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LEGAL STAFFERS SOUND OFF
Legal Staffers Sound Off [8-9- 2004 by LawCrossing Staff] Do you have a question about working in the legal profession? About LawCrossing? No matter the topic, + send us an e-mail and we’ll be glad to answer it for you!
1) I just spoke to a recruiter who suggested
office experience as a secretary, a bache-
if it allows for contact with students and
I work as a temporary attorney on mass liti-
lor’s degree in science, a degree in parale-
faculty. If the pay is livable, you should give
gation, just to get “attorney experience” on
gal studies and two paralegal certificates. I
it a shot.
my CV. It was the best advice I have gotten
have internship experience from college. I
so far. Nobody else suggested this. Howev-
am frustrated. I can’t afford to do an unpaid
4) The school that I go to doesn’t have a job
er, I have been working in this field (Foreign
internship -- I need full time employment
placement office/service. Is it best to try
Trademark Prosecution) since 1995 and
and I don’t want to temp since it is finan-
looking for temp agencies that specialize in
switching to commercial litigation, working
cially temporary. Any advice?
finding an entry-level job working in a law
in a war room, bate stamping and punching
- Julie K.
office?
holes in paper really doesn’t appeal to me.
-- Gary, BA
I love Product Liability law, and am also
You seem to have enough education to
interested in Tax, Nursing Home Abuse and
qualify you to be a paralegal -- the problem
A temp agency can be useful since they will
Elder law (Probate, Wills and Trusts) I guess
is that some firms will hire “home grown”
often work with you and help you write a re-
I need some advice on what road to pursue;
paralegals who they train, and its very hard
sume. You can also use a job board like this
is it possible to pursue them all? Should I
to break in as one of these. Luckily, others
one, and apply to advertised jobs.
stick with the field I have a “leg up” in, or
require a certificate and will be more lenient
start at the bottom of something new? I am
about experience so long as the person has
5) I am an experienced legal secretary. I
bored to tears doing what I’m doing. I think
relevant educational experience. The best
have temped in the past, but would like to
that as an attorney in Trademarks, it would
indication of what a firm wants is how they
have a small business out of my home. How
be much better. I would need a mentor, a
word their advertising -- if the advertisement
would you suggest I go about making myself
small TM group. I am willing to relocate.
requires a certificate, you should certainly
“known” without too great an expense? I can
- Natalie L., Paralegal/JD
apply. Legal staff recruiting companies
do specialized jobs for attorneys.
can actually be fairly helpful here. Find a
Lesley, Legal Secretary
Well, I personally think getting experience
company who is willing to work for you on
doing project litigation work is not necessar-
temp-to-hire positions and they may be able
Many legal service professionals work on a
ily a good thing. In fact, it won’t really help
to help you get your foot in the door.
contract basis. One way would be to temp for a while, build a reputation, and then go
you get to where you really want to go, as you will still be considered inexperienced in
3) I have a bachelor’s degree, and I have
in by yourself. However, you have to wait six
that particular field. Trademark work is fairly
been unemployed for several months. I have
months to work independently for a firm that
competitive (that does not mean that work is
not been able to find a professional job. I ap-
hired you as a temporary employee. You can
not out there, though, so I think you should
plied for a clerical position at a law school.
also attend legal conferences; offer to work
keep trying there, too), but tax, elder law and
It’s low pay, and it’s not a professional job,
for lower rates for some clients to build a
probate are thriving fields. Do a search on
but I am eventually going to law school, so
reputation.
LawCrossing in these practice areas - it’s
it might help to be in the environment. Can
free to do the search, so see what you come
you give me some advice?
up with.
- Jo, Recent Grad.
2) I am looking to enter the paralegal field,
Well, a first job is just that -- a first job. If
but I keep getting turned down since I have
you are interested in the law, a job at a law
no experience working as a paralegal. I have
school can be a great opportunity, especially
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