Hi fellow para’s,
I‘m based in Atlanta & I’ve been in personal injury for a little over 10 years, lately I’ve seriously considered branching out into freelance work.
For those of you who’ve gone that route:
Any tips, do’s/don’ts, or things you wish you knew before?
Just trying to get a feel for what’s worked for others. Appreciate any thoughts or advice!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I went out freelance and only one attorney keeps me very busy. Many want inhouse, in office paralegals. I work only remote. It's hard starting out, very hard unless word of mouth spreads like wildfire for you about your work ethics, billing, and your work drafting and filing in general. If you choose to do this, have a solid plan with back up. Many paralegals are branching out on their own due to their own personal reasons or just tired of the office monotny. Just remember, you will always have to work under the supervision of an attorney. If we ever forget that we end up in deep do do.
Beware the competition is out there, I don't mean just other paralegals. There are businesses literally from other countries vying for our jobs. So, to know more than the competition, keep learning all the time, join a paralegal group, join a professional women's business group so that you will have a network of paralegals to help you.
Do not sell yourself short in cash flow, what is your knowledge - charge for it.
If an attorney is criticizing you (venting from your work product) listen closely, don't interrupt and grab what they are saying and then take that criticism and build a better work product.
Never ever never correct an attorney unless they give an open door meaning, asking you.
Budget well, save well. There may be very slows times or hard times. But be prepared financially, and emotionally (and prayerfully wouldn't hurt either).
Once you grow a little bit, get a separate phone line from your personal line. Don't mix the two. Keep your private life private.
And last, it's a lot of trial and error. You will grow from learning.

likefunny

I may be laughed at as I see but, I speak only on my experiences.

Related Posts

My bf has asked me to help him quit the ecigs and told me he’ll probably hide them from me but he wants me to take them. So I have for the past week. He really only keeps them in his pocket, 1 drawer

Been on a few dates with this guy and he literally keeps using the washroom every 10-15 mins!

He would leave to use the washroom like 3 times in one meal- has anyone else experienced this? I just feel so weird about it

like

I am having 8yrs of overall experience working in HCM out of which last 4yrs in Workday, I got an offer of of 15 fixed and 4 variable from Accenture. What is the market standard for this experience?

Fiancé’s milestone birthday coming up. We both love experiences and enjoy the city. Welcome all the help to make it special for her!

like

Am I crazy or do women take pride in saying “my boyfriend/husband makes twice as much as me” or similar statements

Hi all, wanted to share a couple things that have been real blessings to me and boosters to my faith lately in case they are helpful for anyone else: 1) CBSM - it’s a 4-year course that takes you though the whole Bible. Im in year 2 and love it. 2) Pints with Aquinas podcast. He has both long form/interview podcasts and also very short Bible study podcasts where he analyzes a verse or two and provides Aquinas’ view on it. If you have things that’ve helped your faith lately, I’d love to hear ‘em!

like

Has anybody had any luck with flexible work arrangement (FWA)? I am looking to eventually be part time but still remain on higher level projects. Has anybody had luck at any other firms?

What can I expect my in hand salary to be?Under old and new tax regimes?

Post Photo
like

Gotta keep the Omega ready for that 1 time a year when I'm ready to wear it. My wife thinks I'm a pshyco 😀

Post Photo
like

Is there any channel/page where the data science interviews are updated.
Or shall we start it here and share your recent interview experiences related to Data Science and analytics domain? It would be really helpful especially for those who are into transitioning.

likesmart

Advice needed on offers!! Which is better?

Offer1: 135k base + 6k sign on bonus + variable bonus at
John Deere

Offer2: 145k base + variable bonus at Wolters Kluwer

Need support on work visa sponsorship as well.

like

Referral alert! CGI

👋 Hello Fishbowl Family,
To view all open positions, visit CGI Careers: 
https://bit.ly/3xw9yIR
Interested candidates can DM or send a mail with updated cv: bikash.jena@cgi.com for referral.
You can also fill this form: https://lnkd.in/gPjB4aWW
Important :
1) Referral != Shortlisting/Interview
2) It takes time to refer, please be patient as I will go through all the referral requests.

All the best!

like

So, lay off until the pandemic blows over.

like

Hi HSBC sharks, my CCTC is 17.4LPA (Fixed). I have been offered a position at HSBC for Senior Analyst position. They are not offering a single rupee more than 30% i.e., 22.6LPA. What can I do to ask for more? Or it is their maximum at this position? Please help

like

Hi all,
Wanted to know the range of salary for consultant specialist role? Yoe 10+

Any help / Tip to clear situational based judgmental test

Born group (Tech Mahindra) OR Birlasoft.

