Work at Home Paralegal Opportunities?

I'm a stay at home mom and would like to pursue a paralegal career in the near future. I have a Bachelor's in English and 8 years of legal secretarial experience. I would pursue an on-line paralegal certificate program. I was wondering if there are work at home paralegal opportunities? If so, do people generally get those options after working at a firm and proving themselves? I would like to start working from home and then go to a firm once my kids are bigger. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

I've heard of a few paralegals who work at home, but I understand they initially established themselves on-site in their law firms.

Be sure you complete an ABA-approved paralegal program. You probably know that an ABA certificate is the highest grade paralegal certificate obtainable. An ABA certificate will open the door to all paralegal jobs which require certificates. You may have fewer opportunities without an ABA certificate.

I think your legal secretarial experience will also open doors, but some firms may try to shove you into those jobs and not give you a real chance to be a paralegal without secretarial responsibilities.

Best of luck with your plans.

Thank you for your advice. I will pursue an ABA certificate. I agree that I have to be careful about being thrown back into a pure secretarial role. I'm wondering if I should put off getting the certificate until I'm ready to go outside the home to work or if I should just get the certificate while I have the time to do it.

Thanks again.

Just get it done if you have the time. Why wait? You never know when things can change. You can always attend CLE, etc. if you need an update.

Contact your old firm, in the meantime. Maybe you can lay some groundwork for a work-at-home gig.

Once more, good luck with your plans.

Displace Legal Prof, you keep saying pursue ABA degree. That may not be as easy for some as for others.

There are about six aba approved progams in my state, and the only aba approved course in my city (whcih is the largest in ALA)is a certificate that requires a bachelor's initially and this program costs 8,000+.

The closest other program is a one/half hour drive. It may not be that easy for some people who read your advice, which is good advice, to go to a aba school near them.

I would recommend to anyone considering going to paralegal school to call the firm administrators/support staff of a few of the largest firms, mid sized firms (not all of the managers will be available, but some are surprsingly helpful) and ask them what their firm requirements are for paralegals. After all, they are the ones who do the hiring. They can often give good advice, in fact that's how I learned about the info in the following paragraph.

One of the top firms in my area, which used to require aba ctf paralegals only, (and they could get them) now holds that if you have a bachelor's, and paralegal experience, (but not the aba ctf) they will accept you if you have passed the NALA Certified Legal Assistant. I was very surprised to hear this.

Now, I do advise you to perhaps consider going back as a secretary, if the firm is one that promotes their secretaries and sends them to paralegal school. There are all kind of opportunities for a hard worker who has good skills and some legal experience. But if you have eight years of legal experience you too are familiar with the field.

I stand by my advice because it is sound. An ABA paralegal certificate (it is not a degree) is the highest grade paralegal credential available. An ABA certificate opens ALL doors. It's as simple as that. No need to bother busy firm administrators for their hiring requirements. You need to meet educational (which can be ABA) and/or experience requirements to be eligible for NALA (CLA) certification:

www.nala.org/cert.htm#The%20Examination%20-%20Eligibility%20Requirements

You can easily research paralegal quals from the local classifieds. I suspect there are tons of paralegal ads to research in Possible's area. Another way is to look at firm websites. Many will have paralegal bios. You'll see the schools the paralegals attended and you can then check out the programs.

Actually, there are five ABA-approved paralegal schools in Alabama. The program at the Community College of the Air Force, at Maxwell Air Force Base, would be open only to military people. Colorado has but four ABA programs. New York State has twenty-two ABA paralegal programs, not including one on probation. They're listed on this website:

www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/ny.html

The ABA-approved private paralegal school I attended thirteen years ago cost $7,500. Paralegal schools will cheerfully help you obtain student loans if money is a problem. I took the bus most of the time when I was going to paralegal school. The bus was great because it gave me extra time to study.

Finally, and this is only MHO, I think it's bad psychology to accept a lesser job than you want. Even though you may have better quals, the company will always see you in the lesser role and won't want to advance you. It happened to me several times during the several years I have worked. I realize there are exceptions.

You have your opinon and I have mine. Let us also agree it depends upon where you live and what firm you aspire to. As both a recruiting coordinator for my previous firm, as well as personnel consultant, I have been "on the other side of the desk" and have a viewpoint of someone who aids in the "hiring".

In addition, various areas have different requirements. I was hired by the #2 top legal firm in Georgia as a paralegal w/o a certificate of any kind, only a bachelors, but I had unique experience. Other paralegals in GA were surprised to hear that (You mean they hired you without a certificate?).

