Professionalism and Humor for Paralegals

Join us during Paralegal Week in Georgia:
Wednesday, June 13th, 12:00 - 1:30
Lunch and Learn: Professionalism and Humor, by Perry Binder, J.D. – no charge
Sponsored and hosted by: Esquire Solutions
PARALEGAL REGISTRATION: complete online form

Location
Esquire Deposition Solutions
2700 Centennial Tower
101 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA  30303

Topics include:

Do we need an Attorney to Paralegal “Bill of Professionalism Rights”?

  1.   L. isten to your Paralegals

 2.    I. nspire and challenge them with interesting work

 3.    G. ive hope to everyone in the firm

 4.    H. eap compliments on Paralegals for quality work

 5.    T. each to your strengths as an attorney

6.     B. e patient with your Paralegal

 7.    U. nderstand that new Paralegals lack your knowledge of the law

 8.    L. earn from your Paralegals

 9.    B. e willing to walk in your Paralegal’s shoes

10.   S. ee to it that your Paralegal’s professional aspirations are a law firm priority

Adapted from Perry’s L. I. G. H. T.  B. U. L. B. Moment for Attorneys working with Paralegals

College Motivator #99 - Studying Abroad is a Life Changing Experience!

COLLEGE LIFE MOTIVATOR #99

If possible, study abroad for a summer or semester.  You’ll learn more about life and yourself than you will at your home institution.

GSU Law class, May 7-31, 2012

Piazza della Repubblica, Florence Italy

I had the privilege of teaching Introduction to Law and bringing 19 Georgia State University undergraduate students to Florence to CEA's classrooms.

Topics included:

I.    The U.S. and Italian Court Systems

II.  Criminal Justice Issues in the U.S. and Italian Courts

III. Business Law Issues in Italy and the U.S., including Social Media and Privacy in the Workplace, Intellectual Property, and Domain Name Disputes

IV.  Civil Justice Issues in Italy and the U.S.

Random quotes from students on what they learned about themselves:

- Witnessing the possibility of everything life has to offer

- Being around such great, successful and motivating peers taught me a lot about myself - They pushed me and showed me that I can be better

- My exposure to the courthouses and guest speakers and trip to Italy has expanded my horizon

- The determination to never settle for the bare minimum has become a part of me

- Determination can outweigh fatigue and fear - struggling to do what you know you are capable of is one of the most rewarding experiences I could partake in

- The people we met had a great impact on me; I want to do something international - this experience has given a new path for me

- While in Italy, I became more familiar with the intellectual property side of the law - I could put my passion for fashion and litigation to use

- I have learned that I am blessed to be where I am in my life right now

For photos and schedule of class trips/speakers:
http://perrybinder.blogspot.com/

College Classroom Motivator #41: Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.

COLLEGE CLASSROOM MOTIVATOR

#41

Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.  “Book smarts” is only one measure, but you still need to strive for good grades.  The best way to figure out how to study is to attend class and observe what topics are important to professors.  Those subjects usually wind up on their exams.

QUICK STORY FROM THE CLASSROOM

Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.

As I sat in class during the first year of law school, I was confused at times when others raised their hands and offered wild legal theories.  What I discovered after the fact is that classroom discussion leaders do not always perform as well on exams as the shy, silent student who doesn’t utter a peep all semester.

Regardless, I don’t equate good grades with intelligence.  One psychologist, Robert Sternberg, identifies three types of intelligence in his Triarchic Model:

• Componential Intelligence – analytic, academic abilities to solve problems

• Experiential Intelligence – creativity and insight, the ability to invent, discover, and theorize

• Practical Intelligence – street smarts, ability to adapt to the environment

I once wrote a letter of recommendation for a student who received a “C” in my course because after many discussions outside of class, I recognized that he had the practical intelligence to succeed in his chosen profession.

This story is the basis for Motivator #41

Copyright 2012 99 Motivators for College Success

Career Motivators: Do what you love but don’t let your career choices jeopardize anyone you love. Including...

... Yourself.

CAREER PATH MOTIVATOR

#10

Do what you love but don’t let your career choices jeopardize anyone you love.  Including yourself.  Translation: Take care of others but don’t forget to take care of yourself, sometimes before others.  Listen to our airline flight attendants: “Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others with their masks.”

QUICK STORY BEFORE PICKING A CAREER PATH

Do what you love but don’t jeopardize anyone you love.  Including yourself.

Recognize and assess the risks in every major decision you make, and how they affect those around you.

When I left the full-time practice of law to teach, I was single and had no children.   Would I have made such a career transition if I had a spouse and two kids at the time?  I’d like to think so because in the end, career satisfaction is one key to personal fulfillment.  Some opportunities are rare and don’t come around often.  The difficult part is learning whether to jump at or pass on an adventure when your responsibilities require the support of those around you, and dictate a closer look at the risk and reward.

This story is the basis for Motivator #10

99 Motivators for College Success book (2012)

College Motivator #12: Figure out if you are a “structure” person or...

 ...someone who can self-motivate at any given time.

CAREER PATH MOTIVATOR

#12

Figure out if you want predictable structured working hours, or if you are motivated to work until the job gets done.  Also, figure out whether you are willing to work during hours when most people play.  (such as a real estate agent or someone in the hospitality field)

QUICK STORY BEFORE PICKING A CAREER PATH

Figure out if you are a “structure” person or someone who can self-motivate at any given time.

Years ago, I briefly did freelance work full-time and found it difficult to motivate myself day in and day out.  In that environment, you have to create a regimen and stick to it with discipline. 

I like some structure in my daily routine, but not too much.  Classes bring that framework

to my work life.  For me, just knowing that I need to be at a certain place on time brings me certainty, clarity, and anticipation.

This story is the basis for Motivator #12

99 Motivators for College Success

College Motivator #73: Live Life with No Regrets, but...

COLLEGE LIFE MOTIVATOR

#73

Live life with no regrets but understand the consequences of your decisions.  Your professors should understand that you need to miss class to attend a job interview.  However, you will still be responsible for getting class notes and making up any required work.

QUICK STORIES FOR COLLEGE LIFE

Know the consequences of no regrets.

I had a student who said there was a “pie in the sky” casting call for some production, but it meant getting in line and waiting for hours at a downtown hotel.  And missing my class.

I simply told her that she could go, but was responsible for getting class notes from a fellow student.  I believe in going after opportunities, even when it means sometimes doing the irresponsible thing, like telling a professor that you need to ditch class for a pipe dream of a chance at something big.

I learned that lesson as a law student, when I was clerking at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  A movie was being filmed downtown starring Robert Redford, and they needed extras to fill up an old minor league baseball stadium.  Instead of playing on green grass, I did the responsible thing by going to work that day.

Years later, every time I see The Natural, I say to myself: “If only I called in sick that day.”  Thankfully, this is a minor regret.  It serves as a lesson to me about risk taking and understanding the consequences.  Be a risk taker in your college life, but know where to draw the foul line.

99 Motivators for College Success in Patch

Book Gives Tips for College Success

Johns Creek resident and GSU professor Perry Binder says he wants to see students succeed, and that's why he's written a second book. 

"The jump from high school to college is a huge adjustment, and that's where my book comes in," he says. "99 Motivators for College Success gives bite-sized tips and quotes on how to succeed in the college classroom, in picking a major, and in adjusting to college life. The book also offers guidance on how to study for multiple choice exams and write model essay exam answers"

Binder adds, "It is also for the parents of students to better understand what’s expected of children in college, and the pressures they face from professors, peers, and family members." 

Continue reading at:  
http://johnscreek.patch.com/articles/book-gives-tips-for-college-success

Never crush anyone’s career dreams (Excerpt, 99 Motivators for College Success)

CAREER PATH MOTIVATOR

#4

Don’t let anyone crush your dreams.  However, the riskier your dream, the better your backup plan must be.

QUICK STORY BEFORE PICKING A CAREER PATH

Never crush anyone’s dreams.

When I was a little kid, I dreamed about playing professional basketball.  In third grade, we had to write an essay on what we wanted to be when we grew up.  I wrote that I wanted to be 6’10” and play in Madison Square Garden.  When the teacher handed back my paper, she laughed out loud and said: “You can’t do that!”

That was the first time someone had crushed my professional dream.  The teacher may have been right about the 6’10” part, but this molder of young minds lacked the understanding of what negative reinforcement can do to little kids.  She also lacked the understanding that height isn’t everything for a basketball player.  Teachers, especially in the impressionable K-12 years, are my personal heroes.  Yet they need to be dream builders, not dream destroyers.  It’s healthy to discuss rational backup career plans, but why spoil youthful exuberance which could flower into the unexpected?

            Postscript:  When I was 25 years old, I got to play one-on-one with 7’4” center Mark Eaton of the Utah Jazz, that year’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year.  I’ll leave the game results to your active imagination.

This story is the basis for Motivator #4

99 Motivators™ for College Success

© 2012 Perry Binder, LLC

Click here to purchase on Amazon

99 Motivators for College Success book: High School Graduation Gift

This book is not just for high school and college students - it's also for their parents, as a guide to the pressures facing students in college life, classes, and career choices.

