Beets, Berries, and Better Paralegals

About this episode

The episode discusses the crucial role of paralegals in law firms and how to enhance their training and hiring processes.

Paralegals might not wear capes, but they’re often the ones keeping your law firm running and making sure your clients are happy. Conrad and Gyi dive into the unsung, everyday heroes of your practice, your paralegals, and how the right team can make or break your client experience. We highlight a few key clips from a full-length interview Conrad had with Ryan McKeen and Marisa Rua from Para Era about building better paralegal training programs, hiring talent from unexpected industries like food service, and creating systems that let paralegals thrive. Your paralegals are often the first face of your firm, the first voice clients hear, and the first impression that shapes your brand. Ryan and Marissa discuss how to turn that reality into a competitive advantage.📺 Want to hear our entire discussion with Ryan and Marisa? Watch on YouTube The News Congratulations to Neil Katyal for overturning Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs. Big law firms like Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, and Susman Godfrey stand strong, proving that not all big law groups are wusses. And yes, your paralegals are still more important than you thought. Chapters: 00:00 Dirty Hands and Native Berries…

People in this episode

Hosts: Conrad, Gyi

Guests: Ryan McKeen, Marisa Rua

Topics covered

• paralegal training
• client experience
• law firm operations
• hiring practices
• marketing strategies

Keywords

• paralegals
• law firm
• client satisfaction
• training programs
• hiring talent

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Para Era, Neil Katyal, Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, Susman Godfrey

More episodes of Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

• AI Search Data Turns to the Dark Side · June 10, 2026 · 49 min
• Conversations From ‘A Seat at the Table’: Inside the Private Equity Shift · June 3, 2026 · 40 min
• What is AI Visibility, Anyway? · May 27, 2026 · 45 min
• It Really Is Brand (Told You So!) · May 20, 2026 · 60 min
• Butts, Not Bots · May 14, 2026 · 40 min
• Don’t Be Weird About Sponsorships (Just Be Honest) · May 6, 2026 · 18 min