So I guess you would say in my entire personal experience of about 14 years in the legal field between two states of working for a sole atty, large firm, in house corp, and major big firm as well as networking with the local legal support groups as well as setting up interviews for legal secretaries and paralegals with various law firms, as well as engaging the hiring managers to learn what they are looking for in support staff, it has been my observation that an aba ctf "does not open all doors" but it is of definite value when the top top firms are looking at your resume.

Another thing I would suggest to anyone interested in this career is that they visit the local paralegal's group. You can learn a lot this way.

This is my final post on this particular topic. Each person in the end will do what is best for them.

GG in Birmingham, Alabama: "I was hired by the #2 top legal firm in Georgia as a paralegal w/o a certificate of any kind, only a bachelors, but I had unique experience. Other paralegals in GA were surprised to hear that (You mean they hired you without a certificate?)."

Your experience wasn't unique. Quite a few firms in Denver hire without a paralegal certificate. Just read ads for job requirements, as I suggested.

"[I]t has been my observation that an [ABA certificate] 'does not open all doors' but it is of definite value when the top top firms are looking at your resume."

Yes, an ABA certificate has definite value if large firms (which may pay the best) are looking at your resume. In other words, why short yourself by not having the certificate. Maybe I didn't made that point clear.

Have a nice evening.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: I stand by my advice because it is sound. An ABA paralegal certificate (it is not a degree) is the highest grade paralegal credential available. An ABA certificate opens ALL doors.....

I made this point, above, when I answered Possible and I believe I was clear at that time. Just to be absolutely clear, I believe ABA paralegal certificates open ALL doors, to lawfirms, companies, government, corporate, etc. which ***require paralegal certification.*** An ABA paralegal certificate relieves any doubt about accreditation of the course.

Currently, I hold an Associate in Business Mngt; a B.S. in Technical Ed.; and a Master's in Career and Technical Ed. In addition, in the past I completed approximately half of an ABA Paralegal program. I would like to do some legal work from home. Is there anything, other than Paralegal, for which I might be well suited and can do from home?

I am afraid of the law office Paralegal positions, because so many former Paralegals have told me how over burdening the work is for them. Every Paralegal that I have ever met, has left the profession for this reason. Will you please comment on your experiences/observations? Thanks a bunch!

For one thing, you need to finish your training and obtain your paralegal certificate. This is not a situation where half a loaf is better than none. You need all of your paralegal training to at least understand law. You especially need your certificate to get past HR and to an interview. Don't complete your certificate and you can be asked why you didn't complete it. You have more than ample education to be a paralegal, but to get a paralegal job the certificate is key.

You also need experience and to establish yourself. To obtain these things you'll need to work in an office for at least a time to prove yourself and establish a track record. After you've proven yourself and have established a track record you may be more marketable for an at-home legal position.

I second what paralegals have told you about being overburdened. You might also talk to them about overbearing and demanding lawyers.

How long do you think you need to work in an office before you can be considered for an at home paralegal position? Do you know if there is an increasing demand for at home paralegals? Is it possible due to confidentiality that most firms highly prefer to keep all of their documents on site? I want to get a sense as to the likelihood of at home paralegal positions before I begin pursuing a paralegal certificate. Thanks.

My two cents is working at home is a privilege one must earn over time and through performance. In your case, you may need less time because you have a track record in law firms. You just need some paralegal experience - and you may be able to argue that as a legal secretary you were also doing some paralegal work. Also, you may have connections which could open doors.

I don't know if at-home paralegals are in demand. I know one paralegal who was established in her firm but started working at home because of family. My last office set up a paralegal to work at home but she still worked primarily in the office. On the other hand, some paralegals work at home as self-employed independent contractors for several firms.

I agree with you that firms probably prefer to keep files on site because of confidentiality, though much may depend on firm size and organization. I have taken files home to work on them without hassles after first telling the attorney. (Though he once took a file home without first telling me and I wasted time searching frantically for it. Of course, attorneys have their own rules!)

Thanks for your advice and insider perspective on this issue. I think that I probably should expect to do some work "in office" for a while. I'll see about at least obtaining the certificate in the meantime.

Possible paralegal in Yorktown Heights, New York: "I'll see about at least obtaining the certificate in the meantime."

A paralegal certificate is a must. You'll go farther with it. Good luck with your plans.

Please explain this opportunity.

Don't pay any attention to it. It is a obvious work-at-home scam.

