Is anyone actually doing ok in this industry? I'm burnt out, and I can't think of anyone I work with who isn't. I can't tell if that means my firm is terrible or the industry as a whole is terrible, but I'm leaning towards the later.

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

I work for a sole practitioner with a small case load, so I don't feel burnt out for being over worked. But I do feel burnt out for being under paid and not having enough vacation days to rejuvenate.

like

I genuinely LOVE what I do. Are there times where I feel burnt out? Yes, absolutely. But when we settle a case or win at trial I get overwhelmingly happy that my work was for a purpose. At my last firm, for the first 2 years I felt very happy. And then I started feeling the way you were feeling because people weren’t pulling their weight, I felt like I was being taken advantage of and other factors so I stopped caring because I was being burnt out. I switched firms not too long ago and that feeling left completely. It may be your firm is terrible. Or it may be that the legal industry isn’t what you ✨love✨ and it might be time for a change. Or a long vacation

like

Your job doesn’t sound like it’s healthy for you or anyone else. Have you looked at the market in your area? It’s normal to have work to come back to, but not enough to deter vacations.

like

I’ve been in the bizz for just about a year, experience in three legal specialities. Personally, I’ve come to terms that the industry as a whole is not a match for me. I no longer want to go to law school and am much happier now chasing other goals in a different field. If your firm is terrible you can always apply elsewhere, but if you’re not on good terms with the industry then you have much less power. Bottom line is you shouldn’t be feeling constant burn out at work.

like

The legal field is naturally adversarial by nature, and that comes with drawbacks for sure. And it won’t be a good fit for everyone. But overall my office is great about managing workload and helping us avoid burnout (I’m public sector and Union, FWIW).

Take me with you! Lol

I also love being a paralegal and have been in litigation for 20 years. I can't say I've ever felt burned out, I actually love staying insanely busy; however, I also got, and took, vacation. Of course being a biller, I had to make up any billable that I needed to, but I normally billed around 2000 hours with a billable requirements of 1650.

I love the work. I do get stressed and annoyed sometimes but at that point I just walk away from my computer and take a breather. Also, take vacations and just days off to rest your mind if you can. If not, make sure you’re taking care of yourself in your free time. I think that will help with the burnout feeling.

Related Posts

Asked my company to move to a more expensive city- they’re allowing- but I really doubt I will get any more $ even though the cost of living is so much higher. Is this normal or do you think I should really push for an increase? Especially due to COVID I think my chances are slim

like

Can anyone share Separation teams's email in TCS ?

Tomorrow is LWD. No mail from Separation Officer yet.

like
like

What do I need to get into HBS?

like

How to improve efficiently/productivity in the office?

like

How do you differentiate imposter syndrome and actually being in over your head? I meet the requirements for the job I applied for… but the responsibilities seem daunting/slightly overwhelming.

like

What’s the interview process for Counsel roles?

like

Hi HR team,

If my application on workday went from interview in process to inactive application, does that mean I did not get the job?

I did not receive any rejection email from the system or HR. It just went from active to inactive. P&G uses workday

Any answers from HR is appreciated. Thank you!

.

likehelpful

How do you deal with international suppliers? We work with a company in Mexico for school supplies and they literally stopped responding to all communications after we sent them their yearly fee. We've worked with them for 3 years so this is definitelt weird, but who should I contact in case I don't hear back from them?

like

Apartment building recs near LoDo/RiNo in Denver?

Tech company I’m interviewing w/ asked for career history w/ name & contact of immediate supervisor, & if I’ll help set up reference calls. Don’t want my boss to know I’m interviewing. What to do?

like

Hey SF @salesforce folks 👋 wondering if anyone can weigh in on an offer I received for Bay Area and whether I can/should push for more. Role is senior manager in biz ops/strategy. 190k base, $65k RSUs over 4 years, bonus non-negotiable at 15% and no sign-on bonus. Thanks in advance!

like

How long does coforge take in order to release the offer?

