NEW PARALEGALS: ARE OFTEN SURPRISED BY THEIR ROLES IN LAW FIRMS The paralegal field is thought to be a high paced glorious career of working alongside an attorney and getting recognition for their work. In reality a paralegal job is nothing like Erin Brockovich (A movie where a paralegal was able to investigate and played an immense part in winning a large case) envisioned from the movie. Becoming a paralegal is appealing because it allows a quick entrance into a professional career field and offers a wide range of daily and career experiences. However, the work-life balance can be poor, the career path often stagnates without continuing education, and the pay is insufficient for the work load. Also, while there are a wide range of paralegal jobs there is also competition and an applicant must possess the ability to step right into the role with little or no training. While expecting much of the work to be comparable to administrative work and document reading. The paralegal industry has changed over the last thirty years, and according to Kane, “Is one of the fastest-growing professions on the globe”. There is a predicted growth rate of 28% between 2008 and …show more content…
2018. Alongside the growth rate is a steady increase in wages, (even through the recent recession) a paralegal now averages $50,000 per year with the potential of earning bonuses and overtime pay (50-60 hours per week is usual). Finally, with the growth rate paralegals are finding rising prestige, are receiving more complex duties, and more opportunities opening up. Depending on abilities a paralegal can assume management roles in corporations, leadership roles in law firms, and some are taking on entrepreneurial roles in independent paralegal businesses. An attractive aspect of the field is fast entry, unlike law school which takes several years to complete, an individual could get their paralegal certificate in matter of months. It is important to know that while there is a quick entry it should not be confused with quick job location. According to Samborn and Hansen, “Finding a great job can be very challenging because unemployed lawyers will accept these positions”. Hiring a law student can be seen as a more sound investment to a law firm because law office wants to hire someone who can simply step into the job instead of needing to train someone. According to George, “An attorney is not going to tell you all the time what needs to be done; that is why he hires a paralegal who knows what to do, what needs to be done, and most importantly, how it should be done; then gets it done”. To overcome training issues there are a few recommendations for a new paralegal.
First have an excellent LinkedIn account (a social networking site for professionals), make sure all aspects of it is very strong, appealing, and unforgettable especially the profile (first seen). Then get an internship or volunteer in a law office. According to George, “When you finally get inside a law firm observe, read the letters, peruse the files, listen to what is happening around the office. Listen to attorneys and paralegals, offer to drag the files to court for trial, take documents to the printer for trial exhibits, and drive witnesses to deposition or to a hearing. Finally, make coffee and copies (all the time reading what is being copied) and learn why so many copies are needed and who they are being given
to”. Working as a paralegal can be a lot of work for a relatively small amount of pay. To make it as a paralegal an individual must either love their job or be very dedicated, because often it can feel as if they do more work than recognized or what they are paid for. There is also the fact a paralegal must be willing to continue their education. Not continuing to learn means not being up to date with the latest new law. There are two reasons it is important to stay up to date first, lawyers depend on it. Second, if paralegals do not know the newest or the latest then they have virtually no use in a law office (other than the redundant administrative task). It is essential a paralegal have a strong attention for detail because mistakes cannot happen, yet a lot of the work needs to be done in a hurry. Part of this detail is being careful to never give any kind of legal advice. This can be a difficult task since there are so many roles a paralegal can find themselves in. For example, with the rising cost of legal fees many people are now requesting a paralegal to do legal work instead of attorneys (Kane). Also, there are virtual paralegals where they contract out their services. In both cases they have to be careful not to give any legal advice. Becoming a paralegal can be a very rewarding career that allows quick entry into the law field, but it is best to know exactly what to expect before making the financial commitment to obtain a certificate or degree. One big misconception is many paralegal’s seems to think once they get their certificate or degree than they are done with education, but in reality this is not true. How could someone know about changes or new laws if they did not continue with education? Lawyers count on paralegals to stay up to date, and many of them even depend on the paralegal to inform them of changes in the law.
Whether you’re a paralegal looking for a high salary or a casual work environment with a chance to work on many different areas of law, a large law firm and a small law firm both offer a paralegal what they ultimately set out to find the chance to assist an attorney at law.
Peter Paralegal is employed by Honest Law Firm and has been instructed by his supervising attorney to prepare and conduct initial interviews with two potential clients to see if a conflict of interest is present. Big Box and Value Mart are competitors and are requesting representation by Honest Law Firm on matters that are unrelated to one another. Peter Paralegal was also asked to perform tasks related to the cases such as; prepare questions and conduct initial interviews, explain legal fees arrangements, establish the attorney-client relations, draft initial pleadings and responses, interview witnesses, draft and sign initial case evaluation letters.
One of the advantages of getting licensed as a paralegal is that only qualified individuals will be able to be licensed not just anybody. “Licensing can serve a gate-keeping function, limiting the number of people who may call themselves paralegal, “says Mr.Golder. Also when a person gets licensed he is getting recognized in his profession. Another advantage of the bill is “One is that licensing will enhance the work paralegal will be able to perform and provide access to legal services for those that can’s currently afford it,” says Renee Sova. When a person gets licensed people know who they are and will trust them more because they’re certified. Licensure and regulation could mean more tangible benefits to paralegals as well. It may result in pay increases and more opportunities for advancement,” Ms. Roney believes. In addition to being paid more a paralegal might believe that because they are licensed they would be able to get better jobs and more
As I became more involved with campus life, I couldn’t find a way to immerse myself in preparing for a career in law. While I knew why I wanted a law degree, I couldn’t conceptualize what I wanted to do with it. Prior to college life, my familiarity with the legal system was by way of internships with judges and lawyers. Clearly, that traditional route perked my interest but not my passion. Living with the athletes affirmed my interest in their culture. I began to immerse myself in subjects surro...
