What's the non-lawyer legal job market like?
August 22, 2013 9:49 AM Subscribe
A friend of mine has suggested that I apply for a job as a receptionist in a law office, with the suggestion that they tend to promote internally and that it could be an avenue into work as a legal assistant/paralegal. Could this be a huge mistake?
Generally, this would be a lateral or possibly downward move in terms of wages and benefits, though the schedule might be more regular than my current job, which requires nights and weekends. The primary attraction is the potential to be promoted out of the receptionist position, however--the job I have now doesn't have any avenues for promotion, and I'm only receiving incremental cost of living wage increases.
But. At this point, I'm in my mid-30s, and I feel like I need to look at drastic career changes with an eye toward good work/life balance and long-term stability and employability. And that is not what I imagine when I think about the job market in the legal profession. If I, for instance, stay at this job for four or six years (putting me in my early 40s) and then need to find another paralegal job, will I be scrabbling to compete with thousands of underemployed/overqualified law school grads? Would I continue to be a viable candidate into my 50s?
I have a BS, but it's in a completely unrelated field. I assume I'd need to complete an Associate's degree or a certificate program at some point to be competitive.
Generally, this would be a lateral or possibly downward move in terms of wages and benefits, though the schedule might be more regular than my current job, which requires nights and weekends. The primary attraction is the potential to be promoted out of the receptionist position, however--the job I have now doesn't have any avenues for promotion, and I'm only receiving incremental cost of living wage increases.
But. At this point, I'm in my mid-30s, and I feel like I need to look at drastic career changes with an eye toward good work/life balance and long-term stability and employability. And that is not what I imagine when I think about the job market in the legal profession. If I, for instance, stay at this job for four or six years (putting me in my early 40s) and then need to find another paralegal job, will I be scrabbling to compete with thousands of underemployed/overqualified law school grads? Would I continue to be a viable candidate into my 50s?
I have a BS, but it's in a completely unrelated field. I assume I'd need to complete an Associate's degree or a certificate program at some point to be competitive.
Law offices are quite different in their methods and requirements, so if you're looking to transition into the business world at some point, I'd go with an entry-level position in something other than law.
posted by xingcat at 10:01 AM on August 22, 2013
posted by xingcat at 10:01 AM on August 22, 2013
Law firms often require long hours.
You will definitely be competing with thousands of overqualified lawyers and possibly also unpaid law school interns.
posted by steinwald at 10:03 AM on August 22, 2013
You will definitely be competing with thousands of overqualified lawyers and possibly also unpaid law school interns.
posted by steinwald at 10:03 AM on August 22, 2013
If you go that route, I'd take a look at a receptionist/secretary/admin position in the legal department of a corporation as opposed to a firm. It's closer to the corporate structure and if turns out you don't like the paralegal work, you can look for a different position in another part of the company.
posted by nubianinthedesert at 10:04 AM on August 22, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by nubianinthedesert at 10:04 AM on August 22, 2013 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I don't know where you're located, and law firms vary greatly by market, size, and practice. You would probably do well to try to make connections with admins or lawyers in your area to get a personal perspective on whether this is a viable move for you.
For what it's worth, I can tell you big national/international firms (colloquially and collectively referred to as "Big Law") have been drastically cutting their admin staffs for years, and moving to team/floater coverage, service centers, and no admins for associate attorneys. I'm in house, and we just lost our admin altogether, and she won't be replaced. In those same big firms, paralegals are a whole other track from admins; it's not something you work up to, come in as a paralegal. It's also a young person's game, often, because nights and weekends are de rigeur. After a few years of being hazed, the paralegals go off to law school. At my old firm, the department paralegal was consistently in the office until 11 with the rest of us slaves (though he had no aspirations to becoming a lawyer).
legal assistant/paralegal is a certification program
Not in my experience, but, again, firms vary.
