Podcast
The Paralegal Coach
Hosted by Ann Pearson · EN
The Paralegal Coach podcast show is hosted by Ann Pearson, a former paralegal and paralegal manager, turned entrepreneur. Join us to get actionable strategies that will fast-track your paralegal career. We're going to do that with informative interviews, behind-the-curtain tips from management, and solo episodes where we take deep dives into areas that matter most to paralegals. Our mission is to give you tangible things that you can walk away with that add value to your paralegal career.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Trial Tips Every Litigation Paralegal Should Steal From a Hot Seat Pro
2w ago00:59:58Tap to summarizeWhat really happens in the hot seat when everything goes wrong? In this episode, Ann sits down with Anthony "Tony" Castro, owner of Lit Trial Paralegal Services and one of South Florida's go-to trial tech specialists, to swap real trial stories and uncover the five tips every litigation paralegal needs in their back pocket. Tony's path into the legal industry is anything but traditional. He started behind the counter at Starbucks, took a chance on a law firm runner position at 18, and worked his way up through paralegal assistant, paralegal, and litigation support specialist roles before launching his own business two years ago. Now he provides white-glove trial support to solo attorneys and small firms across Florida. In this conversation, Ann and Tony share the kinds of stories you only hear from people who have actually been there. From war rooms that had to be rebuilt three times to a courtroom moment when nobody noticed the court reporter was missing for 45 minutes, this episode is part storytelling, part trial education, and 100 percent the kind of episode every litigation paralegal will want to bookmark. In This Episode, You'll Hear: How Tony went from cleaning the Starbucks condiment bar to running his own trial support business Why a paralegal background makes for a better trial technician The hotel war room emergency that gives you one specific question before booking it The court reporter lesson every trial paralegal needs to hear (and how Tony solved it on the fly) How Tony became known as "Tony the Trial Tiger" Tony's 5 tips for thriving as a trial paralegal The favorite and least favorite parts of trial life for both Ann and Tony
Transcribe →Still Showing Up: One Paralegal's Story of Purpose, Passion, and ALS
Apr 1400:23:58Tap to summarizeIn this deeply moving and unique conversation, Ann shares the story of Tina Johnson—a career paralegal, mentor, leader, and advocate who was diagnosed with ALS in 2024. Because Tina has lost her ability to speak, every answer in this episode was written by her, by hand, and is read aloud so her voice can still be heard. Inside this episode, you'll hear: ✔️ How Tina found her calling in the paralegal profession ✔️ The emotional and professional impact of losing the ability to communicate ✔️ The strength it takes to keep showing up in the face of uncertainty ✔️ How the paralegal community has rallied around her ✔️ What Tina wants her legacy and her message to be. This episode is a reminder of why this profession matters and how powerful one voice can be—even when it can no longer be spoken. If this conversation moves you, please consider supporting Tina and her family through the GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/fac4d97f9 For all our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com
Transcribe →Oregon's First Cohort of Landlord/Tenant Licensed Paralegals
Mar 1700:19:07Tap to summarizeIf you've ever wondered what licensed paralegals actually do, and how they're changing access to justice, this conversation pulls back the curtain. In this episode of Paralegal Real Talk, guest host Linda Odermott sits down with Sean Ferraro, one of Oregon's first landlord-tenant licensed paralegals and the operations manager for the CLEAR Clinic in Portland. CLEAR provides free legal services to tenants and community members navigating housing issues, criminal record expungement, immigration matters, and more. Along the way, Sean offers practical advice for anyone considering the profession, especially those wondering how to break into the field without prior experience. In this episode, you'll hear about: ✔️ What the CLEAR Clinic does and how legal aid clinics serve communities in crisis ✔️ How licensed paralegals are helping expand access to legal services ✔️ Why attorney bottlenecks can slow down cases and how licensed paralegals help solve that problem ✔️ The challenge of getting legal experience when you're just starting out ✔️ Why volunteering can open unexpected doors If you're curious about licensed paralegal programs, access to justice work, or alternative pathways into the legal profession, this episode offers an inside look at a rapidly evolving part of the field. https://paralegal-bootcamp.com
Transcribe →Paralegals in Business? An Interview with Leah Miller
Mar 300:43:36Tap to summarizeIf you're a paralegal who's ever thought: "Maybe I should start my own business…" This episode is your reality check, and maybe your inspiration. In this candid conversation, Ann sits down with Leah Miller, a former litigation paralegal who became a firm administrator, then CFO, and eventually launched her own fractional CFO company serving law firms nationwide. But this isn't a "quit your job and chase your dreams" story. It's an honest discussion about: ✔️ What it really takes to leave a stable law firm job✔️ The financial risks most paralegals underestimate✔️ Why connections won't automatically bring you clients✔️ The income reality of year one in business✔️ How LinkedIn can change your trajectory✔️ Why understanding firm economics makes you more valuable https://paralegal-bootcamp.com
Transcribe →Finding a Paralegal Mentor
