KNOW, the Magazine for Paralegals Summer 2013 | страница 4

Letter from the Editor Hello Readers! I’ve been watching the field now for oh, some 20 odd years. From my perspective, a lot has changed and then again, a lot has not. One thing is for certain: the work isn’t going to go away. What’s apparent is the way we do our work is changing. Gone are the days when a paralegal is a paralegal is a paralegal - or something along those lines. Here today is the changing nature of a paralegal’s role in just about every specialty. Blame it on technology, blame it on hiring fewer associates, heck, blame it on the weather. Whatever is causing the nature of the work to change should be idolized. Why? Because paralegals are higher than average in intelligence. If not, you can’t make it in the legal field. Higher than average intelligent people need change to keep them stimulated. It’s that simple. We’re packed with lots of information for this issue! From our cover story, Changing Workflow Habits of Paralegals to the My Story column about Ivan Zogovic, a paralegal who left what was then Yugoslavia during the recent war, to Jamie Collins’ column on transforming yourself, we have a myriad of interesting articles for you, mostly centered on change. While I’m on my soapbox about change, though: One of the easiest and most effective ways to initiate change is through education. I am of the very strong opinion (based upon experience, really) that paralegals of all levels must take as much continuing education as possible to stay current with the changes that are taking place in the field quickly and constantly. So, read here about what’s new. Keep your skills up-to-date and above all, be sure and have fun while you’re in this career. That’s my latest advice - and guess what? I’m stickin’ to it. Happy reading! Chere B. Estrin Editor-in-Chief [email protected] 4