Generally speaking, predictability and quality of life don't go hand in hand with "law firm," though the work can be exciting and challenging. If you're looking for the former, you'll probably be disappointed.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:04 AM on August 22, 2013
For what it's worth, I can tell you big national/international firms (colloquially and collectively referred to as "Big Law") have been drastically cutting their admin staffs for years, and moving to team/floater coverage, service centers, and no admins for associate attorneys. I'm in house, and we just lost our admin altogether, and she won't be replaced. In those same big firms, paralegals are a whole other track from admins; it's not something you work up to, come in as a paralegal. It's also a young person's game, often, because nights and weekends are de rigeur. After a few years of being hazed, the paralegals go off to law school. At my old firm, the department paralegal was consistently in the office until 11 with the rest of us slaves (though he had no aspirations to becoming a lawyer).
legal assistant/paralegal is a certification program
Not in my experience, but, again, firms vary.
Generally speaking, predictability and quality of life don't go hand in hand with "law firm," though the work can be exciting and challenging. If you're looking for the former, you'll probably be disappointed.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:04 AM on August 22, 2013
Response by poster: To be clear, this is a specific job in a specific law office (which, to me, sounds like it has a fantastic organizational culture) where a friend may be able to vouch for me, rather than a general career direction I'm considering. Even if it's a great job in the short-to-medium term--and it sounds like it might be--I'm worried that it could be a bad career direction choice. That's the angle I'm interested in.
posted by pullayup at 10:10 AM on August 22, 2013
posted by pullayup at 10:10 AM on August 22, 2013
Never look at a receptionist's job as a career move. It just isn't going to be. Now, if the job is awesome in it's own right, good pay, good benefits, hours that work. Evaluate it based on that. You may be delighted to discover that they'll pay for your Paralegal certification, or that there are other jobs in the firm into which you can move.
Not every job is a career move. Sometimes you just gotta move because it makes sense for the now.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:14 AM on August 22, 2013 [3 favorites]
Not every job is a career move. Sometimes you just gotta move because it makes sense for the now.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:14 AM on August 22, 2013 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Firms vary quite a bit as to whether you have a good shot at moving "up" from a receptionist position to a legal assistant or paralegal. At my firm we do not draw a line between receptionists and legal assistants; we see them as the same position. Generally, becoming a paralegal takes some additional education, though that's not always the case.
As for work/life balance, around here paralegals tend to work nights/weekends if the attorneys are working nights/weekends, but the hours for legal assistants are much more regular unless there is a particular fire that needs putting out.
If you're looking for a new position as a paralegal down the road a ways, though you may see some competition for paralegal jobs from overqualified lawyers, you will probably look better on paper than they will. Other things being equal, there is no way I would hire a new, "overqualified" law school graduate over a paralegal with a few years of experience. Not only would New Grad not know the things I need paralegals to know (how to file in federal court in a number of different jurisdictions, how to charm Judge X's clerk, etc.), New Grad would probably also feel that paralegal work is "beneath" him/her (though I'm sure New Grad would deny this is true).
On the whole, the legal market took a battering during the recession, particularly with respect to Big Law. Aside from projections that Big Law is still bloated and will continue to take a beating, the industry as a whole isn't going anywhere.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:22 AM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
As for work/life balance, around here paralegals tend to work nights/weekends if the attorneys are working nights/weekends, but the hours for legal assistants are much more regular unless there is a particular fire that needs putting out.
If you're looking for a new position as a paralegal down the road a ways, though you may see some competition for paralegal jobs from overqualified lawyers, you will probably look better on paper than they will. Other things being equal, there is no way I would hire a new, "overqualified" law school graduate over a paralegal with a few years of experience. Not only would New Grad not know the things I need paralegals to know (how to file in federal court in a number of different jurisdictions, how to charm Judge X's clerk, etc.), New Grad would probably also feel that paralegal work is "beneath" him/her (though I'm sure New Grad would deny this is true).
