Trashing the Profession

This is supposed to be a Paralegal Jobs Forum, but more and more it sounds like a place to trash the profession, or complain about previous employers. It is such a turn off, that in actuality it turned me off from pursuing a certificate to become a paralegal. I probably should have listened to an educator and not paid attention to most of what has been written here.

Lynn in in Manhattan Beach, California said: This is supposed to be a Paralegal Jobs Forum, but more and more it sounds like a place to trash the profession, or complain about previous employers. It is such a turn off, that in actuality it turned me off from pursuing a certificate to become a paralegal. I probably should have listened to an educator and not paid attention to most of what has been written here.

The profession is a tough one. Lots of pitfall. And there are good stories. A paralegal associate friend got her college degree, then paralegal certificate, then got a job a Paralegal job at SKadden Arps, a NY based firm that pays NY wages. this was in Delaware. She started mid twenties of age, worked there for 10 years. Around age 32 she met and married an attorney, with old money. After her 10 years she no longer works, had one child and is happy and has the life of abundance and money.

Lynn in in Manhattan Beach, California said: This is supposed to be a Paralegal Jobs Forum, but more and more it sounds like a place to trash the profession, or complain about previous employers. It is such a turn off, that in actuality it turned me off from pursuing a certificate to become a paralegal. I probably should have listened to an educator and not paid attention to most of what has been written here.

The below story is hard to find in today's economy, because the times have changed, the paralegal market is glutted, and the economy is bad, bad, bad.

Lynn: There are a lot of people very satisfied with the legal field. The fact is, the older you get, the less desirable you will be. A 30 year old is more likely to get hired than a 50 year old. I have three college degrees, one court reporting, one BS in Business (Management) and my AA degree in paralegal. I do not have a job.

I would not give up my experience in the legal field for anything!!! But the competition you will deal with, and the personalities, makes the legal field tough. What will make or break you is the attorney you work for. cont

cont
I would suggest court reporting. It costs money to be a reporter. IT'S TOUGH TO LEARN - you can either get it, or you can't. There are a lot of dropouts.

If I had normal hearing I would go back to court reporting. It's a field where there is something different every day. Every deposition is different. The demand for court reporters is growing!!!! When I dropped out, 20 years ago, there were too many.

What makes court reporting better than a legal assistant is you don't have to deal with any crap. If you're 50 years old, or 60 years old, you will still be in demand. A 50 year old court reporter has a big advantage over a 25 year old court reporter when it comes to skills and experience.

cont

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Another thing to consider is where you live. Do you have a strong legal industry? The bigger the city, the more the opportunity.

You don't need a degree to be a legal assistant. I got my paralegal degree after I had been working 20 years - and it has been a waste of money.

If you want to work in the legal field, then go find a job right now (if you can find one). Start out as a legal secretary - and see what you think. A lot of paralegals start out as legal secretaries. A lot of paralegals have no formal schooling.

Don't listen to us. Just don't spend a lot of money for fancy training and then regret it.

Lynn in in Manhattan Beach, California said: This is supposed to be a Paralegal Jobs Forum, but more and more it sounds like a place to trash the profession, or complain about previous employers. It is such a turn off, that in actuality it turned me off from pursuing a certificate to become a paralegal. I probably should have listened to an educator and not paid attention to most of what has been written here.

Lynn, don't listen to what people are writing on the forum. If you want to do it go ahead, your luck may turn out different.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: The below story is hard to find in today's economy, because the times have changed, the paralegal market is glutted, and the economy is bad, bad, bad.

LYNN: THE MARKET IS GUTTED AND THE ECONOMY IS BAD. THIS IS A FACT. If you are young, fresh and pretty, that's the first impression you give to an AH attorney when you come for an interview - and you have a good likelihood of getting hired.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said:

If you want to work in the legal field, then go find a job right now (if you can find one). Start out as a legal secretary - and see what you think. A lot of paralegals start out as legal secretaries. A lot of paralegals have no formal schooling..

That is an excellent plan. If you can type fast 60wpm, get a job as a legal secretary now. Find them in the legal newspaper, and the Sunday paper. Or go to legal agences. Even get a receptionist position in law firm. GEt you feet wet now to see if you like the environment.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: That is an excellent plan. If you can type fast 60wpm, get a job as a legal secretary now. Find them in the legal newspaper, and the Sunday paper. Or go to legal agences. Even get a receptionist position in law firm. GEt you feet wet now to see if you like the environment.

