What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Paralegal

[@sweetleaf505]

I've been a legal assistant paralegal for over 30 years. My suggestion would be Plaintiff's medical malpractice. They make bank, it's the private sector and they are very generous. I would also choose a small firm over a large firm. Too much drama in larger firms. I've done the corporate attorney they are good for using the most up to date programs.

[@thelegaldiaries]

Interesting !!! I would’ve loved to do work in med mal

[@73cidalia]

I actually experienced more drama at a small PI firm than I did at a large corporate firm.

[@thekongstocks]

HA! It's not all about money - if that's your reason to push your suggestion then you might be pushing others into a a hostile or toxic work environment - if this isn't the case, then "THANK YOU!"

[@miamiflorida6965]

I was a paralegal for 25 years and did med mal defense for 12 years. Need to check out the Plaintiff side.

[@miamiflorida6965]

​@@73cidaliame too.

[@angelalawton1614]

I work in Health Law with older attorneys in a medium sized office. I have been in this office over 6 years and very thankful and grateful for my boss. Every Christmas us Paralegals get a bottle of bourbon, dinner party at Ruth Chris and 3,000-5,000 bonus. I completely agree, choosing your specialty of law is important as well as the office.

[@eliannestephaniepablootuya6368]

what requirements you need to be a paralegal?

[@romz11khan]

3000-5000 BONUS girl whattt sign me up

[@GerriWritesAbit]

It's the bonus for me wow!

[@bwilliams19ily]

I used to work at a law firm as a records clerk
, a major one across the globe . I currently work in healthcare and would love some advice to get into this field. I have a BS in CJ, and I now deal with ROI/

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

The firm I work for was established in 1346: we keep case files on The Black Death. We went parchment less around the time that Kaiser Bill fled for Doorn.

[@0JamesH]

I'm a student and just received a conditional offer for a summer co-op position at a big law firm in Toronto. Beyond excited for it - thanks so much for giving some insight into the working habits of older vs. younger firms and legal staff, it's a good thing for me to keep in mind.

[@thelegaldiaries]

That’s so exciting. I’d be stoked if I was you. Congratulations and good luck!!! Kill it.

[@ScarskyN]

Nice! I’m in Toronto too I’m hoping once I graduate I’ll be able to find a big firm in Toronto or York region lol

[@etoshia1962]

Thank you so much for this video! I was thinking that there was more research involved and mainly no client contact so what you said was very eye-opening. I really appreciate this video!

[@m.s.3798]

Good advice, I would add: know your duties! You are a paralegal aka legal assistant not a legal secretary. some attorneys don't know the difference and they pile on ways to much.

[@kikik9657]

How do the tasks of a Paralegal differ from a Legal Secretary?

[@career5690]

@@kikik9657Good question because I would like to know.

[@Abasi.Amin242]

@@kikik9657 The legal secretary "should" handle most of the clerical duties while the paralegal does most of legal research and preparation of legal pleadings, briefs and other duties. I placed "should" in quotations because if you're efficient and available it's going to be hard for the attorney not to pile clerical duties on you.

[@teodoratudzharova4284]

Thank you very much for sharing this valuable information! It’s great to hear from a paralegal that everything is learnable! That sentence breaks fear we experience before starting something new! Great video! Amazing attitude and very beautiful paralegal. I am sure your boss is proud of you and the clients are always happy to work with you! Keep doing such inspirational work! Much love ❤️

[@MsPinkIphone]

this was the sweetest reassurance ever, needed to hear this

[@hclarke630]

You learn from your mistakes I appreciate your perspective on this matter. Thank you for your honesty. It is what we need more us.

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you for your support!!! ◡̈

[@GREEN-SILVERSTREAMOFLIGHT]

Thank you for being so thoughtful and sincere. This is a great video!

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you for the kind words!!

[@jjjeeesssiiieee]

Another point is that no matter what 3 year or 30 year paralegal there will always be some mistake somewhere

[@jjjeeesssiiieee]

Because nothing is automated.

