th economy

Yeah, I wonder about the legal secretary jobs, too. Firms now are going to 4 or 5 attorneys on each secretary. The young lawyers have technology skills, more and more documents and correspondence are being moved around via email, not snail mail, etc.

Another job going away - receptionist.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: ....not to mention the SOB attorney(ies) for whom you work. Tough enough dealing with deadlines, workload and having to work miracles. That stress could be tolerable but for these difficult, demanding, caustic and ungrateful individuals. They cause their own brand of stress and compound an already untenable situation. That's just it about law. One acquires and/or hones excellent skills OJT in law, including but not limited to computer knowledge, writing, organizing, prioritizing, document analyzing, fact pattern analyzing, client/customer servicing and scheduling. One would think these are transferable skills, but they interest no one outside of law. Go figure.

Eerything you wrote here is right on the money.

The stress- I could deal with the deadlines, the workload etc- it was the SOB that threw that oh so unnecessary monkey wrench in - regularly- that is the downfall. Yeah, I hated my boss by month 4, and I did not even say good morning to him. Of course, he was in his office working on the computer so it was an easy slide.

The effort I put in to locate the jobs, posted on company websites and other hidden avenues on the computer - that fit my transferable skills - and then get an interview - and boom- no deal. MAN- I trid to escape. My last attempt was an interview at a bank, say 2003, for a commercial real estate paralegal (pay $45k for me, 8-5pm, no OT) and NO- they will not let me in. Yeah, and I had been a residential loan officer before becoming a paralegal.

My career was akin to Laid off Allison, Stroughton, MA- the forced to job-hop aspect. Add the stress from forced job-hopping and gee, not a happy life. Thanks for the memories- not.

Experienced IP paralegal in Washington, District of Columbia said: Hey, my ears were burning :)
I've actually been in my current position less than a year. I jumped from my last firm because of the stress, and this isn't much better. What I really need is a career change, like so many of us. Unfortunately I don't know what that would be. Whenever I hear a young paralegal say they want to get out of this profession after a couple years, I say, "don't wait too long or before you know it, they're putting "senior paralegal" after your name."...

Hi Exp'd IP: I also have heard, more than once, that the legal secretary is a dying profession. At 39, I was the youngest of 6 other support staff. Only the recpetionist and file clerk were younger. At a very large firm I was still younger than an overwhelming majority. A popular recruiter in OC told me that she gets calls all the time. Secretaries want out but have no other experience; so they'd have to take a paycut or stick it out. I think the young crowd is getting smart, going to college, and staying a way from jobs like these. Nearly half the attys are younger than I. She said there was a severe shortage of secretaries and that experienced replacements were hard to find when one quit. This conversation was in Fall, '07. Now with the layoffs, I know there is no shortage. Once the economy picks up, that will change. I think it will take a few years, though

It will not change in Tampa, Florida. The economy here - and the way it aways has been, even back in the early 80's - there were plenty of secretaries chasing one job.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Well........you hear stories about the nursing shortage. Nurses are always in demand and are paid good money.

Nurses also work tough hours, though some like working the overnights. They have stress. As with paralegals, nurses deal with difficult bosses and all the BS they can handle. Pick your poison.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nursing is not a good job. It may be recession proof but for me it is not worth it. I am a RN working the night shift....I deal with rude patients and family members, any kind of body fluid you can imagine, and lazy supervisors. I can go 12+ hours on my feet with no food, no use of the toilet......not worth the stress on your body. This career will send you to an early grave. If you have a huge bladder, can go 12 hours on your feet without nourishment, and can take verbal and physical abuse daily from both co-workers and patient/family members, them maybe this is for you.

keri in Fontana, California said: Nursing is not a good job. It may be recession proof but for me it is not worth it. I am a RN working the night shift....I deal with rude patients and family members, any kind of body fluid you can imagine, and lazy supervisors. I can go 12+ hours on my feet with no food, no use of the toilet......not worth the stress on your body. This career will send you to an early grave. If you have a huge bladder, can go 12 hours on your feet without nourishment, and can take verbal and physical abuse daily from both co-workers and patient/family members, them maybe this is for you.

