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[quote=Anonymous][quote]Why would you become a paralegal if you could be a lawyer? [/quote]

I'm not the poster you were quoting.  But I am paralegal.  I made more than every single one of the junior attorneys at our firm when I was working. Initially, I wanted to be an attorney.  But then I realized that I wouldn't likely graduate at the top of my class from an elite university.  I made decent grades at a state school.  Given the overwhelming number of attorneys in the U.S., I didn't want law school debt in a highly competitive environment.

I worked in a law office as an intern while I was in school.  I loved everything about working in the legal field.  I love the research.  I love combing through discovery.  I love the investigative work.  I love working with clients in mediation.  I like knowing that at the end of the day, I made someone feel just a little better about a divorce, custody issue, criminal charge, or injury.  I love legal writing and I am very good at it.  I pretty much liked everything about working in the office.

By working in a firm, I learned that I would hate being at attorney.  I don't like being the center of attention.  I wouldn't want the responsibility of the outcome of a case to fall solely on me.  The only part of my job as a paralegal that I didn't like was going to court.  I hate the adversarial nature of most hearings, especially in family law where no one really ever walks out the "winner".  I have nothing but respect for most of the attorneys I know.  They are certainly more willing to take risks.  I don't have that in me.  I'm not a risk taker.  I don't like conflict.  And I don't handle stress all that well.  One of my dearest friends is a prosecuting attorney for the state.  And a single mom.  I have no idea how she manages all that stress.  But she somehow does it beautifully.  I wouldn't.  And I'm glad I learned that about myself before spending thousands of dollars on a JD.

Just a few suggestions:  You don't have to be a JD to represent clients in certain administrative hearings.  In many states, you don't need a JD to be a mediator.  I love mediation because most of the time you can help people walk out feeling like they haven't "lost".  They may not have gotten everything they wanted.  But the goal is for both parties to walk out satisfied, if not happy.  Attorneys have to fight for their client.  They have no choice.  A mediator is neutral.  And it's a really rewarding job (most of the time).  Also, working as a contract paralegal is nice because you control your own caseload.  But you really need to network and make plenty of attorney contacts to make that work.

One word of caution-  I have worked in the legal field for years.  Do not even consider being an "Independent Paralegal" or a "Document Preparer".  It's just way too easy to step over that line and commit UPL.  I saw it happen to a former co-worker.  She thought she was simply filling out paperwork.  Things didn't go well in court, and her client sued her.  Plus, the bar looks very closely at that kind of stuff.  First, paralegals don't have the education or experience to practice law.  And second, lawyers don't want paralegals cutting in on their business.  (Oh hush, you know it's true).   Also, you might call legal aid in several counties and see if they have anything.  The pay will suck, but you'll get experience and you'll make contacts.  Large real estate companies and title companies often need people who can review contracts.  There are plenty of things you can do with that degree.  Don't let the naysayers get you down!

Good Luck!  :) [/quote]

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