Many years ago there was a small boy who was woken by a loud scream. Terrified, he ran from his room to find his mother unconscious on the floor. His little sister was screaming as he pulled his mom onto her back in desperation. In reality, he didn’t know what to do to save her and his helplessness was due to his lack of knowledge. She passed away that night. That boy was me. Our past defines us no matter how we protest; it can either pull you down into failure or lift you up towards success. From then on, I was drawn to medical sciences and used that helplessness to motivate my education.
A nurse practitioner (NP) is one who is qualified to treat certain medical conditions without the direct supervision of a doctor. Also known as a registered nurse. (RN)
My major is Paralegal Studies and I expect to graduate with an Associates of Arts degree in December of this year. Many years ago, as an investigator for both a private company and a county agency, I was introduced to the legal field. Recently, I was awarded the opportunity to attend college, so I decided I wanted to reenter the legal profession as a paralegal. The paralegal profession appeals to me, because I enjoy the processes of developing a case, as well as its legal aspects. A paralegal is involved in a case from the beginning to the end; from the initial client interview to assisting the attorney during the client’s trial or the settlement process. My goal is to become a paralegal for a solo practitioner or a small firm in my local area who represent clients in different areas of the law.
The occupations that I have chosen to analyze using the three elements for this assignment are paraprofessional, what I am currently, and a teacher, what I am going to college to become. Teachers and paraprofessionals work side by side, collaborate, plan, and share many of the same experiences. However, paraprofessionals are often not treated as equals and has created some ethical judgement regarding treatment of the paraprofessionals from other teachers and administrators in the business of education. I want to use this assignment as an opportunity to distinguish the true professional using the elements designed for this course.
Professionals are people who have equipped themselves with the knowledge and skills in a given field. The interest of improvement of the professional identity is an evidence of how high standards are placed upon the professionals in the community (Johnson et al., 2012). Each profession creates its norms, values and scope of practice that distinguishes it from any other profession. Different legal ethics are upheld and everyone needs to work as per the stipulated ethics in the field to be part of the profession. People in the field are expected to be knowledgeable and independently use decision making in solving various problems that may arise. The decisions made should be within the norms and values stipulated for a profession.
I have always wanted to work in the medical field since I was a child. Around four, I told my pediatrician during a well- check visit that I wanted to grow up and be just like her. My love of infants and children strongly influenced my career choice because I want to have the ability to help sick children who do not have the ability to help themselves. I have considered many options to enter the healthcare field from nurse, to doctor, and finally came to the conclusion that what I truly wanted out of my future resided in a career as a Physician Assistant. Becoming a PA is not something that I have considered lightly. I did not decide I wanted to become a PA for the convenience factors of tuition, family, or the amount of schooling. I decided
The Paralegal Professional, A reference to the source of legal information chapter 1 and lettures from class powerpoints.
Professionals are people who have equipped themselves with the knowledge and skills in a given field. The interest of improvement of the professional identity is an evidence of how high standards are placed upon the professionals in the community (Johnson et al., 2012). Each profession creates its norms, values and scope of practice that distinguishes it from any other profession. Different legal ethics are upheld and everyone needs to work as per the stipulated ethics in the field to be part of the profession. People in the field are expected to be knowledgeable and independently use decision
Beginning to write a personal essay on my background as well as my career and academic goals seems to be a very straightforward task for the most part. The career and academic part is pretty easy. Career wise I’ve decided to go for a paralegal position because that will allow me to step into the world of law, make a decent living, and not only leave my options open but also set me up with a fair amount of legal skills and knowledge that will prove extremely beneficial should I decide to take the LSAT and apply to law school. The part of the essay that doesn’t seem so straightforward is the background element. I am not entirely sure where to start, I feel that I have a very colorful background. Many stories and life lessons learned. I have had
The biggest advantage of a small firm is the team experience. There are attorneys and legal assistants, but everyone steps in where needed and assists on any case in any way. I can’t imagine a better environment to grow and develop skills right out of college. Additionally, the experience and preparation for law school and practicing law is invaluable. When I started this position, saying I dived into the deep-end is an understatement. The key to success in the legal field is to know the procedures, and at the beginning, I had no idea which way was up. Over time, the words and their meanings started to stick and I started catching on. During this past year, I have learned more than I could possibly have imagined. Civil litigation excites me. Successful attorneys are well-prepared and quick on their feet. They are headstrong and hold their ground because confidence must be the foundation of a case. While my job includes a lot of smaller tasks, such as drafting deposition notices, written discovery requests and scheduling meetings, I enjoy the support role I also play in drafting, editing and reviewing trial and mediation briefs, motions and reports to clients as well as combing through medical records and summarizing depositions. And while I know a minute amount of all cases end up in a courtroom for trial, assisting the trial attorneys in our firm’s recent trial was instrumental in solidifying my decision to pursue law
To pursue Career as Lawyer, the person has to be well determined in mind. The formal qualifications required for the same are: