Between the Briefs by Steno

Why Paralegals Are Quietly Becoming More Valuable Than Associates ft. Michelle Pendleton

Written by Joe Stephens | Jun 11, 2026 4:00:00 AM

Paralegals have long been boxed into the role of “document reviewers” but their true value goes far beyond that. And with AI in the mix, their place in law firms is being rewritten entirely. In this episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome Michelle Pendleton, Certified Paralegal and eDiscovery specialist at Allen Matkins and President of the San Diego Paralegal Association, to explore how paralegals are quietly becoming the most valuable players in law firms.

 

Tune in to understand how the role of the paralegal is undergoing a major transformation and what technology has to do with it.