entry level paralegal jobs

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas how or where I would start to look for paralegal jobs (anywhere in the states)? I just have my associates degree in paralegal studies (from the states), and then a certificate (23 credits) in health care from a different country. Most jobs I am seeing require paralegals to have a bachelors degree. How many people out there have just have an associates degree and how did they get their job?

Go to the Indeed Jobs - type in legal secretary - go to those jobs - then go to the FORUMS (for legal secretary/paralegal jobs).

None of us are attorney bashing - just giving you are feedback after being in the field many years.

Jolene in Upper Marlboro, Maryland said: I just have my associates degree in paralegal studies.... Most jobs I am seeing require paralegals to have a bachelors degree. How many people out there have just have an associates degree and how did they get their job?

Best thing you can do at the moment is start applying to firms. Apply to the ads that request Bachelor's degrees - you never know what can happen. Start sending resumes and letters of interest to firms in your area. Find out the name, correct spelling and job title of the person in the firm who receives resumes. Then send your letters and resumes to each person by name.

To be really competitive you need a four-year degree, so think about earning one if you're serious about working as a paralegal.

Join your local paralegal association, go to the meetings; networking is VERY important, as many firms do not always advertise their openings, but rely on the paralegal association job bank/word of mouth to fill positions. Check your local paper, your online job boards, and Craigslist. I just recently discovered a half dozen or more jobs for this area advertised on Craigslist that were not listed on our Para. Assoc. job board or on the local paper's job board.

I would use the local phone book - yellow pages, and send out cover letters and resumes. You never know when your resume will land on the right desk at the right time.

You can also try looking at your State's unemployment job listings. In Florida, we have the My Florida/myfloridajobs website. You'll usually find government jobs there that aren't advertised elsewhere.

With your background in health care, you might want to focus on Plaintiff's firms that handle personal injury, wrongful death, workers' compensation cases. Or, look for insurance defense firms.

If you have no previous experience in the field, and are having a hard time landing paralegal interviews, you may want to try going for a legal secretary/legal assistant position. It will get your foot in the door and get that much needed OJT. I started out as a legal secretary with a solo and within 2 years was promoted to legal assistant. Once I finished my Paralegal degree, I moved to a mid-sized firm as a Litigation Paralegal. It can be done.

Hope some of this is helpful, and Good Luck!!

I am planning to return to school and get my bachelors degree, but hoping to be able to work my way thorough school. That way I also have the experience under my belt so when I finally finish with my bachelors degree, maybe I will get the job(s) that I want!?

Jolene in Woodsboro, Maryland said: I am planning to return to school and get my bachelors degree, but hoping to be able to work my way thorough school. That way I also have the experience under my belt so when I finally finish with my bachelors degree, maybe I will get the job(s) that I want!?

You can hope. At least around here, paralegal jobs are tight.

I second Jane's suggestion about using the Yellow Pages as a source of law firms. Of course, you can also use Martindale and the West Legal Directory, etc. Some of that information goes stale, so be sure you call each firm and verify names, spellings, titles, etc. before you mail your letters and resumes.

Jolene in Upper Marlboro, Maryland said: I am wondering if anyone has any ideas how or where I would start to look for paralegal jobs (anywhere in the states)? I just have my associates degree in paralegal studies (from the states), and then a certificate (23 credits) in health care from a different country. Most jobs I am seeing require paralegals to have a bachelors degree. How many people out there have just have an associates degree and how did they get their job?

I agree with you Jolene. I have been looking for a paralegal job in MD for the past 2 years with no luck. Most of the ads want individuals with 3 to 5 yrs. of experience. Good luck with your job hunt.

JMonte64 in Glen Burnie, Maryland said: I have been looking for a paralegal job in MD for the past 2 years with no luck. Most of the ads want individuals with 3 to 5 yrs. of experience. Good luck with your job hunt.

I just reviewed your profile, Janet. You should be attractive to PI, WC and med mal firms because of your CNA background.

Keep trying. Send your resume and letters of interest that emphasize your medical background to these firms. Don't worry about experience.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: I just reviewed your profile, Janet. You should be attractive to PI, WC and med mal firms because of your CNA background.

Keep trying. Send your resume and letters of interest that emphasize your medical background to these firms. Don't worry about experience.

Thanks I will keep trying until I get it right.

I would add that you shouldn't confine your efforts strictly to law firms. Send to healthcare insurance companies, WC insurers or any place in which obtaining and reviewing medical records, reports and billing statements, dealing with providers, etc. is part of its legal work.