There are a lot of ads that say no experience necessary. They will pay you just above minimum wage. But you do get all holidays off, are working inside a building, get to sit on your butt all day, and have access to the internet. Aside from those benefits, you will get a start in the legal field.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: There are a lot of ads that say no experience necessary. They will pay you just above minimum wage. But you do get all holidays off, are working inside a building, get to sit on your butt all day, and have access to the internet. Aside from those benefits, you will get a start in the legal field.

Be careful of using the Internet for non-work purposes. Employees get terminated for that.

Lynn, if you want a more balanced view of the Paralegal profession, from paralegals currently working in the field, you might want to check out the Legal Assistant Today (LAT) Listserve. LAT is THE industry trade magazine and the listserve is pretty active with both seasoned and newbie paralegals offering advice and guidance in the field. The participants will give you a more objective perspective of the field without all the lawyer bashing.

FROM THE LAT. THIS SAYS IT ALL: Look at the pay and years of experience requested. Spiffy-looking magazine though.
________
Job Title: Paralegal/ Litigation Secretary
Employer: Brian P. Cweren
Location: Houston, TX
Salary/Benefits: $12.00 to $16.00 per hour depending on experience
Date Posted: November 11, 2008

Job Description:
Solo practitioner in Greenway Plaza area (Richmond and Buffalo Speedway) seeking an experienced paralegal or litigation secretary with at least five (5) years experience, good organizational skills (indexing pleadings, etc.), keeping up with court dates, keeping clients informed, etc. Docket consists primarily of residential evictions. You must have a criminal free

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: I understand CLA is a big deal in Texas, so one probably needs that credential to be considered. Pay works out to $33.3K max, based on a forty-hour week. That attorney will probably try to get someone in for the $12/hour; that works out to - get this - $25K. Terrible paralegal pay for five-plus years of experience.

I don't follow legal secretary pay closely, but the pay sounds bad for that job, too. All in all, terrible pay for well qualified and experienced people. Of course, pay varies according to region.

What a lot of attorneys and firms are doing using the Economics Factor: Supply and demand equals price. Right now - everywhere - there is a huge supply, not much demand; therefore, low price.

Jane Do Girl in Milton, Florida said: Lynn, if you want a more balanced view of the Paralegal profession, from paralegals currently working in the field, you might want to check out the Legal Assistant Today (LAT) Listserve. LAT is THE industry trade magazine and the listserve is pretty active with both seasoned and newbie paralegals offering advice and guidance in the field. The participants will give you a more objective perspective of the field without all the lawyer bashing.

Thanks!

Jane Do Girl in Milton, Florida said: Lynn, if you want a more balanced view of the Paralegal profession, from paralegals currently working in the field, you might want to check out the Legal Assistant Today (LAT) Listserve. LAT is THE industry trade magazine and the listserve is pretty active with both seasoned and newbie paralegals offering advice and guidance in the field. The participants will give you a more objective perspective of the field without all the lawyer bashing.

Nice try JAne Do Girl- Here is the flaw in the perspective. ONe - the magazine is a marketing tool, full of fluff..I say this not to discredit those paralegals who found their slot and had smoooth careers. The big questions is and the flaw is :when did these paralegals start their career. 1970's thur 1990's - yeah, you could make it happen. TODAY, and now, in the economy we live in- their career paths and possibilities of getting a job do not exist. That is the FLAW. The paralegal market and the career paths proffered at the times when paraelgals were a growth field do not exist in today's economy. Therefore , the flaw is that they are jaded to today's economy and what are the trends for growth jobs. The paralegal job is no longer a growth job - it is an oversaturated field.

Jane Do Girl in Milton, Florida said: Lynn, if you want a more balanced view of the Paralegal profession, from paralegals currently working in the field, you might want to check out the Legal Assistant Today (LAT) Listserve. LAT is THE industry trade magazine ....

Nice try JAne Do Girl- Here is the flaw in the perspective. ONe - the magazine is a marketing tool, full of fluff..I say this not to discredit those paralegals who found their slot and had smoooth careers. The big questions is and the flaw is :when did these paralegals start their career. 1970's thur 1990's - yeah, you could make it happen. TODAY, and now, in the economy we live in- their career paths and possibilities of getting a job do not exist. That is the FLAW. The paralegal market and the career paths proffered at the times when paraelgals were a growth field do not exist in today's economy. Therefore , the flaw is that they are jaded to today's economy and what are the trends for growth jobs. The paralegal job is no longer a growth job - it is an oversaturated field.