Hi Keri - I've always wondered what it's like to be a nurse. I've never been friends with one. I always wondered whether the nurse/doctor relationship was similar to the secretary/attorney relationship. In other words, are nurses as miserable as legal secretaries and do they hate the doctors for whom they work as much as we hate the attorneys for whom we work??? You have patients to deal with (and their families); we have clients. I HATED HATED HATED dealing with clients, and the attys were much worse.

I work in med mal and interact with nurses and doctors a lot and there does not seem to be the same nurse/doctor relationship that happens with paralegal/attorney at least in a hospital setting. It seems the doctors don't even know the nurses names because they just don't work with them enough. The nurses come and go with different schedules and are supplemented with agency nurses. The nurses can do a lot more on their own than a paralegal can. The doctors are not employed by the hospital. The residents come and go. The nurses seem to know who most of the doctors are though, but not on any kind of personal level.

Nurses seem to be treated much better than paralegals. Anyone can be a paralegal, but not just anyone can be a nurse. Nurses have to pass tests and they have continual training. Hospital nurses have much more control over their income. They can pick up shifts, work for an agency on the side.

But nurses get sued a lot more than paralegals. In fact I have never seen a paralegal sued in any of our legal mal cases, but have had plenty of cases where nurses are named as defendants.

Also here in Texas as a nurse if you get tagged by Group One as a bad nurse, it's really tough to find a nursing gig. It's like a clearing house for nurses in Texas that employers check when you apply for jobs. Nothing like that for paralegals.

Lynn in in Manhattan Beach, California said: Considering the economic downturn, awhat are the chances of finding a job as a paralegal in the near future? The large law firms are starting to layoff attorneys, but what about paralegals? Is it even worth it to get the certificate?

Paralegal schools are over selling the paralegal career as something that it is not.

kmm in Wilmington, Delaware said: Great question Lynn. As a retired 10-year Paralegal, I do not see Paralegal as a growth job in this economy.

OT- Manhattan Beach is real nice. My sister lived there and worked for Hughes Aircraft.

However.....the jobs in Los Angelos pay welll...just need a roomate or a husband...

keri in Fontana, California said: Nursing is not a good job. It may be recession proof but for me it is not worth it. I am a RN working the night shift....I deal with rude patients and family members, any kind of body fluid you can imagine, and lazy supervisors. I can go 12+ hours on my feet with no food, no use of the toilet......not worth the stress on your body. This career will send you to an early grave. If you have a huge bladder, can go 12 hours on your feet without nourishment, and can take verbal and physical abuse daily from both co-workers and patient/family members, them maybe this is for you.

If you go into nursing...you must realize that you are dealing with "sick" people, who are in discomformt and scared....They are not trying to be "rude"

Is there not a LAW that states there must be breaks, even if at intervals of 15 mintes or 30 minutes...?????

As to the bathroom..I have to go...I am going...Does no one go to the bathroom..?

I get it .....it is hard work...it is recession proof...the reason is was brought in....legal field not recession proof...

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: ....

That stress could be tolerable but for these difficult, demanding, caustic and ungrateful individuals. They cause their own brand of stress and compound an already untenable situation. ......

DPL -you nailed it...excellent comment.

kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania said: DPL -you nailed it...excellent comment.

Oh hellllllooo - I would still be working at my Paralegal job I got in Wilmington Delaware in December, 2002....if not for the attorney who brought in his own brand of crazy and wearing stress on a job that has layers of stress to beging with...

And by then I was a well-experienced paralegal...and worked in many different environments,,,,big firms, small and sole-practioner...and corporations...

kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania said: Oh hellllllooo - I would still be working at my Paralegal job I got in Wilmington Delaware in December, 2002....if not for the attorney who brought in his own brand of crazy and wearing stress on a job that has layers of stress to beging with...

