Soledad Albarracin, Litigation Paralegal

Summary: Soledad Albarracin is a litigation paralegal that was born and raised in Lima, Peru. He received a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from UCLA.

Soledad Albarracin, Litigation Paralegal

1.  Where were you born and raised?

Lima, Peru

2.  What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?

Ride my race bike, traveling, scuba diving, snorkeling, running, etc.

3.  Please discuss your educational background. List all degrees and certifications.
 

• eDiscovery Project Management Certificate Program: A five month certificate program provided by the Organization of Legal Professionals (OLP), certificate expected February 2015.
• Loyola Law School.
• University of California, Los Angeles, Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
• B.A., UCLA, Magna Cum Laude, College Honors and Departmental Honors.
• Recipient of the UCLA Honors Programs Summer Research Stipend Award.

4.  Why did you decide to specialize in your particular area? Please let me know all the areas you specialize in.

I love Litigation. There are people in my field who spend their professional lives avoiding trials - I pray that I get a chance to work on more trials. There is something very rewarding about taking a case to trial. Of course, it is even more rewarding when we win in trial.

I don't know why I love litigation so much. Maybe because it is the culmination of months or years of preparation. It is show time!

5.  Why did you decide to become a paralegal?

I was next in line to go to the police academy but an injury held me back for six months. During that time somebody told me about paralegals, and after my first day of class in Civil Procedure I knew I didn't want to be a police officer. I wanted to learn more about the law.

6.  What advice would you give to someone who's brand-new to your position?

Make sure it is Litigation that you want because it is very stressful, but at the same time it is never boring and is very rewarding.

7.  What do you think are the keys to becoming a successful paralegal?
 

• Pay attention to detail.
• Anticipate your attorneys' needs
• Be extremely organized and create your own well organized system.

8. What's one of the things that you find most challenging about your job?

Meeting the needs of a successful and demanding attorney. When I can do that, I feel accomplished.

8.  What would you say is the most important thing you've learned as a paralegal?

Justice is not always the same as what is right.

9.  What is the best part of your job?

Going to trial and keeping up with computer advancements along with their application to law.

10.  What is the biggest case you worked on? What is the most interesting experience you have had while working on this case?

It was the most interesting and saddest thing I ever had to accept. The value of a person's life quantified in a dollar amount pursuant to a chart - it was not good.

11.  What makes you stand out as a legal staff member in you field?

My commitment to my career, my loyalty to my employer and my devotion for procedure and the rule of law.

12.  What is the sexiest case you worked on?

I worked on a case in which Plaintiff claim to be injured at work. At his deposition a porn tape surfaced in which he didn't look that injured - we settled immediately.

13.  What is your most recent case that is big or noteworthy? What is the most interesting experience you have had while working on this case?

I worked on a class action against an oil company in which people received a ridiculously low amount of money for their harm. It was sad to see that the owners of the house, the people who had worked hard for 30 or 40 years to purchase that home were the ones who received the least amount of money.

14.   What are you known for professionally? What do you have a knack for?

I am extremely efficient at research - legal research or investigative research.

15.  What do you think about the paralegal field in your area today? What would you change about your field?

My field, as well as other legal fields, is changing with the times. The advent of technology is changing everything, so we must continue to keep abreast of new trends and new programs that benefit our particular field.

I would make it mandatory for Paralegals to be certified and receive continuous legal education.

16.  If you were not in this profession, what would you most probably be doing?

I would be a flight attendant.

18. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

Teaching.

19. What motivates you to be a paralegal every day?

The continuous challenge. I arrive at my office and it is go, go, go. Time goes very quickly when you enjoy what you do.

20. Who are the people that inspired you and why?

My father, whose impeccable reputation taught me to do the right thing even when nobody was looking because I have to life with myself.

I also admire fierce litigators. I loved watching them in court. I always learn something from a trial.

21. Do you consider yourself a mentor?

Yes, I have supervised and trained secretaries, interns, paralegals and junior attorneys and loved every minute of it.

22. Please discuss any professional organizations or volunteer activities that you are involved in.

I provide legal information to the Hispanic community without charge. I am not good at charging people I just want to help.

23. Have you been featured in any publications you want me to mention? Have you received any awards you want me to mention?

My awards were all academic.

24. You have accomplished a lot in your career. What's next for you?

I plan to work a few more years and retire. However, even if I retire I will probably work part-time.