The Underdog Uprising: Paralegals with Huascar Matos

In this powerful new episode of Lawfully Employed, host Chere Estrin welcomes a true legal industry leader—Huascar Matos, Director of Paralegals at Foley & Lardner LLP and President of the International Practice Management Association (IPMA). Together, they dive deep into a critical and long-overdue conversation: how to revolutionize the paralegal profession and create real career pathways beyond the traditional glass ceiling.

Huascar shares his personal journey from paralegal to executive leadership and opens up about the need for measurable skill sets, standardized promotions, and structured career ladders—similar to the model used in the nursing field. Chere and Huascar explore the challenges of subjectivity in promotions, why certifications and licensing could elevate the profession, and how law firms must evolve to retain their brightest legal talent.If you’re a paralegal, manager, legal recruiter, or law firm leader, you won’t want to miss this inspiring, eye-opening conversation. It’s time to rethink, restructure, and reignite the future of the paralegal profession.

Watch the full episode of Lawfully Employed with Chere Estrin and guest Huascar Matos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH21z0Zax6E

#LawfullyEmployed #ChereEstrin #HuascarMatos #ParalegalLeadership #LegalProfession #CareerDevelopment #ParalegalCareers #IPMA #LegalIndustry #ProfessionalGrowth #RevolutionizeTheField

00:00 Introduction to the Paralegal Profession

02:51 Revolutionizing the Paralegal Field

06:06 Standardization and Accountability in Paralegal Roles

09:00 The Importance of Skill Sets and Career Pathways

11:48 Licensing and Certification in the Paralegal Field

15:11 Changing Mindsets and Leadership in the Legal Profession

18:05 The Future of Paralegals and Professional Development