Feb 1700:14:48Tap to summarizeAnnouncement! The AI Boot Camp is open for enrollment at AI-TrainingBootCamp.com. Learn more about AI for Legal Professionals. In this final podcast episode in our Paralegal Survival Toolkit series, Ann Pearson gives strategies to the new paralegals trying to find a mentor and how to get the most out of your mentor/mentee relationship. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why mentorship is a true career survival mechanism The 5 qualities to look for in a trustworthy mentor Why you need more than just a "skills mentor" What to do if your assigned mentor isn't the right fit How to show up as a strong, coachable mentee Where to find mentors (even if your firm doesn't assign one) How mentorship builds long-term confidence, judgment, and professionalism Did you miss the last Paralegal Growth Hour? Reserve your seat at https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/grow
Transcribe →Fast-Track Your Tech Learning
Feb 300:13:30Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary: Mastering Legal Tech Without the Overwhelm — Part 7 of the Paralegal Survival Toolkit In this episode of the Paralegal Coach Podcast, Ann Pearson continues the Paralegal Survival Toolkit series with a topic that causes anxiety for nearly every new paralegal: legal technology and the steep learning curve that comes with it. Aimed at both brand-new paralegals and those starting at a new firm, Ann addresses the quiet fear many feel when confronted with unfamiliar systems, procedures, and software. She reassures listeners that feeling lost isn't a failure; it's a normal part of being new in a profession where legal tech is anything but intuitive. To bring clarity and confidence to the process, Ann introduces a four-step Tech Mastery Plan designed to help paralegals learn technology strategically instead of trying to absorb everything at once. By focusing on core systems, mapping workflows, using screen recordings as learning tools, and tracking progress over time, paralegals can build real tech fluency without burnout. Ann also reframes learning through the lens of progress, encouraging listeners to shift their mindset away from comparison and toward growth. Mastery doesn't come overnight — it's built through intentional learning, repetition, and recognizing how much you've already gained. Key Takeaways: You're not behind — you're new Every paralegal, no matter how experienced, has had moments of confusion with legal technology. Struggling at the beginning is normal. Map workflows, not just tools Understanding how tasks flow across multiple systems makes technology easier to learn and remember. Context matters. Screen recordings accelerate learning Recorded walkthroughs — from coworkers or yourself — create reusable training resources and reduce repeated confusion. Track your growth to build confidence Keeping a tech log of skills learned, workflows mastered, and mistakes corrected provides visible proof of progress. Shift from "the gap" to "the gain" Comparing yourself to senior paralegals erodes confidence. Looking back at what you've learned restores it. Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources For all of our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/
Transcribe →How to Survive a Toxic Work Culture as a New Hire
Jan 2000:14:50Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary: How to Survive a Toxic Workplace — Part 6 of the Paralegal Survival Toolkit In this episode of the Paralegal Coach Podcast, Ann Pearson continues the Paralegal Survival Toolkit series with a topic that hits close to home for many legal professionals: how to survive a toxic workplace. Get the free companion workbook for the Paralegal Survival Toolkit. Ann acknowledges what so many paralegals quietly carry - the stress of unhealthy office dynamics, confusing politics, gossip, favoritism, and cultures that make Sunday nights miserable. Drawing from her own experience in a firm with intense internal politics, she explains a hard truth: it's not your job to fix workplace culture, but it is your job to learn how to navigate it so you can protect your energy, your reputation, and your career. Throughout the episode, Ann emphasizes that feeling out of place doesn't mean something is wrong with you. Often, it simply means you're adjusting to a culture that never explained the rules. By observing first, choosing carefully who you trust, setting boundaries around gossip, and making intentional choices about your future, paralegals can stay focused on growth - even in difficult environments. Tony Sipp Episode mentioned by Ann in this episode: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegalpodcast-episode115/ Key Takeaways: You are not the problem If a workplace feels tense, chaotic, or unwelcoming, it doesn't mean you're failing. Often, you're simply adjusting to a culture that never explains its rules. Observe before you engage When you're new, take time to study the landscape. Notice who shares knowledge, who hoards it, who stirs drama, and who consistently acts with professionalism. Negative energy is contagious Spending time with constant complainers can slowly change how you see a job you might otherwise love. Decide your next step intentionally Every situation leads to one of three choices: grow, shift how you navigate, or exit. You don't have to stay somewhere that makes you miserable. Workplace culture affects career growth Healthy environments accelerate learning and confidence. Toxic ones slow both. Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources For all of our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/
Transcribe →How to Earn Respect Faster, Part 5 of the Paralegal Survival Series
Jan 1300:17:04Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary: How to Earn Respect Faster — Part 5 of the Paralegal Survival Toolkit In this episode of the Paralegal Coach Podcast, Ann Pearson returns to the Paralegal Survival Toolkit series with a topic that resonates deeply with paralegals at every stage of their career: earning respect in the legal workplace. Ann acknowledges a reality many paralegals experience, especially early on — feeling overlooked, undervalued, or treated as "just the assistant." Drawing from years of industry insight and paralegal feedback, she reframes respect not as something granted by title or tenure, but as a skill set that can be learned and practiced. To make this actionable, Ann introduces a practical framework built around the word R-E-S-P-E-C-T, outlining seven behaviors that help paralegals move from overlooked to trusted. From delivering consistent results and building credibility in small moments, to taking initiative, preparing thoroughly, and communicating wins, Ann