About Paralegal 411

Paralegal 411 is a comprehensive, free resource established in 2012 providing information for individuals interested in getting started in the paralegal field. We provide helpful information on paralegal school options, program reviews by students, a guide to earning a paralegal degree, top paralegal blogs, and recommended sites for succeeding in a paralegal career. Paralegal 411 has been featured extensively on dozens of college and paralegal association websites as a recommended career resource. If you have any questions or suggestions for improving the site please contact us.

Published by Project 8 Labs LLC, Paralegal 411 is based in the Seattle metro area and has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2012.

Our Editorial Process

At Paralegal 411, we use experienced writers, editors, expert reviewers, and contributors to create and review our content. We evaluate each team member’s background and experience to ensure that our content is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to our readers.

Editorial Team: Our internal editors fact-check, standardize, and approve all content before it goes live to ensure the best possible experience for our readers.

Writers: Professional writers research and write all of our content. Our writers adhere to a style guide in order to maintain consistency throughout the website. All of our content is original and backed by reputable sources.

Expert Reviewers: Since requirements for paralegals frequently change, we partner with experts in the field to regularly review our content so that we can continue to provide our readers with the most accurate, up-to-date information available.

Contributors: We periodically work with legal studies majors and professionals in the field who share their personal experiences and give advice to our readers through interviews and other content contributions.

Editorial Team

Audrey Stoffle

Audrey Stoffle is the Chief Editor of Paralegal 411. A graduate of Berea College, Audrey has a BA in English with a writing emphasis and a minor in Spanish. She has worked as Editor for a literary magazine, Appalachian Review (formerly Appalachian Heritage), and spent years teaching English in Spain. Her writing and editing work has appeared on a variety of career and travel websites. When she’s not writing, Audrey enjoys running and photography. Follow Audrey on LinkedIn.

Laura McPherson

Laura McPherson is the Associate Editor of Paralegal 411. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Career and Technical Education and History from Eastern New Mexico University and a Certificate in Writing from the University of California Berkeley Extension. Her experience includes designing career training modules for professionals in various industries. Her creative work has appeared in literary journals such as Paperbark and Corvus Review and she has been an awards reader for The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP). Follow Laura on LinkedIn.

Writers

Cassandra Ciesla

Cassandra Ciesla is a freelance writer covering content, copy, email marketing, social media, and ghostwriting. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama with a BFA in Theatre; Acting emphasis. Her writing covers education, health and wellness, wine and beverage, travel, and personal essays. Her home bases are shared between Chicago, Illinois, and Atlanta, Georgia. If not there she is most likely found backpacking on a different continent. Follow her on LinkedIn.

Janan Dean

Janan Dean is a writer for Paralegal 411. She has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Edinburgh. In the past, she has worked as a caseworker and research consultant in the public and nonprofit sectors. Janan has published articles in academic journals, created postsecondary curriculum resources, and contributes her expertise on the higher education system. In her spare time, Janan shares behind-the-scenes content from her family’s farm on social media. Follow Janan on LinkedIn.

Zach Johnson-Dunlop

Zach Johnson-Dunlop is a writer and creator based in LA. In addition to professional content writing, he has also written and performed work for the stage. He graduated from Millikin University with a BA in Theater and a minor in Technical Theater. Follow Zach on LinkedIn.

Alissa Sauer

Alissa Sauer is a contributing writer to Paralegal 411. A graduate of The University of Illinois, Alissa holds a B.S. in Advertising. As a military spouse, she has worked as a freelance writer and content editor around the globe. Her writing and editing work has appeared on a variety of career, lifestyle, and health websites, including Forbes, A Place for Mom, Military Spouse, and Leisure Care. When she’s not writing, Alissa enjoys traveling with her family. Follow Alissa on LinkedIn.

Expert Reviewers

Ann H. Hamilton

Ann H. Hamilton has been a paralegal for over 15 years. She has worked in both federal and state litigation. After graduating from FMU – Orlando with honors, she went on to work extensively in the legal research, writing, and evidence processing areas of law. She has focused on our Career Resources for Paralegals, which provides help for recent paralegal graduates. Anne currently works as a freelance paralegal and legal writer.

James Madeiros

James Madeiros is a professional writer with 10 years of professional writing and copywriting experience and has appeared as a guest contributor of several popular websites. He has a law degree from University of Toledo and has appeared as a background performer in several television shows including Human Target.

Dennis Masino

After practicing law for 36 years, Dennis Masino went from the courtroom to the classroom as a professor in the paralegal and legal studies programs at a college in New York. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Hofstra University and a Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Masino is the author of a book on DWI laws published by Thomson/Reuters. He and his wife, Sylvia, live in New York with their dog Benton. All three of them, but especially Benton, enjoy traveling to visit with the children and grandchildren.

Charles Sipe

Charles Sipe has interviewed over a dozen paralegals and presidents of paralegal associations and created the Top 25 Ranked Paralegal Blogs which ranks the top blogs in the industry. He is also a frequent guest contributor on paralegal blogs, university career blogs, and career sites. After 8 years in the military, Charles graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s in business. He currently works as a web editor in the Seattle area where he lives with his family. His hobbies include reading non-fiction books and spending time with family.

Contributors

Amy Bowser-Rollins, Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University
Michael Fox, Partner and Employment Lawyer, Ogletree Deakins
Vicky La Celle, Orange County Paralegal Association President
Katrina Lea, Fort Worth Paralegal Association President
Michael Maslanka, Employment Lawyer, Constangy Brooks and Smith

More expert contributors:

http://www.paralegal411.org/interviews/
http://www.paralegal411.org/careers/job-advice/

Data Sources

Indeed powers our highly flexible job board with daily updates.
American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.
American Association for Paralegal Education
The American Bar Association
NALA – The Association of Legal Assistants * Paralegals
International Practice Management Association
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
O*NET OnLine
Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics
US Department of Education
Zillow

Select Sites Referencing Us

Capital Area Paralegal Association
DePaul University
Santa Barbara Paralegal Association
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
University of Denver

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