And by then I was a well-experienced paralegal...and worked in many different environments,,,,big firms, small and sole-practioner...and corporations...

Point being ---I am well aware when Attorney operates on "unnecessary stress" on me...oh, wearing it was..weared me out the door. lol, lol, lol

AND I must add...I got along with my 2 attorney bosses...one was a peach...the other a negative demon...need more work.....more , more....he bad...

dh in Northern CA, California said: Hi Exp'd IP: I also have heard, more than once, that the legal secretary is a dying profession. At 39, I was the youngest of 6 other support staff. .... Secretaries want out but have no other experience; so they'd have to take a paycut or stick it out.... there was a severe shortage of secretaries... This conversation was in Fall, '07. Now with the layoffs, I know there is no shortage. Once the economy picks up, that will change. I think it will take a few years, though

Oh....the economy will be in crisis for quite a while to come...The lastest unemployment report just came out...We are now at 10%...not good at all..

Need job creation to pull out...It ain't happening....

Paralegal in Carrollton, Texas said: Yeah, I wonder about the legal secretary jobs, too. Firms now are going to 4 or 5 attorneys on each secretary. The young lawyers have technology skills, more and more documents and correspondence are being moved around via email, not snail mail, etc.

Another job going away - receptionist.

I was a legal secretary on most of my temp assignments..Besides the bordom of typing all day..[at least I knew what was going on with the case made it more intersting...] AND the attorney is often, very often at your desk...Is it done yet????

Get me back to paralegal..

Speaking of temp assignments, this brings up something else I've been thinking about. I've temped in the past and was glad for the work. I always looked at temping as a survival thing - not an ideal way to make a living but a lot better than nothing. And I thought it would always be available. But now I'm hearing it's hard to get temp work, and not just paralegal temp assignments. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since clerical, secretarial and receptionist work was always the bread and butter of temp agencies. And I'm sure law firms aren't the only employers who need fewer of those workers.

Scary times, no doubt about it.

Experienced IP Paralegal in Washington, District of Columbia said: Speaking of temp assignments, this brings up something else I've been thinking about. I've temped in the past and was glad for the work. I always looked at temping as a survival thing - not an ideal way to make a living but a lot better than nothing. And I thought it would always be available. But now I'm hearing it's hard to get temp work, and not just paralegal temp assignments. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since clerical, secretarial and receptionist work was always the bread and butter of temp agencies. And I'm sure law firms aren't the only employers who need fewer of those workers.

Scary times, no doubt about it.

Excellent comment "IP" para. When firms are laying off staff - there is no temp work...Yes. I looked at temp work at a "stop-gag" to having no work...It was paycheck to paycheck work...that paid the overhead...kept the skills sharp..

Philadelphia has been "dry" on temp work for several years now..AND the temp work is in Litigation...that is the core of temp work...

Now there is none..none in "any" field if you go to an agency..apparently some in computer field..

Very scary times indeed..

Newbe paralegals who land a job in today's market...will be low pay...and expect to sit there till this economic crisis is over..

Tampa has always been "difficult" in getting temp work -even back in the early 90's. But in this area, you know the saying, "Age before beauty" - it's looks before skills and experience.

In my last job, when Sharon had a talk with me about how much work Ana (paralegal) had to do, and she needed my help to do it. My response was, Ana said she could do a certain job and demanded $58,000 a year, and got it; you are paying Raquel $48,000, and Raquel has limited skills and no formal education. You are paying me $37,000. Raquel was hired because John WANTED Raquel, not because of her skills. (Raquel is very pretty). For me to help Ana, you will need to bring my salary up to at least Raquel's.

Sharon just glared at me. Then I went and had the same discussion with attorney. I did Ana's filing, but unless an absolute necessity, I contributed nothing more.

