I’ve worked as a paralegal for 20 years and have experience in many areas of law. Because of my experience level, I’m expected to perform at a high level. I feel like a jack of all trades, master of none. I want to be an asset to the team but I constantly feel like I’m re-learning my job. Does anyone else feel the s way?

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You’re stretched too thin. After 20 years you should be able to focus on one type of law and dig deeper into the details.

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If it were that easy. These days firms want a paralegal/legal assistant/practice assistant/legal secretary, all-in-one. That means a bunch of positions, one mediocre paycheck and expected to do whatever is thrown at you. Your length of experience doesn’t matter anymore with most. It’s more like here’s your assignment, just do it.

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I chased whatever paid the most and I am really shitty that insurance defense is where I landed.

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After 20 years with Am Law 50 firm, I’m learning small firms currently want a paralegal who can/will perform associate work while performing paralegal and legal secretary work.

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Welcome to the new world of a hybrid position. Employer wants a para certificate so they can bill but expects them to be a LPA too. 100% para jobs are hard to find. It has to be with a firm that has high value matters, thus high value clients, highly credentialed attorneys, and para with a steller CV. Think top ABA para program from a great as law school, legal certifications, leadership positions in Associations, published articles. What can the firm show on paper to the client why they are billing you out for as much as Jr. Associate at a smaller firm and why you are worth it. Those firms are not going to have you doing non-billable work. That would loose them money. Likely tje firm will have a three tiered paralegal structure. Also, I have been meeting para peers that went through specific training programs offered by law firms that gives them serious marketing strength. E.g. Sullivan & Cromwell and Cravath and White & Case. Also, My HR team salavates when one of them applies. Forget all the crap us normal paras have to do to make a nice resume. Note, Kostelanetz LLP offers a paralegal training program for those who want to go to law school. It is two years, pays $77k, you get bonuses and time off to study for the LSAT. I have met now attys that did that.

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