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Additional Posts in Paralegals
Do small law firms have paralegal managers?
Mentor
Mentor
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Paralegal is an excellent career path with many high-paying advanced jobs. I make 6 figures. I don’t want to be a lawyer.
What area of law?
Coach
Simply put: The market is already oversaturated with attorneys, some practice areas more than others.
A solid paralegal is worth their weight in gold and often is a critical resource for firms, which can be levied in regards to compensation offered. I know of some paralegals who are consistently paid more than associates.
As I explain to non-law friends: attorneys know the law, we just know how to practice it (as in we know how to communicate with Chambers/Clerks, filing things etc.) and often enough, some attorneys don’t know how to do what we do even though the tasks are admittedly basic.
The only time I seriously considered law school was because I was frustrated with the attorney that I was working for at the time as they were incredibly disorganized and I was tired of getting stressed out by the limitations of my position and their lack of planning despite my calendaring. Loved them as a person, but they should not have been in litigation.
Another reason why I won’t go is that the idea of my professional license being on the line anytime I have somebody else to do something for me was a little bit unnerving because we’ve all seen horror stories of paralegals. I don’t like the idea of investing so much into my education and professional career only to have it and my ability to take care of my family taken away because somebody didn’t feel like doing their job. 😂
Currently, I have an attorney who is a former paralegal so I don’t have to worry about them at all. It’s a refreshing feeling.
I don’t want any more homework 🤣
ADHD
I left out the part about my anxiety, depression, and mood disorder (goes hand in hand with ADHD). My symptoms are best managed when I eliminate triggers and stressors as much as I can. Making the switch from small firm Paralegal (lots of pressure) to big law Secretary (lots of help, extra hands, and resources) instead of to attorney, was the best move I ever made.
Mentor
The loss of income for three years with the loans on top of it would probably exceed $500k, and I would probably make less than I do now off the first couple of years of practice...at 40, the payoff for me would not be worth it.
At the end of the day, I also don't want the responsibility and stress of it all.
Generally paralegals aren’t expected to work nights and weekends regularly. As a paralegal I can take a vacation without responding to work emails. I also don’t want to be expected to network or bring in new business. Not to mention the cost and demands of law school. Also being responsible for things.
I kind of like not being the one to have final say on things and I don’t have to call the shots (so to speak), but on the other hand we also can’t give legal advice because we aren’t lawyers..
I don’t want that kind of stress. My job can be stressful but not to the extent of attorney stress.
Cost, I don't have the time to commit to law school (plus the closest one is over an hour away), I don't want to have to really be in Court. But I'm in CO and they have implemented a Limited Licensed Paraprofessional program where paralegals with adequate education and/or experience can sit for a mini "bar" exam on ethics and family law and then represent Clients in family law cases (with some limitations, such as not being able to examine witnesses and other specific case type issues), so for me that was a good (and less expensive alternative). I sit for the exam on 4/30.
I think it's for the better and allows for more people to secure representation. However, there are many attorneys against it which can be a difficult hurdle to overcome.
Tbh..kind of hard to justify taking 3 years out of your life to go to law school for 80% of which you already know.
I was in my mid-forties when I became a paralegal. I would have been too old by the time I would have finished law school and licensed. No firm would have hired me, even if I finished top of my class, and made law review and the Order of the Coif.
Secondary reasons would be my college grades sucked and neither of the two law schools near me would have admitted me. Ultimately, I simply did not want to go to law school and become a lawyer. Paralegal was fine for me.
First, you are never too old. I knew a nurse midwife who went to law school in her 40s and became a medical malpractice defense attorney and one of the BEST people I ever worked with in my entire life.
I cannot afford the tuition cost and I need less stress in my life,
My reason: I worked as a paralegal and realized that lawyers spend the majority of time sitting and waiting while paralegals do the fun work.
Money and stress
Expensive and after I’ve worked for several lawyers I just don’t want to do it anymore as I don’t find the work appetizing anymore. I like being a paralegal and doing the gritty work. I can make decent money as a paralegal and not be on so much debt.
I like being someone’s #2 and I’m pretty good at it.
Cost and I can only imagine my stress level
I like being a paralegal. Never had a desire to go to law school and work my way up in a firm. I’ve seen too much, I guess!
Time and cost
Debt