Available on Amazon - on Kindle soon (click here)

Main Sections:
I. Motivators for Success in Picking a Major or Career Path (Motivators 1-33)
- Quick Stories Before Picking a Career Path
II. Motivators for Success in the Classroom (Motivators 34-66)
- Quick Stories from the Classroom
III. Motivators for Success in Adjusting to College Life (Motivators 67-99)
- Quick Stories for College Life

Other Sections include:
- Read the Contract! (and other Lessons)
- Graduation
- Epilogue: L.I.G.H.T. B.U.L.B. Moments for New Professors and Teachers
Appendix:
- How to Study for Straightforward Multiple Choice Questions
- How to Approach "Application" Multiple Choice Questions
- How to Write a College Essay Exam Answer
- Bonus: How to Write a Law School Essay Exam Answer
- Books that Motivate Professor Binder

Available on Amazon - on Kindle soon (click here)

99 Motivators for College Success: Prologue

Prologue
© 2012 Perry Binder, LLC

Available on Amazon (click here)

I never dreamed of being a college professor. Does anybody? When my third grade teacher asked us about our dream job, Molly said an astronaut; Evan, an actor. Perry: “Obtain a terminal degree and lecture on legal morasses.”

Every college student wants a good laugh, I think. Humor can be found even in the most stressful situations. For example, I tell students that I can't offer legal advice. But that didn't stop "Steve" from calling me after class in a panic: “The judge gave me ten days for speeding; they’re taking me away!”

So that night, I drove to the county jail, where the innkeeper ushered me into a tiny drab room facing glass. Steve appeared on the other side, looking weary and wearing an ugly orange jumpsuit. I never practiced criminal law, so I just put my hand up to the glass and spread my fingers apart because I saw that done on TV. Steve finally smiled and put his hand up to mine. He told me what happened, but all I could do was stare at our mitts and think: “Hey, this TV hand thing really works!”

While Steve's dilemma was no laughing matter, I use that story on the first day of class to set the tone for our semester: Understanding the law is serious business and applied unequally to young college students without counsel. But we will laugh and learn a lot together.

To me, humor for the college crowd mixes audience participation with storytelling about the bizarre world around us. Consider this recent headline: Man Pleads Guilty to DUI in Motorized Recliner. Who knew the law could be so funny? But college isn’t all about laughs. At times, many students feel anxiety and intimidation, mixed with a lost feeling in class, in career direction, and in life. That’s where this book comes in.

99 Motivators™ for College Success offers my thoughts from over twenty years of college teaching. The Motivators are presented in bite-sized tips and quotes. Most are serious, some are quirky, and hopefully they are all constructive and motivational.

The book is divided into three sections:

I. Motivators for Success in Picking a Major or Career Path

II. Motivators for Success in the Classroom

III. Motivators for Success in Adjusting to College Life

Each Motivator contains space to jot down notes when a tip or quote resonates with you. At the end of each section, three “Takeaways” highlight the overarching Motivator themes, and then you are challenged to apply these concepts by writing three Personal Motivator Goals.

Three sections. Ninety nine Motivators. Nine Takeaways. Nine Personal Goals. This book will make you think hard about what you want out of your college experience and career in an easy to access format.

99 Motivators™ for College Success offers guidance on how to study for multiple choice exams, with sample questions and answers. Further, this book shows you how to write organized essays, by providing a sample essay exam question with model college and law school level responses.

99 Motivators™ for College Success is not only for people heading to college or already in college. It is also for the parents of students to better understand what’s expected of children in college, and the pressures they face from professors, peers, and family members.

99 Motivators™ for College Success is for high school teachers and guidance counselors, and anyone else who facilitates the difficult transition process from high school to college for students. Finally, this book is for new and seasoned college professors seeking a fresh perspective on teaching.

If you are looking for a textbook on the A-Z steps for college and career success, then this book is not for you. Frankly, I am skeptical of books which promise a neat roadmap or a cure-all to the pressures of college or the work world. Instead, the value of 99 Motivators™ for College Success is an opportunity for positive introspection on college and careers, with quick messages and jolts to your nervous system.

In 99 Motivators™ for College Success, I am one part professor, one part college tour guide, and one part cheerleader. Let’s get started on the path to college success, but first, my student Steve’s verdict: I referred him to a criminal defense lawyer but Steve still spent three days in jail for speeding. It would've been zero if he had an attorney at the outset, which shows that maybe nothing is funny about the law after all!

Available on Amazon (click here)