Thanks. I suspected as much and would not have gone too far, if you know what I mean.

Why don't you talk to attorneys in your firm and see if they can use you.

It is also unusual here in the States. Here again, working from home is a privilege sometimes granted to paralegals who are established in their firms. Lawfirms generally want their paralegals in the office.

GG in Birmingham, Alabama said: Displace Legal Prof, you keep saying pursue ABA degree. That may not be as easy for some as for others.
I do advise you to perhaps consider going back as a secretary, if the firm is one that promotes their secretaries and sends them to paralegal school. .

Hello GG - As a Paralegal myself, I have never heard of any legal secretary that would promote their secretary [to what, a Paralegal] and then send them to paralegal school. The cost of schooling for a Paralegal ABA Certifiate or any paralegal certificate cost $3k to $6k. I do not think any firm would foot that bill when they can hire Paralegals who already have the ABA certificate.

I have heard of legal secretaries being promoted to paralegal - however, they will not have the knowledge that one receives from obtaining an ABA Paralegal certificate. What I am speaking of is for example - a Paralegal is often grilled at the interview on their understanding of legal concepts and terminology, such is What is a "lien", What are the differen types of "damages" to be compensated for in a "tort", such as in a Personal Injury "allegation".

Legal Secretaries are often very knowledgeable of "Civil Procedure", as are Paralegals. However, the legal secretary does not "draft" the documents.
This is my two cents.

I second kmm, but I have an experience to relate.

Eleven months ago, I interviewed at a so-called "prestigious" firm. When it was my turn to ask questions, I asked what are the successful traits of a paralegal at that firm. The interviewer said successful paralegals at the firm are those promoted from legal assistant. Around here, "legal assistant" is a type of legal secretary. Her answer certainly told me where my candidacy was headed. Moreover, that firm never sent me a rejection letter or otherwise followed-up with me.

kmm: "What I am speaking of is for example - a Paralegal is often grilled at the interview on their understanding of legal concepts and terminology, such is what is a 'lien,' what are the different types of 'damages' to be compensated for in a 'tort,' such as in a Personal Injury 'allegation.'"

I've never been given a technical interview during any paralegal interview. But I absolutely agree the education gained from an ABA paralegal course is unrivaled.

Come to think about it, compared to interviews I've attended in other industries, paralegal interviews are relatively easy.

GG in Birmingham, Alabama said: Let us also agree it depends upon where you live and what firm you aspire to. I was hired by the #2 top legal firm in Georgia as a paralegal w/o a certificate of any kind, only a bachelorsm.

GG - This is your final post - it is still open for other to comment. In a firm of 4 attorneys, I was surprised that there was a fellow woking there with only a Bachelors degree, and he was a Paralegal. Granted, I will give him credit that he had learned to do his particular job, but it was very apparent to me that my knowledge gained from the ABA paralegal certificate far surpassed him. THis was a very unique situation.

I completely agree that having a B.A. degree and an ABA paralegal certificate, the best crededentials, will always open doors - once in the door you are on your own. It does not guarantee a job.

Prospective legal professional in Ohio said: I am afraid of the law office Paralegal positions, because so many former Paralegals have told me how over burdening the work is for them.

Basically, ther are two types of paralegal positions: (1) one where you have set hours, say 9-5 or 8-5. the other (2) is the "billable hour" paralegal. That is when you have a pre-set number of billable hours you must meet per year. To accomplish this goal, you cannot get it done working just 8-5.

I never took those jobs. Did not want them and my take on them it, having to work over 40 hours with no extra pay. I say no thank you.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: When it was my turn to ask questions, I asked what are the successful traits of a paralegal at that firm. The interviewer said successful paralegals at the firm are those promoted from legal assistant. ...I have never been given a technical interview during any paralegal interview. But I absolutely agree the education gained from an ABA paralegal course is unrivaled.

Hello DLP - I think that perhaps the odd answer she gave to your question was hwer way of "blowing you off" for the job. They give bizarre responses when they are not interested in you.

As to being grilled on technical questions at interview - yeah, when I interviewed with the attorney, I have been grilled on several interviews. Thanks to my ABA certificate, I had the answers. Still was not hired. Was grilled by 2 attorneys, same interview, on technical knowledge. I calmly and professionally had the answers - did not get the job - and with the "attitude" they presented, glad they did not hire me.