[@JessicaLescarbeault]

THIS! I'm a court clerk at my city's Courthouse and we have this retired lawyer who works with us (typical lawyer who is used to be busy all the time and doesn't know what to do with their own skin when they're retired, but who doesn't want the workload and the stress of being a lawyer anymore) and he is the best. He always says wise things and once I overheard him add to a discussion "and let's be honest, no one here never makes any mistakes" because they were talking about mistakes that had been made. I just love that he is so down to heart and so unerstanding and admits his own mistakes etc. in front on young paralegals and court clerk when he could be more arrogant and act like a senior who knows it all because he used to be a lawyer, you know. :)

[@jjjeeesssiiieee]

@@JessicaLescarbeault kudos to him ❤️☺️

[@nicoleglory7071]

i wish you did classes for advice!!! love your videos! i've been with my attorney for almost 5 months and he's been practicing law for 30 years so I can definitely relate to the older attorney Ways We do Workers Comp. and personal injury and there is a lot to learn.

[@thelegaldiaries]

Haha I’m so flattered, thank you. And how’s it going? Did anything catch you off guard??

[@leticiacarranza9662]

You’re amazing and inspirational. I enjoy your videos. I’m in the same field and when I start getting in my head I’ll watch a video. Great job😊

[@thelegaldiaries]

Aw thank you!! That is so sweet.

[@Roadrunner816]

I don’t usually comment on videos but this is outstanding. Thank you for taking the time to make such a high quality, informative video.

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you I really appreciate it!!!!

[@SunniBhoney]

Your videos helped me so much. I’m so in my head right now. I have my bachelor degree in science of CJ. I got my first legal job this year in January. I work for a nonprofit legal aid program and tonight I was offered a paralegal position from an attorney who runs his own firm. New firm(4yrs) and it sounds like any amazing fun group of attorneys. I’m scared to b/c I thought I wanted to do digital forensic but now I’m super interested in FL and feel more connected in FL practice than I would with CL. I’m not sure what to do

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you for your support. OMG congrats on the offer! I wish I had seen this sooner. How is it going?? If it was me, I would have jumped into the opportunity, it sounds fun, but I know there are a lot of factors to consider.

[@Sprado-sx9bi]

This video really helped ease alot of worries.

[@airalizweeks685]

This was super helpful. Thank You 🙂

[@thelegaldiaries]

My pleasure!

[@SeedHouse-zv3qi]

Be consistent, communicate and be present! And be there for the client!

[@banaanara6980]

Love this video, and it's so true some in law firms are not too nice or think they are above. I don't get why they just can't give me what I need and be gone with it 😂 ...

[@tyraedmonson9677]

Súper Helpful. Thanks !

[@gabequezada2066]

what a fantastic video.. thank you

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you!!

[@jjjeeesssiiieee]

This is a very accurate representation of being a paralegal

[@ShaadJMack]

Thank you so much!

[@amf_2171]

I feel like we work for the same attorney. I've been with my old attorney for almost 5 years. He is VERY old school as well and hand writes all his motions, discovery, etc., which means I get to type it all! (We barely switched to filing and serving papers also due to COVID). He is close to retiring, so now I'm getting sort of nervous when thinking about working for a younger firm. I feel like I will be the old school one now and I'm only 30 😂 I've been thinking of going to classes or maybe just watching RUclips videos on how things are ran in a younger firm.

[@thelegaldiaries]

😂😂😂 that’s so funny lol but they are inspiring for working at that age. I wonder what it’s like to work at a younger firm as well

[@teodoratudzharova4284]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I think that you are going to be great! Very experienced in old school, with a solid foundation and you will easily switch to the new and easy computer systems. Good luck ❤

[@livingonhighvibe]

I'm taking a paralegal certificate course next month and I know I am cut out for it. If I like being a paralegal, I'll do the law school. I am firm and to the point by nature and my previous careers require one (for advancement) to be overly bubbly, put up a facade, and get things done by not being direct and firm. Sure, I have improved on those skills and they are an important tool in my toolbox to get certain personalities do things I need them to do, but my natural personality is that of the typical legal professional.
I am super excited to be getting into this. I've been in law firms and courts before, my ex is a lawyer who was a paralegal for about 10 years prior to that. I just sued someone in small claims and won, enjoyed the process. Now collecting debt and instead of being annoyed and thinking of it as a hassle, I take it as a learning experience and also notice I am not as emotional as I expected myself to be. I think it's good. Good signs of this being an amazing opportunity for me.

[@carrayahcoleman8801]

Great video !

