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Subject Expert
TX, fully remote. There are no cons in my opinion. Pros: I don’t have to worry about prepping lunches or outfits for work; I use less gas for my car; I’m not persuaded into work events (HH, lunch, etc) that I don’t particularly want to be at after being at an office all day; I can take small breaks as I would in the office to chat with a coworker, to do productive things like throw in a load of laundry or grab the mail; I can be at home if someone like maintenance needs to come; I can make a fresh lunch every day; it’s easier for me to get in a workout during lunch; no commute/getting ready in the mornings gives hours of my day back; I focus better at home (I live alone, no kids); I am never wrapped into office drama/politics; Just a few of my never ending list.
Subject Expert
Not off the top of my head. Search LinkedIn and filter for remote and or work with a recruiter.
FL, fully remote and I LOVE it. I have flexibility, I can spend time with my dog, enjoy the city I live in by having the ability to go work in coffee shops, etc, I can travel without taking a ton of time of (my bf travels for work occasionally and I’m able to tag along, work while he is working and then when we’re both done we can sightsee and have a mini vacation). I focus better without distractions in the office (I generally make friends with coworkers and it’s hard for me to not chat). I can work in a way that is best for me without judgment. I almost always shower during my lunch break and refuse to give that up lol.
The only real con is less visibility to partners, so you have to make your work and attitude/personality stand out. My firm is really big about regular performance evaluations so it’s easier to stand out when someone is actively looking. It’s also harder for me to step away and stop working at a reasonable time if I don’t have to try to miss rush hour and get home to take my dog out.
I have been in both salary and hourly remote positions. I am currently hourly, I will never work salary remote again, I was wildly underpaid for the hours I was putting in.
Just went in house, fully remote and I'm salaried. I barely put in 40 hours and that's the only reason I agreed to salary and it's 6 figures. I'd never go back to in person, but won't rule out a firm at an hourly pay.
It's really a great job and absolutely no stress!
Mentor
Anyone hiring remote in CA? 🤣🤣🤣
Anyone hiring remote in NY? 😂
I own a brownstone on the UWS and rent it out throughout the year with conditions I have a room to stay when I have to fly in for a day or two.
But yes, rent is crazy, but I thought about it and may continue either renting or selling the UWS brownstone and renting back in Astoria where I began. It’s affordable and the view was spectacular.
I reside in Dallas, Texas, but whether I’m working with a firm or as a contractor for a firm, I usually bill at a set rate per hour. Otherwise, they would have to employee me with the firm.
If with a firm in Dallas, I am paid around $85k annually with bonuses due to my 17 years of legal experience.
If I’m working a 1099 contract, I make sure it’s close to my salary or I will pass on the project. I just have so many letters of recommendation, including those from senators/representatives/and attorneys at the State Capitol, which tend to help a lot also.
Fully remote in NY. Hourly + OT. Would never accept a similar salaried position considering my regular hours are 50+ a week. No cons to WFH imo. Would never want to go back to an in person role.
Just a side note here: in some states paralegals must be hourly (non-exempt) and entitled to OT. Failing to correctly classify employees could result in some issues for the employer. Paralegal 5- I’m looking at you (I have employees in CA. Chances are you should be non-exempt not salaried)
I appreciate all of you for your insight. This has been very enlightening. I am now hoping I get the offer for remote. I plan on giving my current firm the chance to keep me, but if not I am definitely taking the remote. I have been with this firm for little over 5yrs. And I honestly do not see why I cannot be remote. I have 3 children, and 5 fur babies. The commute to work is killing me. I find it an extreme waste of time.
Coach
ALWAYS DO WHAT IS BEST FOR —YOU—
I work fully remote in FL. Just recently moved away from my office area (we bought a house in a more affordable area) and I am hourly. Which I prefer to salary since I frequently have to put in way more than 40 hours so I like my overtime to count. I definitely enjoy working from home. I get more done at home than in the office. I am a people person and love to talk, so naturally, I have a lot of conversations when in the office that take time away from productivity. Although I am quick and efficient either way. Our work laptops are monitored and we have weekly team meetings so the connection is not lost and they see I am working.
CA and salary, I’m mostly working remote but go into office 1-2 times a week for some hard copy work. But the firm I work at has made it clear that they’re expecting us fully back in office soon :( remote work has been lifechanging especially as someone who commutes. Really offers great flexibility and I feel I get more work done when I’m in an environment I feel more comfortable in.
IL (Chicago) and 95% remote. I’m in litigation so the other 5% is for trial/hearing/deposition prep type stuff. I love it - would never go back to a 5-day in-person schedule. My firm calls their paralegals “salaried non-exempt employees.” Basically it means that we make OT for anything over 40 hours, but receive the same base every pay period, even if work fewer than 40 hours. It’s nice because it gives you some flexibility to your schedule, especially during non-busy times.
Wow! What firm?!
I work fully remote from AZ. There are more pros than cons for me. Flexibility to help with kids schedules and no commute are the best parts. Not being able to QC the work that I send to the copy vendor before it gets delivered to the attorney is the worst part. I sometimes miss the office work events (meals/hh) but not enough to go back to in person!
I would never be a paralegal for salary, I always end up working more and being available for any and all projects. Working for a salary would remove the good part of the OT and turn extra hours worked into an unpaid burden.