On the whole, the legal market took a battering during the recession, particularly with respect to Big Law. Aside from projections that Big Law is still bloated and will continue to take a beating, the industry as a whole isn't going anywhere.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:22 AM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
Each firm is different - I've worked at places where a secretary's chance of getting a paralegal job was about as good as a snowball's chance in hell. No certification? Forget it. (Even with years of experience and a BA from a Seven Sisters college.)
I've also worked at places where I'm everything - secretary, paralegal, researcher, messenger, notary, clerk, bookkeeper....
So long story short, it depends on the firm.
posted by Lucinda at 10:35 AM on August 22, 2013
I've also worked at places where I'm everything - secretary, paralegal, researcher, messenger, notary, clerk, bookkeeper....
So long story short, it depends on the firm.
posted by Lucinda at 10:35 AM on August 22, 2013
Best answer: In my experience, paralegals are hired as paralegals and secretaries/assistants are hired as that and stay as that. Many paralegals are right out of college, with just a regular 4-year degree in anything (no special certifications); they're looking for decent money while figuring out if they want to go to law school, grad schoool, etc - although one or two might stick around and make a career out of it. The hours are usually almost as bad as for attorneys, and while you generally get overtime pay, your schedule will be at the mercy of the client/matter/partner/associate. If you have a BS, there should be no need to get a special certification for most if not all paralegal jobs. Also, I hate to say it, but you may face a decent bit of age-ism when applying. These jobs often require long, random hours, and recent college grads without families and with lots of energy are more likely to get hired (Note: not my opinion, just what I've seen). Paralegals are basically lawyers who get paid less, so not a great career choice for work/life balance or stability (see: recent legal market).
If you want to go into legal, a legal secretary gig is better for hours and longevity. Secretaries at big firms rarely stay past 5. Learn billing software and legal billing practices to increase marketability. Receptionist jobs are basically as stable at a law firm as at any other place. You just need to answer phones and greet guests - don't confuse this with a legal secretary. Other non legal jobs include proofreaders, word processors, docket administrators, tech support/software training, HR/benefits/recruiting (this is probably the best bet for promotion and marketability), litigation support, e-discovery, business development. It will be hard for people to think of a receptionist as anything other than a receptionist (and even if you get promoted, you might still be treated as "the receptionist").
posted by melissasaurus at 10:36 AM on August 22, 2013 [2 favorites]
If you want to go into legal, a legal secretary gig is better for hours and longevity. Secretaries at big firms rarely stay past 5. Learn billing software and legal billing practices to increase marketability. Receptionist jobs are basically as stable at a law firm as at any other place. You just need to answer phones and greet guests - don't confuse this with a legal secretary. Other non legal jobs include proofreaders, word processors, docket administrators, tech support/software training, HR/benefits/recruiting (this is probably the best bet for promotion and marketability), litigation support, e-discovery, business development. It will be hard for people to think of a receptionist as anything other than a receptionist (and even if you get promoted, you might still be treated as "the receptionist").
posted by melissasaurus at 10:36 AM on August 22, 2013 [2 favorites]
Firms vary quite a bit as to whether you have a good shot at moving "up" from a receptionist position to a legal assistant or paralegal. At my firm we do not draw a line between receptionists and legal assistants; we see them as the same position.
To offer another example of how firms vary: I was a receptionist at a law firm for a year. My position was 95% answering the phone and sorting the mail, and I was expected to be at the reception desk from 8 to 6 every day. I was the only person in the office who wasn't on a team, so I didn't get to learn much, and it was difficult to get to know my coworkers. To give you an idea of how much I liked it: it was the first and only job I've quit without another one lined up.
Make sure you get a really good feel for the place you'll be working before you jump ship. Talk to the current receptionist, if you can. And if you want to get promoted, you have to be an absolute kickass receptionist with a positive attitude, even when you're doing dull stuff like sorting the mail or emptying the dishwasher, and once you've got into that groove, start volunteering to help out with other work.