Temp work has been a "start point" for many paralegals and a "stop gag" point for a para in-between jobs..

In Delaware, we have a huge chemical company..E.I duPont de Nemours and company.
Corporate offices in Wilmington...I temped there...Have a very large Litigation department...

Dean McAdams in Glendale, California said: Paralegal schools are over selling the paralegal career as something that it is not.

YES!!!!! I agree with this statement!! It's disgusting. The closest paralegal school to where I live is, apparently, the only one for I don't know how many hundreds of miles radius, and their tuition is - get this - $25,000!!! for a 2-year program, an AS in paralegal studies. This college faxes to legal employers all over advertisements profiling their recent graduates and the jobs they are seeking - $13 - $15/hour!!!! (about $26k-30k/yr)

A BA thru the Cal State U system is, now with the very recent tuition increase, not quite $25,000, and much cheaper than that if you do your first 2 years at community col.

Economics majors were starting at $48K/year in '05 according to the US News and World Report (I think I recall that correctly). I heard now it's down to $43K - much better than the measly 30K. And a degree is more likely to land someone in a job for a company that his a ladder of success to climb because law firms don't have that.

If people look at their options and weigh them, comparing pros and cons, I just don't see how the decision can be made to go to paralegal school. It's such a waste. I should never have wasted my 3 grand on paralegal school at UCLA 9 years ago. That was dumb.

kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania said: I was a legal secretary on most of my temp assignments..Besides the bordom of typing all day..[at least I knew what was going on with the case made it more intersting...] AND the attorney is often, very often at your desk...Is it done yet????

Get me back to paralegal..

LOLOLOLOL. As a former word processor...

I just used to tell him, "I will tell YOU when it's done." And if he was in a hurry (he always was), I sweetly told him that the more interruptions I had, the longer it would take, reminding him that I was off in ___ minutes. LOLLOL

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Tampa has always been "difficult" in getting temp work -even back in the early 90's. But in this area, you know the saying, "Age before beauty" - it's looks before skills and experience.

In my last job, when Sharon had a talk with me about how much work Ana (paralegal) had to do, and she needed my help to do it. My response was, Ana said she could do a certain job and demanded $58,000 a year, and got it; you are paying Raquel $48,000, and Raquel has limited skills and no formal education. You are paying me $37,000. Raquel was hired because John WANTED Raquel, not because of her skills. (Raquel is very pretty). For me to help Ana, you will need to bring my salary up to at least Raquel's.

Sharon just glared at me. Then I went and had the same discussion with attorney. I did Ana's filing, but unless an absolute necessity, I contributed nothing more.

WOW. I didn't notice this comment before. THIS IS HILARIOUS. Good for you, Mary. I always considered myself who could stand up for myself (not at first when I got into this industry tho - took practice), I can't imagine myself ever doing what you just described. I would be too afraid. That's great.

What was Sharon's reaction? And the atty's?

What was Sharon's reaction? And the atty's?

NO. I was not afraid. I leaned over, looked Sharon in the eye, composed myself. Said, "Let me explain to you how it works." I went to college and got a four degree for my benefit. I got a paralegal degree for my benefit. My expectations were that I would get a paralegal position. The purpose of my education and the expenses I incurred were to give me a nice job with a nice salary. It was not so I could work as a secretary and assist a paralegal in her job and she get the nice paycheck and I get a very low paycheck. Ana demanded and got a salary of $58,000 a year, which is exceptional for Tampa. I have the same education you have. You are getting paid at least $60,000 a year. Raquel was hired at $48,000. I know all this because I saw all the e-mails; when you and Ana were getting hired, Mark e-mailed Frank a lot; so I read all the e-mails. You can bring my salary up to at least Raquel's rate, $48,000 a year, and then I will assist Ana in her job. Otherwise, all I will do for Ana is her filing.

Sharon just GLARED at me. Then I went into Frank's office, shut his door, and had the same conversation with him. He didn't say anything.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: What was Sharon's reaction? And the atty's?

NO. I was not afraid. I leaned over, looked Sharon in the eye, composed myself. Said, "Let me explain to you how it works." I went to college and got a four degree for my benefit. I got a paralegal degree for my benefit. My expectations were that I would get a paralegal position. The purpose of my education and the expenses I incurred were to give me a nice job with a nice salary. It was not so I could work as a secretary and assist a paralegal in her job and she get the nice paycheck and I get a very low paycheck. Ana demanded and got a salary of $58,000 a year, which is exceptional for Tampa. I have the same education you have. You are getting paid at least $60,000 a year. Raquel was hired at $48,000. I know all this because I saw all the e-mails; when you and Ana were getting hired, Mark e-mailed Frank a lot; so I read all the e-mails. You can bring my salary up to at least Raquel's rate, $48,000 a year, and then I will assist Ana in her job. Otherwise, all I will do for Ana is her filing.

Sharon just GLARED at me. Then I went into Frank's office, shut his door, and had the same conversation with him. He didn't say anything.

I really admire that totally gutsy quality. I have a book by an author, Kate White: "Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do." I haven't had time to read it but thumbed thru it. It looks good, something like how to appropriately break the rules.

I wish so bad that I had THAT in me. Did you get your raise? Were you not afraid of being let go? Is that where you are working now?

Hell, no, I didn't get no raise. The story was that they only gives raises at review time. The job I took with Frank was a rotating job - nobody lasted very long. My job basically was to take phone calls, do all the filing, do a mail log, and when going through the mail or any calls, anything that needs attention, to let them know. I also did all transcription.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Tampa has always been "difficult" in getting temp work -even back in the early 90's. But in this area, you know the saying, "Age before beauty" - it's looks before skills and experience.

In my last job, when Sharon had a talk with me about how much work Ana (paralegal) had to do, and she needed my help to do it. My response was, Ana said she could do a certain job and demanded $58,000 a year, and got it; you are paying Raquel $48,000, and Raquel has limited skills and no formal education. You are paying me $37,000. Raquel was hired because John WANTED Raquel, not because of her skills. (Raquel is very pretty). For me to help Ana, you will need to bring my salary up to at least Raquel's.

Sharon just glared at me. Then I went and had the same discussion with attorney. I did Ana's filing, but unless an absolute necessity, I contributed nothing more.

YOU GO GIRL - Mary - excellent holding one's ground with solid reasons.

Oh please, like I would HELP the para making $58k while I am making $37k
MS. 58k is being "paid" for the stress of the workload.

dh in Northern CA, California said: LOLOLOLOL. As a former word processor...

I just used to tell him, "I will tell YOU when it's done." And if he was in a hurry (he always was), I sweetly told him that the more interruptions I had, the longer it would take, reminding him that I was off in ___ minutes. LOLLOL

RIGHT ON...that's all they do ...waste time. Every 5 minutes at your desk. I was not so brazen..for fear of immediate firing..I would just give this totally phony sweet response of "I'm working on it" - my way of saying TAKE a HIKE.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Of course they are. While some paralegal work can be interesting and intellectually rewarding, the long and short of paralegal is it is a support job -not "paralawyer" or "second chair" or other inflated job title.

"paralawyer, para-second chair" HILLARIOUS

SO - I am on temp assignment at this BIG firm...Work is very slow. ONe day female attorney comes by and gives me this project requiring lost of editing..Every 5 minutes she is at my desk..IS it done yet. DEADLINE is 12 noon. I Meet dealine.THEN in the afternoon I get a call from the agency who said my assignment was ending today. REASON: I cannot handle pressure. HUM..I met the deadline..no freaking out on my end. AND ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!!!lol, lol.

