Any Paralegals on Free Republic?

5/26/08 | carton253

[carton253]

Good Afternoon!

When I need advice, I turn to Freepers. I am interested in learning more about becoming a paralegal. I've done some research, but I was hoping to get some first hand accounts.

As a career, how would you rate it? Is it challenging, interesting, etc.

More importantly, are you in charge of fetching the coffee?

[carton253]

Any advice or comment (except for the smart ass ones, but its Free Republic, so those come with the territory; but fair warning, you will be judged on the quality of your quip, so make it good) will be deeply appreciated.

[Sacajaweau]

Depends on what attorney or firm you tag up with. No offense intended but not much more than a glorified legal secretary in most cases. Paper, paper paper...forms, forms, forms.

I'm sure you'll get many different views. This is just pretty much the norm around here.

[kbennkc]

I think you would be happier if you just go to law school . It is easier than most people think . I assume you will need to work while in school , you will be so busy time will fly by . Next thing you know , there you are with your own license to steal .

[carton253]

Thank you for your reply.

[carton253]

At my age, it might not be feasible. But, I’ll take it under advisement.

[Keyes2000mt]

The one piece of advice I would offer is to find out what the demand for a paralegal is in your area. I trained but could never actually do it because I couldn’t find a law office to hire me.

[NoKoolAidforMe]

It’s an administrative role. Copying, filing, forms, etc. It’s a great exposure to law if you are interested in becoming a lawyer. Large firms can pay good salaries with benefits. Good organizational and communication skills will help along with thick skin to deal with those lawyers who can be tough to handle. No, it’s not a coffee-fetching kind of role. Real estate and trust and estates can be interesting. So can corporate work. Not much career growth though.

[carton253]

I will do that... but I’m not tied down to an area, so I have the freedom to move. The college offering the program has a placement service. I know that doesn’t guarantee employment, but it does increase the odds.

[lilylangtree]

Go to law school. Get passed your 1st year and the other two years won’t be as tough.

[carton253]

I figured there would not be much career growth. I actually want to be a Civil War historian, but that won’t pay the bills. So, I was looking for a nice career with a good salary and benefits. And during the weekends and vacations, pursue the historian alter-ego.

[joebuck]

"Depends on what attorney or firm you tag up with. No offense intended but not much more than a glorified legal secretary in most cases."

Paralegals rank much lower in the pecking order than a good legal secretary. Paralegals are a dime a dozen, a really good legal secretary is worth their weight in gold.

[dinoparty]

Are you married? kids?

[Huntress]

I'm not a paralegal, but I am an attorney. In my experience a paralegal’s duties vary widely with the individual job. Depending on where and for whom you work, you might be doing anything from basic clerical work to drafting pleadings or contracts to arranging the details of transactions or litigation matters. The only things that are really consistent is that the best paralegals are good at organization, are detail oriented, and maintain good working relationships with clients, court clerks, title company employees, etc. In a larger firm, the paralegals are more specialized. Conversely, in a small law office, they tend to do a little bit of everything, including non-legal stuff like accounting and administrative tasks.

As for training, you can go to paralegal school, but the best paralegal I've ever known has no formal training and learned everything on the job. She started out as a secretary and made herself indispensable to everyone she worked for. When I worked with her, she knew more about real estate law than most of the junior attorneys in her department. She is now the head of the commercial division of a large title company, and the first non-lawyer to hold that position.

Good paralegals are worth their weight in gold.

[carton253]

Well, I am a good administrative assistant, but not a legal secretary.

[carton253]

Not married, no kids, but I have cats.

[carton253]

My university has a 9 month program with internship for those who already have their bachelors degree plus they offer job placement.

[RachelFaith]

My Mom was a Paralegal for many years, then she finally went to law school and became an attorney. She made about $40K a year as a PL In the 90’s, with a large insurance firm. Now she is in a practice with other corporate attorneys.

[drjulie]

Do you already have a college degree? If so, law school may make more sense. I believe it takes three years and some schools even have part time programs. I think most paralegal programs are a couple of years, but, of course, you don’t need a college degree.

[DIRTYSECRET]

I HOOKED UP MANY PHONES IN LAW OFFICES. They never seemed to be a place where I would want to work. You gotta figure that the lawyers got to where they are by being the smartest in their classes as well as the most motivated. They will by nature not be able to respect or understand those that have lesser ability and those that don’t give 110%. It’s like working for a doctor or dentist. Most of the lawyers were good customers though. They could accept and understand my professionalism. Doesn’t mean that I’d work for them.

[carton253]

I have a master’s, actually. My university offers a 9 month program to those who already have their degree. It looked intriquing.