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:51 AM on August 22, 2013
To offer another example of how firms vary: I was a receptionist at a law firm for a year. My position was 95% answering the phone and sorting the mail, and I was expected to be at the reception desk from 8 to 6 every day. I was the only person in the office who wasn't on a team, so I didn't get to learn much, and it was difficult to get to know my coworkers. To give you an idea of how much I liked it: it was the first and only job I've quit without another one lined up.
Make sure you get a really good feel for the place you'll be working before you jump ship. Talk to the current receptionist, if you can. And if you want to get promoted, you have to be an absolute kickass receptionist with a positive attitude, even when you're doing dull stuff like sorting the mail or emptying the dishwasher, and once you've got into that groove, start volunteering to help out with other work.
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:51 AM on August 22, 2013
Best answer: I can only speak from the perspective of big law firms.
(1) the secretary --> paralegal career path is mostly extinct. It's not because firms decided against it but because improving professional job opportunities for women have basically eliminated the pool of women who fell into secretarial work but had the potential and ambition for more. Law firm secretaries these days are usually from blue collar backgrounds who are in the job because they are reliably 9 to 5.
(2) the law firm secretary skill set is becoming obsolete. It is hard to find a lawyer under 40 who uses a secretary to do anything besides answer their phones when they're out of the office or on a call. As a result, very few secretaries are being hired. Firms are reducing secretaries by attrition as they retire, or as the older lawyers they support retire (which sometimes means layoffs) -- and some firms are doing outright layoffs and increasing the lawyer:secretary ratio.
(3) in part because of (1) but also because of the increasing social norm of working before law school and because of the very technology intense aspects of the job, the paralegal job has evolved into one taken by young college graduates from white collar family background who are willing and eager to work overtime.
(4) because of (2) and (3) I'd tend to think that the career opportunities from the reception desk are very limited, and probably would run in the direction of the firm's marketing and event planning departments rather than to administrative support functions.
posted by MattD at 11:12 AM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
(1) the secretary --> paralegal career path is mostly extinct. It's not because firms decided against it but because improving professional job opportunities for women have basically eliminated the pool of women who fell into secretarial work but had the potential and ambition for more. Law firm secretaries these days are usually from blue collar backgrounds who are in the job because they are reliably 9 to 5.
(2) the law firm secretary skill set is becoming obsolete. It is hard to find a lawyer under 40 who uses a secretary to do anything besides answer their phones when they're out of the office or on a call. As a result, very few secretaries are being hired. Firms are reducing secretaries by attrition as they retire, or as the older lawyers they support retire (which sometimes means layoffs) -- and some firms are doing outright layoffs and increasing the lawyer:secretary ratio.
(3) in part because of (1) but also because of the increasing social norm of working before law school and because of the very technology intense aspects of the job, the paralegal job has evolved into one taken by young college graduates from white collar family background who are willing and eager to work overtime.
(4) because of (2) and (3) I'd tend to think that the career opportunities from the reception desk are very limited, and probably would run in the direction of the firm's marketing and event planning departments rather than to administrative support functions.
posted by MattD at 11:12 AM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
I am a paralegal at a small firm. I agree that practices vary greatly firm to firm. I have a BA plus a certificate in paralegal studies, and while the certificate wasn't necessary, I think it helped me get a foot in the door. I have not seen a receptionist move up to a paralegal, but "legal assistants" have gotten more responsibilities. There's no real definition for those positions, but it's generally agreed (at least where I live) that paralegals do more substantive work, while legal assistants do the clerical stuff. I have not worked anywhere large enough to employ separate legal secretaries/proofreaders/file clerks, etc.
I have a great, somewhat flexible work schedule an am not expected to work overtime or weekends, but it sounds like that might be unusual (I work in a small, laid-back city with small, laid-back firms).
Another option would be to work for a solo attorney as receptionist/legal assistant/office manager/etc.