Favorite cafes/bakeries and poutine spot in Montreal? 🇨🇦

like
like

Tips to bill more when there isn’t a lot of work coming in? I’ve asked for more work, but feel like no matter what I do I’m not billing many hours/not capturing time. Trying to maximize my value.

like

Switched from audit to advisory thinking I would like the job more. Well I don’t and now I’m thinking about completely changing paths and going to esthetician or cosmetology school. Am I crazy?? I’ve always had a passion for that type of stuff and think I would actually enjoying going to work if I did something like that.

like

I'm looking to go in house. What are some solid brands with good Chicago offices I could start exploring? (I'm new to the area).

like

Fishes,
I was selected for product based organisation but a third-party consultancy scheduled interviews and followed with them till offer release.
They(consultancy) are calling me sometimes and checking with me whether everything is good to join( i think they might get some money if I join)
But i see it was downgrade in technology in that organisation so I might not join in product company.
How do I convey them I have 20 days remaining?
Feeling guilty

like

Who ultimately decides the compensation offered to a candidate when being hired? Recruiter only? Hiring manager? Trying to figure out what aspects of the offer are owned by each person involved in the recruiting process (salary, sign-on bonus, level, etc).

like

Additional Posts in Paralegals

Is it ethical for an old job to reach out to you because they’re being audited and want specifics on a case that’s 2 years old? I left this job awhile ago and they can’t find something I did two years ago so now they want to know where it is. I don’t even remember this case since it was so long ago.

I think I am about to be going through a divorce. My husband and I have been "in the thick of it" for almost a year and the last couple weeks have shown me that things are not getting better. I think I'm at the end of my rope. I was having concerns 3 yrs ago, but really was able to confront issues this year. We've been married for 6 years, together 9, and have a 2 year old. I'm 30 years old. My family isn't super supportive. I'm nervous, scared, worried, all the things.

likehelpful

How do you make the switch from litigation to corporate when no firm will give you a chance to learn.

like

hey guys! just wondering what everyone’s case load is?

i’m working part-time (30 hours) and have about 79 active cases with 12 post-settlement.

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

What does everyone here to do to maintain work-life balance as a paralegal? I know it's a little bit silly of a question, but I am sincerely asking for advice.

like

I just wanted to take a moment to say “thank you” to all of you, each and everyone of you for being so willing to offer advice, suggestions, feedback, and for being so open and willing to share helpful information to all of us!

likeuplifting

Does anyone have any insight on being a paralegal with K&L Gates?

like

Anyone know a good paralegal headhunter for Boston/providence

like

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

How do you deal with the industry when you live in a small state (with only a handful of firms which practice the area you want to practice in) and in which ‘it’s not about WHAT you know, but WHO you know’?

Currently trying to argue pay rise (whilst looking elsewhere, but constricted because there aren’t a lot of firms where I’m based) when I know someone with the same job role and less experience is getting paid more simply because they know the partner outside of the firm.

like

Folks, taking a certificate course in paralegal studies does not make one a “certified” paralegal.

like

New to Fishbowl! How do folks find this app most useful?

like

Any advise on what a paralegal in the Bay Area should be paid when they have 3.5 years experience and a paralegal certificate. Plus bilingual.

like

I have a question for my fellow PI paralegals in Texas. TPCIGA requires that we submit all medical bills through the clients insurance before proceeding further. The client in question has Aetna. I sent the bills with a cover letter to Aetna via certified mail. I am having so much trouble getting a status on said claim. Does anyone here have experience with that and can assist me? Any help or guidance is appreciated.

like

I hit my one year at my company on the 15th of November. I had lunch with my boss on the 10th and he mentioned a raise but not how much or when it would be effective.

Flash forward to now, we’ve had 2 paychecks since then and I haven’t received anything. He said last week he would let me know this week, but I’m getting frustrated.

He’s raising my billing rate effective Jan. 1, and I’m worried I won’t get my raise until then. Anyone have something similar happen?

like

I am a paralegal interested in making the jump from litigation to Worker's Compensation. I don't have recent experience in WC but recall it was a lot of form work. Any Worker's Compensation experts here that can offer an opinion (is it a heavy lift) and run me thru some of your daily activities? I am in New Jersey. Thanks!

Going in-house was the best decision I have ever made. Never going back to a law firm 😅😅

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

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

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

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