My last job was supposed to be 8:30-5 with no billing and no extra pay. For nearly seven years I put it far more hours than 8:30-5. Most days were 7-7:15-5 or beyond. At the end many days were 5:30 (or earlier)-5 or beyond. When I started I could take my entire one hour lunch and could go outside to walk; at the end I was taking twenty to thirty minutes at my desk and was still working. Not good. One does these things to try to keep up with the workload - and keep the job.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "I think that perhaps the odd answer she gave to your question was her way of 'blowing you off' for the job. They give bizarre responses when they are not interested in you."

Maybe, but the interviewer had asked for my e-mail address. She said she would e-mail me an online Microsoft Office test (?). She said she sends the test to all candidates to ascertain their Office proficiency and to identify any areas that need training. Was the test e-mailed to me? Take a guess. She also said I would hear from her by the end of the next week for further interviews.

To this day, I am galled this "prestigious" firm did not call me, at least, after I attended an in-person, in-office interview. Very rude and gutless on its part.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "They give bizarre responses when they are not interested in you." DLP in Denver said -She said she would e-mail me an online Microsoft Office test (?). Was the test e-mailed to me? Take a guess. Very rude and gutless on its part.

I have seen it all myself. SHe gave you so much BS. Yeah, and that is how they do it.

I had to meet with the "gatekeeper" first, for my paralegal interview. Here is gall! She asked me can I type and do I use all my fingers or just hunt and peck?
And the tone she said it in. my oh my. Felt like saying - .I use my toes. No I never got to meet with the attorney. She was so condescending to me for the entire interview. Again, Bizzaroland.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: My last job was supposed to be 8:30-5 with no billing and no extra pay. For nearly seven years I put it far more hours than 8:30-5. Most days were 7-7:15-5 or beyond.. Not good. One does these things to try to keep up with the workload - and keep the job.

hello DLP - hours supposed to be 8:30-5. Curious, what did it state in your Offer of Employment? Second, if it was in writing, what would have happened if you simply worked the 8:30-5 hours?

I have not had this experience myself. On the job that CREAMED me, hours stated in written offer 9-5. When I started, I was still in my office at 5:15. My nightmare boss, said to me - when you see the staff walking past your office at 5pm to leave, you leave too. We expect you to have a life.- Fact remained, that I was expected to do more work than one can do in my designated day.

As for you - wow, did you ever work you backside off. And in the end, for nothing. You are no longer there. Worse

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "[H]ours supposed to be 8:30-5. Curious, what did it state in your Offer of Employment? Second, if it was in writing, what would have happened if you simply worked the 8:30-5 hours?"

Nothing in writing. Maybe it's stupid, but I like to feel one's word is good. Mine is. Nonetheless, I had a lot of work. If I had worked the 8:30-5 hours I would have been buried. Yes, everyone's buried, but I could have missed deadlines. As you know, missing deadlines can be fatal, but I believe in meeting deadlines. Not only is missing deadlines sloppy, doing so can invite malpractice, but, worst of all, clients suffer.

Not to sound sanctimonious, but I'm proud of my work ethic. I like to feel I can be counted upon. I've worked lots of hours in every job I've had. Sometimes one simply has to put in the time to get something out the door (and could I tell you stories!). I don't like being taken advantage of, however.

"And in the end, for nothing. You are no longer there. Worse."

Yep. You've got it.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Nothing in writing. Maybe it's stupid, but I like to feel one's word is good. Mine is... everyone's buried,I could have missed deadlines..... I don't like being taken advantage of, however.

Firstly, I am on your side. Probably next time, you will do things differently, as we all will, next time.

This attorney sure as *hellooo* did take advantage of you, for 7 years. FIrstly, he should have given you a written offer of employment. That is just how its done. (2) the only deadlines are court deadlines, everthing can be postponed except when the statute of limitations runs. As for malpractice, its the attorneys tail that is on the line for that. So I am confused re: your deadlines and re: giving the clients the best service. That is the attorney's job, not the paralegals. On paper, we give updates. On the phone, we politely give proper information. Kindly enlighten me. I must be missing something here.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Yes, everyone's buried, but I could have missed deadlines.

I am still confused about your deadlines. If you have a court deadline, then that work is pioritized first. The rest of the work is work to be worked on in some type of organizational path. If your boss tells you he needs a file done because it has a prioity, due to court deadline, you work on this. I know this is sounding elementary school, not the intent. Please do tell me about your deadlines. I am stumpted.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: As you know, missing deadlines can be fatal, but I believe in meeting deadlines. Not only is missing deadlines sloppy, doing so can invite malpractice, but, worst of all, clients suffer.