[@cedricmoore8053]

Great video

[@Jessica-iv2gp]

Hello, so for someone who is coming from the insurance adjuster industry, I was once a pre lit insurance adjuster. Will it be difficult for me to get into being a litigation paralegal without having experience at a “law firm”? Thanks

[@maryjanesuarez2371]

HII just came across your page and I love your open and informative vids!! Can you do a business attire / firm attire video?? I feel like I always struggle with this and there are not too many videos on that

[@thelegaldiaries]

Yesssss that’s on my list!! Thanks for your support!

[@hotwireman49]

I started working for a family law attorney in 1991. Did this kind of work most of my adult life and even as recently as a year ago, I worked for a couple of attorneys in arkansas. Most of my experience was in Los Angeles. So yeah I moved to Oklahoma I had an interview with an attorney in the little town where I live. He offered me $12 an hour. I started at $10 an hour in 1991. I wouldn't advise anybody to become a paralegal unless you're young and you live in a city. There is no money in this profession and it is dead end. Just become an attorney and get it over with. I'm 66 years old and in school to become a nurse. I wish I would have done it decades ago

[@claireeeeeeee743]

I’ve been super interested in this field since I’ve been little. Are there any tips and resources for a young person to get a head start on learning what you need to become a paralegal? Any advice for finding an internship for colleges? If possible any advice to get a scholarship for this field?

[@GovtWatchdog]

It very much depends on the firm and area of law you work in. In some you will just be a supportive assistance and always in the shadows. In others you will literally be mistaken as an attorney because you basically do all the legal work and are always the one contacting the client. You will likely not make good money as a paralegal unless you take on the role of the attorney.

[@shaeashley8907]

I just found your channel and love it ❤ I'm in my 30s and I'm a stay at home mom right now 10+ yrs ago I was going to go to a local community College for paralegal but life had other plans I've always had it in the back of my mind but I'm so scared to go back to school feel like I'm too old or out of touch with the "work" world. Do you have any advice?
Hope you are having a great day

[@monetschannel5962]

I’m in the same position! I’m 35 I work from home now started years ago and as you said life had other plans. I start back in August and although I’m nervous I’m excited for the journey! I say go for it!

[@ew1544]

Never too old; get that out of your head. Go for it.

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you! You're a super mom!!!! And you are never "too old". I had a classmate in undergrad that was in his 50's and we all loved him! Life is too short to be letting age get in the way of your dreams. Let me know how its going please◡̈

[@thelegaldiaries]

@@ew1544 Great advice

[@thelegaldiaries]

@@monetschannel5962 YES! Go for it 100%!

[@user-ml8im3zd7s]

Pretty and smart god bless you ❤️❤️❤️

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thanks for your support!

[@tracyfulton64]

I graduate in October and want to know how to start looking for a good firm. I have no idea what I want to specialize in, so yeah.

[@savagesweetheart90]

Should I take notes when it's my first day when the attorneys and paralegals are showing me around the firm? I'm currently in school and graduating at the end of the year, so I'm looking for a potential job. Thanks

[@thelegaldiaries]

Yes 100%%%%%%!!!! Congrats on graduating

[@miamiflorida6965]

No, not while they're introducing you.

[@maureen5907]

What is the difference between a litigation specialist and a paralegal? Can you make a video about that?

[@ErinPetersen-wt5km]

Hi: Paralegal in IP for the past 10 years here - I've learned that at least for our Firm, the only difference between a "Specialist" and a paralegal is the title, your billable hour rate, and billable hour expectation. In our firm, we transitioned the patent paralegals to patent specialists, which allowed the firm to lower their billable hour expectation and charge less for their services, but their actual work product did not change. Our Firm is HUGE and practices in many areas of law, so expecting a patent prosecution paralegal to pull in as much money as corporate litigation, for example, was not met year after year, so the firm changed it up by implementing the specialist title (otherwise, all paralegals in the same tier are held to the same standards and expectations)

[@thelegaldiaries]

@@ErinPetersen-wt5km Thanks for helping out!! Also your experience is so impressive

[@originalkingdomhearts]

As long as they pay you for over time then it's fine. Cause it's illegal to expect your workers to work extra for free.

[@reptilemetaljen]

If you’re salary it doesn’t matter but if you’re hourly they have to pay overtime

[@originalkingdomhearts]

@@reptilemetaljen Good point, how does salary work? is it like for hire kinda thing where you agree on a price and that is what you get?

[@mysweetenerworld]

I’m doing court interpreting and I recently started working on my paralegal associates. Is it possible to work in both fields or a combination of both?

