switching career to paralegal?

I need some advice from those already in the legal field.

I have a BS degree in insurance and 15 years of work experience in insurance (claims, underwriting, sales/service). I'm considering seeking a paralegal position in the insurance defense area so I can use my background. I'm primarily just ready for something new and I think it would fit my personality well. I don't have a paralegal certificate.

Is this a good idea? Do you recommend I pursue a certificate before I start looking? Just looking for any feedback.

When you factor in that there are lawyers willing to litigate civil cases for $75 per hour and are applying for paralegal positions (even entry level ones), you can rest assured that you have zero chance of ever landing a paralegal job, especially without a credential. Save your money and forego the paralegal certificate. Instead opt for a career in the medical field in an administrative area, where your knowledge of insurance might be applied and adapted to medical insurance policies.

Insurance defense is a low-paying yucky area of law. You'll probably be too expensive.

BG in Carlsbad, California said: When you factor in that there are lawyers willing to litigate civil cases for $75 per hour and are applying for paralegal positions (even entry level ones), you can rest assured that you have zero chance of ever landing a paralegal job, especially without a credential. Save your money and forego the paralegal certificate. Instead opt for a career in the medical field in an administrative area, where your knowledge of insurance might be applied and adapted to medical insurance policies.

Your post is contradictory & doesn't make sense. You say lawyers are litigating cases for $75 an hour and are applying for Paralegal jobs? Huh?? Why would they even do that??

And what Lawyer now charges $75 an hour except maybe in tiny podunk town in a place like rural Arkansas

Nick L in Medford, Massachusetts said: Your post is contradictory & doesn't make sense. You say lawyers are litigating cases for $75 an hour and are applying for Paralegal jobs? Huh?? Why would they even do that??

And what Lawyer now charges $75 an hour except maybe in tiny podunk town in a place like rural Arkansas

Some lawyers are litigating cases for $75 an hour and applying for paralegal positions because there are just too many lawyers - there are too many law schools spitting out graduates, and not enough jobs. There are too many lawyers, not enough jobs for them, and that also makes it difficult for paralegals to find good jobs. Too many lawyers, too many paralegals, not enough jobs. The "Above The Law" has some pretty scathing (but hilarious) articles about this dilemma.

FLFamLawParalegal in Tampa, Florida said: Some lawyers are litigating cases for $75 an hour and applying for paralegal positions because there are just too many lawyers - there are too many law schools spitting out graduates, and not enough jobs. There are too many lawyers, not enough jobs for them, and that also makes it difficult for paralegals to find good jobs. Too many lawyers, too many paralegals, not enough jobs. The "Above The Law" has some pretty scathing (but hilarious) articles about this dilemma.

I meant the "Above the Law" website - abovethelaw.com
When I get tired, I skip words. Sorry!

Thank you for the feedback, I'm glad I asked.

My experience is in P&C, primarily personal lines but also some commercial auto/trucking claims. The health/medical side of insurance interests me zero.

I had no idea the legal field was so saturated. And after reading more and more posts on this forum I was becoming very leery about this position. I will continue my brainstorming for other options.

Cherie,

Your experience with P&C could be beneficial to a construction or commercial litigation practice. You would be more attractive to insurance defense firms than plaintiffs firms. It doesn't hurt to tailor your resume and cover letter and try for an entry-level position in those areas. Just understand that without prior law firm experience, you will only be qualified for entry-level positions. Firms value specific law firm (and, ideally, litigation) experience above all else, so you may have to adjust your salary expectations.

Cherie,

Your experience with P&C could be beneficial to a construction or commercial litigation practice. You would be more attractive to insurance defense firms than plaintiffs firms. It doesn't hurt to tailor your resume and cover letter and try for an entry-level position in those areas. Just understand that without prior law firm experience, you will only be qualified for entry-level positions. Firms value specific law firm (and, ideally, litigation) experience above all else, so you may have to adjust your salary expectations.

Cherie,

Your experience with P&C could be beneficial to a construction or commercial litigation practice. You would be more attractive to insurance defense firms than plaintiffs firms. It doesn't hurt to tailor your resume and cover letter and try for an entry-level position in those areas. Just understand that without prior law firm experience, you will only be qualified for entry-level positions. Firms value specific law firm (and, ideally, litigation) experience above all else, so you may have to adjust your salary expectations.

Nick L in Medford, Massachusetts said: Your post is contradictory & doesn't make sense.

Try a basic reading course.

[quote]You say lawyers are litigating cases for $75 an hour and are applying for Paralegal jobs? Huh?? Why would they even do that??

Yup, there are lawyers working for $75 dollars and for those that can't find any work, they are applying for jobs as a paralegal. Some of them are even driving taxi cabs. Rather than do your research for you, try a basic search on craigslist, where you will find lawyers in major cities willing to work for $75.