shows how respect is earned through visible, repeatable actions — not waiting to be noticed. Throughout the episode, Ann emphasizes that attorneys are trained to look for evidence. Paralegals who want respect must show it through reliability, ownership, and confidence in how they approach their work. She also challenges listeners to take ownership not just of their tasks, but of their careers, encouraging proactive feedback conversations instead of waiting for annual earning respect at work, paralegal professionalism, building credibility, workplace respect, paralegal career growth, paralegal confidence, initiative at work, communication skills, ownership mindset, professional boundaries, working with attorneys, law firm culture, legal workplace communication, attorney-paralegal relationships, Paralegal Survival Toolkit, Paralegal Coach Podcast, paralegal career advice, legal professional development reviews. Key Takeaways: Respect is a skill, not a personality trait Feeling overlooked is common, especially early in a paralegal career - but respect can be built intentionally through behavior and consistency. Micro-moments matter more than big wins Respect is built in everyday actions: clean drafts, clear updates, anticipating next steps - not just in rare, high-profile moments like trials or closings. Ownership earns trust Taking responsibility, following up, addressing issues early, and bringing solutions strengthens trust and professional respect. You must own your career, not wait for validation Respect doesn't arrive on its own. Asking for feedback, setting standards, and proactively improving your performance puts you in control of your professional growth. Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources For all of our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/
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Why Your Job Title Matters Less Than You Think in a Law Firm, a discussion with Jacob Reeder
Jan 600:50:34Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary: Prefer to watch the video interview: https://youtu.be/l99EN275AYI In this episode of the Paralegal Coach Podcast, Ann Pearson sits down with Jacob Reeder, Director of Operations at Kalikhman and Rayz, a Philadelphia law firm. In the interview, Jacob challenges a common belief many new paralegals carry: that you need the "perfect" first job, the exact experience level, or even a paralegal certificate, to build a successful legal career. Jacob shares how he entered the legal world unexpectedly, starting at the front desk with no formal paralegal training. Rather than waiting for an ideal title or role, he focused on executing every task well, improving small systems, and proactively solving problems. Within a year, that mindset helped him move from receptionist work into paralegal responsibilities, and over time, into operations leadership. Together, Ann and Jacob unpack what makes someone stand out in a law firm: not flashy credentials, but reliability, process thinking, and an ability to make the work run more smoothly for everyone downstream. They also discuss why small firms can offer unusually powerful growth opportunities, especially for people willing to learn multiple parts of the business and help build systems from the ground up. Key Takeaways: Your title doesn't define your trajectory Jacob's career shows that you can build a paralegal career and beyond, even if your first role is a receptionist, file clerk, or admin support. Excellence on "small tasks" builds trust fast Doing basic work carefully and consistently (mail, scanning, document organization, intake support) creates reliability, and reliability earns opportunities. Improve systems by focusing on downstream impact Instead of trying to "get credit" for tasks, Jacob focused on outcomes: faster access to documents, fewer bottlenecks, smoother trial prep, and fewer questions from attorneys. Small firms can accelerate learning In a smaller firm, you may gain exposure to work and responsibilities that would be siloed at larger firms, building skills faster and more broadly. Problem-solving is a career multiplier Ann reinforces a core professional advantage: people who solve problems proactively (without waiting to be asked) become indispensable. Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources For all of our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/
Transcribe →Brave Boundaries For New Paralegals
Dec 3000:13:08Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary: In this episode of the Paralegal Coach Podcast, Ann Pearson continues the Paralegal Survival Toolkit series by addressing one of the most common and quietest causes of burnout for new paralegals: saying yes to everything because you think you have to. Ann explains how the desire to prove yourself, avoid disappointment, and appear capable often leads paralegals to overcommit, work unnecessary late nights, and sacrifice both accuracy and personal well-being. Through a candid story from her early career, she illustrates how failing to pause and clarify deadlines resulted in missed personal moments, avoidable mistakes, and work that wasn't even truly urgent. Key Takeaways: Saying yes to everything leads to burnout: Overcommitting out of fear or guilt results in rushed work, mistakes, exhaustion, and missed personal priorities - without actually increasing your value. Review your current commitments honestly: Before accepting new work, consider what you're already responsible for, what requires more time than expected, and whether the new task should take priority over existing deadlines. Communicating bandwidth builds trust: Voicing your workload professionally doesn't make you look weak. It makes you appear organized, reliable, and strategic. Boundaries don't mean saying no: Effective boundaries often sound like deadline clarification, timeline adjustments, or offering partial solutions — not outright refusal. Intentional yeses make you indispensable: Saying yes thoughtfully - to work you can complete well, on realistic timelines - is what truly builds credibility and long-term career success. Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources For all of our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/
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