Continuing education

Cloud · 12-10-2007, 10:04 PM

It's becoming more and more apparent that, as long as I want to stay a litigation paralegal, I need more computer knowledge--database and basic programming; more knowledge of photography and possibly graphic design and web design.

It's too hard to get the training I need during, at, or from work. Some yes, but I need to be systematic and take classes.

Educational expenses related to one's job should be tax dedictible, which I don't think they are--

Cloud · 12-11-2007, 08:03 AM

but someone pointed out you can get a tax credit . . . if the courses are for credit, which mine usually aren't.

Any suggestions for good online training?

glatt · 12-11-2007, 09:11 AM

Do you work in a really small firm where you are expected to wear many hats?

I'm in favor of education in general, and don't wish to discourage you at all. But outside of the database stuff, I don't see a reason why you need any knowledge of those other areas to be a litigation paralegal.

Shawnee123 · 12-11-2007, 09:13 AM

Have you asked about tuition reimbursement from the firm? Sorry if this is obvious and you had already checked into it, but I know we see a lot of tuition reimbursements from companies if you can show it will be beneficial to them as well.

Cloud · 12-11-2007, 05:26 PM

yes, I work in a small firm. There's only me to do this litigation stuff. That's one of the things that frustrates me. Years ago we bought a really nice litigation program, but I could never get any training, ('cause nobody in my podunk town is certified for it); and when I would call the support people, they were like, "oh, just get your IT department to do it." Fuck you, IT department. Yeah, we have off-site network administrators, but that's it.

My firm does reimburse me for continuing legal education, and has in the past paid for things like Word courses. They just reimbursed me $300 for an advanced trial certification though.

Aliantha · 12-11-2007, 07:39 PM

I suppose it's probably different over there, but here if a company introduces new software or the requires with regard to technology change after and employee has been employed, the company has an obligation to train that employee at the company's expense. Also, company's over here get tax breaks for sending staff to higher education courses so everyone wins in the end.

I don't know what the answer is for you though Cloud. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

glatt · 12-11-2007, 07:50 PM

I'm assuming you looked at and rejected the online CLE courses offered by some of the associations. For example, NFPA offers an online electronic case management class.

The other classes you mention are something you would probably find in an adult education program or community college.

My firm is much bigger, and our litigation paralegals really only specialize in being paralegals. It's their area of expertise, and it's more than enough to keep them busy. We'll bring in experts if we need them for anything or else rely on our IT department for the technical side of things.

I can understand how it would be really interesting to be wearing many hats. Always something new. But I don't see how a person can be good at everything. Kind of like the old "jack of all trades but ace at none" deal. In the field of law especially, liability is such a big concern, you need to be able to say with certainty that things were done the right way.

Education can be useful, though. At least taking a bunch of classes would train you to raise a flag when you see a potential problem. I'm assuming you are thinking of the photograph, design, and web page stuff from an evidentiary point of view. For authenticating stuff? At least having some training would help you identify potential problems before they show up.

Sorry I don't have any better suggestions than that link I gave you above. We just aren't structured that way at my firm.

shina · 12-11-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

My firm does reimburse me for continuing legal education, and has in the past paid for things like Word courses. They just reimbursed me $300 for an advanced trial certification though.

Does your firm have a limit on how much they reimburse annually? If so, can you just move the class to the next fiscal year?

12-10-2007, 10:04 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Continuing education It's becoming more and more apparent that, as long as I want to stay a litigation paralegal, I need more computer knowledge--database and basic programming; more knowledge of photography and possibly graphic design and web design. It's too hard to get the training I need during, at, or from work. Some yes, but I need to be systematic and take classes. Educational expenses related to one's job should be tax dedictible, which I don't think they are-- __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

12-11-2007, 08:03 AM	#2
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	but someone pointed out you can get a tax credit . . . if the courses are for credit, which mine usually aren't. Any suggestions for good online training? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

12-11-2007, 05:26 PM	#5
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	yes, I work in a small firm. There's only me to do this litigation stuff. That's one of the things that frustrates me. Years ago we bought a really nice litigation program, but I could never get any training, ('cause nobody in my podunk town is certified for it); and when I would call the support people, they were like, "oh, just get your IT department to do it." Fuck you, IT department. Yeah, we have off-site network administrators, but that's it. My firm does reimburse me for continuing legal education, and has in the past paid for things like Word courses. They just reimbursed me $300 for an advanced trial certification though. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

12-11-2007, 07:39 PM	#6
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I suppose it's probably different over there, but here if a company introduces new software or the requires with regard to technology change after and employee has been employed, the company has an obligation to train that employee at the company's expense. Also, company's over here get tax breaks for sending staff to higher education courses so everyone wins in the end. I don't know what the answer is for you though Cloud. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-11-2007, 09:11 AM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Do you work in a really small firm where you are expected to wear many hats? I'm in favor of education in general, and don't wish to discourage you at all. But outside of the database stuff, I don't see a reason why you need any knowledge of those other areas to be a litigation paralegal.

12-11-2007, 09:13 AM	#4
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Have you asked about tuition reimbursement from the firm? Sorry if this is obvious and you had already checked into it, but I know we see a lot of tuition reimbursements from companies if you can show it will be beneficial to them as well.

12-11-2007, 07:50 PM	#7
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I'm assuming you looked at and rejected the online CLE courses offered by some of the associations. For example, NFPA offers an online electronic case management class. The other classes you mention are something you would probably find in an adult education program or community college. My firm is much bigger, and our litigation paralegals really only specialize in being paralegals. It's their area of expertise, and it's more than enough to keep them busy. We'll bring in experts if we need them for anything or else rely on our IT department for the technical side of things. I can understand how it would be really interesting to be wearing many hats. Always something new. But I don't see how a person can be good at everything. Kind of like the old "jack of all trades but ace at none" deal. In the field of law especially, liability is such a big concern, you need to be able to say with certainty that things were done the right way. Education can be useful, though. At least taking a bunch of classes would train you to raise a flag when you see a potential problem. I'm assuming you are thinking of the photograph, design, and web page stuff from an evidentiary point of view. For authenticating stuff? At least having some training would help you identify potential problems before they show up. Sorry I don't have any better suggestions than that link I gave you above. We just aren't structured that way at my firm.

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