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PROFILE
Shawn R. Olley: Owner, Midwest Paralegal Services, Oak Creek, WI [By Charisse Dengler] Shawn R. Olley founded Midwest Paralegal Services in September 1989 after noticing a need for contract paralegal services in the Midwest. Since then, the business has grown to employ 42 paralegals and IT personnel. She also founded Midwest Imaging, a division of Midwest Paralegal, in order to better meet the technical needs of her clients.
“As the owner of Midwest Paralegal, I
work provides and the types of clients that
“It has been an ongoing process to educate
coordinate the assignments and continue
contract work attracts.
attorneys on the value of computer systems and the role they must play in the current
the marketing process,” Olley said. “I also continue to work in the ‘field’ when
“We work for the best and the brightest
law practice,” she said. “Midwest has
necessary. I am a certified trainer in
clients,” she said. “Our clients need to be
continued to provide CLE opportunities
Summation [litigation-support software] and
forward-thinking to some extent to even
for attorneys and paralegals in the field of
provide consultation and training services
contemplate the idea of using a contract
technology and the advancements of those
focusing on that product.”
firm. Likewise, we work in many different
systems. It can be a full-time job just keeping
environments: law firms, corporate locations,
current on the product lines that are in
Olley first noticed a need for contract
etc. Contract paralegals are able to do the
place—and evolving. Making sure that we
paralegal services after she was approached
work and not get caught up in office politics.
choose the right products—and invest in the
by a firm she had worked for in the past to
We have a great deal of repeat client calls, so
correct equipment—is a constant point of
help out on a large case. Because she felt
we are able to build a relationship with the
concentration.”
the project would interfere with the work
clients and feel comfortable when returning
she was doing at the time, she declined;
time and time again to assist on a project.”
nevertheless, the situation got her thinking. She originally started Midwest Paralegal with Claudia Resnick, but she became the sole owner after Resnick sold her half of the business to Olley in 1996. Olley’s employees arrange their work hours with her and can choose to work part-time or full-time. “[I enjoy] the coordination of so many different facets of owning a business,” she said. “Not only is there the staffing and marketing and account balances, but [there is also] the continued paralegal work of meeting with clients and helping them work through the best, most cost-efficient way of handling a case. I have enjoyed learning all the computer-based tools that are now available for attorneys. I enjoy training in
Olley thinks technology has created a greater need for paralegals and urges paralegal
Midwest Imaging, which she started in 2001,
students to gain exposure to technology
focuses on the technical aspects of large
while they are in school because it will help
document productions, providing scanning
them later in their careers. She also said
and imaging, OCR, ediscovery, and forensic
having a successful career is all about having
services.
the right attitude and understanding that every experience teaches you things and gets
In April 2004, Olley purchased what used
you ready for the next experience.
to be the Oak Creek Police Station and had it completely remodeled to accommodate
“If you are willing and eager and take
Midwest Paralegal’s needs. The business
notes when provided job assignments, the
then moved from its Milwaukee office to the
attorneys and senior paralegals are more apt
Oak Creek location, a move that Olley was
to give you an assignment again,” she said.
particularly proud of.
“It’s a process of building experience.”
“It has been wonderful working in a setting
She also advises students to understand
that was customized to our needs—balancing
the fact that no two paralegal jobs are the
both the paralegal side and production and
same and to consider the characteristics and
imaging part of our work,” she said.
personality of the firms when looking for a job.
Summation and getting people to automate
A big part of Olley’s job is spent persuading
an otherwise manual process.”
lawyers to integrate technology into their
“Since every paralegal job is different from
practice by illustrating the benefits of it.
every other paralegal job, it is a matter of
Olley, who has been a paralegal since
This means she has to stay on top of new
finding the law practice and law firm style
1982, enjoys both the variety that contract
developments in the legal technology realm.
that fits the individual,” she said.
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PROFILE
ON THE NET Midwest Paralegal Services www.midwestparalegal.com/ Midwest Imaging www.midwestparalegal.com/Pages/ MidwestImaging.html Summation www.summation.com/
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