How many deadlines can you have on every given day? Who is setting these deadlines? Are they court dates?

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

"And in the end, for nothing. You are no longer there. Worse."

Yep. You've got it.

Most incredible SOB. Simply gastly. I do not know. I guess I am dying to know what would have happened if when you started you came in at your stated hour and left at your stated hour? Just close up shop.

Were you on billable hours?

I need to know the answer to this mystery.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said:

Were you on billable hours?

OK, re-read your post and it says no billable hours, tht's ruled out for why these long tortuous slave hours came about.

How did it start? ALl a mystery to me. Except that he is an SOB to the 3rd degree.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: .. but I have an experience to relate. Eleven months ago, I interviewed at a so-called "prestigious" firm. When it was my turn to ask questions, I asked what are the successful traits of a paralegal at that firm. The interviewer said successful paralegals at the firm are those promoted from legal assistant.

as to "successful paralegals at the firm are those promoted from legal assistant.
My question is : Why the heck did they call you in for an interview, [it was for a paralegal position] if they can promote a legal assistant - thus position filled. Now they just need to hire another legal assistant.

Who were you interviewing with gatekeepers or the hiring attorney?

Again, having seen too much, that answer could have been another "blow-off" of the job offer. Bizzaroland re-lived.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "How did [the extra hours] start? All a mystery to me. Except that he is an SOB to the 3rd degree."

I'll drink to that - especially on a disappointing, personal basis. In all fairness, though, I initiated the extra hours. I really had to because if I hadn't, I wouldn't have had enough time in the day to do my work on time. People who have never worked in law firms don't understand that and don't want to listen when one tries to explain it.

Moreover, other paralegals in the firm who worked for other attorneys put in extra hours. Perhaps with the exception of one paralegal, who was also the excellent and very competent office manager and was well treated, none of the paralegals put in as many extra hours as me.

We had a lot of litigation and Workers' Comp deadlines. Much of my work was labor and time-intensive, and most of these deadlines were driven by trials, e.g., in Colorado expert witness disclosures are due 120 days before trial. Expert witness disclosures are a major litigation event. Blow one of those and your ass is grass. Extensions can be worked out, but my attorney did not like that - and, for reasons I gave, above, I absolutely agreed. Our expert witness disclosures required much document review and prep time. I would try to begin a couple of months beforehand. It didn't always work out because of all the other work for which I was solely responsible. As a result, I was crunched much of the time. Stressful.

Again, you realize I am not trying to toot my own horn or brag I work harder than anyone. I've always put in extra hours at work, but absolutely so do others. One just has to, sometimes. It bites when it goes largely unappreciated and unrewarded.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: dlp in denver said "We had a lot of litigation and Workers' Comp deadlines. would try to begin a couple of months beforehand. It didn't always work out because of all the other work for which I was solely responsible. As a result, I was crunched much of the time. Stressful. It bites when it goes largely unappreciated and unrewarded.

Beyond stressful. "all the other work plus meeting deadline work" - major unrealistic expectations of the attorney. As usual, he needed additional help in the office - but of course was not going to py for it, not even part-time.

Attorney expectations: meeting the deadlines, as you described above, are cruicial - or green ass you shall have, literally as you are shown the door and out the door to the lawn. It is the other work they want you to do, along with deadlines, which led you to the life of *hellooo* - because he realistically wanted it all done between 8:30 to 5. Seriously, as was said to me - a no win situation. Because attorney has unrealistic expectations.

I get it. Well - I am sure you will be asking on next job "more" about the hours.
Since I was not in your shoes, it is easy for one to think, why not meet the deadlines and let the other work pile up - until it has a deadline. I was not there. I do know it was ugly.

You are a trooper. - 7 years of slaving, for what, in the end - not that you could possibly predict the future. Is the morale of the story: Hard work does not pay off?

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: You are a trooper. - 7 years of slaving, for what, in the end - not that you could possibly predict the future. Is the morale of the story: Hard work does not pay off?

I was temp-working in a large litigation department of a large corporation. Soon after I started work, a Paralegal Employee said, yeah, we had this law clerk in here temping and we used him up and spit him out [gave him the boot]

Yeah they do that. My head was spinning.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "Attorney expectations: meeting the deadlines, as you described above, are cruicial - or green ass you shall have, literally as you are shown the door and out the door to the lawn. It is the other work they want you to do, along with deadlines, which led you to the life of *hellooo* - because he realistically wanted it all done between 8:30 to 5 . . . ."

Not necessarily 8:30-5. He only cared that the work got out/was filed by that day. The firm implemented electronic filing about seven years ago. E-filing was a godsend. I helped with acquiring a scanner and putting on a training for our staff. Even with e-filing, other work rushed in to fill the vacuum.

"Well - I am sure you will be asking on next job 'more' about the hours . . . ."

Oh, yeah . . . . you bet I will. And, here again, within reason I am not adverse to putting in extra hours, as long as they're not too extra and are for a good reason. As you know, sometimes law offices have rushes and emergencies, and you have to stay late. However, work that is not returned until late in the day because attorneys have been warming their chairs, IMHO, only, are neither rushes nor emergencies.

"Since I was not in your shoes, it is easy for one to think, why not meet the deadlines and let the other work pile up - until it has a deadline . . . . "

Sure, and that happened much of the time, but that's putting off the inevitable and compounds an already-bad situation. My goal was to handle work proactively and to be organized to minimize my tension and stress. I learned from working in another industry that playing catchup didn't work for me. Some people love to work under pressure. I don't.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: I was temp-working in a large litigation department of a large corporation. Soon after I started work, a Paralegal Employee said, yeah, we had this law clerk in here temping and we used him up and spit him out [gave him the boot]

Yeah they do that. My head was spinning.

Your SOB was really bad. I had interiewed once, told the pay range and told that I would be in there 50 hours a week.- that was advance information at the interview. Then I said, I do not think this is the job I am looking for. I would not have done it for $50k - 50 hrs would turn into 60. and that was not what I was about to do.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "I . . . . [was] told that I would be in there 50 hours a week.- that was advance information at the interview. Then I said, I do not think this is the job I am looking for. I would not have done it for $50k - 50 hrs would turn into 60. and that was not what I was about to do."

That's exactly what would have happened. Good decision. At least they were somewhat up front about schedule.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

Not necessarily 8:30-5. He only cared that the work got out/was filed by that day.

What an SOB. THe nerve to tell you the hours are 8:30 to 5.

You are right. Lawyers do have the real "emergency" come about. But it is not every week.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said:

That's exactly what would have happened. Good decision. At least they were somewhat up front about schedule.

Crystal clear, I would say. Ha.

In the book about the Mad Paralegals - and it is a good thing we have disability insurance because staff is constantly out in rehab - getting off Ativan.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "The nerve to tell you the hours are 8:30 to 5."

Here again, they really are. But, over time, my responsibilities expanded while the normal day did not. Over time, my work became very time and labor-intensive, meaning I needed time to do it. Some people would say I took too much time. Maybe - but the attorney wanted and appreciated thorough and he got thorough from me. Another pair of hands would have been nice. Most other paralegals in the firm would put in extra hours - though, again, not as many as me.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: kmm in Wilmington, Delaware: "The nerve to tell you the hours are 8:30 to 5."

Here again, they really are. But, over time, my responsibilities expanded while the normal day did not. Over time, my work became very time and labor-intensive, meaning I needed time to do it. Some people would say I took too much time. Maybe - but the attorney wanted and appreciated thorough and he got thorough from me. Another pair of hands would have been nice. Most other paralegals in the firm would put in extra hours - though, again, not as many as me.

What's done is done. 7 years is a good track record. Of course, without saying- that was a messed up ending.

And you never got a raise during those 7 years? Curious, did you ever ask? Just curious.

I did not get raises for during my last four-plus years. When I first started at that firm, the attorney was crystal clear that I should never, ever ask for a raise or remind him of my anniversary date. I don't care to go into it here, but, trust me, had I asked there would have been hell to pay.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: I did not get raises for during my last four-plus years. When I first started at that firm, the attorney was crystal clear that I should never, ever ask for a raise or remind him of my anniversary date. I don't care to go into it here, but, trust me, had I asked there would have been hell to pay.

WOW - Being told upfront that you should never even ask for a raise. Now we know what the slaughter house firm is like.

He always said he takes care of people. He certainly did for me.

Possible paralegal in Yorktown Heights, New York said: I'm a stay at home mom and would like to pursue a paralegal career in the near future. I have a Bachelor's in English and 8 years of legal secretarial experience. I would pursue an on-line paralegal certificate program. I was wondering if there are work at home paralegal opportunities? If so, do people generally get those options after working at a firm and proving themselves? I would like to start working from home and then go to a firm once my kids are bigger. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

Heck, if you're going to go for an ABA approved paralegal program, why not just go to law school and be an attorney?