Job Responsibilities
Weekly hours:
Case management: 12 hours;
Legal Writing/Drafting: 10 hours;
Follow Up/Investigation: 8 hours.
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Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree required. Paralegal work is assigned with
regards to the academic background a candidate has to offer. For
example, classes in engineering or other sciences, will help
offices practising Intellectual Property law.
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Uppers
Legal writing and investigation. Paralegals interested in the cases they are
working on perform better than those that treat is as an administrative position.
It is more than an administrative position; it's a specialized position.
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Downers
The 'interim' nature of the job. Most paralegals tend to use the
position as a stepping ground to become attorneys, or to gain
experience prior to entering law school, making it uncomfortable
for those who see it as a career in itself. It is a pity that
paralegals do not see themselves as nurses do in their
profession. For nurses, the idea of becoming a doctor is more of
an exception than the rule; we can only wish for the same to be
true for paralegals.
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Lifestyle
Work hours vary across industry as well as organizations. Just as you would
expect a government position to have better hours than private practice for a
given profession, same is true for paralegals. Having said that, the
characteristics of the legal profession like client-facing, factor in to
differentiate it from other professions. The attire is more business-style;
social activities are minimal.
Diversity is actively encouraged. However, women dominate this profession
regardless. For one reason or another, you will see more women working in this
profession than men. Maybe it is because of the hours, but I doubt that is the
only reason.
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Compensation
Paralegals do not get any bonuses. They are not fee earners and
therefore do not bill any of their hours directly. This is not to
say their work is not billed to the clients; they work on a
salary basis.
The overtime is one big plus for paralegals. They get to work
longer hours if they want to, and get handsomely paid for it.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Some people are motivated because it introduces them to the legal
world. This knowledge can then be used to enter law school, and
eventually, a career as an attorney.
Others are looking for a job after graduating and this is one
profession that only requires you to be literate; no special
educational background is required.
Then, there are the visionaries, who like a particular are like
medical ethics, or financial regulation; their interest in the
fields drives them to the law. Legal framework across industries
is one tool you can use no matter what profession you belong to -
every ogranization: church, bank, corporations, schools, all deal
with regulatory issues on a daily basis.
Whatever motivates you, the bottom line is, the paralegal
profession's one big "downer" is also its strength. Use it to
your advantage; whatever makes your boat float, use it as you
would your oars.
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