Time for a drink...where I celebrate my assignment ending..and then catch the train home.

kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania said: SO - I am on temp assignment at this BIG firm...Work is very slow. ONe day female attorney comes by and gives me this project requiring lost of editing..Every 5 minutes she is at my desk..IS it done yet. DEADLINE is 12 noon. I Meet dealine.THEN in the afternoon I get a call from the agency who said my assignment was ending today. REASON: I cannot handle pressure. HUM..I met the deadline..no freaking out on my end. AND ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!!!lol, lol.

Time for a drink...where I celebrate my assignment ending..and then catch the train home.

correction: "lots of editing"

kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania said: YOU GO GIRL - Mary - excellent holding one's ground with solid reasons.

Oh please, like I would HELP the para making $58k while I am making $37k
MS. 58k is being "paid" for the stress of the workload.

I also said that. She is getting paid $58,000 to do the job, for the deadlines, and for the stress; and I am getting paid $38,000 for what small responsibilities I was instructed were my responsibilities when I was hired.

kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania said: RIGHT ON...that's all they do ...waste time. Every 5 minutes at your desk. I was not so brazen..for fear of immediate firing..I would just give this totally phony sweet response of "I'm working on it" - my way of saying TAKE a HIKE.

I was very careful how I said it. No attitude whatsoever but very matter of fact. It also depended on the atty. You can't say that to everyone. This guy was a senior partner who had a cool side to him; he was hated by most though. You'd have to know him to understand. At my previous firm, there were no partners that I could comfortably say that to. Only overtime - across the board I had no fear making sure they knew that I was leaving on time.

dh in Northern CA, California said: I was very careful how I said it. No attitude whatsoever but very matter of fact. It also depended on the atty. You can't say that to everyone. This guy was a senior partner who had a cool side to him; he was hated by most though. You'd have to know him to understand. At my previous firm, there were no partners that I could comfortably say that to. Only overtime - across the board I had no fear making sure they knew that I was leaving on time.

Oh yes..got to careful who you say that too..how you say it..some people you know not to dare go near such statment....or out the door you go with a footprint on your backside. lol.lol

A CHart showed up on this site..on right side. Paralegal Job Trends. The graph showed jobs with title "paralegal" going down beginning year 2006 to now.

And another graph showing National Litigation Paralegal Salaries. From April of this year to July of this year....they plummented downward.

dh in Northern CA, California said: I was very careful how I said it. No attitude whatsoever but very matter of fact. It also depended on the atty. You can't say that to everyone. This guy was a senior partner who had a cool side to him; he was hated by most though. You'd have to know him to understand. At my previous firm, there were no partners that I could comfortably say that to. Only overtime - across the board I had no fear making sure they knew that I was leaving on time.

AS to your last comment of leaving on time. IF I am hired for a job 9-5, then at 5pm I am going home. Special circumstances may arise and I will stay. Otherwise, no. ALSO, in the interview, I get it crystal clear as to my hours. SHOULD my boss ask me to start staying a little longer..I would politely remind him of the hours stated. [THERE is always going to be work on the desk.] NOT having been put in that situation....I would feel stuck between the rock and the hardspot, worried I would lose my job. THAT Is bad!!!

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Yes, it is, big time. Take it from someone who knows. And, of course, Cindy, you've read my "experiences" and know that I know.

Maybe for younger people job loss isn't a big worry, but as one grows older job loss becomes a big worry.

I remember your story vividly..You were so taken advantage of ..and told it was a 9 to 5 job. You did what you had to do.

It is only the 20 year olds who can quit a job...and wives with husbands who can carry the weight. THe rest of us..we gotta do what we gotta do.

Just 6 months of working full speed and having the nasty attorney be in my office 2x a week every week, saying, need more work..Oh you bet I lived in fear if I slowed down to a pace that was not going to cause a nervouse breakdown. It was a hopeless situation. Rock and hard spot...

I think our Paralegal in Texas was very furtunate that she was not terminated when she "Snapped" due to prolonged stress...

