upholds excusable neglect finding.
  By Andrea Juarez
  May/June
  
• Army Paralegal Sues Over Discharge
  Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."
  By Kenya McCullum
  May/June
  
• Calif. Couple Makes a Deal
  LDA team settles on lesser charges, avoids jail time.
  By Jon Matsumoto
  May/June
  
• On the Wrong Side of the Law
  Paralegal serving time for thefts throughout Texas.
  By Kathryn Feather
  July/August
  
• News Brief: Paralegal Sentenced
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October
  
• News Brief: Case Closed
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October
  
• Schenectady Paralegal Pleads Guilty to Grand Larceny
  By Brenda Castillo
  November/December

Pro Bono

• Missing Link Program Opens
  Legal community joins forces to help victims of spousal abuse.
  By Brenda Castillo
  September/October
  
• Wash. Works to Provide Affordable Legal Help
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October
  
• Peace of Mind For First Responders
  Cincinnati Paralegal Association provides pro bono wills clinics for emergency workers.
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  November/December

Profiles

• Paralegal on the Bench
  Texas legal assistant appointed county judge.
  By Jon Matsumoto
  March/April
  
• Winning His Freedom
  How one man became a paralegal and freed himself from prison.
  By Jon Matsumoto
  May/June
  
• Paralegal Publishes
  Paralegal uses law experience to fine-tune fiction.
  By Kenya McCullum
  July/August
  
• News Brief: Street Named After Paralegal
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• Pave Your Own Career Path
  Paralegal turns law firm experience into successful virtual assistant business.
  By Tina Dhamija
  September/October
  
• Blind Attorney’s Vision Guides Legal Duo
  With the help of a paralegal, Los Angeles lawyer blazes path few have walked.
  By Patrick Vuong
  September/October
  
• California Legal Assistant Leaves Lasting Legacy
  Barbara Brooke Medina was dedicated to enhancing the paralegal profession and the community.
  By Patrick Vuong
  September/October
  
• Paralegal Overcomes Odds
  Australia’s Fiona Given doesn’t let cerebral palsy hold her back.
  By Brenda Castillo
  November/December

Regulation

• Wisconsin Waits on Licensure
  State high court considers its support for proposal.
  By Jon Matsumoto
  January/February
  
• Embracing Voluntary Certification
  N.C. State Supreme Court tells bar to certify legal assistants.
  By Heather Smith
  January/February
  
• Wash. Considers Nonlawyer Practice Guidelines
  State association members seek active role in any regulatory effort.
  By Jennifer Torres
  January/February
  
• Kentucky Remains in Holding Pattern
  Long-awaited paralegal certification still in the works.
  By Kenya McCullum
  January/February
  
• N.J. Registration Scheme Stalls
  Plan flounders with no clear answer as to why.
  By Rod Hughes
  January/February
  
• S.C. Says No to Task Force
  Paralegal bar membership and regulation proposal also denied.
  By Rod Hughes
  March/April
  
• S.D. Regulation Issues Unresolved
  State debates proposed changes to Supreme Court code.
  By Kenya McCullum
  March/April
  
• Fla. Moves to Regulate
  Alliance of associations pushes regulatory scheme forward.
  By Rod Hughes
  May/June
  
• Courts, Legislation Pave Way for Nonlawyer Advocates
  Some paralegals concerned about lack of regulation.
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• News Brief: Florida Regulation Roadblock
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• News Brief: Florida Regulation Committee to Form
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October
  
• News Brief: N.C. Bar Accepts Certified Paralegal Applications
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October

Technology

• Take it Back
  A new e-mail service allows users to delete, restrict and retrieve sent e-mail messages already opened by a recipient.
  By Tina Dhamija
  March/April
  
• Personal Information Compromised
  Hackers gain access to LexisNexis customer data.
  By Kathryn Feather
  May/June
  
• Handling New Bankruptcy Laws
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• Law Firm Goes the Extra Mile
  Paralegals and clients have access to information anytime from anywhere.
  By Kathryn Feather
  July/August
  
• LexisNexis Rounds Out Practice Management Stable
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• News Brief: FRCP Moves Forward
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• News Brief: FRCP Takes Next Step
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October
  
• Matter Management Systems Matter to Most Firms
  ILTA survey shows corporate law departments are harnessing the technology.
  By Sarah K. Cron
  November/December
  
• News Brief: ACC Adopts Policy on Electronic Discovery
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  November/December
  
• News Brief: Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Headaches
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  November/December
  
• News Brief: California Eases Filing
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  November/December

Trends

• Outsourcing Hits Closer to Home
  Two of the largest law firms send work overseas, but insist paralegals are safe.
  By Heather Smith
  January/February
  
• 2005 Predictions Are Positive
  Staffing firm’s salary survey signals growth for profession.
  By Lilledeshan Bose
  January/February
  
• Salary Bright Spots
  Survey finds pharmaceutical legal work brings highest salaries.
  By Michele Thomas
  March/April
  
• Federal Government Finds Profession Growing
  Expanded paralegal roles and responsibilities means more jobs.
  By Rod Hughes
  March/April
  
• Legal Aid Hit With Budget Cuts
  Programs nationwide forced to layoff personnel, turn away cases.
  By Andrea Juarez
  May/June
  
• Report Names "Hellholes"
  Research lists courts where justice appears to be for sale.
  By Angela Lindsay, Esq.
  May/June
  
• Safety Scrutinized
  State and federal courts beef up security in wake of shootings.
  By Janet Roberts
  July/August
  
• FairPay Regulations One Year Later
  Paralegals still question nonexempt status.
  By Lyndsey Shinoda
  September/October
  
• Paralegals Aid Disaster Relief
  Legal community joins hurricane recovery efforts.
  By Rod Hughes
  November/December

UPL

• Fla. Declares UPL a Felony
  Paralegal associations agree the move will help curb the problem.
  By Tina Dhamija
  January/February
  
• Efforts to Monitor Legal Services Die
  Initiatives to curb legal document preparers and create a UPL commission fail in Illinois.
  By Heather Smith
  March/April
  
• We The People Under Fire
  Legal document preparation franchise agrees not to commit UPL.
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August

Miscellaneous

• The Art of Decorating a Firm
  Los Angeles law firm chooses art by committee.
  By Michelle DeVera
  March/April
  
• Paralegals Pose Nude
  Charities benefit from calendar production.
  By Lindsey Grant
  May/June
  
• The Bluebook 18th Edition Released
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• Ad Rules Revamped for the 21st Century
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  July/August
  
• 15 Paralegals Spotlighted
  Forthcoming book covers their careers and experiences in the field.
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  September/October
  
• Fighting Domestic Violence
  Greene County receives $250,000 grant to create a domestic violence team.
  By Brian R. Hook
  November/December
  
• Paralegal On Call Put on Probation
  Indiana authorities investigate child-placement agency after citing violations.
  By Patrick Vuong
  November/December
  
• Paralegal Directory to be Released
  By Jamie Ann Tyo
  November/December