I never dreamed of being a paralegal growing up – I dreamed of being a teacher, an astronaut, a pastry chef or a princess (one child of mine with a big imagination). I think the best way to describe how I’ve chosen to live my life is to say that I’m in a hurry. I was married and needed a job – one that didn’t require physical labor, night or weekend work and where I had all my major holidays. thrown away. I opened the school catalog, flipped through it and landed on the page for “paralegal degree”. I thought “not bad health – good money, normal working hours, holidays off.” I. obtained a part of that right.
To explain what a paralegal is, borrow a line from the movie ” Eagle Eye” when Rachel explains to Jerry what a paralegal is: “The same that the guys with their names on the door, unless I do it for $11 an hour, so they can bill $200”. That sums up being a paralegal – we meet with clients, do legal documents and legal research. We cannot give legal advice or represent a client in court. Have you heard of paralegals for legal advice? I am sure that it is not difficult when you know the answer and the client pushes you to the answer; But the paralegal must always remember not to pass on the right legal advice. I know the answer and not my attorney? Of course, that happens many times with the “baby lawyer” (a name I give to the fresh, ready, and inept fellows I teach from ). it is something that cannot be taught in paralegal school or law school and after 22 years in this field I have learned much more than any paralegal training could hope to teach.
I’ve heard the term “glorified secretary” applied to paralegals, and we’d like to admit that it’s sometimes true. I can type, file, stuff envelopes, run errands, answer the phone and do the best of the best. In fact, it’s probably the most important piece of advice I can offer to anyone seeking a paralegal degree – learn to do everything from the ground up and make yourself far more valuable as an employee. They are cautious and stop doing what they can if their secretary calls them sick because they have no idea how to do what she does. It’s a great paralegal who can continue to do their job and make sure everything else is done, no matter who gets sick or drops the ball.
In fact, my first job as a paralegal was great – I had a receptionist/secretary to help me and I thought I looked great in my new suit and carrying my briefcase. It didn’t take her a few weeks to get me a few pins. I could verify the complaint and complete the legal investigation, but I didn’t have how many copies to send to the court or how many days to file a notice. So I vowed to learn more about his job so that I would never again feel inadequate when communicating with clients, the court, other paralegals or attorneys. I learned and now people come to me asking – what are their rewards and disadvantages (some days I wish people would forget my name).
I have worked at a law firm that deals with workers comp, auto accidents, personal injury, family law, probate law. ; property and now bankrupt by law. Something new struck me and I was green again on the first day of work. But, as before, I started as a receptionist and worked from there learning about each position’s duties, responsibilities and tips. It made me a better paralegal and a more valuable employee.
If you bet, the person who wrote this line in “Eagle Eye” was a paralegal because she pinned that job description more perfect