I am a upcoming student still getting my degree and i will graduate next year with my associate degree in Paralegal studies. I read all the posts and i have a insight on some things but if anyone could let me know what place is more advanced in getting a job in what state's are more paralegal positions being offered not really experience needed because i am willing to sign a contract and i am willing to relocate.

Ashlie - willing to sign a contract - teachers get contracts. Paralegals and secretaries do not. For being a newbie, you might we well. Most newbies start at small firms and build up their skills. I really don't think it matters where you are. Since you're in Georgia, I suggest Atlanta.

ashlie19 in Albany, Georgia said: i am willing to sign a contract and i am willing to relocate.

Nonlawyers work "at will." You may remember "at will" employment from your business law class. It means that employers can hire and terminate without cause or giving notice. Sometimes they provide offer letters or employment letters, but these aren't necessarily contracts. At the same time, employees can take a job and leave without giving a reason or providing notice.

Your first job won't be at a big firm. More than likely, it'll be at a smaller firm. As far as areas with the most jobs - well, paralegal jobs are at a premium nearly everywhere. In fact, many firms have laid off paralegals and they are competing for jobs. Entry level jobs are always rare. You may find more openings in larger cities. In any event, don't leave home without a job in hand.

Jolene in Upper Marlboro, Maryland said: I am wondering if anyone has any ideas how or where I would start to look for paralegal jobs (anywhere in the states)? I just have my associates degree in paralegal studies (from the states), and then a certificate (23 credits) in health care from a different country. Most jobs I am seeing require paralegals to have a bachelors degree. How many people out there have just have an associates degree and how did they get their job?

In Never-Never Land.

Jolene: You have three things going for you: (1) Youth. (2) Associates in Paralegal Studies; (3) BEST - 23 credits in health care.

Look for a job in a hospital (a very large hospital). Work on a Bachelor's in Health Care Office (or whatever). You may get the best use of your paralegal stuff there.

I have been a graduate since May 2008, and I have not been able to find work it's has been very frustrating I have my Associates Degree and it seems like I went to school for no reason but I will keep trying I'm no quitter and I have God's help. I just wish I could get my foot in the door but without no experience it's hard. Just hang in there and good luck.

Same here, rosebloom2! I graduated in March of '08, and all the employers require years of experience, and some require a BA as well. It feels like we wasted two years of hard work, and we still have to repay the student loans. How are you supposed to get experience if nobody wants to give it to you?

Check craigslist and take one of those $9-10/hr jobs working for a nutjob solo practice attorney and hang on as long as you can without compromising your morals or values, and then after 6 months, find that 2nd job fast.

In that 2nd job you may make $11-12/hour, with a few benefits. Try to hang on a year without walking out on your control freak B-word female litigator boss. Be sure and find that 3rd job while still working at the 2nd one, so the witch doesn't have the chance to give a bad reference for you (because you know she will stab you in the back at every turn).

The 3rd job will pay only $8/hour and be temp to perm, but you will be glad to be out from under that B-word, so you don't care. But don't get too comfortable, though, because they will let you go on your 89th day as they never want to convert anyone to a perm employee on the 90th day. If they converted you, they would have to pay you some benefits and that's just money out of the lawyer's pocket and he has country club dues to pay.

The 4th job will never come.

Alternatively, get your entry job in a firm run by a brilliant attorney. However, that attorney is a complex, anxiety-ridden personality. Her hair is always on fire. Her antics cause staff to run around like chickens with their heads cut off.

Stick it out for more than four years. Leave when the shareholder's antics have thoroughly offended your sense of structure and/or you're sick of living with Alice in Wonderland.

Then work for an anal-retentive, intense, borderline-belligerent, seething PI/WC small firm partner. You thrive under that individual's strong sense of structure. But his abrupt manner, time to time rudeness, aloofness and probable introversion confound you.

You give him the work he wants - but you can never figure out what he wants from your relationship, especially after he gives you a hard time for how you greet him in the morning.

Finally, after nearly seven years of stress and busting your butt, the individual hands it to you and tells you to get out. The icing on the cake is the SOB lies to you about giving you a letter of reference and has likely badmouthed you to prospective employers.

Now, do you guys still want to be paralegals?

Good luck with wherever your paralegal credentials lead you.

Or, take an entry level, legal secretary job with a 2-attorney firm, that eventually becomes a solo practice during your tenure, bust your ass, learn the job from the bottom up... stick with the low paying job for 5 years because you realize you're getting invaluable mentoring and training from a 30+ year veteran attorney. Then, apply for every paralegal job available, whether you appear to 'qualify' or not - interview, interview, interview... and land a paralegal job with one of the oldest and most prestigious firms in town.

It can be done.

