How common is it for lawyers to have affairs with paralegals?

[Anonymous]

How common is this?

[Anonymous]

I've been a legal secretary for 21 years. I've literally NEVER heard of that happening.

[Anonymous]

Not common. Not unheard of for a junior associate to date a paralegal, but I wouldn't call that an affair.

[Anonymous]

Is generally considered kind of sleazy for a lawyer to date a paralegal

[Anonymous]

Not very.

[Anonymous]

Never saw it. 23 years so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is generally considered kind of sleazy for a lawyer to date a paralegal

It's not a great idea, but it is not always completely sleazy. If a 26 yr old associate is dating a 24 yr old paralegal who he doesn't work with isn't the end of the world, especially at a bigger firm where it will easier to stay professionally separate.

[Anonymous]

Not long after he started working as a lawyer, one of my buddies dated, then married a paralegal who worked with his firm. That's not an affair though.

[Anonymous]

I was a paralegal in the 80s. Several of my paralegal colleagues dated lawyers. Not aware of any affairs though. Definitely affairs among the lawyers.

[Anonymous]

I know of a few instances. All ended in marriages. Two left wives and little kids to start new families with younger paralegal. Both were partners. Other was an associate who cheated on associate gf with paralegal and married paralegal. All are still married. All in litigation. The hours are brutal and long hours and travel are often involved.

[Anonymous]

I have been a government paralegal for 12 years and have never heard of this. But I work routine hours for many attorneys. I could see how if you worked a lot of late hours for one attorney the temptation would be there. But again - I have never heard of it.

[Anonymous]

Never heard of this.
Lots of affairs between associates and partners, though.

[Anonymous]

Heh, how common is it for paralegals to fantasize about it?

Very.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heh, how common is it for paralegals to fantasize about it?

Very.

Lol... young hot fun paralegal... not just law firm hot, but like young girl hot. No worries and no responsibilities s. Easy and breezy. Who do you think is fantasizing in that situation. It happens. Mix in heavy after hours drinking, social isolation and long hours spent working together and the inevitable happens. Do you think law is different to any other “me too” field. Lots of men with “power” and money. DC is Hollywood for smart ugly people and law is the industry in this town for smart ugly people. It’s not LA sexy when but it definitely happens. Long hours, trial work, and way to much after hours drinking, separation from family and friends. People need a release from the insane stress. Most people know to keep It quiet. It gets messy when feelings get involved. Stay away from Long trials they are the worst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heh, how common is it for paralegals to fantasize about it?

Very.

I’d say quite the opposite. The paralegals do not want grumpy, asshole attorneys.