Paralegal Pie

Timekeeping

Keeping track of your time is one of the most important tasks that you do in a law office.  And sadly, one of the most neglected.  Trust me, I've been there.  I have waited for six months before I tried to recreate my time for a our billing software.  Once I worked for a law firm that traded you your paycheck for your weekly timesheets.  Of course that worked. I thought that was a brilliant idea.  Kudos to that accounting deparment.

There are lots of good reasons for keeping accurate track of your time.  One of them being its how your firm makes money.  Whether you work on the plaintiffs side or the defense side your firm makes money based on your efforts and work. Its very simple. If you don't work the firm doesn't make money.  OK so lets assume we're all working...and working hard.  Your firm will see the finished work product you produce but how does the firm or even your attorney know HOW much time and effort was put in to a project?  They don't! Unless you keep accurate time records.

You need to keep track of your time as you work.  A daily time sheet is best.  I have included a link to one that you may find helpful. 

In addition to helping your firm make money a timesheet can help you make money too, by accurately detailing what you do.  Its always nice to be able to go in to a review knowing what you did during the past year and what you contributed.  If your firm doesn't keep track of billable hours you can still do it on your own. I know, you're saying to yourself "I'd rather not, but thanks for asking."  Just keep in mind that there is no other accurate way to really see what you do and quantify your value. Its also a great way to see where you are wasting time, or where you could use your time more wisely or where your firm could redistribute work for the best productivity.

The bottom line is if your firm isn't making money, neither will you.  By keeping timesheets you'll be able to be much more productive and valuable.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC300016211033.aspx?CategoryID=CT101172771033

Paralegal Network 2010 National Survey

April Williams did a very nice job on this survey. 

As you read the survey, remember if you are happy with what you are getting paid for what you are doing  - that is all that matters.  Everyone always thinks the grass is greener.  Its not!   If you are unhappy at your current position maybe this survey can give you the kick in the butt you need to find a more suitable gig.

http://www.box.net/shared/i1ud5uv7x4\

The Thinker's Thesaurus

If you read my blog regularly than you know that I have a Dictionary and a Thesaurus within arms reach of me at all times. Seriously, always at work, always at home and most times in the back seat of my car.  It drives me insane when I don't know what a word means.  And when I write I like words to rhyme.  Mind you, I am no poet.

I came across an amazing Thesaurus recently, and sadly, I will be saying good-bye to my good friend Webster and replacing his works with the works of Peter E. Meltzer and his new "The Thinker's Thesaurus."

You can also sign up for Peter's synonym a day at http://www.synonymaday.com/ - check it out today to see how U.S. District Judge David Edelstein used the word AUGEAN.

Just wait, you'll be using all kinds of new words in your daily conversations.  Your friends and co-workers will think you are really smart or a big fat snob.  Either way, you will be increasing your vocabulary and thats always a good thing.