On rare occasions, if one is fortunate enough to be in the right place in the right time (maybe blessed is more accurate), and if one never experiences the corrosive, abrasive, vitriolic and sometimes perverse atmosphere that typifies law.

rosebloom2 in Houston, Texas said: I have been a graduate since May 2008, and I have not been able to find work it's has been very frustrating I have my Associates Degree and it seems like I went to school for no reason but I will keep trying I'm no quitter and I have God's help. I just wish I could get my foot in the door but without no experience it's hard. Just hang in there and good luck.

Change direction in your job search. Legal is laying off. Look, but change your direction as well- go broad.

Paralegal in Carrollton, Texas said: Check craigslist and take one of those $9-10/hr jobs working for a nutjob solo practice attorney and hang on as long as you can without compromising your morals or values, and then after 6 months, find that 2nd job fast.

In that 2nd job you may make $11-12/hour, with a few benefits. Try to hang on a year without walking out on your control freak B-word female litigator boss. Be sure and find that 3rd job while still working at the 2nd one, so the witch doesn't have the chance to give a bad reference for you (because you know she will stab you in the back at every turn).

The 3rd job will pay only $8/hour and be temp to perm, but you will be glad to be out from under that B-word, so you don't care. But don't get too comfortable, though, because they will let you go on your 89th day as they never want to convert anyone to a perm employee on the 90th day. If they converted you, they would have to pay you some benefits and that's just money out of the lawyer's pocket and he has country club dues to pay.

The 4th job will never come.

WOW- sounds like my career- except I had to get out of the jobs first before I could seek employment while hired. Actually, on the 2nd job I did go on intervews while working- just did not get picked up- THEN, I temped, and interviwed- no luck, just wanted to coast on temp work - moved to Miami, got job no#1- out in 10 days, got job no# 2 - put out in 30 days by B-female attorney, got job No#3, in-house for a successful corporation - put out in 6 months with severence due to re-structure, got job no#4 - in-house for telecom company - put out in 6 months due to comapny's inability to make regualar payroll - and - the beat went on.

Paralegal in Carrollton, Texas said: Check craigslist and take one of those $9-10/hr jobs working for a nutjob solo practice attorney and hang on as long as you can without compromising your morals or values, and then after 6 months, find that 2nd job fast.

In that 2nd job you may make $11-12/hour, with a few benefits. Try to hang on a year without walking out on your control freak B-word female litigator boss. Be sure and find that 3rd job while still working at the 2nd one, so the witch doesn't have the chance to give a bad reference for you (because you know she will stab you in the back at every turn).

The 3rd job will pay only $8/hour and be temp to perm, but you will be glad to be out from under that B-word, so you don't care. But don't get too comfortable, though, because they will let you go on your 89th day as they never want to convert anyone to a perm employee on the 90th day. If they converted you, they would have to pay you some benefits and that's just money out of the lawyer's pocket and he has country club dues to pay.

The 4th job will never come.

You speak the real of today's reality - due to the economy.

Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida said: Or, take an entry level, legal secretary job with a 2-attorney firm, that eventually becomes a solo practice during your tenure, bust your ass, learn the job from the bottom up... stick with the low paying job for 5 years because you realize you're getting invaluable mentoring and training from a 30+ year veteran attorney. Then, apply for every paralegal job available, whether you appear to 'qualify' or not - interview, interview, interview... and land a paralegal job with one of the oldest and most prestigious firms in town.

It can be done.

I see a big problem with that...that low-paying job- which will be low 20's- will make it hard to support yourself and it will get to you doing tht for 5 years- unless you have a husband, or perhaps live with roomate and have low rent, say $400/mo.

All in all- there is going to be a lot of sacrifice to be made- even if you get a job. In this economy- learn to love the frugal live style is the only way to go.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: WOW- sounds like my career- except I had to get out of the jobs first before I could seek employment while hired. Actually, on the 2nd job I did go on intervews while working- just did not get picked up- THEN, I temped, and interviwed- no luck, just wanted to coast on temp work - moved to Miami, got job no#1- out in 10 days, got job no# 2 - put out in 30 days by B-female attorney, got job No#3, in-house for a successful corporation - put out in 6 months with severence due to re-structure, got job no#4 - in-house for telecom company - put out in 6 months due to comapny's inability to make regualar payroll - and - the beat went on.

opps, opps - too many typos.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: I see a big problem with that...that low-paying job- which will be low 20's- will make it hard to support yourself and it will get to you doing tht for 5 years- unless you have a husband, or perhaps live with roomate and have low rent, say $400/mo.