Which one is best for WLB?

What are some companies (big and small) working in interesting neuroscience/neurology related projects including pharma, med tech, ect.? How do you all keep up with neuroscience news to stay in the know?

like

Hi Fishes,

I have applied for
BNP Paribas, Command center lead role from LinkedIn. Though it is only 3 days,I didnt receive any updates till now. My only concern is in one post it says no more applications accepted and other post it says actively hiring.

Please help job id BNP022012.
BNP Paribas CIB BNP Paribas

Is McK Digital less brutal in terms of hours but the same level of prestige as general McK?

like

Additional Posts in Paralegals

How can the attorney you work for make your life easier, make it easier to do your job, make you less stressed?

uplifting

Any paralegals ever switch to a legal tech company? How did you like it?

like

We recently launched ParalegalListings.com, a job board designed exclusively for paralegals. Please check it out if you’re looking for a new job or just want to keep an eye on the market. Thanks!

like

Anyone work for Morgan Lewis Bockius? Specifically in Boston ?

like

Fried Frank reached out to me about an open senior real estate paralegal position they have in NY, and at first I wasn’t looking to move from my current firm, but then we talked salary (a nearly 50% raise) and now I’m willing to listen a little bit more. What are people’s thoughts on Fried Franks Real Estate team in NY?

likesmart

I write economic loss reports. Am I allowed to give a redacted sample of my written economic appraisals to a recruiter? If so, what specifically should I redact.

like

Do small law firms have paralegal managers?

like

Any paralegals here working at Nesenoff & Miltenberg LLP in Manhattan? How’s the culture, pay, and work and life balance?

like

So I have my bachelors in criminal justice and I just finished my paralegal certificate course today. My attorney should be making partner this year. With that being said I told her that I would complete my certificate by the summer around the time she would make partner. Should I mention to her Monday that I completed my paralegal certificate in hopes that the raise will be bigger or should I wait until June when she makes partner.thoughts?

like

How much do you make and how many years experience? I’m a senior para at a mid sized firm in Central FL. 10 years experience. I’m making $64k—fair salary?

like

BONUS. What’s amount bonus do you get, and how often? Including bonus structure (ex for meeting billable hours), firm/boss randomly bonuses you, Christmas bonus, etc)

like

Currently a paralegal at a small start up financial services company been there for just a little over a year. I wear “multiple hats” but more recently I’ve done a lot of PM work and some BA work. My position title is changing soon but I’m wondering how helpful that would be for wanting to go into PM work at a tech company. Anyone have any career pivot advice? (Also I’m only 1.5yrs old in my career so I’m definitely still new, and I have previous experience as a project assistant).

like

Hey, does anyone work for Jacobowitz Newman Tversky? Would love to know more about the office and culture .

I’ve been a paralegal for about 30 years in private law firmS. As I get older, I feel like it’s time for a semi-career change. Either an office manager position or perhaps a corporate position where I can travel a little since my kids are grown and I’m an empty-nester. Has anyone made this type of transition? Advise welcome. TIA

like

90% of problems in the legal field would be solved if everyone set internal deadlines 2 days before the actual deadline 😭

like

Looking for a REMOTE Paralegal Position in the Colorado Springs, CO area - preferably in Family or Criminal Law - If anyone knows of anything. If someone knows of a recruiter in that area as well, please let me know!
TIA!

like

How do you know when it is time to move on. I am the only litigation paralegal billing over 2,500 a year consistently. Love the boss I work the most for but that person has grown distant. Staff reviews were supposed to be complete this week and no one has mentioned mine. Underpaid by about $30k per market value. Torn and confused.

like

Any struggling paralegals here? Do you feel like your financial situation is affecting your productivity at work? I like the work I do but the pay really sucks. I feel like the fear of not being able to pay some bills on time is affecting my productivity. I’ve asked for a raise but that may not still cut it, and idk if that will go through or not.

like

Corporate and IP paralegals what do you do on a daily basis and why do you think it’s so hard to break into these fields?

like

Starting Ropes and Gray in MA Corp. area. any warnings/ “a heads up” that I should be cautious of when starting? Any advice for someone just starting out to be successful? What’s the WLB like?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal