Any paralegals out there?

[Anonymous]

If so, what kind of training did you have before getting your job? And what kind of hours do you work? What's the job market like?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Am interested in the same thing...I worked at a law firm after college (as a sec'y) and the paralegals were pretty proprietary in that they never really helped the younger ones in the office like me. And wasn't sure how they got where the did b/c they didn't graduate from college. (This was in Albuquerque)

Anyway, I've looked into paralegal certificate programs, any recommendations? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

As a general matter, there are more than one type of "paralegal." Often the amount of work they do is related to the amount of work the person they work for does. Some "paralegals" don't have any sort of special training prior to being hired. They just have a college degree and the rest is on-the-job training. These tend to be at larger firms, and most are recent college grads who do it for a few years before going on to grad school or another career. They aren't really paralegals, but they fill a similar role. There are others who are career paralegals who may or may not have a paralegal certificate. I work in a small office of a large firm, and we have paralegals that are very skilled, but they did not complete paralegal programs. Many worked their way up from legal secretaries and are valuable particularly because they have a lot of background in a particular subject area. Our paralegals are expected to bill about 1800 a year, which isn't a trivial amount, but it's doable in a 9-5 schedule most of the time. However, paralegals are often expected to be around when the lawyers are, so if there's a big deal or case going on and the attorneys are working late nights and weekends, so are the paralegals.

[Anonymous]

I worked as a paralegal for a year after college thinking I might want to go to law school (needless to say that experience saved me $100K and 3 years of my life). I worked at a big law firm. Most of the paralegals in my group were new college grads like myself and most left after a year or so. We all had college degrees, but I don't think any of us had specific paralegal training. The base pay was pretty crappy, but we made OT and probably averaged 55 hours a week (as low as 40, but as high as 80 depending on the matter). There were a few older, more seasoned paralegals in my group and they made more decent salaries. I think working in-house at a corporation or non-profit might have more interesting work and more regular hours, but those jobs are harder to come by. From what I've heard the legal industry is pretty tough right now for everyone -- attorneys, paralegals, secretaries etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I've heard the legal industry is pretty tough right now for everyone -- attorneys, paralegals, secretaries etc.

Yup. Don't be surprised to be competing with law school graduates for paralegal positions.

[Anonymous]

I am a paralegal, doing personal injury/ medical malpractice work. I've been doing this work since 1993. I was a receptionist at a small law firm and one of the partners, who was without an assistant, offered me the position. It was definitely trial by fire! But, turns out I loved it! I ended up taking classes at GW University at night for a year and got my Paralegal Certificate in 1995. (Back then, ABA did not require a Bachelor's degree to enroll in an ABA approved paralegal program; you need one now). Here I am, many years later, still loving what I do. It really is on-the-job experience that I use the most. The vast majority of things I learned in school (legal accounting, cite checking, etc.) I do not use at all. I have noticed in the last several years that firms now tend to hire colleges grads who have openly admitted to wanting to go to law school at a later date. It's good exposure to the practice of law for the paralegal and it keeps salary costs low for the firm. Since I've been doing this for a while, and am pretty specialized, I do command a pretty decent salary.

[Anonymous]

I was a paralegal for 2 years after college (and then went on to law school and am now out of law school for 8 years). I worked for a big law firm and worked about 55 hours/week. With overtime I made about $50K (and that was 10+ years ago).

I find being a lawyer less stressful than a paralegal because at least I have a little more control over my workflow and life (even as an associate, meaning slave to big partners). As a paralegal, I worked in a very busy specialized practice group with the usual high a-hole factor. However, it was a great experience because it confirmed to me that I do love the legal profession.

I think paralegal job satisfaction is really going to vary depending on size of firm, pay, etc (at the risk of stating the obvious). In my current firm (big), there are some experienced paralegals who are specialized and highly valued and know more than the baby lawyers. Then there are some general paralegals who are career but not as specialized. They make less $ and aren't as valued. It really comes down to you--your personality, work ethic, and abilities. If you're good, you can make good money and be part of a team.

[Anonymous]

I think my experience may be somewhat unique, but I wanted to add another perspective. I graduated with a BA in English and a paralegal minor (the program was not yet a "certified" program back then) in 1995. I went right into the field and have been a paralegal ever since. I initially thought I wanted to go to law school, but for various reasons, changed my mind. I started off in small firms and never had the experience of being pressured to bill hours, work overtime, etc. But then again, I didn't make a ton of money either. My first job, 15 years ago, was $8/hour, within a year I had another job (at a mid-size firm)- $10, then I moved up to $15 by the third job (another mid-size firm) - about 3 years into my career. After working at 3 jobs in the private sector for a grand total of 8 years, I took a job with the government and have been here ever since. I'm making $80+/year now, and I'm more than happy with my position, hours, pay, flexibility, etc.

All of that having been said, the majority of paralegals I work with are generally college grads on their way to law school who make considerably less. So I think that is probably the general path, as some PP's mentioned. I have also heard from friends in the numerous legal field, that the market is quite competitive at the moment and that many attorneys are competing for paralegal positions (to confirm what others have said).

I'd say that many paralegals starting out will find themselves doing "grunt" work for not so great pay -- document review comes to mind -- hours of it... But if it sounds like an interesting career path for you, I would suggest that the more experience you gain, the more likely you will be presented with more complex and rewarding tasks and a commensurate salary.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

I work for a smaller firm and none of our paralegals have certificates (although all have had college degrees). It is definitely learn as you go, and the more you learn and take on the more you'll get paid. (Right now pay ranges from 40-100K, the latter for a paralegal with 12 years experience who is smart enough and has learned enough to serve as a young associate role, drafting easier documents and doing research).

We would never consider a lawyer for a paralegal position and I don't know other firms that would either, although I'm sure there may be a few. (We wouldn't want anyone leaving once the legal market improves, or expecting to be promoted to an attorney position.)

[Anonymous]

"Yup. Don't be surprised to be competing with law school graduates for paralegal positions. "

Ditto.