Erin Brockovich talked herself into a paralegal job wearing short skirts and low cut blouses. The other 99% of us in the legal profession would never get away with that. Perhaps you think The Law sounds glamorous and exciting. It sounds like a noble and honorable profession. You’ve watched TV shows like Boston Legal or So Help Me Todd and you think you’ve got a pretty good handle on what a paralegal does. You see paralegals running around looking like junior executives, seemingly the power behind the throne, so to speak. You think you know what it's like to be a paralegal, right?
Wrong. If you’ve never worked in a law office you have no idea what a paralegal does. None.
I have been a Litigation paralegal since 1985. I’ve worked for small firms and big firms and sole practitioners. I’ve worked in two corporate law departments. I’ve also done marketing for law firms. I’ve been treated like an associate and like a secretary. For years, I kept a pair of tennis shoes in my desk drawer so I could run to the courthouse and file pleadings – now, thankfully, most things can be filed online. I’ve been tasked with making thousands of copies of records, picking up lunch for everyone in a deposition, and writing voir dire questions for jury selection.
Most of the attorneys I’ve ever worked with were nice, decent folks. Some were not. At the job where I made the most money in my career, I usually cried at some point, every day. I lasted 18 months there.
No matter how skilled or experienced a paralegal you are, you will NEVER be promoted to attorney. You will likely never make a six-figure salary, unless you work for a really big firm at least 10 years.
Before you read any further, ask yourself the questions below. If the answer to any of these questions is no, stop reading. Forget paralegal school. Do something else.
Can you sit at a computer for 8 hours a day?
Are you highly organized and meticulous about details?
Can you type at least 55 wpm?
Can you be happy in a job where no matter how hard you work you will likely not advance, even though you may make more money after 5-10 years?
Are you fine with being treated like a secretary? [some attorneys will always view you as a glorified secretary and have you typing up dictation and/or standing at a copy machine for hours]
Would you be able to be businesslike and polite while on the phone with a screaming, cursing client?
Can you forgive a supervisor who couldn’t care less about your birthday or your relationship issues or any personal issue you might have? [some attorneys are like that]
Are you okay with being asked to pick up lunch for everyone in the office, or pick up an attorney at a car dealership, or make coffee for your attorney every morning? [in smaller towns, at smaller firms, you are likely to make less than $50K a year even after many years of employment, and they may ask you to do a lot of things you think shouldn’t be in your job description]
Do you have excellent writing and research skills?
Are you fine with the idea of writing down every single task you do, every single day?
Are you good with working all weekend or on Thanksgiving or Christmas if your boss is getting ready for trial, and I mean 8-12 hours a day, at the office?
Do you know Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe and Word, intermediate or advanced level?
Do you speak Spanish or would you be willing to learn?
Are you okay with having to learn new software every time you change jobs?
If you answered [honestly] yes to all those questions, keep reading.
Did you know there are many kinds of paralegals? It’s not all about lawsuits and courtroom drama. Only Litigation Paralegals get to [sometimes, maybe once a year] go to trial. I have been a Litigation Paralegal since 1985.
You will have to decide what kind of law appeals to you. Below are the kinds of paralegals out there, and most of these descriptions are taken from actual job ads [if I leave a category out, sorry]:
Litigation Paralegal:
- Obtains, reviews, analyzes, and summarizes legal documentation pertaining to cases.
- Schedules depositions and other meetings with clients, witnesses, experts, opposing counsel, court reporters and others.
- Identifies, locates, interviews, and evaluates potential experts and sends expert packages to parties for review.
- Tracks requests for documents and regularly follows up on progress of receipt.
- Regularly reviews files and proactively works to move cases forward.
- Documents files and updates clients when necessary regarding status of case.
- Participates in all aspects of discovery and file or trial preparation as required by supervisor.
- May prepare draft discovery documents.
- Maintains an expert database and researches opposing counsel’s experts.
- Makes travel arrangements and provides directions and other necessary information to attorney.
- Performs research pertaining to legal issues and precedents related to particular cases.
- Files documents with the various courts.
- Performs clerical duties such as typing and filing to the extent required to produce work product or assure proper organization of case files.
- Enters billable time into computer on a daily basis. [you have to write down every task, daily]
- Ensures all functions are performed in exact accordance with applicable client guidelines.
In the Litigation category there are many different subspecialities. Here are some:
Personal injury – people injured in a car accident, or falling in a store, etc.
Medical Malpractice – when someone sues a doctor or medical facility that has caused injury to them, like given them the wrong medication
Business – lawsuits involving business disputes, like a non-compete clause in a contract
Employment – when someone sues their employer for discrimination or harassment of some kind, and usually they have been terminated
Workman’s Compensation -- a person injured at work sues to get money
Family Law – Paralegals handle all the paperwork involved in divorces, child custody disputes, adoptions. There is usually a lot of client contact and clients often are unhappy because they are going through emotionally difficult times. You have to develop a professional distance.