[@thelegaldiaries]

I have no idea but you could probably do a combination if you do part time in both, but that’s so cool!!! Icon

[@shewitabraham4285]

Are u in canada? I need ur advice! I will be doing some interpreting for the IRB.

[@capitalistche]

as someone who worked in law, may I ask if age 23 is too old for going back to college and get a Bachelors and JD to become a lawyer? were there any starting attorney’s in their 30s that you knew of? thank you

[@khanp2420]

No its absolutely not! And with sqe route to becoming a solicitor it's so much easier now! My advice: do a paralegal level 3 or 4 diploma instead and get an entry level job as legal assistant or volunteer till you do then grow professionally and decide how far you wanna go! Hope this helps but defo not too old go for it! 💕

[@jessesoto8887]

Dont do it

[@quoconut5788]

Remember Mike Ross was 29 in season 1 there’s still time, never give up

[@gabyhernandez4215]

My lawyer started her law career at 38… she is now way older and said it was the best decision she made :) good luck!

[@hotwireman49]

​@@jessesoto8887😂

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

“My boss was super old”. Huh! When my boss was called to the bar a sentence of drawing and quartering for High Treason against the Crown was ‘de riguer’...

[@lhc81]

Is anyone able to provide me an advice?
I have a law degree in Brazil and I’ve been living in Los Angeles for 6 years.
I’d like to take the BAR exam but I need a LLM program which one is very expensive for me now.
I thought started as a paralegal to build a career in the legal field could be a good idea and I’m going to start next month an associate degree in paralegal. After that I’ll take the Nala exam to get a paralegal certificate.
Does anyone think this is a good path? How to find a job as a legal assistant or paralegal with no experience? I’m 42 years old, my age could be an issue?

[@gabyhernandez4215]

Take a short paralegal course. And apply to legal assistant jobs. After a year apply for a paralegal position. You don’t need a degree or pass the bar for this.

[@xeniaberry7322]

Can I hire a paralegal to help me with my divorce discovery when I already have a lawyer who is moving slowly on taking care of my case? Thanks

[@thelegaldiaries]

From my knowledge, no. You can’t hire a paralegal that isn’t working with your lawyer. You can bring up these concerns to your lawyer and he should technically explain why it is slow. Keep in mind discovery does have certain LONG deadlines, so that may be why the other side hasn’t produced documents as of yet. None of this is legal advice, just general knowledge.

[@jenniferschiavi1261]

Wonderful video very informative! I have a question so I'm 40 wanting to start classes for paralegal and thinking family law.. am I crazy? Am I too old?!

[@thelegaldiaries]

You’re never too old! In my opinion if you have the means and you are really passionate about it, then why not do it?!

[@user-oc7rn3uj3j]

I am entry level paralegal w my associates and I only get paid $10 an hour. Is that normal?

[@thelegaldiaries]

It depends on your location, but that sounds very low considering you have your associates. You can find out how much other people with your same qualifications are making in your area and if it’s much higher I would consider speaking with your boss

[@jnav7605]

I have arm tattoos, do you think that would hinder my opportunities in becoming a paralegal?

[@thelegaldiaries]

Maybe. It’s all subjective. I’d suggest covering up for the interview to play it safe and then feeling out how the culture at the firm is for the next few months.

[@cjbiewer1]

It really depends on the firm. My attorney (the managing partner) has half sleeves, the paralegal has arm tattoos, and I'm the legal assistant with two tattoos, nose piercing and nine ear piercings.

[@ErinPetersen-wt5km]

Depending on the firm and location. In Chicago, it doesn't really matter - I have arm and neck tattoos and had purple and blue hair at some point - but I still brought in the $$$ and that's what matters. I'd recommend dressing modestly for interview and first few months of work to establish your excellent work ethic. I always planned to decry "diversification" if anyone ever said anything to me about my hair/ink - but I've never had to play that card ;)
.

[@ScarskyN]

What if you have hand and finger tattoos

[@chomskyjunior]

ur so awesome

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you!!’

[@spiceyyburritos]

Can you be a part time paralegal? Or is this mainly just a full time job

[@thelegaldiaries]

You can be part time but I think most firms will want full time because of the caseload!

[@JDMSTaxKing]

The difference in communication regarding how paralegals express their thoughts compared to law grads is equivalent to night and day. lol, I remember my pre law paralegal program. Yikes!

