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re: Is a paralegal a bitch job
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:51 pm to justaniceguy
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:51 pm to justaniceguy
I know a guy who is a disbarred attorney due to a Grand a theft conviction. He works as a paralegal doing personal injury cases. Nice guy but he is very clearly ethically challenged.
0
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:53 pm to Epaminondas
quote:
They are like the nurses of the legal world
Maybe like an LPN. Not an RN.
A good paralegal is like a doctor in residency or physician assistant. Such paralegals can make good money at a large firm.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:54 pm to justaniceguy
If it allows one to be a productive member of society so how can it be criticized.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:55 pm to Epaminondas
quote:
Maybe like an LPN. Not an RN.
That depends. Some firms just use secretaries that have gotten enough experience to "move up".
In our firm, there is a distinct difference between secretaries/assistants and paralegals. My paralegals can research, draft, investigate and deal with clients if I am unavailable. One of the biggest benefits are the ones with a Rolodex full of friends and former co-workers in other firms, they can often get information that would take me a week to get from posing counsel within an hour. Our paralegals start at about $45k and one of mine is making $87k and two in the firm are approaching $100k a year. Most of our young hires have an associate's degree and a few have BAs. The rest are promoted secretaries with a good deal of experience or lateral hires from useful related industries ie one section has a couple of former insurance adjusters working as paralegals.
The exact job description varies from firm to firm. Two of mine I trust more for in-office work than 90% of our 1st and 2nd-year associates.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:56 pm to justaniceguy
It varies a lot. Some are basically secretaries, and others do legal research, draft legal documents, put together exhibits for trial, interview witnesses, etc.
And you don't have to pass a licensing test or have any special education to call yourself a paralegal. There are paralegal courses, and you can earn a "paralegal certificate" from a community college or such, but it is not required by law. Many employees who start as secretaries will start calling themselves a paralegal as they take on more tasks.
And you don't have to pass a licensing test or have any special education to call yourself a paralegal. There are paralegal courses, and you can earn a "paralegal certificate" from a community college or such, but it is not required by law. Many employees who start as secretaries will start calling themselves a paralegal as they take on more tasks.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:56 pm to biglego
quote:
A good paralegal is like a doctor in residency or physician assistant.
Nah. PA’s can write RX’s and hold their own clinic.
Paralegals don’t have any kind of authority like that
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:57 pm to kywildcatfanone
quote:
If you like getting the attorney coffee, go for it.
This aint 1990
Any lawyer who has a great paralegal is terrified of losing her.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 6:59 pm to biglego
quote:
A good paralegal is like a doctor in residency or physician assistant
No way. A PA has an advanced degree and the majority are making over $100K a year.
This is not to say that good paralegals are not extremely valuable
This post was edited on 2/2/21 at 7:00 pm
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:05 pm to justaniceguy
They're essential and excellent job stability. Ours don't work after hours unless we're filing late or if we have trial. They can also make bonuses based on billings (if you're in biglaw).
I wouldn't trust one with legal advice.
I wouldn't trust one with legal advice.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:07 pm to Twenty 49
quote:
others do legal research, draft legal documents,
If I were a client, I would not skimp on these tasks by insisting that a paralegal handle them (aside from preparing boilerplate/form pleadings) - particularly, research, which can be critical to how you develop your entire litigation strategy.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:07 pm to Epaminondas
quote:
They are like the nurses of the legal world
Maybe like an LPN. Not an RN.
Not even an LPN. More like a medical assistant. They just go and get a certification. Nurses have to go to school and graduate. RN's are in school for 4 years of college.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:11 pm to financetiger
Fum fact: my cousin is an RN, a paralegal and has an MBA. She works in the compliance department of a medical school.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:14 pm to tgrbaitn08
quote:You got a lot of downvotes for this statement but it’s spot on.
You might as well be a secretary or an administrative assistant
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:14 pm to SlowFlowPro
quote:
there are paralegals i'd hire before the attorney they worked for
Yep.
Not going to lie. Our firm has some first and second year attorneys with Ivy League law degrees, and I trust some of our paralegals over those first and second years.
Is a a paralegal more or less an admin job? Yes, but a good one is very valuable.
This post was edited on 2/2/21 at 7:16 pm
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:14 pm to Geauxtiga
quote:
You got a lot of downvotes for this statement but it’s spot on.
Nope.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:15 pm to financetiger
quote:
Not even an LPN. More like a medical assistant. They just go and get a certification. Nurses have to go to school and graduate. RN's are in school for 4 years of college.
It’s not about a paralegal’s schooling. It’s about what a paralegal does and how a paralegal assists the attorney. A good paralegal is to a lawyer what a RN or PA is to a doctor.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:16 pm to Twenty 49
Depends on the firm size and type. Small personal injury firms may use them as high HP legal secretaries, but big firms and in-house legal counsel use them right and pay them 6 figs if they have good experience.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:21 pm to justaniceguy
The majority of paralegals I've dealt with are women. They are usually under 32 years old and attractive, or frumpy women 40+.
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:22 pm to brewhan davey
quote:
If I were a client, I would not skimp on these tasks by insisting that a paralegal handle them
Nah broheim. My paralegal drafts MSJ’s and Daubert motions on the daily. shite is child’s play. I leave the heavy lifting like motions to compel to the lawyers
Posted on 2/2/21 at 7:23 pm to justaniceguy
my sister did that for a while. she loved doing it but worked her arse off.
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