I also am amazed [and glad for para] that even though you are not able to meet billable hours, you still have your job. That your boss is not in your face every week saying, need more billable hours. AS your ears are burning.....I am sure you will comment. [note, my comments hve no ill-will towards you, just comments]

A paralegal certificate is going to run you anywhere between $7K and $10. About $190 k less than a law degree. For the paltry amount of money it costs I do feel it is worth it. It's a very cheap and safe way of finding out whether the legal industry is for you before you invest $200K in an education that may or may not suit you. The reality is when you are beginning any career you have to start somewhere and ultimately I'm not even sure it matters where you start, what your education background is and so forth. If you have the right stuff no matter what your resume says you'll be ok.

Paralegal certificates will only get you a job if you already have a bachelors degree. If you just have a HS diploma, I don't see how a certificate will get you anywhere. It's a waste of time and money.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Agreed. Besides, some ABA schools require a Bachelor's or better for admission.

There is no such thing as an "ABA School" per se. Colleges offer paralegal programs either through its continuing education curriculum, or as part of its associates program in which a student can earn an associate’s degree and certificate within 2-3 years. A majority of colleges which offer paralegal certificate programs receive approval from the ABA in which that program meets the criteria the ABA provides with respect to courses offered, staff, and legal library. The program is audited by the ABA every 4-5 years if I am not mistaken.

If people are serious in becoming a paralegal, it is recommended that a Bachelors degree is obtained in addition to just having a certificate. A majority of job ads for paralegals require bachelors and certificate. The only time a bachelor is waived is if the candidate has an associates/certificate and has at least three years OTJ experience working in a firm, court, or in-house, which in today’s difficult job market is difficult in being hired with just a HS diploma.

As DLP mentioned, do your research before enrolling. Best bet is to check out resumes on LinkedIn and Google schools and read comments from graduates and students. Don’t rely on what schools advise you; many schools greatly exaggerate its stats. Also check if the school offers internships and where those internships are held. The school should also assist the student in putting together a binder of forms and research assignments to take with you for your interviews.

Keep in mind that Law is very prestige driven to the point in being ridiculous. Make sure you research your school first before investing your time and money.

This is kind of an old thread, but I just wanted to touch on the comment regarding temp work having dried up. I have found that this seems to be the case in Chicago as well, as far as litigation goes.

Temp work in litigation used to be plentiful when I was just starting out in the 90s. Now, I can't even get a call back from the temp agencies. The most I seem to get from them is an email asking for an updated resume. I've sent them updated resumes each time I've written to inquire about temp work. They want an updated resume when there isn't anything to update. It's all idle chatter to keep me off their back and in a loop to nowhere.

Sorry to hijack. I'm wondering if people have similar findings elsewhere?

I can say since the recession hit, most P/I attorneys are careful in the cases they choose to take on. I know a few solos who used to accept a nominal retainer and work out the difference when the case finally settles or goes to trial. I am finding that the trend is that attorneys are less apt just to accept any client in this market. The opposing party has to have deep pockets, or the case is solid.

Lynn in in Manhattan Beach, California said: Considering the economic downturn, awhat are the chances of finding a job as a paralegal in the near future? The large law firms are starting to layoff attorneys, but what about paralegals? Is it even worth it to get the certificate?

Lynn, I think the legal profession, like many professions these days, is going through some changes. People who aspire to go to law school and work at a large law firm, making major bucks, are the dying bred. Not only has the economy taken its toll on large firms, the expense of law school is also hitting home. On the flip side is Paralegal School. Due to number of schools offering Paralegal Certificates increasing every week, the market has essentially become flooded with individuls who have a "Paralegal Certificate". Employers try to narrow the field by requiring an "ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate". However, what difference does that REALLY make? I believe that there will be more emphasis placed on the CLA/CP Exam administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). I believe that this will become the Bar Exam for Paralegals. In addition to this, I feel that the economy will demand the expansion of the role of the Paralegal and exceptions to the rules prohibiting lawyer fee-splitting. Overall, I feel that the Paralegal profession will emerge as the savior of the legal profession.