[@Ashleybabyy436]

Do you have to go to college? If not did you get a certificate?

[@thelegaldiaries]

Hi! You don’t have to go to college to be a paralegal. However, I did go to college and earned my bachelors degree. I know that some people do Paralegal courses or get the actual paralegal degree

[@annelisep7843]

@@thelegaldiarieswhat is your bachelors degree if you don’t mind me asking?

[@user-nb9sp6qx5z]

You give me Rachel from suites vibes lol

[@thelegaldiaries]

That’s a huge compliment hahahahah

[@user-nb9sp6qx5z]

@@thelegaldiaries it is ! I can’t say the same about the rest of the paralegals so that’s something haha !

[@edwardsmith7396]

Thanks.. very intelligent commentary and great suggestions.... one thing. I found that I was distracted by the sweater that you were wearing. It looks like it is inside out... actually it is just the design, but I found it distracted me from your great video. Thanks.

[@marcialee8446]

Im 57 and i could never go back to old school!

[@marcialee8446]

Also, thanks to the structure of my firm, there is no need for competition. That's ridiculous. At the end of the day, we all get a paycheck.

[@marcialee8446]

Yes. All those older people had a first day too. You are totally capable

[@marcialee8446]

Definitely tell them when something goes wrong or needs to be escalated to the attorney. They are going to find out anyway, it's best you let them know. They appreciate that, and it adds value in their eyes.

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you for all the comments and so true! Competition is ridiculous and at the end of the day it’s not that serious! Work should be a happy place

[@recoveringparalegal]

Your comments about working with other paralegals, and how some don't want to help. "It's interesting."

[@thelegaldiaries]

Thank you!

[@WillMagnus]

@TheLegalDiaries My attorney is exactly the same way! He is 84 years old, and we currently just have digital back ups of our physical files!

[@thelegaldiaries]

LOL its so painful.. But we love our older bosses!

[@cocomarineblu993]

Wow still practicing at that age, that’s great!

[@jessies16]

Lynsey sturges

[@ajjimenez8701]

Things I wish I knew before watching this video: Its 12 minutes of complaining. 🙄

[@thomasmavin8340]

I have 0 experience no idea about any of this stuff, can i still learn and do well?

[@ninidecoss2633]

i had no office experience whatsoever 22 and i met my attorney boss when i wanted to notarize a paper and he liked me so much that he hired me and this is my third week i have definitely frustrated him (hes older attorney) but i am hopeful and eager to learn more and adjust. with all jobs you need practice to perfect soo my boss shows me once and expects me to learn it quick but i need practice asking more questions thats really important

[@samschannelish]

Hi I was wondering, do legal document preparation specialists also have lots of contact with clients?

[@candykizz3z68]

Be honest with me .. I’m 30 right now … is it too late to look into being a paralegal 😭🥹? Is it really expensive to go to school for it ?

[@elissajohnson]

It is not too late! Not all employers require paralegal-specific education and you can often start out as a legal assistant. Apply around!

[@cocomarineblu993]

30 isn’t old. Most people don’t start as a first years as a lawyer until 27-31/32 depending on when they graduate. So not sure what you are worried about. You still have at least at 37 year career ahead of you if retirement age is 67. Best of luck now go get that certificate.

[@giavannapardo7078]

I’m 34 and went back to school at 29/31 (life happened so I had to tend to medical issues and start again at 31). Got done by 32, and took odd jobs over those two years doing court running, dictation agent, and document proofing jobs. Finally (34) paid off now I’m a Legal Operations Processor reviewing legal orders across the U.S. for compliance on providing records requests and am on track to working my way into a paralegal position within the organization.
Long story long I took odd jobs within the legal framework, and got a paralegal degree that was ABA approved because I had no experience and it helped me land where I am now and on track to being a Paralegal. Just sharing my approach as someone who started over from a career I was in for 13 years.

[@amf_2171]

I'm 30 and I have been looking at going back to school to get my certificate. I've been working with a firm for about 5 years now as a Legal Secretary, so I do feel like it would be stupid of me not to get my certificate. Time is going to pass by anyways! We might as well get it done and have a good secure job under our belt!

[@amitdwivedi2200]

@@elissajohnson Can we get part time jobs in Toronto or other cities related to paralegal if we enrolled in this course ?