About Perfectly Paralegal 

Perfectly Paralegal Resources (“PPR”) is owned and operated by Perfectly Paralegal Consulting, Inc. This blog was first set in motion in early 2010 and started as an e-mail newsletter. It grew over time and soon it had outgrown the e-mail newsletter capabilities and the website was born. PPR aims to provide paralegals and other legal professionals with information on free and low cost educational opportunities, career resources including job listings, practice tips, rule/fee change information and other practice resources.

About Linda

Professional Experience

Linda has been a paralegal since 1997 and currently works as a litigation department in the Risk Management department at Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (since May 2015) She previously worked at Arnstein & Lehr from October 2010 through May 2015 and prior to that at Pardo & Gainsburg (f/k/a Zarco & Pardo), where she worked from August 1997 through October 2010. Linda specializes in products liability, wrongful death and medical malpractice defense.

In addition to working as a paralegal, Linda also owns Perfectly Paralegal Consulting, Inc. and organizes and hosts the annual Paralegals Navigating Perilous Waters cruise conference along with other local events and resources!

Linda’s Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perfectlyparalegal/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyparalegal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMCFRP

Perfectly Paralegal Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/perfectlyparalegal/

Linda’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lmcfrp

Facebook Communities

Perfectly Paralegal (our main group)

Paralegals Off The Clock – Perfectly Paralegal (this is our casual group for vents & goofing off)

Click HERE for a complete list of Perfectly Paralegal Facebook Communities.

Education & Certification

• National Juris University, Masters in Legal Studies
• Barry University, Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Paralegal Studies
• Barry University, Legal Studies Undergraduate Certificate Program
• Barry University, Certificate – Legal Studies
• Miami Dade College, Associates, Secondary Education
• Florida Registered Paralegal (Since 2008)
• NALA Certified Paralegal (Since 2007)
• NALA’s Advanced Certified Paralegal
  • Discovery (10/2007)
  • Trial Practice (11/2008)
  • Social Security Disability (04/2010)
  • eDiscovery (04/2015)
  • Entity Medical Liability (05/2015).

Seminars/Speaking Engagements:

 

2023:

• April 20-22, 2023: Client Retention Tactics Using Communication, Ethics and Professionalism, Panel Discussion – National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS) 2023 Annual Conference
• September 12, 2023: Time Entry and Billing Strategies for Legal Professionals (1 Hour) – Orange County Bar Association Paralegal Section
• September 30, 2023: Everyday Ethics for the Modern Paralegal (1 Hour) – NALS of Washington
• November 17, 2023: Battle-Ready Binder: Paralegal Pathways to Trial Success & Secret Strategies (1 Hour) – Paralegal Association of Florida, First Coast Chapter

2022:

2021:

• April 8, 2021: LinkedIn for Paralegal Superstars (1 Hour) – Chicago Paralegal Association
• April 21, 2021: Time Entry Strategies for Paralegal Superstars (1 Hour) – Central Florida Paralegal Association

2020:

• July 29, 2020: Social Media for Business Owners (1 Hour) – National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS)

2019:

• April 17, 2019: Ethical Law Office Practices for Paralegals (1 Hour) – Ogletree Deakins Employee Seminar
• May 4, 2019: Harnessing the Power of Social Media (2 Hours) – National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS) Annual Conference
• July 12, 2019: Anatomy of a Trial Binder (1.5 Hours) – NALA Annual Conference
• July 12, 2019: CP Review: Civil Litigation (1.5 Hours) – NALA Annual Conference
• July 13, 2019: Anatomy of a Trial Binder (1.5 Hours) – NALA Annual Conference

2018:

• April 27-29, 2018: Paralegal’s Role at Trial (1 Hour) – Central Florida Paralegal Association – Annual Spring Fling
• June 28, 2018: The Anatomy of a Trial Binder (1 Hour) – Maryland Association of Paralegals
• September 15, 2018: Ethical Law Office Practices for Paralegals (1 Hour) – Paralegal Association of Florida, Boca Chapter

2017:

• May 19-21, 2017: Topic Presented: The Anatomy of a Trial Binder (1 Hour) – Central Florida Paralegal Association – 2017 Annual Spring Fling

2014:

• April 26, 2014: What Paralegals Should Know About LinkedIn – Paralegal Association of Florida – Broward Chapter
• April 26, 2014: Adobe Acrobat: How To Use Important Features – Paralegal Association of Florida – Broward Chapter

2013:

• January 17, 2013: Managing the Discovery Process: A Paralegal’s Guide. Topic presented: Managing e-Discovery and Discovery Problem Solving – Circumventing Snags in the Process. – Institute for Paralegal Education
• February 2013: Paralegal’s Role at Trial – 6 Hours – Paralegal Knowledge Institute
• April 2, 2013: Paralegal Career Success Seminar – Miami Dade College
• April 30, 2013: Trial Preparation from Start to Finish for Paralegals. Topic presented: Creating a Trial Notebook and Succeeding at Trial. – Institute for Paralegal Education
• June 5, 2013: The Anatomy of a Trial Binder – Paralegal Association of Florida – Broward Chapter
• June 8, 2013: e-Discovery Basics – Paralegal Association of Florida – Broward Chapter
• July 11, 2013: A Paralegal’s Guide to Case and Document Management. Topic presented: Overview of Federal Rules Relating to Calendaring and Case Management and Managing Case Tasks and Deadlines (to successfully handle multiple cases simultaneously) – Institute for Paralegal Education
• October 1, 2013: Paralegal Career Success Seminar – Miami Dade College
• November 13, 2013: Managing the Discovery Process: A Paralegal’s Guide. Topic presented: Managing e-Discovery and Discovery Problem Solving – Circumventing Snags in the Process. – Institute for Paralegal Education