Lynn in in Manhattan Beach, California said: This is supposed to be a Paralegal Jobs Forum, but more and more it sounds like a place to trash the profession, or complain about previous employers. It is such a turn off, that in actuality it turned me off from pursuing a certificate to become a paralegal. I probably should have listened to an educator and not paid attention to most of what has been written here.

That is why you have to rely on your own gut feelings and pursue your career goals regardless of what anyone else has to say. Stay positive and don't give up on your professional goals. :)

www.newyorkparalegalblog.com/

Lynn,

You may also want to look at this Paralegal forum: www.paralegalchat.com. The 'Careers' tab links to job postings from around the Country too.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: What other empty platitudes do you have to share with us, Joel(s)? One should research a career thoroughly before making a decision. That research includes learning about the kind of people with whom one is likely to work and be supervised. It also includes learning about the job market and likelihood of getting a job after finishing paralegal school. Once again, Joel(s), because you have never worked as a paralegal, you don't know what you're talking about. And you are unethical to shill your revenue-generating blog on Indeed's free fora to the detriment of its paid advertisers.

Jane Do Girl in Cantonment, Florida said: Lynn,

You may also want to look at this Paralegal forum: www.paralegalchat.com . The 'Careers' tab links to job postings from around the Country too.

Yeah - the best blog of truthful information is on "Mean things my employer does" - And I recommend to anyone looking into the career of paralegal to get the skinny of what your job can be like.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Though you love to start up discussions about paralegal, Joel(s), you are what you are, Joel(s) - someone who has never been employed as a paralegal - and it shows by your comments.

You wonder why you were fired? You wonder why you cannot get work as a paralegal, even though you have an illustrious ABA approved degree? I am ROFLMFAO!

Lynn in in Manhattan Beach, California said: This is supposed to be a Paralegal Jobs Forum... I probably should have listened to an educator and not paid attention to most of what has been written here.

Hi Lynn - I see you're from Manhattan Beach. I lived in Hollywood for several years before moving to OC. I used to rollerblade out there almost every weekend, and I miss it.

I'm a former legal secretary. I started in Downtown LA and was working in Costa Mesa when I left the field 5 years later. I can honestly say that it is by far my life's biggest mistake-my decision to go into legal. I grew to hate it to a point that I didn't know how much longer I could stand to show up for work. Every day was a dread. You commented above about people trashing the profession. I read most of what's on these forums, and as I experienced the profession, everything they say is true. And if you are turned off by what you are reading enough that you've decided not to pursue a paralegal certificate, that's probably a good thing.If you think it's bad reading about it here, wait until you get a law firm job and have to listen to all the secretaries and paralegals all day complain. And if you and all your coworkers get together for lunch or for a night out on a weekend, you will hear constant complaining about the job. The sad thing is that they have dam good reason to complain; however, when I'm eating and out socializing, I really would rather talk about something else.

I started at a very large firm on Wilshire, where there were a few secretaries who were in their 50's at that time and had been at that firm alone 20 years. They liked their jobs. Other than those women, I NEVER met a secretary OR paralegal who liked this line of work. The bad morale is industry wide. Attorneys are the nastiest, most vindictive people on the planet...

...

You will not be appreciated regardless of how hard you work. You will work for attys who have big beautiful homes, drive luxury cars, own vacation homes and rental properties, and travel to exotic places for a month. They won't pay you enough to buy your own little condo. It's the atty who will have a lot to show for your hard work, NOT YOU. Attys can't accomplish all that without having a secretary.

Think of the time you put into a profession as an investment because that's what it is, really. You have options where you invest your money. You can put it in a savings account and earn measley (sp?) interest or you can put in a mutual fund and earn higher interest. Which is the wiser choice? Well, my opinion is that being a paralegal is not a wise investment of time. It's as bad as stuffing all your money in a mattress. Your return isn't that great, especially not when you consider what the attys expect out of you. It's also dead end because you can't get promoted. I hope you consider instead a career that has advancement opportunities and room for growth because paralegal and legal secretary don't have that.

Well said.

"It's also dead end because you can't get promoted. I hope you consider instead a career that has advancement opportunities and room for growth because paralegal and legal secretary don't have that."

That's why I left after 5 years in the field.I wish someone told me all this when I was still in school.I wish someone pulled me aside and said, "what's wrong with you - are you for real?" Nobody did that.The college, magazines and trade publications all just capitalize on someone's ignorance of youth.Sales isn't for everyone.And neither is my message here.But real estate was hot in the 90s in New York City and its boroughs.I know beyond a reasonable doubt that had I gone into real estate in the 90s (as some people tried to persuade me back then)I would have accomplished a lot more by now.I had drive, energy and endless ambition.Legal just killed it there.Real estate would have nurtured it.Now I must wait for real estate to pick up.I feel like I've found my dream.my life's calling - IT'S REAL ESTATE!! Some people might actually find another legal related field that they like better. But they have to come to that on their own, like I did.I had close friends who were doing sales who told me I would regret becoming a paralegal.One did real estate, the other does beds at Sleepys which pays base plus commission.He is now a successful manager with his own storefront.I never listened.Experience is the best teacher. I learned on my own, and so will others.

Another quickie. When I was 35, the 50 year-old-legal workers were considered experienced and had value to their employer. Those few I worked with, they acted like they were on a pedestal.

Today, now that I am 50, I am not "a good fit" because the new workers are in their early 20's - young and cheap, working for attorneys who are under 40.

At 50, when I go on an interview, I am considered old. That is the reality today - and it's not going to change because there are too many people for too few jobs. Someday you will be 50 - and most likely, unemployed.

In this current economy,seriously,unless you have a profession that calls for graduate/post-graduate degree; or have family member/"special" networking contact at fortune500, many people are out of jobs.Doesn't matter if you are para this, legal that, or whatever.It's the economy, it's not you.You can't take it personally if you want to survive.As much as I like real estate, it's in the toilet right now.I can't focus on that I have to deal with it and move on! You have to ignore and not react to stupid interviewers, any dumb questions or other job related obstacles related to you directly or not.Fix and tweak whatever needs to be re-done and move on.Don't dwell.Eventually someone will hire you.I just got hired for a social services job taking care of autistic people. I was personally recommended by a friend and have that kind of experience.I'm not ashamed here for "straying away from admin jobs".This is a survival back up job-not looking for new career here.They hired me on the spot, no usual hr bs.Flexibility and wise investment of energy is the key that opens up everything.I will still wait for real estate to pick up while I take whatever survival jobs I can get.That's it.You can't be ruled by the "resume" or worry what people will think.Deal and move on.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Another quickie. When I was 35, the 50 year-old-legal workers were considered experienced and had value to their employer. Those few I worked with, they acted like they were on a pedestal.

Today, now that I am 50, I am not "a good fit" because the new workers are in their early 20's - young and cheap, working for attorneys who are under 40.

At 50, when I go on an interview, I am considered old. That is the reality today - and it's not going to change because there are too many people for too few jobs. Someday you will be 50 - and most likely, unemployed.

Hey, I'm 37 who looks 25 and am unhireable in New York City for any admin jobs - Legal or not. One man asked me a week ago, "how old are you?" Like he couldn't figure it out on the resume - graduated college in 1995. he couldn't do the math? The question is illegal, by the way.I didn't answer but sweetly said I really don't feel comfortable with that question.This was an upscale Manhattan CFP in a financial firm.You know he knows the labor laws and EEOC questions considered illegal.I'm seeing that the resume is now becoming an obstacle to getting a job in NYC, not helping.IF it's not one thing with them it's another.

Thanks Displaced Legal, KMM and everyone else. No..c'mon...:) :) :) lol.I'm not going to get myself worked up regarding that Manhattanite nerdy mama's boy by reporting him.There was something very ugly about him - it's unexplainable.He had this stare like he can see right through you.F*** weirdo I swear. He had that voyeur, Peephole Peter Pan, weirdo look about him - like he doesn't get any - u know?I like to choose my battles wisely.What if he's a stalker or freak or something? I'll be his word against mine..etc.I'll never be rid of him if that's the case. :)He will get his due from someone else, trust me..payback will come eventually. But seriously, I LIKE YOUR IDEA ABOUT LEAVING OFF GRADUATION YEAR.They will probably ask at the interviews anyway, right? I say 2008 is the "Year of the Weirdos" for me. Please excuse my potty mouth up above but I kind of had it with the whole job hunt.Sometimes I just have to vent a bit.otherwise I'm sane.