Anywho- lots of paralegals with certificates ended up being legal secretaries. If you can type fast (60 wpm) you can do it. Usually, once a legal secretary, always a legal secretary.

In today's economy- got to do what you got to do. Apply for both legal secretary and paralegal positions. The goal is to obtain a job. This market is too bad to be picky.

Oh, I wasn't describing my own career, but guessing what it would be like now to get in. When I started I did not have much trouble getting an entry level job, although half my paralegal cert class never found one.

This was 10+ years ago. I would say "paralegal" was on the decline - just past the peak. The paralegal associations were trying to so hard to legitimize Paralegal, The Professional. They were trying to convince attorneys they could make money by utilizing paralegals. Nowadays, attorneys have figured out they can make more money by hiring a young bright person at $10/hr.

They've also figured out they don't need as much help. They've figured out that by learning computers they can be self supporting.

With computers and the Internet attorneys can conduct most of their legal research online. They rarely have to go to the law library to retrieve things - or - send their paralegals for them. They can e-file pleadings. They can look up such things as real property records online.

Attorneys may still want to use paralegals to prepare settlement distributions, order, organize and review meds and bills, and for totally minesterial tasks, such as scheduling and settings. But are these things enough to keep paralegals busy (and make their billing quotas). I realize in some specialties, such as IP, attorneys use paralegals extensively to prepare tedious and complex (and, to attorneys, boring) forms and paperwork. They also use them for trial prep.

The recession will end. Firms will realize they like having fewer employees. They will like paying fewer wages and benies while producing the same amount of work. I, too, think paralegal has passed its peak.

Paralegal in Carrollton, Texas said: Oh, I wasn't describing my own career, but guessing what it would be like now to get in. When I started I did not have much trouble getting an entry level job, although half my paralegal cert class never found one.

This was 10+ years ago. I would say "paralegal" was on the decline - just past the peak. The paralegal associations were trying to so hard to legitimize Paralegal, The Professional. They were trying to convince attorneys they could make money by utilizing paralegals. Nowadays, attorneys have figured out they can make more money by hiring a young bright person at $10/hr.

Yeah- I knew that was not your career- just projecting what a career could be like in today's economic climate.

My career did go as written, except I started at $11/hr and when I moved to Miami I advanced from 35k to 40k.

I commented on an article from the ABA. It talked about how attorneys are figuring out that it is better to have an experienced paralegal doing the "grunt" work, not a 3-4 year associate because (1)associate does not know how to do the grunt work and (2) paralegal bills at lower rate making clients happy.

And of course, they have figured out they can pay an entry-level or somewhat experienced para low wages- due to the economy.

Which economy, IMO, is not going to get any better for quite some time- reason: jobs continue to be lost. Until jobs starts growing, the economy will not recover. When FDR was Prsident, during the Great Depression, he legislated the New Deal, his program for economic recovery. He created jobs for the unemployed ,most noted in construction, building roads, public buildings, bridges and airports. Ultimately it was WWII that got us out of the depresssion.

Bottom line- IMO- unless jobs start being created, not lost,we are in for a long haul. ANd paralegal is not a growth job today.

Jane Do Girl in Cantonment, Florida said: Join your local paralegal association, go to the meetings; networking is VERY important, as many firms do not always advertise their openings, but rely on the paralegal association job bank/word of mouth to fill positions. Check your local paper, your online job boards, and Craigslist. I just recently discovered a half dozen or more jobs for this area advertised on Craigslist that were not listed on our Para. Assoc. job board or on the local paper's job board.

I would use the local phone book - yellow pages, and send out cover letters and resumes. You never know when your resume will land on the right desk at the right time.

You can also try looking at your State's unemployment job listings. In Florida, we have the My Florida/myfloridajobs website. You'll usually find government jobs there that aren't advertised elsewhere.

With your background in health care, you might want to focus on Plaintiff's firms that handle personal injury, wrongful death, workers' compensation cases. Or, look for insurance defense firms.

If you have no previous experience in the field, and are having a hard time landing paralegal interviews, you may want to try going for a legal secretary/legal assistant position. It will get your foot in the door and get that much needed OJT. I started out as a legal secretary with a solo and within 2 years was promoted to legal assistant. Once I finished my Paralegal degree, I moved to a mid-sized firm as a Litigation Paralegal. It can be done.

Hope some of this is helpful, and Good Luck!!

Yeah, I think that was good information. BUT, IMO, just being a legal secretary is not going to give you the experience to be a paralegal. You will have to get substantive paralegal work added to your job duties to get the experience.

Heck, if you are a good legal secretary in a solo office, and you type fast, get a better legal secretary job in a real firm and get paid with all the benies.

