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Do small law firms have paralegal managers?
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I started as a paralegal volunteer at the San Diego Hall of Justice, but the position was not paid. However, this position opened door for me in terms of moving on to a federal gov. position at the Securities & Exchange Commission in DC. I say learn as much as you can about the court system and statutes, state, local, or gov. according to whatever area of the law you are interested in. Pick two areas of law as gov. employers like people who are well-rounded. Practice doing legal research using Westlaw, Lexis, and some of the newer legal research apps which you will need at some point to look up stuff. If criminal law interests you as you state, yes, apply at your local DA's Office, it is prestigious, a great learning experience and a good starting point that will help you build a ton of credibility and experience. I really enjoyed seeing our cases in court play out (I worked in the Economic Crimes/Real Estate Fraud div.) and it was fascinating. Sounds like you're onto something great and I really think that there are far worse jobs than being a paralegal, I don't regret not going to law school at all. Also, the pay for someone with a few year's experience is hovering around $80-100k or more. Start simple, be humble and learn all you can, that would be my best advice. Best of luck to you in your wonderful upcoming career.
Thank you for your thoughts! Luckily the clerk position is paid, though the paralegal intern program with the DA’s office is unpaid of course. I’m glad it sounds like it’s not too challenging to move around once in the government space. I’m a little apprehensive that my time spent with the clerk role would set me back, had I initially waited for a paralegal role, but I’m grateful to have any job offer in hand in this job market, and luckily the court role is still tangently related to where I want to go.
Sounds like you’ve had a great career in the field, and well deserved!