BTW, If 1 out of 50 interviewers since September has issues with age - then 37 really isn't an issue. Granted if many people are asking the same question or alluding to the same issue then maybe I should leave the graduation date of 1995 off the resume.But that isn't happening.Wouldn't it look suspicious leaving only that off because there are dates everywhere else? It would prompt them to ask that question BECAUSE it calls attention to it.It's like reverse psych no? Do you see what I'm saying? I don't want to obsess over this.

having pondered a bit on this, I really have to agree.it's worth a shot. you explained it very well and it makes a lot of sense. I wouldn't write or discuss religion, ethnicity or race either so why, at the same time, would anyone get into this issue then? I clearly see your point now.

dh in Northern CA, California said: Hi Lynn -
I started at a very large firm on Wilshire, where there were a few secretaries who were in their 50's at that time and had been at that firm alone 20 years. .........They liked their jobs. Other than those women, I NEVER met a secretary OR paralegal who liked this line of work. The bad morale is industry wide. Attorneys are the nastiest, most vindictive people on the planet...

I've temped in a few firms where there is good stability like that and the people like their jobs. Those types of firms are few and far between. Most legal support staff hate their jobs and, as you pointed out, spend their off time (like lunch) complaining about it. For the most part, as you know, your last sentence sums it up.

People who are in the few decent firms have no plans to go anywhere. They've heard the stories. I have a friend who works for an attorney who recently turned 100. She had left briefly to take a job with another firm. She found out the hard way. She was, luckily, able to go back to her former job because he hadn't found anyone. She does worry about what she'll do when he finally retires or dies.

I think about my early employers, and the people that I've seen since then. The field is very different than what it used to be.

The main reason lawyers are mean and vindictive is because - who ya' gonna' tell? (1) We can't (or won't) sue them or make waves because if we do we will be blacklisted and have a difficult time getting another job. (2) For every one of us who walks out the door for a bad attorney, there are 50 more waiting to get that job.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Absolutely.

Hope finals went well for you, dh!

Hi DLP. Thank you. My finals went better than expected. I'm still waiting for one professor to submit grades - I'm expecting an A in that class. I already know I have A's in my other classes (one of which I was expecting a B). So I may have all A's this semester. I've never done that before. I have one semester left. There's light at the end of the tunnel...

With this economy and my age, I think the only thing I can do is pray.

Most paralegals I know do not trash their profession. I know plenty of happy paralegals and, really, I can't complain too much about it. It's a steady job, okay pay, pretty good benefits, you get a little bit of respect, you have responsibility of varying levels, you get to use your brains on most days (not all), the "bosses" are truly the smartest most capable people in the room (unlike the corporate world were idiots can get promoted and can be your boss).

The downsides are:

(1) jobs are harder and harder to come by (luckily I have a Bachelors degree which makes me stand out);

(2) billables are harder and harder to meet;

(3) seems to be a trend to move paralegals out of offices and into cubes (again blurring the line between secretary and paralegal which is another downside, I guess);

(4) you can never be the boss (at first you don't care, but later you do);

(5) some of the attorneys are prima donnas, (although I have been pretty lucky in that respect);

(6) many jobs require overtime (one job I have had did not require it, but current one does every now and then); and

(7) most good paying paralegal jobs are in the central business districts of major cities, requiring longer commutes.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: ...I would never recommend paralegal to anyone for every reason I've set forth here and on other fora. I'm happy to provide information about it for those whose hearts are set on it.

I SECOND THAT. My life's biggest mistake ever is my decision to go into the legal field. I am thoroughly disgusted with that decision, and it's something I did that I have to live with for the rest of my life.

I ALWAYS come into contact with the younger crowd, and I'm often asked about the legal profession. I tell them, "DON'T DO IT," and tell them why.

Well, my experience as a paralegal has not been THAT bad. I do have responsibilities and all employees in all of the firms I have worked at - from partner down to mail room guy - have been treated with respect. I have always been listened to by partners and firm administrators when I have had complaints or suggestions.

My main advice to people considering the paralegal profession is don't work for solo attorneys and don't work for plaintiffs' attorneys, who are often solo attorneys. Now, that's a crummy gig for 90% of those positions. Bad! It's low paying, the benefits are bad, all that matters is if you speak Spanish, and you are at the mercy of some attorney who went out on his own because he lacked skills, social or legal or both, which is why his last firm got rid of him. Plus, plenty of mid and large firms don't consider sole practitioner experience/plaintiff side experience to be legitimate legal experience. It's just not the same. (I'm talking for support staff. I don't know if that is true at the attorney level.)

If you are going to work in litigation, you want to work on the defense side.

Now, corporate parelegal may be a bad scene, too. One of my paralegal internships was in a corporate setting and those paralegals were very unhappy. They were overworked and underpaid, 10 hour days every day, and a prima donna of counsel to deal with. Eek!

I think another point to consider is that many paralegals that are content and happy with their careers are probably not searching the internet to post on forums. You most likely will be getting replies from people that have something negative to say about the field.

Yes, it is harder to find a job now than in years past (for almost any field), but you also don't know the background of people posting - they may have trouble finding work because of a poor work history, mediocre grades, poor interview skills, etc.

I'm not devaluing any of the other posters' comments, but don't make your life choices based solely on internet forums. Get your information from a variety of sources.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Speaking of that light, dh, as an Econ major, what do you think? Extended recession?

I am not dh, however, all reports of information point to that conclusion. NOw the auto industry is in government bail out.

Paralegal in Dallas, Texas said: Well, my experience as a paralegal has not been THAT bad. I do have responsibilities and all employees in all of the firms I have worked at - from partner down to mail room guy - have been treated with respect. I have always been listened to by partners and firm administrators when I have had complaints or suggestions.

...don't work for solo attorneys and don't work for plaintiffs' attorneys, who are often solo attorneys. .....all that matters is if you speak Spanish, ..... Plus, plenty of mid and large firms don't consider sole practitioner experience/plaintiff side experience to be legitimate legal experience...

Hello Dallas- I disagree with your comment that bigger firm do not consider a paralegal's experience as legitimate experience. Sole practioner is where losts of paralegals get their 1st job - and then have legal experience- and then get hired by large firms.

Spanish- that must be a Texas thing. I lived and worked in Miami- the land of the Hispanics- all the lawfirms speak English.

Curious- what year did you start your paralegal career (goes to state of economy and demand for paralegals) and did you start in a big firm?

Future paralegal in Austin, Texas said:

Yes, it is harder to find a job now than in years past (for almost any field), ....

I am a retired 10 year Paralegal. The above comment is enough reason to not put out money for a Paralegal certificate - due to the economy - and lack of need. Paralegal field is and has been for quite a few year, an over-saturated market.
FIrst is was lawyers, now it is paralegal. They will alway need legal secretaries.

I started in 1999 and I started in a firm that had about 45 attorneys and now work at a firm with 30 attorneys. I am not sure how much longer I will stay in the field. I have the "lucky to have a job" feeling going on right now.

I know folks will disagree with what I have written. This is just my experience and observation.

I agree the field is oversaturated and that effort to make paralegals certified by exam (not talking about the ABA approved certificate we all get) in my opinion, was a failure. CLA means nothing to employers here. The best thing to have is a bachelor's degree in anything. You can be billed out higher if you have a Bachelor's degree. The big multi-nationals/clients want to see the resumes of the paralegals who work on their cases. They are looking for a Bachelors degree and sometimes an ABA approved certificate.

On the other hand, solo's can't afford a paralegal with a Bachelor's degree. They need someone who speaks Spanish. Period.

Paralegal in Dallas, Texas said: I started in 1999 and I started in a firm that had about 45 attorneys and now work at a firm with 30 attorneys. I am not sure how much longer I will stay in the field. I have the "lucky to have a job" feeling going on right now.......On the other hand, solo's can't afford a paralegal with a Bachelor's degree. They need someone who speaks Spanish. Period.

You have done will for yourself Dallas. Hum, started in 1999. Now a bad year to start. Would you mind sharing how you got your fist job, being that you started in mid-size firms?

Oh yeah - hang onto your job - in today's economy.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Spanish is not a tremendously huge thing in Colorado. But it's big enough. I think that at the moment Spangish bilingual paralegals could almost write their own tickets. /[QUOTE]

I think that if we all knew SPANISH, along with our education- we would have more job options.

Yeah- I met a Paralegal in Philadelphia who got his 1st job in a large firm. He got a temp assignment, and got picked up- and stayed.

Well, getting that first job was scary. My intership location - the big corporation I mentioned earlier - had an entry level opening called Subpoena Clerk. This person responded to all the subpoenas for records that this company received. It was the entry level paralegal position and a peson stayed in it about a year before being eligible for promotion. They did not hire an entry level paralegal as a paralegal. You had to be experienced. I was not at all interested since all the paralegals there were unhappy and I would have to work 10 hour days and there was no flexibility as far as hours.

