Hi Veeky Forums

Hi Veeky Forums,

Any paralegals in here, friends with any, or those that have knowledge about the profession? I'm 28 years old and considering a career change. The law interests me, but I'm wondering if paralegal is a wise decision compared to going to law school.

Of course law school is very expensive, and much longer (3 vs 1 yr for para), but I'm confident that I have the grades to achieve that as well. However, from what I've read on the net, people shouldn't go to law school because they're "thinking about what to do", as it just leads to stress and unhappiness. Yes, the job market is awful, but an end goal would be private practice.

This is why I feel like a paralegal program would let me get my feet wet in law. Having said that, I also don't want to waste one year, or be ridiculed either (as it's a female-centric profession).

I appreciate any advice. (I'll also post in /adv/ but I feel like Veeky Forums posters will be more passionate about this topic). Thanks dudes.

Lawyer (certified counsel) here. I am not from N.America though, and my understanding of American system is a bit lacking. Nevertheless, I will try to help you.

You must judge the pros and cons before you decide. First of all, ask yourself when you'll want to be when you hit 40. If you want to have a private practice, or at least an independent position in a law firm, then I think that law school is a better option, since they give more comprehensive training. You will be taught different branches of law which may help you when you'll search for your own niche to fill. Practicing as a paralegal (which I understand as an assistant to lawyer) will give you practical knowledge from those branches of law that you patron is practicing. It may give you immense knowledge in this particular field (if your patron is good), but not necessary beyond that.

Also keep in mind, that in this profession relations and friendships are basically as important as knowledge and skills. You must be known in your environment to woo clients, including especially being referred to by professional colleagues. Ask yourself, where you'll forge more friendships - at law school or during practice?

>Of course law school is very expensive, and much longer (3 vs 1 yr for para)

What do you mean by this? In your jurisdiction practicing as a paralegal gives you same rights as finishing law school? Like access to the attorney exam?

Paralegal is basically a secretary. You carry shit to court to file, make copies, mail things out, and do stuff like that.

>a paralegal program
Do you need to do extra schooling to know how to read and write, and to follow simple directions?

>What do you mean by this?

Canadian here. Paralegal program is typically 1-2 years while law school is 3 years. That's all I meant.

>ask yourself when you'll want to be when you hit 40

I suppose I'm just wondering, if I decide to go to law school around 30...is that too old? Can I still become established by 40?

Thanks for the responses.

i'm a paralegal in the UK. it's basically the role of law clerk but given a sexier name because reasons. i still have to put my role as "law clerk" on court forms, though.

i started as a para at 34. it's pretty good work, and there is scope for advancement. paralegals here come in two forms: paras without degrees move up via CILEX (the legal exec route) whereas paras with degrees can go for training contracts (provided they got at least a 2:2 in my firm), but in general this requires a Graduate Diploma in Law (if you hold a degree other than a law degree) and an Legal Practicing Certificate.

Once you have your training contract with a firm, you sit a number of seats as a trainee solicitor and then once you've done that you emerge as an NQ solicitor.

Paras here tend to do a wide variety of work, depending on the sectors handled by their firm. Where i work, we pretty much do everything, so there is scope to move sideways to do anything from wealth management to planning and infrastructure, to commercial litigation, to regulatory work an all sorts of weird shit in between. In many cases paras even work their own files, under the supervision of solicitor, who signs everything off. In effect, you're doing a lawyer's work and making the day to day judgment calls those files require. law firms love this because while your headline rate (if billing hourly) is lower, iyou are paid much less and lots of paralegals can work cases under one or two solicitors. Also: if you're doing fixed fee work, getting paras to do the day to day makes even more economic sense.

You are right about the female heavy nature of the workforce. don't forget, however, that law work requires and attracts highly strung, pedantic nerds, so men are just as prne to bitchiness and drama as women.

other things to look out for: everything is couched in super friendly, passive aggressive tones, particularly if you're being told off.

you also have to factor in all of the client care, which is to say putting up with clients who are needy, incompetent, wrong, stupid or all of the above, and doing your best to represent their best interests.

there is also a lot of bitchiness and backbiting, especially amongst younger paras and lawyers who are fresh out of uni, and cluster into whispery little cliques. again, all conflict between these cliques is super passive aggressive because they're all a bunch of brittle nerds and bitch girls who think they're super smart because they're lawyers and overwhelmingly middle class. this applies to most of the men, too.

however, overall, it's pretty good work and the opportunity to move up or sideways is not to be taken lightly. i love being super honest to the client about how shit their position is and recommending ways to fix it. if you're a problem solver with an analytical mind and an eye for detail, the law is for you. all the other shit you can take or leave.

>Canadian here. Paralegal program is typically 1-2 years while law school is 3 years. That's all I meant.

If it doesn't give you an access to professional exam, then what's the point of building a career? Without the right to practice on your own, you are bound to be someone's else lackey for your entire career.

>if I decide to go to law school around 30...is that too old? Can I still become established by 40?

If you are good and have the necessary skills, you can become established in, like, 2 years. If you are not good, you won't until your retirement.

By 'necessary skills' I mean also skills for self-promotion and attracting attention. You won't go far without that.

There is a professional exam for paralegals but it's a completely divergent path from JD. Ehh I suppose paralegals can practice independently?

>necessary skills

Understood.

>Paralegal is basically a secretary

Yeah, secretary with a capital S I'm sure. How stressful a job is it compared to that of a lawyer's?

Paralegal has all the stresses of a certified lawyer with the bonus of having someone directly above you who may use you to vent his/hers own anger.

In both cases one mistake can break your career, although lawyer has much more ways to worm his way out.