Law firms and lawyers only care about one thing: EXPERIENCE. What certificate you have means zilch.

Also, NALA credentials have LITTLE relevance in California since they aren't accredited. BPC 6450(c) requires that a paralegal credential be issued from an accredited organization. Since paralegals fees are being challenged by clients, most law firms now ask to see copies of paralegal credentials and proof of CLE training, which is mandatory.

Wow, this is really great information. I graduated from an accredited school, earning a Paralegal Certificate, in 1990. The thing that I appreciate most about also having NALA credentials is that I must earn a certain number of CLE credits to maintain said credentials. As for experience, I have 30 years of overall experience in the legal profession, 20 of those years as a Paralegal. Much of what I learned in Paralegal School served as a foundation for what I would be actually doing as a Paralegal. I think that the CLA/CP Exam administered by NALA is a good test of basic knowledge in areas of law that a Paralegal should have a good grasp of. Despite having earned a paralegal certificate, passing the NALA CLA/CP Exam, taking 50 hours of CLE in the past three years, earning my B.S. in Legal Studies, having a BP 6450 declaration, having over 20 years of experience still, and topping it off with an impressive personality still gets my resume tossed in the trash. Go figure.

As for collecting fees for the work of paralegals, check out the folliwing:

Missouri v. Jenkins, 1989

This is the first instance in which the US Supreme Court addressed the recoverability of paralegal fees under §1988 of the Civil Rights Attorney's Fee Awards Act of 1976. In this case, the petitioner was seeking the award of attorney and paralegal fees after a lengthy litigation. The Court was asked whether the work of paralegals, law clerks and recent law graduates could be reimbursed at market rates, rather than their cost to attorneys.
The Court recognized that everyone - attorneys, paralegal employees, and clients - benefits from the proper utilization of paralegals. In its opinion, the Court stated: By encouraging the use of lower cost paralegals rather than attorneys wherever possible, permitting market-rate billing of paralegal hours "encourages cost-effective delivery of legal services and, by reducing the spiraling cost of civil rights litigation, furthers the policies underlying civil rights statutes.
Click here to read the Court's decision in this case. NALA filed an amicus brief in support of the petitioner. NALA's brief and occupational survey are mentioned in footnote 11 of the Court's opinion.

Richlin v. Chertoff, 2008

The question before the US Supreme Court in this case is very similar to that in Missouri v Jenkins. However, instead of considering the award of paralegal fees in the Civil Rights Act, this time, the court was asked to review if paralegal fees could be reimbursed at market rates under the Equal Access to Justice Act. Citing the Court's decision in Missouri v Jenkins the court again stated paralegal fees may be awarded at market rates.

This is a particularly interesting case in that the Supreme Court only accepts a few cases for review each year.

With your experience and paralegal certificate, you would qualify as a legal document assistant, where you could at least drum up some work.

If you decide to stick with a law firm, you might want to drop the B.S. in Legal Studies, because a lot of law firms will see it as your wanting MORE money, and instead hire someone with the same experience and a paralegal certificate for less $$

I am actually working in association with a legal document service. Most document preparation services simply assist customers with forms. However, I draft more of the complex documents like complaints, motions and demurrers. Many law firms not only look to individuals possessing a Paralegal Certificate, they also are requiring an undergraduate in any discipline, preferably in a law-related area. So, dropping my possessing a B.S. in Legal Studies would be counterproductive. Law firms that receive and take the time to review my resume are more concerned that I would get bored with the duties that paralegals regularly perform. This is why I have made a point of working with small of mid-sized firms.

Law firms are looking for experience and a paralegal certificate. Qualifications should match the job requirement you are applying for, anything over that will be viewed as overqualified signaling you want MORE MONEY.