Emily Beeson didn’t know that she would pursue a legal career when she got her first position as a bilingual case manager, and then as a paralegal. But after she was in that role for a while, she realized “this is a great opportunity for growth.”

Law school followed. Now with a decade of experience, she is the lead workers’ compensation lawyer for Ward Black Law. She’s also a 2023 graduate of the NCAJ Next Leadership Program. On October 18, she’ll share the wisdom she gained from being a paralegal at NCAJ’s Fall Conference for Paralegals. Register here.

Joining host Amber Nimocks, Emily previews her presentation, including her thoughts about the role that empathy plays in interacting with the client.

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[02:16] Point of Contact:: From three years of paralegal experience, Emily knows how paralegals support a client: fielding questions, answering phone calls, and interpreting legalese.

[03:45] Client Misconceptions: Clients often think their lawyer has more power than they really do. Lawyers, of course, do have some power – but it’s in the confines of the court.

[06:13] Hallmarks of a Great Paralegal: The ability to anticipate the needs of the case right from the start is one quality that separates a great paralegal from the rest.

[09:55] From Jargon to the Layman: As a mentor once told Emily: “If you are trying to explain a difficult concept to a client, explain it as if you were talking to a third-grader.”

[12:24] Empathy for the Client: To succeed for their client, legal professionals need to remember that this is the first time, and hopefully the only time, that the client is going through a traumatic experience.

[16:02] Delivering Bad News: It starts with setting the client’s expectations early and offering fallback plans if that time comes.

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