Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Hosted by Alberta paralegal Tara Edwards, Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey shares honest conversations about paralegal careers, legal support roles, mentorship, and the people who make the legal system work.
Episode 26: Interview with Samantha Jones
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Episode 26 | Interview with Samantha Jones
What does it take to find your place in the legal profession, and how do you build confidence along the way?
In this episode of Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey, I sit down with Samantha Jones, an Alberta Registered Paralegal working in estates law and Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals.
Samantha shares her journey into the legal profession, what drew her to estates law, and some of the lessons she's learned along the way.
<...Episode 25: What’s Behind the Conduct?
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Episode 25: What's Behind the Conduct?
Before reacting to conflict, have you ever stopped to ask what's really behind someone's behaviour?
In this episode of Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey, I follow up on my conversation with retired Ontario Provincial Prosecutor Vera McGuire and explore one question she raised that stayed with me: "What's behind their conduct?"
Conflict is part of working in the legal profession, but how we respond to it can make all the difference. We explore why mediation training isn't just about settling disputes and how...
Behind the Case Files - Episode 2 | What Did We Agree To | Understanding Retainers
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Behind the Case Files | What Did We Agree To | Understanding Retainers
What does it actually mean when a lawyer says they've been retained?
In a law office, we hear the word retainer all the time. But being retained, signing a retainer agreement, and paying retainer funds are three different things. And understanding those differences matters.
In this episode of Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey – Behind the Case Files, we are exploring what retainer agreements really mean, why the Law Society of Alberta recommends them, and what ha...
Episode 24: Interview with Veronica (Vera) McGuire
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Interview with Veronica (Vera) McGuire, retired Ontario Provincial Prosecutor
What professional skills are you developing today that will still serve you five or ten years from now?
In this episode of Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey, I sit down with Veronica (Vera) McGuire, a former Ontario Provincial Prosecutor and instructor whose career has taken her through the courtroom, prosecution, teaching, mediation, and professional leadership.
Vera shares lessons from her career and why she believes negotiation and mediation are some of the most valuable skills a paralegal can develop.
Episode 23: I Made a Major Mistake. Now What?
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Episode 23: I Made a Major Mistake. Now What?
What happens when you make a mistake at work that is serious enough to make you question everything you know about yourself?
Last week, I made a major mistake at work. I owned it. I apologized. My bosses reminded me that I am human and that mistakes happen.
But that did not stop me from going home, replaying it over and over again, feeling physically sick, emotionally eating, and asking myself:
Am I actually as good...
Episode 22: You Didn't Get Here By Accident
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Episode 22 | You Didn't Get Here By Accident
Have you ever looked at the next step in your legal career and wondered, "Am I really ready for this?"
In this episode of Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey, I reflect on a powerful piece of advice from my conversation with Kristine Jeffels, instructor at Bow Valley College and mentor with the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals:
"You didn't survive what you have because you don't know what you're doing."
That sentence stayed with me, and it got me...
Behind the Case Files: Can we Act | Understanding Conflict Checks
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🎙️ Behind the Case Files - Episode 1 | Can We Act? Understanding Conflict Checks
Why does a law office complete a conflict check before opening a file? And what does client intake have to do with it? Before a lawyer can answer a prospective client's question — "Can you help me?" — the office first has to answer its own:
Can we act?
In this first episode of Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey – Behind the Case Files, Tara Edwards takes you inside the practical side of conflict checks, client intake, and professio...
Episode 21: Interview with Kristine Jeffels
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Episode 21 | Interview with Kristine Jeffels | Instructor at Bow Valley College
What does it really take to build a successful career in Canada's legal profession?
In this episode of Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey, I sit down with Kristine Jeffels, instructor at Bow Valley College and mentor with the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals, for an honest conversation about career growth, mentorship, and the evolving role of legal assistants and paralegals in Alberta.
Whether you're a legal assistant student, an experienced legal assistant, an Alberta Paralegal, or simply exploring...
Episode 20: Building More Than a Career
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 19: Interview with Vanessa Wilson
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 18: What You Really Need Before Your Practicum: Six Habits That Will Make You a Better Legal Assistant or Paralegal
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 17: Interview with Judi Simms
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 16: Regulation, Reputation & Responsibility in the Paralegal Profession
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 15: The Best Professional Development Isn't Always Legal Education
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 14: Saying Yes to Opportunities
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 12: Interview with Melanie Schon
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 12: Lessons from a Paralegal Journey
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 11: Interview with Christine Savoy
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 10: Career Development – The Small Steps That Change Everything
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 9: Interview with Nicole Lee
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 8: Project Management in Paralegal Work
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 7: Interview with Alethia Bundy
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 6: Mentorship and the Paralegal Journey
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 5: “Do You Believe There Is More Than One Version of Success?”
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 4: An Interview with Daniel Foster, Licensed Ontario Paralegal, Program Coordinator
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 3B: I’m a Senior Legal Assistant… Now What?
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 3A: You finished the program now what?
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 2: Getting Your Foot in the Door-Entering the Legal Field with Intention
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Episode 1: From Legal Assistant to Alberta Paralegal - My Journey
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
Copy of Podcast Intro
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About Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey
Sister-in-Law: The Paralegal Journey is a Canadian podcast hosted by Tara Edwards, an Alberta Registered Paralegal. Each episode features conversations with legal assistants, paralegals, lawyers, educators, and industry leaders from across Canada who share practical advice, career insights, and real-world experiences.
Whether you work in law, work alongside the legal profession, are thinking about a career in this space, or simply want an honest look at the paralegal journey, you're in the right place. Because every experienced paralegal was once the person...