OTHER AREAS OF LAW:
Real Estate – Real estate paralegals provide paralegal support to real estate lawyers, realtors, corporations, and banks. They prepare closing checklists for property sales, review purchase offers, and analyze title documents. They may also provide clients with updates on property leases, purchases, or sales.
Corporate – A corporate paralegal works specifically on matters of corporate law. Corporate paralegals have a familiarity with many aspects of business, such as contracts, finance, bankruptcy, securities, trademarks and patents. It’s a role that basically handles the paperwork for big business and makes sure that every decision and move made by the company is not only recorded but is legal and above board.
Wills, Estates & Probate:
- Assist estate planning attorneys in drafting wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and other estate planning documents based on client instructions.
- Conduct thorough research on relevant laws, regulations, and statutes related to estate planning and trust administration to provide accurate and up-to-date information to attorneys and clients.
- Prepare and organize client files, ensuring all relevant documents and information are properly documented and accessible.
- Schedule client meetings, maintain attorney calendars, and assist in coordinating appointments and follow-ups.
- Communicate with clients professionally and empathetically to gather necessary information and keep them informed about the progress of their estate plans.
- Assist with the funding of trusts, including transferring assets and updating beneficiary designations.
- Review and proofread legal documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with established standards and procedures.
- Prepare and file legal documents with appropriate courts and government agencies as required.
- Coordinate and manage estate planning workshops, seminars, and client events.
Intellectual Property [patents, trademarks] A paralegal will be tasked with such legal responsibilities as assisting clients with trademark and service applications, filing patent documents and applying for copyrights for various types of intellectual property. A paralegal will also need to routinely perform intellectual property research and assist supervising lawyers with intellectual property litigation after the client’s IP has been infringed upon.
Criminal Law – Criminal law paralegals need to be familiar with the basic classification of crimes, as well as the legal procedures surrounding search and seizure, arrest, bail, and probation. In criminal law, a paralegal may:
- Conduct witness interviews
- Pursue legal research for a case
- Prepare documents
- Assist a lawyer in preparing for a trial
- Draft complaints, motions, or briefs in criminal proceedings
Immigration Law -- Immigration paralegals provide paralegal support to immigration attorneys. Their responsibilities include managing caseload intakes, filing visa applications for permanent residency, and preparing nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petition packages for review. They may also be required to respond to immigration inquiries. Most jobs want you to be fluent in at least one other language, usually Spanish.
FOR ALL PARALEGALS: Here are some attributes employers want their paralegals to have – taken from actual job ads:
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients, adjusters, medical providers
- Proficiency with word perfect/ms word
- Handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost professionalism and discretion
- Fast/accurate typing and transcription skills [most attorneys won’t make you transcribe]
- Working knowledge of case management software,
- Detail oriented
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Professional/ pleasant phone skills
- At least one year of experience in automated litigation support
- Basic knowledge of federal and state court system, legal research procedures, and legal research resources
- Knowledge of legal research tools such as LEXIS and Westlaw
- Must have hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, including word processing, databases (such as document review and file management systems), spreadsheets, imaging, and hardware systems
- Familiarity with ESI tools and knowledge of e-discovery procedures and resources
- Self-motivated and proactive, working as a team player
- Can manage a high-volume case load, while prioritizing other responsibilities
- Enjoys speaking with clients and providing “above and beyond” customer service
- Must have completed an ABA-approved paralegal certificate program such as an Associate’s degree or proprietary school program in paralegal studies, Bachelor’s degree desired
Conclusion: If none of this scares you or sounds intimidating, you may be ready to start researching paralegal schools. There are a lot of programs out there, and I can't advise which ones are best, but in my opinion you want an ABA [American Bar Association] approved program, if possible. Some firms will help you pay for a paralegal certificate if you are in an admin type of role. There are programs that are totally online.
Most of what you learn in school you will never use in real life. Most of your teachers will be attorneys, but they will not be very helpful at teaching you what you really need to know. You will have a hard time finding a first job and will likely have to go in as some sort of receptionist or admin and work your way up.
Good Luck!

MY PROFESSIONAL BIO
Dee Thompson graduated from the National Center for Paralegal Training in Atlanta many years ago, when there were virtually no paralegal training programs in the USA. Armed solely with knowledge of corporate law, she found herself completely ignorant of litigation, but when she landed her first career paralegal job she had to learn litigation, FAST. In the years since, she has worked for small firms, large firms, sole practitioners, and in corporate legal departments. She currently works as an employment law paralegal at Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown, a plaintiff's employment law firm in Atlanta. When not working as a paralegal, Dee is a freelance writer and novelist. She lives in Atlanta and enjoys reading, movies, and cooking.
Dee Thompson is the author of Paralegal 411: Tips, Tricks and Timesavers for the Litigation Paralegal
and her latest novel, Dancing in the Wreckage, features a main character who is an Atlanta attorney
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