New York Paralegal Blog

When Kim Kardashian announced she was studying to become a lawyer, many people were surprised. After all, she never went to a traditional law school. But what she did is a real, albeit challenging, path to becoming an attorney in California. If you've ever wondered how it's possible to "read the law," this post is for you. California is unique in offering a few alternative routes to a legal career, and a big part of their appeal is the cost. Here's a breakdown of the programs and what you can expect to pay. You Don't Have to Live in California to Study Law There! 🗺️ One of the biggest benefits of these alternative paths is that you don't have to live in California to pursue them. The Law Office Study Program and correspondence schools are designed for remote learning, allowing you to study and prepare for the California Bar Exam from any state in the U.S. This opens up a legal career path for a wider range of people who can't move to Calif...

For decades, the college admissions process at elite institutions like Harvard has been shrouded in a cloak of subjectivity. We’ve been told about "holistic review," a system that considers everything from your race to your extracurriculars to your family's history. But what if we stripped away all the layers and looked at one simple, undeniable metric of academic merit: test scores? The data is clear and compelling. Year after year, Asian American students, on average, post the highest SAT and ACT scores of any racial or ethnic group. The numbers from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) don't lie. The average SAT score for Asian Americans is consistently higher than that of their white counterparts. This isn't a matter of opinion; it's a matter of fact. This brings us to a fundamental question: If Harvard's goal is to admit the most academically talented students, why have Asian Americans been so underrepresented relative to th...

In a grim case that underscores the dangers of the illicit drug trade, six individuals have been charged following a multi-agency investigation into a deadly illegal cannabis operation. The probe, dubbed “Operation Sugar Diamond,” links the defendants to two separate explosions that killed a total of five workers in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman didn't mince words, stating, “This case shows the deadly and disastrous results when illegal cannabis operations recklessly put greed over the safety of their employees and neighbors.” His message is clear: while cannabis is legal in California, dangerous, unregulated activity like this will be met with the full force of the law. The Charges and the Accused At the center of the case are Ted Chien (52) and his partner Han Quan Jiao (54). Chien faces the most serious charges, including five counts of murder with special circumstances, which could lead to a sentence of life without parol...

We've all been there: faced with a rule that seems a bit silly or tedious, tempting us to take a shortcut. "What's the harm?" we might think. But a story from my past working at a New York City bank taught me a powerful lesson about the hidden importance of compliance. I worked with a head teller named Sara (not her real name). She was a ray of sunshine—professional, kind, and excellent at her job. Then, one day, a storm rolled in. After she counted the cash in the bank’s ATMs, she came up $5,000 short. Panic ensued. Even after recounts by supervisors, the money was still missing. The bank launched an investigation, and within a couple of days, Sara was let go. It was a shocking and swift termination for an employee everyone loved. But the story took another turn. A day or two later, the $5,000 was found! It had simply been misplaced. Our branch manager, Pete, was overjoyed and immediately called Human Resources, certain they would rehire Sara. To his dism...

Sponsored content this blog may receive commissions  Let's face it, dealing with legal documents can feel like wrestling a never-ending stack of paper. But what if you could streamline your workflow, boost your efficiency, and even lighten your briefcase? Enter the Microsoft Surface Pro , your powerful and portable ally in the world of legal document preparation. Think of the Surface Pro as a versatile 2-in-1 device that combines the full power of a laptop with the sleek portability of a tablet. This unique combination offers some serious advantages for legal professionals right here in Baldwin, and everywhere else: Your Mobile Law Office: From Courtroom to Coffee Shop: The Surface Pro's lightweight design means you can easily take your entire legal toolkit with you. Review documents, take notes, and even draft agreements wherever your work takes you – from the courthouse downtown to your favorite local coffee spot. Goodbye Heavy Briefcase: Say goodbye to lugging a...