Episode 147: There Is No Failure If You Don't Quit - An Interview with Kat Bell
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
Release Date: 03/04/2025
What To Do When You're Not Ready To Retire, But You're Tired Of the Long Work Hours
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
In this episode of Paralegals on Fire, Ann Pearson answers a question submitted by one of her longtime email subscribers—a seasoned litigation paralegal with nearly four decades of experience who’s ready for a change but not quite ready to retire. Drawing from her own background and insights from the industry, Ann offers practical advice on career paths that allow experienced paralegals to leverage their skills while achieving better work-life balance. Ann highlights several alternative career options outside of Big Law, including in-house corporate legal departments, litigation vendor...
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Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
Guest host, Linda Odermott, joins us for another great interview in her Paralegal Real Talk contributing series, where she gives us a deep dive into the latest happenings with paralegal licensing, access to justice, and the impact on the paralegal profession. In this episode, Linda interviews Colorado State Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart. Justice Hart speaks frankly about the access to justice problem and the importance of being in the room if you want to get started on making a change in your state. You don't want to miss this motivating and inspiring episode! Key Takeaways: ...
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Episode 155: How Much Is Your "Free" Time Worth?
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
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Episode 154: I Hate to Be the Bad Guy - But Billing Your Time is Part of Your Job
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
Why does it seem like your supervisor cares so much about getting your billable hours in on time? I get it - billing your time can be a drag. But it is your job. I'm going to be the bad guy for this episode. Stick with me! Billable hours can also be a powerful career tool! Tune in to learn: Why your time entries are under the microscope every month How billable hours directly affect your career growth and earning potential Ways to shift your mindset to stop dreading time tracking and start owning it This episode is brought to you by Raise the Bar Media - a weekly newsletter for legal...
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Episode 153: Avoid These Or Risk Stalling Your Paralegal Career
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
What’s *really* holding back your paralegal career? Spoiler alert: It’s probably not your boss. In this solo episode, I’m diving into five sneaky career stallers that might be quietly sabotaging your growth—and what to do about them. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned pro, this episode is your wake-up call to shift gears and reignite your paralegal career path. Grab the free 3-Step Roadmap for new litigation paralegals: SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT This episode is brought to you by Raise the Bar Media - a weekly newsletter for legal professionals that...
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Episode 152: 5 Things Every Litigation Paralegal Should Know Before Their First Trial
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
Are you a new (or fairly new) litigation paralegal? Get the Paralegal Boot Camp's FREE strategic guidebook here: Going to trial for the first time as a litigation paralegal? Deep breaths! This episode is for you. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 most important things that every litigation paralegal should know before their first trial to help you. And even if you've already been to trial, maybe you need a refresher or want to hear a funny trial war room story! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT This episode is brought to you by Raise the Bar Media - a weekly newsletter...
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Episode 151: Paralegal Mistakes - How to Recover and Grow After Them
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
The AI Boot Camp for Legal Professionals is open for enrollment! Go to to learn more! In this solo episode, Ann talks about paralegal mistakes. Let's face it: mistakes happen. Especially when you're new in your paralegal career - or juggling a dozen high-priority tasks at once. We all make mistakes. What matters most is how we react to them. In this episode, Ann shares real-world stories of paralegal mistakes (including her own!) and more importantly, how to recover, rebuild trust, and grow stronger from them. Key quote from Ann: One mistake doesn't define you. And if you did get fired...
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Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
Announcement: Join Ann in the free AI Masterclass on Saturday, April 19th: In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Christina West, a seasoned paralegal and blogger. Ann and Christina discuss the significance of becoming a well-rounded paralegal, drawing from Christina's diverse experiences across different fields of law. Prefer to watch the podcast episode's video interview: Key Takeaways: Be in the Know: Diversifying your legal knowledge enhances employability and adaptability in different legal settings. Be a Part of Something Bigger: Engaging in...
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Episode 149: Imagine a World Where Everyone Has Access to Justice: An Interview with Michael Houlberg
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
Episode Summary: Join guest host Linda Odermott as she interviews Michael Houlberg, Director of Special Projects at the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS). IAALS is a national, independent research organization that innovates and advances solutions that make our justice system more just. They believe that justice and access to the justice system can be a reality for everyone. This episode highlights IAALS' forward-thinking approach to addressing the access to justice crisis through innovative projects such as regulatory reform initiatives, community justice...
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Episode 148: Paralegal Career Tips + An Invitation to Join Me
Paralegals on Fire! with Ann Pearson
Sign up for the five-day Bootcamp Challenge at In this episode, Ann announces an exciting opportunity—a free five-day Bootcamp Challenge starting soon—offering paralegals a chance to fast-track their career growth easily and effectively. She curates six insightful tips, compiled from top paralegal minds, designed to nurture growth, adaptability, and invulnerability to common industry pitfalls. Key Takeaways: Embrace Multiple Career Paths: Stay open to different practice areas as your first job might not be the right fit. Maintain Composure: Project calmness under...
info_outlineIf you want to watch the video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8Ro8P0SLV3E
"There is no failure if you don't quit," is a recurring lesson in Kat's life, driving her to face challenges head-on and adapt to achieve her goals.
In this interview, Kat shares:
- The powerful story behind why she’s taking on this challenge
- How she overcame adversity, lost nearly 100 pounds, and built confidence along the way
- The reality of searching for a job as a legal assistant in today’s market
- Career advice for legal professionals looking for their next opportunity
- How you can support her mission and help raise funds for domestic abuse survivors
Want to follow Kat’s journey?
Subscribe to her YouTube channel: KatWoman Hikes
Follow her on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @KatWomanHikes
Donate to help fund her journey. Most of the hikers on the Appalachian Trail don't make the journey because they run out of funds! Even just $5 or $10 can help buy Kat a sandwich or a night in a hostel on this hike from Georgia to Maine.
About the Guest:
Kat Bell: Kat Bell is an experienced legal assistant with over 27 years in the legal field. She is also an aspiring Appalachian Trail hiker, driven by a passion for exploring the outdoors and inspiring others through her journey. With an educational background in legal secretarial studies where she graduated top of her class, Kat has faced personal challenges, including overcoming a background of abuse, and is now focused on achieving her dream of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. She is a staunch advocate for domestic abuse survivors and is engaging in this monumental hike to support related charitable causes.
Get more free paralegal resources: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources