Our knowledge took root from readings, discussions and exercises on the foundations of law. Over time we explored government branches, court structures and jurisdiction. We researched civil and criminal codes, rules and court opinions and decisions. We built vocabularies of legal terminology drawn from common causes of action in substantive law on through various means of seeking relief using procedural law.

In pursuit of our individual paralegal careers beyond certification, we continue our efforts with this website to grow and share our knowledge. We started out examining the meanings of statutes and rulings beginning with the rules of evidence and hearsay. We gained an appreciation of the mechanics from electronic research with Westlaw and NexisLexis, Bluebook citations and writing legal analysis and pleadings.

As our knowledge gains more solid form and fluidity, it resembles the trunk of a growing tree widening our perspective. As we pursue our professional roles, this effort begins finally to coalesce and bloom like the spectacular flowers of the the Royal Poinciana tree. Some paralegals gradually delve deeper into one of the dozen of law practice areas in which the seeds of our legal pursuits first took root. Some of us look to expand further into new areas. Our paralegals share their journeys on the Ideas Blog.