A question for any paralegals, or attorney's

[CapeCodTenor]

This past Sept. I was promoted to the position of Paralegal Clerk in my law firm, the first step on the Paralegal ladder. My firm obviously feels that I have what it takes to be a Paralegal, to learn and grow with the job, and I will not let them down. Now I don't plan on leaving my current job, I have no need to, but in the event that I do (the only reason would be to get a job closer to home so I wouldn't have to commute 4+ hours a day), would it be wise for me to take a Paralegal Cert. program to have that certificate behind me? I've heard that some firms want Paralegals to have at least a certificate to work for them. Others don't care, it's the job experience that matters. The paralegals I've talked to have told me the you really learn on the job and not in the class room, is this true? Man, just don't know what to do. I would love some advice. Thanks.

CCT

 

[ChibiJones]

My bachelor's degree is in paralegal studies, and even with that I had a hard time getting a legal job. It seemed like everyone wanted experience, and some wanted the certificate as well. I lucked out and found a part-time paralegal position right as I was about to start law school. My paralegal degree helped more with the transition to law school than it did for the job. My paralegal courses were more law-school-lite, an introduction to the concepts involved in that area of law with more practical how-to information (eg: the format for a complaint, how to fill out a necessary form, etc).

My memory is hazy since I haven't looked into paralegal certification in several years, but I seem to remember that the major national paralegal associations offered certifications based upon job experience. That might be what the ads are talking about, rather than a college/quasi-college program.

If it were me, I wouldn't take courses if I had a 4 hour commute each day. It would be just too much time. My courses were in the evening, 6-9pm, but I worked on campus and lived within walking distance.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I would definitely suggest looking into a paraglegal program to get your certificate. I am a certified paralegal (currently sahm) but every law firm I've ever worked for definitely requires a certificate. DH is a lawyer and his firm definitely only hires certified paralegals as well. Good luck to you!

 

[tinaluis]

I have a Paralegal Certificate and 17 years experience and find that some places that I've looked into still insist on a 4 year degree (mine is only a 2 year with an concerntration in Early Childhood Education). Personally, I think experience is what counts, but most places insist on a certificate at the very least. Good luck and congratulations on your new position!

 

[Sandy V.]

My DH is an attorney, and he values experience, iniative, organization, and knowing when to ask questions over a certificate any day. (I'm also an attorney but I don't practice; I work in the legal publishing field).

However, I would probably ask an attorney that you respect in your firm (preferably someone senior) what THEIR education expecations are for you - if they think should should have a paralegal certificate to advance.

Congratulations, and best of luck!!!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

My bachelor's degree is in paralegal studies, and even with that I had a hard time getting a legal job. It seemed like everyone wanted experience, and some wanted the certificate as well.

This is why I don't plan on leaving this job anytime soon. I love working here and have no need to leave, and if I did I don't have the enough experience to get another paralegal position.

My paralegal courses were more law-school-lite, an introduction to the concepts involved in that area of law with more practical how-to information (eg: the format for a complaint, how to fill out a necessary form, etc).

This would be the one of the reasons I'd want to go and get my certificate, learning the format of a complaint, forms, and such. I'm going to go out and look for a law dictionary, not the hard cover, just a paper back. You know, something I can refer to when needed. I've asked the firm to buy, which the did, the Rules for State and Federal courts. Which for docketing I'm sure I'll use. Thanks for the advice.

 

[padams]

I'm an attorney. My advice is to ge the certificate. It can only open doors for you down the road. The bigger, better paying law firms in major cities usually require the certificate.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I'm an attorney. My advice is to ge the certificate. It can only open doors for you down the road. The bigger, better paying law firms in major cities usually require the certificate.

I've seriously considered it. I work in Boston for a major law firm, based out of Miami, and I can take classes from Suffolk University after work. And the best part is, the firm work for has a tuition reimbursement program.

 

[dturner]

I'm an Intellectual Property Paralegal with 15+ years experience; no degree, no Paralegal certificate, just worked my way up. I do have 111 college credits but no degree whatsoever.

I was hired by a big nationally known law firm in downtown Dallas with just my experience, no problems whatsoever. My boss left this big law firm and opened his own firm after I was there 1 year and took me with him.

If you have the time I'd go and get the certificate just to have and since you mentioned you will get reimbursed I see no reason NOT to do it.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I'm an Intellectual Property Paralegal with 15+ years experience; no degree, no Paralegal certificate, just worked my way up. I do have 111 college credits but no degree whatsoever.

