| Topic Name: |
Too Late? |
| Message Name: |
paralegal |
| Date Posted: |
06/03/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
I wrote the initial message in this topic. Just a general question- What kind of opportunities exist at a large law firm (Winston & Strawn for example) for somebody with only an undergrad degree and an interest in the law? Other than being an office boy (or girl, for the pc folks), are there roles (in general, of course) that would allow me to make around
$30-35K (in Chicago)? |
| Message: |
With a college degree, you can go to a paralegal school for a few months (go to an ABA-approved school with a certificate program) and become a paralegal. You will have some earning power with that credential. Your obstacle, though, is that if you intend to quit a year from September, you will not be of the most benefit to the firm for which you work. From what I read on message boards, opinions are mixed on the virtue of paralegal work while you await law school. Some paralegals find actual practice experience as a paralegal makes law school easier. Some paralegals find that it is a fairly thankless job in which you don't do enough sophisticated things to make an evaluation of a lawyer career. Some paralegals find, to their relief, that they do not wish to work with lawyers. Some paralegals never go to law school after all, as reduced work commitments plus a steady paycheck seems less hassle than law school.
I have heard of some folks getting paralegal jobs without the formal training, but (apart from those who transfer over from legal secretary) in my experience, that is rare.
Best fortune to you in finding what works for you.
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