2012:

• March 13, 2012: Paralegal Career Success Seminar – Miami Dade College
• March 2012: Paralegal’s Role at Trial – 4.5 Hours – Paralegal Knowledge Institute

2011:

• November 2011: Paralegal’s Role at Trial – 8 Hours – Paralegal Knowledge Institute

Articles & Interviews

7 Signs You Should Consider Pursuing a Paralegal Career, Rasmussen College, 09/2018

Getting the Most out of Networking at Paralegal Conferences, Paralegal Voice, 08/2018

How Hard is it for a Paralegal to Land a Job at a Good Firm?, LawCrossing, 05/2014

Adobe Acrobat Quick Tips, Institute for Paralegal Education, 04/2014

Interview with Linda McGrath-Cruz, Career Colleges, 02/2013

What job interview question keeps you up at night?, Jennings Wire, 03/2013

Recharging Your Professional Development, The Briefs – OCBA (Print Magazine), 01/2013

Is your head in The Cloud?, Paralegal News – Northwest Florida Paralegal Association, 01/2013

The ABC’s of Paralegal Designations, The Legal Pad – Marion County Legal Support Association, 01/2013

LinkedIn Premium Insider, LinkedIn, 10/2012

Rule Changes, The Bulletin – DCBA (Print Newspaper), 10/2012

Is your head in The Cloud?, Legal Support Journal – Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists, 09/2012

The ABC’s of Paralegal Designations, The Broward Brief – Broward Chapter of Paralegal Association of Florida, 05/2012

The ABC’s of Paralegal Designations, SideBar – St. Petersburg Association of Legal Support Specialists (SPALSS), 05/2012

The ABC’s of Paralegal Designations, The Bulletin – DCBA (Print Newspaper), 05/2012

The ABC’s of Paralegal Designations, The Briefs – OCBA (Print Magazine), 05/2012

Is your head in The Cloud?, The Bulletin – DCBA (Print Newspaper), 03/2012

Is your head in The Cloud?, The Paralegal Society, 12/2011

Discovery: an itty bitty primer for litigation challenged paralegals, KNOW – The Magazine for Paralegals, 10/2011

The Anatomy of a Trial Binder, KNOW – The Magazine for Paralegals, 06/2011

Paralegal Membership in Local Bar Associations, The Bulletin – DCBA (Print Newspaper), 03/2011

Unauthorized Practice of Law, SFPA’s Legal Journal Newsletter, 01/ 2011

Paralegal Membership in Local Bar Associations, The Briefs – OCBA (Print Magazine), 01/2011

Unauthorized Practice of Law, Minnesota Paralegal Association’s Website, 12/2010

Unauthorized Practice of Law, The Bulletin – DCBA (Print Newspaper), 10/2010

Paralegal Certification, The Daily Business Review (Print Newspaper), 08/2010

I have also been quoted in miscellaneous articles (some of which are dog related) in CBS Moneywatch, DogIDs, Dogster, Natural Awakenings Magazine and Womens World Magazine.

Past Association Positions

Linda was an active member of the Dade County Bar Association from 2008 when they first began accepting paralegal members until June 2013.  She was the Inaugural Vice-Chair of the DCBA’s FRP Committee for the 2010-2011 committee year and Chair of the FRP Committee beginning in 2011 through 2013.  Linda was also recognized as a Contributing Author to The Bulletin in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Linda was an active member of the Miami Dade Legal Support Association from 2011 through 2013. In 2012 Linda became Chair of MDLSA’s brand new Scholarship Committee. As Chair, Linda designed the application forms and process, created the target distribution list for the application packet, and was responsible for all aspects of the application process.

Linda was an Advisory Council Member of the Paralegal Knowledge Institute and The Organization of Legal Professionals from 2011 to 2013. During that time, she was also an instructor for the Paralegal Knowledge Institute and taught her Paralegal’s Role at Trial program numerous times.

Recognition

• Certificate of Merit, Vice Chair, DCBA Florida Registered Paralegals Committee, 2010-2011
• Certificate of Merit, Contributing Author, Dade County Bar Association Bulletin, 2010-2011
• 2012 Paralegal Superstar, Paralegal Gateway
• Certificate of Merit, Chair, DCBA Florida Registered Paralegals Committee, 2011-2012
• Certificate of Merit, Contributing Author, Dade County Bar Association Bulletin, 2011-2012
• Certificate of Merit, Contributing Author, Dade County Bar Association Bulletin, 2012-2013

Miscellaneous

January 2011, Linda was featured in the “I am MDC” advertising campaign for Miami Dade College. The campaign features alumni who went on to be successful in their field of study. Linda was featured in three newspaper advertisements and you can see the pictures of two of the newspapers by clicking HERE.

February 2012, Linda was profiled on The Paralegal Mentor’s website. You can learn some interesting things about her from her Paralegal Profile by clicking HERE.