Why MidwestMidwest Trial Resources Is Launched
To complete the circle of services that Midwest Paralegal provides, Midwest has added the final step of trial presentation in a more formal way.
Although clients have used Midwest in this capacity over the years, we had not packaged it as a formal service arm to Midwest’s renowned litigation and imaging services. Due to the demand, this public relations blip has been corrected with the creation of Midwest’s Trial Resources Division.
Pre-Trial Services
- Through the use of Midwest Paralegal Services, Inc. and Midwest Imaging, establish efficiencies and protocol for data collection and analysis to be used throughout the Discovery process.
- Elements such as Bates Numbering protocol; privilege and confidential designations; deposition exhibit naming and tracking will be uniformly set.
Electronic Exhibit Preparation Services
- Coordinate multiple media types to optimize preparation of trial exhibits
- Courtroom installation
- Coordinate equipment logistics with court officials.
- Provide trial presentation PC with required software and hardware.
- Manage courtroom equipment installation and quality control.
Trial Presentation Services
- Familiarize counsel and witnesses to scope and capabilities of equipment.
- Provide or supplement technical support for presentation systems and technology.
- Provide assistance by presenting electronic and demonstrative evidence using the latest technology.
Please contact Dana Huck to schedule a consultation at 414-764-2772 or via email at dhuck@midwestparalegal.com.
TWO CAMPS
Midwest Paralegal Services, Inc. has been a heavy promoter and user of Summation as its database of choice. Shawn Olley is not only a reseller of the product, but one of the few Certified Trainers of the product in Wisconsin.
As the days dawn and the demands from clients increase, Midwest has decided to add to its arsenal the Concordance database product line as well. Since the two products have similar goals, it will extend the offerings Midwest can make to its clients. We will also be able to support our law firm contemporaries that have chosen Concordance as their litigation support tool.
Midwest has been selected as a reseller for Concordance and three of Midwest’s employees will attend the training sessions in New York, scheduled in September. Dana Huck, Project Manager and IT Specialist will continue on with the certified training courses for Concordance, with a completion date sometime this Fall.
Midwest follows with interest the path the two parent companies have chosen. Summation is owned by CT Corporation and Concordance is owned by Lexis/Nexis. Each corporation is a well established player in the legal field. Lexis/Nexis also purchased ICE (Image Capture Engineering) in recent months. The partnering of Concordance with the innovative Imaging software product used by Midwest – is sure to bring some powerful advancements in the coming years.
If you are in the decision making process of choosing a product, or are interested in a one-stop multi- product demonstration, contact Midwest to set up an appointment.
Billing Rates for Paralegals Continue to Rise
A national survey conducted in May of 2007 showed a median billing rate increase of 6.7% from 2006. The range reported paralegal clerks at $95.00 and paralegals at a median $160.00/hour, topping out at $222/hour for Paralegal Case Managers. Billing rates were up across the board for all ten paralegal positions reporting. The survey included over 14,000 paralegal positions from law firms to law departments. You can purchase the survey at www.altmanweil.com.
The paralegals at Midwest have a current, standard billing rate of $69.00/hour. Midwest has been a long-standing resource to supplement your in-house paralegal staff.
Document Productions
Babysitting at $175/Hour
A corporate client contacted Midwest in August to assist in the management of a document production that held little value to the client. Opposing counsel was fishing, and they had a big net. Counsel wanted to review twelve pallets of boxes, each containing over forty boxes. Since it was suspected that the review would result in very little selection, the mode of operation was to keep it simple.
Midwest was contacted, given the conditions and location. Eileen Hansen was assigned from Midwest to keep track of the materials and document the activity of the attorneys on site. It can be so helpful to a client, to understand the speed of the reviewers, the types of materials being flagged and the expectation of volume as a production review drags on.
This is not the job for a $175.00 an hour associate. Midwest, as an agent for the corporate client and at a rat of $69.00 per hour, can coordinate with warehouse personnel and Midwest’s own staff to have the materials duplicated and returned to the approving eyes of the documents’ custodian.
The corporate client in this instance, saved travel costs for the out of state counsel, and focused the attorney’s time on issues of merit. Consider Midwest in the same regard. Contact Dana Huck, dhuck@midwestparalegal.com, if you would like to schedule similar support.
Stop! Call Midwest First
Shawn Olley is a reseller of Summation and Concordance. If you are interested in a local resource for training and IT support, let Shawn handle the purchase order process for you. The cost is the same as a direct purchase plus you earn preferred customer status as a Midwest Client.
Preferred status gives you reduced charges on services and a direct link to Midwest for future training and educational offerings. Contact Shawn at solley@midwestparalegal.com.
Rick Stieghorst, Dana Huck and Shawn Olley traveled to New York, September 5-6 to complete training on the Concordance Database Software.
Glenn Hertel and Shawn Olley will be attending Summation’s annual technology conference, October 22 – 23rd in San Francisco, CA. Summation provides in depth updates on eDiscovery and the supportive components available in Summation.
Midwest converted all its cases to version 2.8.1 of Summation. The updated version includes advancements in the use of production sets and inclusion of a spell-check feature.
Midwest upgraded all Imaging software to LAW 5.0.
Midwest added FilesAnywhere as a way to transmit documents needed on the fly.
Midwest added GoToAssist to help us guide clients with computer problems by using a secure, product so we can see your computer problems as you describe them, and provide immediate solutions to those nagging computer glitches.
Midwest welcomes the addition of Sarah Goddard to the staff. Sarah received has her paralegal certificate in 1977 and along with law firm experience, has worked over ten years in the State Public Defender’s office in Racine.
Midwest had its annual meeting with employees on September 12th. The annual meeting provides an update of all that has been accomplished In the year and plans for improvements and changes for 2008. Midwest is Subsidizing the estate planning of its employees to insure everyone has A Health care power of attorney; durable power of attorney and last will and testament.
Rick Stieghorst and Glenn Hertel were featured in the Wisconsin Law Journal’s Litigation Support Guide. Visit us online to view the article.
