Yesterday I had the perfect mediation. This mediation went perfectly because of four factors. The parties and their representatives knew the relevant law, they knew the facts of their cases, they came motived to settle, and they came with flexibility. An added factor was that once the parties talked and became convinced that the other side knew the law, knew the facts, wanted to settle rather than posture and had flexibility, then trust was quickly established between the parties, making the talks proceed even more smoothly and quickly.
We had a set of five related cases between two sets of parties. We worked well together, and in about five hours, reached settlements based on money paid in four of the five cases, and then in a cooperative discussion, agreed that the issues in the last case could best be resolved on terms other than money. We recessed for one side to explore the newly discovered issues and talk to their experts and decision makers to see how we could proceed with accommodating the other side’s concerns.
The legal field is notoriously slow to change, particularly with technology, and the use of AI is no exception. When I first heard about ChatGPT in 2022, I was staunchly against using it. My resistance stemmed from various reasons, but chiefly, I felt like it was “cheating.” Because I have always taken education and good grades very seriously, it was difficult to overcome this mindset.
By mid-2023, however, it became evident not only that ChatGPT was here to stay but that AI was becoming prevalent in many fields. Over the past two years, my keen interest in using technology for project management and developing apps using no-code software evolved into nearly a full-time role. I realized that if I didn’t begin to incorporate AI into my work, I would quickly be left behind in the tech world.
Once I started using AI tools, I realized how narrow-minded I had been. The benefits were immediate and significant, and I regretted not incorporating AI much sooner because it has revolutionized my workflow and saved me hours on administrative tasks. I began reading articles about “prompt engineering” and attending conference sessions dedicated to the use of AI in the legal field. The organization I work for is very open to technology improvements and paid for a ChatGPT account. I began using it for more than just first drafts of emails and started thinking outside the box about the possible ways it could improve my work.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2024-10-01 09:32:162024-10-01 09:33:03Ethical and Practical AI Use for Paralegals: Part 1
Externs. What are they? Why should your organization consider being a placement site for them? And, what are things to keep in mind when serving as such a placement site? Keep reading to find out!
What are “externs” (and how do they differ from “interns”)?
The American Bar Association (“ABA”) defines the term as follows: “Externships are non-compensated positions in settings outside a law school, for which students receive academic credit.” The receipt of academic credit seems to be at the core of what makes an extern an extern, so that is what appears to be their defining feature and what sets them apart from traditional interns. As a result, the answer I give when asked how externs differ from interns is that “an extern is an intern that is paid in experience.”
While we are on the subject of definitions, I want to clarify the meanings of the terms “externship program” and “externship placement program” as I use them. “Externship programs” are the programs through which law schools offer law students the opportunity to be externs and the academic credit externs receive. “Externship placement programs” are the programs organizations set up to host externs within their organizations.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00GovernmentandPublicSectorhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngGovernmentandPublicSector2024-08-13 13:47:312024-08-20 09:35:39Externs! Externs! Read All About Them!
The Perfect Mediation
Featured PostsYesterday I had the perfect mediation. This mediation went perfectly because of four factors. The parties and their representatives knew the relevant law, they knew the facts of their cases, they came motived to settle, and they came with flexibility. An added factor was that once the parties talked and became convinced that the other side knew the law, knew the facts, wanted to settle rather than posture and had flexibility, then trust was quickly established between the parties, making the talks proceed even more smoothly and quickly.
We had a set of five related cases between two sets of parties. We worked well together, and in about five hours, reached settlements based on money paid in four of the five cases, and then in a cooperative discussion, agreed that the issues in the last case could best be resolved on terms other than money. We recessed for one side to explore the newly discovered issues and talk to their experts and decision makers to see how we could proceed with accommodating the other side’s concerns.
Read more
Ethical and Practical AI Use for Paralegals: Part 1
Featured PostsThe legal field is notoriously slow to change, particularly with technology, and the use of AI is no exception. When I first heard about ChatGPT in 2022, I was staunchly against using it. My resistance stemmed from various reasons, but chiefly, I felt like it was “cheating.” Because I have always taken education and good grades very seriously, it was difficult to overcome this mindset.
By mid-2023, however, it became evident not only that ChatGPT was here to stay but that AI was becoming prevalent in many fields. Over the past two years, my keen interest in using technology for project management and developing apps using no-code software evolved into nearly a full-time role. I realized that if I didn’t begin to incorporate AI into my work, I would quickly be left behind in the tech world.
Once I started using AI tools, I realized how narrow-minded I had been. The benefits were immediate and significant, and I regretted not incorporating AI much sooner because it has revolutionized my workflow and saved me hours on administrative tasks. I began reading articles about “prompt engineering” and attending conference sessions dedicated to the use of AI in the legal field. The organization I work for is very open to technology improvements and paid for a ChatGPT account. I began using it for more than just first drafts of emails and started thinking outside the box about the possible ways it could improve my work.
Read more
Externs! Externs! Read All About Them!
Featured PostsExterns. What are they? Why should your organization consider being a placement site for them? And, what are things to keep in mind when serving as such a placement site? Keep reading to find out!
What are “externs” (and how do they differ from “interns”)?
The American Bar Association (“ABA”) defines the term as follows: “Externships are non-compensated positions in settings outside a law school, for which students receive academic credit.” The receipt of academic credit seems to be at the core of what makes an extern an extern, so that is what appears to be their defining feature and what sets them apart from traditional interns. As a result, the answer I give when asked how externs differ from interns is that “an extern is an intern that is paid in experience.”
While we are on the subject of definitions, I want to clarify the meanings of the terms “externship program” and “externship placement program” as I use them. “Externship programs” are the programs through which law schools offer law students the opportunity to be externs and the academic credit externs receive. “Externship placement programs” are the programs organizations set up to host externs within their organizations.
Read more