Jolene in Upper Marlboro, Maryland said: I am wondering if anyone has any ideas how or where I would start to look for paralegal jobs (anywhere in the states)? I just have my associates degree in paralegal studies (from the states), and then a certificate (23 credits) in health care from a different country. Most jobs I am seeing require paralegals to have a bachelors degree. How many people out there have just have an associates degree and how did they get their job?

My suggestion: if you just have your associates degree, try looking in the Health Care Industry, where you only need an "associates" and the willingness to learn and the pay will be better than entry-level para position.

Another trend - one legal secretary used to support one attorney, then two, then three, then four and now we are up to FIVE attorneys per legal secretary.

One more trend, getting rid of the receptionist and putting one of the legal secretaries at the front desk. Due to having direct lines, very few calls come in to the main number. The receptionist just accepts deliveries, reserves conference rooms and greets guests, and there are not that many guests.

Paralegal in Carrollton, Texas said: Another trend - one legal secretary used to support one attorney, then two, then three, then four and now we are up to FIVE attorneys per legal secretary.

One more trend, getting rid of the receptionist and putting one of the legal secretaries at the front desk. Due to having direct lines, very few calls come in to the main number. The receptionist just accepts deliveries, reserves conference rooms and greets guests, and there are not that many guests.

Oh definitely true.

Or else having the outside line ring at every paralegal desk and the receptionist desk. The partner for whom I worked wanted to ensure a person and not a machine would answer the phone. (That individual also loathed voice mail for similar reasons.) Never mind the phone being an all-day distraction for paralegals; the phone, of course, didn't ring constantly at that individual's desk.

You can imagine how hard it was to concentrate on work with the goddam phone going all day. I never knew why I was always so tired at the end of the day. I finally figured out the constant noise debilitated me and, I'm sure, others. Nothing was done about it for years.

I also had phone coverage responsibilities - which I didn't know I would have until my first day. No, I didn't ask during my one interview; the firm had a reception area and a receptionist's desk. I gathered the firm employed a receptionist, which it did. . What other conclusion could a reasonable person draw?

The firm finally corrected the problem. It installled an upgraded phone system, with voice mail, when it renovated the offices six and a half years later. Yes, my partner-boss still wanted a live person to take all his messages the old fashioned way - manually.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: .

I also had phone coverage responsibilities - which I didn't know I would have until my first day. No, I didn't ask during my one interview; the firm had a reception area and a receptionist's desk. I gathered the firm employed a receptionist, which it did. .
What other conclusion could a reasonable person draw?....

What other conclusion could a reasonable person draw? LOL, LOL, what a legal classic.

No, my phone rang, but not like yours. YOur amount of ring, ring, ring, - definitely create "static" in the mind. (not on the line)ha.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: ...

I commented on an article from the ABA. It talked about how attorneys are figuring out that it is better to have an experienced paralegal doing the "grunt" work, not a 3-4 year associate because (1)associate does not know how to do the grunt work and (2) paralegal bills at lower rate making clients happy.......

Actually, was that not the reason that the paralegal position was created?

Apparently, these firms who were commenting on the above-referenced article laid off a bunch of para(s) in the corporate department and soon found out the newbe assocites had no idea how to do the specific of BLUE Sky, and the tax filings.

Additinally, they came to realize they could not afford the billing cost of associate, because the clients were complaining about the bills- in todays economy clients are complaining and lawyers are listening .

SO- due to the costly learning curve of the newbe associates, the firms found it more cost effective to contract corporate paralegals. BUT- it appears the paralegals who were laid-off still had no job.

We have a receptionist who has very little to do and about 10-12 employees who take turns covering for her on breaks and then they use temps for full days when she is off. But very few calls come into the main number.

Hand-written phone messages - wow, that is way old school. Even our attorneys 70+ years old make use of their voice mail (and email). They had no choice if they wanted to interact with other people.

That SOB I worked for was very old school. But he liked technology. E.g. one day he showed us paperless office-style scanned-in meds. He loved how they were stored on a CD-ROM, in .pdf format, complete with Bates-stamped page numbers. I gathered he wanted to proceed in that direction. He never said a thing about it again.

One time he hauled me into his office unexpectedly. I thought the worst would go down. Not this time - he wanted to show me his new digital camera.

Technology impresses that individual - yet he refuses to use VM. Go figure. I tried.

Yeah, electronic discovery is pretty cool. Documents can be scanned in and bates numbered at the same time. It's searchable pdf format. The copy services are expanding their services to do this for firms who don't do it in-house. We are too small to do it in house. It's all outsourced, but then you get all of your bagillion pages of blah, blah on nice little CD's.