At paralegal school graduation, only 2 classmates out of 30 had accepted jobs - both at their interships. One was a big firm and the classmate was right out of college and cute, bubbly and smart - ideal employee. The other classmate to get hired was Spanish speaking, but dumber than bricks and only lasted at that job 3 months before being fired (I found out later.) So, I was worried about getting a job.

I sent out 25-30 resumes the first week and only got some interviews with recruiters which is great interview practice but they aren't helpful at all for inexperienced paralegals.

Then the paralegal school told me I was the top graduate in my paralegal class. I added that to my resume and then sent 25 more resumes out and THEN got several interviews with law firms. That made all the difference.

The job I ended up getting was sortof luck and chance. I just cold-faxed my resume to that firm and a paralegal saw it sitting on the fax machine and took it to a partner she knew to be out of control busy with some new litigation. They called and I interviewed and they offered me the job and that was it. They didn't interview anyone else.

I had another job offer that same day for $6,000 less a year and in that job you had to be a secretary for a year and then they moved you up to paralegal. It was asbestos work though which was looked down on.

Paralegal in Dallas, Texas said: Most paralegals I know do not trash their profession. I know plenty of happy paralegals and, really, I can't complain too much about it. It's a steady job, okay pay, pretty good benefits, you get a little bit of respect, you have responsibility of varying levels, you get to use your brains on most days (not all), the "bosses" are truly the smartest most capable people in the room (unlike the corporate world were idiots can get promoted and can be your boss).

The downsides are:

(1) jobs are harder and harder to come by (luckily I have a Bachelors degree which makes me stand out);

(2) billables are harder and harder to meet;

(3) seems to be a trend to move paralegals out of offices and into cubes (again blurring the line between secretary and paralegal which is another downside, I guess);

(4) you can never be the boss (at first you don't care, but later you do);

(5) some of the attorneys are prima donnas, (although I have been pretty lucky in that respect);

(6) many jobs require overtime (one job I have had did not require it, but current one does every now and then); and

(7) most good paying paralegal jobs are in the central business districts of major cities, requiring longer commutes.

The seven reasons are more than enough to leave the profession or never take it up to begin with.Maybe in Texas the lawyers are all jolly, happy go lucky angels, but definitely not in New York City.They are Nazis here.When my father got cancer in 1998 they further topped this Nazi description, as they are completely void of any human capacity to "feel for anything or anyone".Cancer in the family and my employer and co-workers response to my situation was the eye-opening experience I needed to permanently leave the paralegal profession.That was one of the smartest things I have done.

Grant, that sounds horrible. I am sorry you had to experience that unkind behavior. That is not how things are here at all - at least at the two firms I have been at. Both firms are/were quite generous to those employees with cancer or family members with cancer. There's plenty of time off permitted with pay (and not because they have to). One paralegal's mom was dx with cancer during her 2nd week on the job and they gave her a couple of months off right away. Another needed 8 months off to care for an ailing dad.

Employees have been allowed to go part time due to family issues either on a short term basis or a full time basis. I went down to 2 days a week one summer due to a child in a special needs program and another employee, actually, two of them have been allowed to work from home due to sick kids (seriously sick kids).

I would not call my current firm as family friendly when it comes to day to day kid issues (there just aren't that many employees with school age kids). They are more understanding with parent issues or if the employee is the one with cancer. Usually in the case of serious illness at either firm, co-workers visit and check on the employee and bring them things as needed. People are nice here.

One paralegal's mom was dx with cancer during her 2nd week on the job and they gave her a couple of months off right away. This doesn't even make logic.

I don't believe this. If your mother is dying, why would you go take a job for two weeks, then stop working for a couple of months. That doesn't make logic.

When my mother was dying (for two years) I moved back from New Orleans to Tampa and didn't work for eight months. It was just me and my dad. Even later, when job shopping, the interviewer would ask why I have an eight month lapse and I explaned it. Even then, the look and response was, well, why couldn't you work?

In the legal field - if you are not able to work, then you're gone. There is ALWAYS somebody wanting your job.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said:

I am a certified legal interpreter (spanish/english) considering going to school to get a degree as a paralegal. Can anyone recommend a program/school?. It is on line even better, since I work full time. I live in the Washington, DC area.