I have a degree, it's in music, but I have one. So I guess this counts for something with them. I was initially hired to do conference and kitchen clean ups and two months into the job...*bam* I was promoted. I just thought that maybe getting the certificate would look good, but as you said here...

I was hired by a big nationally known law firm in downtown Dallas with just my experience, no problems whatsoever. My boss left this big law firm and opened his own firm after I was there 1 year and took me with him.

Experience does count for something. I understand from some of the other replys that there are firms that require you to have a certificate...but experience does count for a lot. By the way, I'm working in the litigation dept.

If...you will get reimbursed I see no reason NOT to do it.

And this was another reason I was thinking of doing it...because I'll get reimbursed for it.

 

[ChibiJones]

This would be the one of the reasons I'd want to go and get my certificate, learning the format of a complaint, forms, and such. I'm going to go out and look for a law dictionary, not the hard cover, just a paper back. You know, something I can refer to when needed. I've asked the firm to buy, which the did, the Rules for State and Federal courts. Which for docketing I'm sure I'll use. Thanks for the advice.

The court rules are important. I've never bought a legal dictionary, I'm sure my boss has one somewhere from his law school days. I just go to dictionary.com or m-w.com and get the definition. Another essential would be the Bluebook so you know how to cite correctly. I also frequently use the Mass. Lawyer's Diary which is full of information you'll need.

I got my degree for free. It really helped take the sting out of the $80k in law school loans I've got now. I can't imagine having twice that if I had undergrad loans.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

The court rules are important. I've never bought a legal dictionary, I'm sure my boss has one somewhere from his law school days. I just go to dictionary.com or m-w.com and get the definition. Another essential would be the Bluebook so you know how to cite correctly. I also frequently use the Mass. Lawyer's Diary which is full of information you'll need.

I got my degree for free. It really helped take the sting out of the $80k in law school loans I've got now. I can't imagine having twice that if I had undergrad loans.

I asked for a blue book but they said no. Hopefully I'll get one when I start working on my own instead of under another paralegal.

 

[ChibiJones]

I'm an Intellectual Property Paralegal with 15+ years experience; no degree, no Paralegal certificate, just worked my way up. I do have 111 college credits but no degree whatsoever.

What area of IP? Around here, most firms want IP paralegals to at least have a bachelor's degree in science or engineering so they can handle the patent work, and familiarity with the legal concepts is more secondary.

 

[ChibiJones]

I asked for a blue book but they said no. Hopefully I'll get one when I start working on my own instead of under another paralegal.

Wow, the blue book is only about $15-20 and its not even something that gets replaced every year like the court rules and lawyer's diary. My boss still uses his 30-year-old one that he got in law school. You'll probably need to buy one once you start classes. If your tuition payment benefit covers books, they'll be buying one for you anyway.

BTW, are you considering law school at all? If you are, and your firm will pay for that as well, then I would skip the paralegal program and just apply to law school instead.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

It couldn't hurt, but also likely won't be the difference maker if you are looking for another position down the road. What WILL keep you gainfully employed is to become as efficient as you can while still doing quality work. It is all about leverage for the attorney. The more work he or she can safely push to the paralegal, the more profit they can generate. This is especially true in areas where fixed fees are becoming more prevalent, such as patent prosecution or residential real estate. You develop into that type of paralegal, and I know attorneys who would eat their young before letting you get away.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

What WILL keep you gainfully employed is to become as efficient as you can while still doing quality work. It is all about leverage for the attorney. The more work he or she can safely push to the paralegal, the more profit they can generate. This is especially true in areas where fixed fees are becoming more prevalent, such as patent prosecution or residential real estate. You develop into that type of paralegal, and I know attorneys who would eat their young before letting you get away.

This is the type of paralegal I hope to be. I want to be the best I can, and the type of paralegal attorney's would want to work with.

BTW, are you considering law school at all? If you are, and your firm will pay for that as well, then I would skip the paralegal program and just apply to law school instead.

As of right now, I'm not planning on doing law school. I'm not sure if I can handle that. Maybe after a few years of working as a paralegal I'll rethink the decision. My DMIL went to law school after working in the real world for years...several as a secretary for an attorney. So, who knows.

 

[christineann]

I'm a paralegal with an ABA certificate from a program that required at least a bachelor's degree before admission. It has paid off as far as promotions and salary (plus a lot of hard work!). I work in insurance defense, and many of the insurance companies will not pay the standard paralegal rate to a firm if they can't show the paralegal is certified. I would get the certificate.