Beets, Berries, and Better Paralegals

Paralegals might not wear capes, but they’re often the ones keeping your law firm running and making sure your clients are happy. Conrad and Gyi dive into the unsung, everyday heroes of your practice, your paralegals, and how the right team can make or break your client experience. We highlight a few key clips from a full-length interview Conrad had with Ryan McKeen and Marisa Rua from Para Era about building better paralegal training programs, hiring talent from unexpected industries like food service, and creating systems that let paralegals thrive.  Your paralegals are often the first face of your firm, the first voice clients hear, and the first impression that shapes your brand. Ryan and Marissa discuss how to turn that reality into a competitive advantage.📺 Want to hear our entire discussion with Ryan and Marisa? Watch on YouTube The News Congratulations to Neil Katyal for overturning Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs. Big law firms like Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, and Susman Godfrey stand strong, proving that not all big law groups are wusses. And yes, your paralegals are still more important than you thought.   Chapters: 00:00 Dirty Hands and Native Berries 02:34 News: Legal Wins and Law Firm Backbone 04:07 Why Paralegals Matter for Marketing 06:07 The Paralegal Training Gap 06:33 Hiring Great Paralegals (Even with Zero Experience) 08:45 Marketing Law Firm Jobs to Non-Legal Talent 09:18 When It’s Time to Let a Paralegal Go 10:14 Operational Tips for Better Paralegal Performance 10:18 Let Paralegals Schedule Their Own Calls 11:47 Send Paralegals to Conferences Too