I honestly don't think paralegal positions are going anywhere, since it's cheaper to have a paralegal do the work you would otherwise give an associate attorney. I also think a paralegal with real work experience is more valuable to a firm than a recent law school grad applying for a paralegal position. Also, the skills you will learn as a paralegal are transferrable to other jobs.
posted by Safiya at 11:26 AM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
I have a great, somewhat flexible work schedule an am not expected to work overtime or weekends, but it sounds like that might be unusual (I work in a small, laid-back city with small, laid-back firms).
Another option would be to work for a solo attorney as receptionist/legal assistant/office manager/etc.
I honestly don't think paralegal positions are going anywhere, since it's cheaper to have a paralegal do the work you would otherwise give an associate attorney. I also think a paralegal with real work experience is more valuable to a firm than a recent law school grad applying for a paralegal position. Also, the skills you will learn as a paralegal are transferrable to other jobs.
posted by Safiya at 11:26 AM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
I work in the field. We have the receptionist do overflow work like entering attorney hours and setting up files. The previous two receptionists moved to other, better paying clerical positions. I've worked at other firms before and they differ greatly. The present firm does not have a public face (all business to business) so the receptionist is not that busy and is treated more as clerical staff. Other firms have clients come in more and the receptionist is a greeter/door keeper.
My local junior college has a paralegal program that's three semesters and allows some online/distance learning. There's all kinds of specialization within paralegals. Some firms have paralegals do a lot more than others, due to the nature of the work. Real Estate is always going to be paralegal dependent because of the paperwork flow. So is property tax work. Corporate paralegals are in demand but it's a hard market to crack.
posted by readery at 11:47 AM on August 22, 2013
My local junior college has a paralegal program that's three semesters and allows some online/distance learning. There's all kinds of specialization within paralegals. Some firms have paralegals do a lot more than others, due to the nature of the work. Real Estate is always going to be paralegal dependent because of the paperwork flow. So is property tax work. Corporate paralegals are in demand but it's a hard market to crack.
posted by readery at 11:47 AM on August 22, 2013
Best answer: If you are in California, you do not necessarily need to do a paralegal program to become certified. You can also become certified by working as a legal assistant/paralegal for a year and then have the attorney you work for attest to your experience (it's Business and Professions Code 6450(c)(3)).
I am also currently a paralegal at a small firm and agree that experiences vary wildly across firms and markets. I don't think the glut of law grads has as much of an impact on paralegal/legal support staff hiring, because a lot of firms do not want to hire a JD for a paralegal position, reasoning that a JD will want to be paid more and/or will leave as soon as they find something better. We recently hired for a new legal assistant, and my boss rejected all JD applicants as overqualified.
As for working up from receptionist, that is absolutely very firm-dependent. I wouldn't take the job counting on working your way up. Only take it if the job is otherwise attractive to you. That said, I do think paralegal skills are fairly transferable to other admin-type work, so you won't be entirely locked in if you do go that route.
Also, nights and weekends are occasionally required in legal support staff work. You're really at the whims of the case, client, or court there. Depending on the firm and the type of law they do, working overtime may be a regular occurrence, or it may be a few-times-a-year occurrence.
posted by yasaman at 3:27 PM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
I am also currently a paralegal at a small firm and agree that experiences vary wildly across firms and markets. I don't think the glut of law grads has as much of an impact on paralegal/legal support staff hiring, because a lot of firms do not want to hire a JD for a paralegal position, reasoning that a JD will want to be paid more and/or will leave as soon as they find something better. We recently hired for a new legal assistant, and my boss rejected all JD applicants as overqualified.
As for working up from receptionist, that is absolutely very firm-dependent. I wouldn't take the job counting on working your way up. Only take it if the job is otherwise attractive to you. That said, I do think paralegal skills are fairly transferable to other admin-type work, so you won't be entirely locked in if you do go that route.
Also, nights and weekends are occasionally required in legal support staff work. You're really at the whims of the case, client, or court there. Depending on the firm and the type of law they do, working overtime may be a regular occurrence, or it may be a few-times-a-year occurrence.
posted by yasaman at 3:27 PM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: "It is hard to find a lawyer under 40 who uses a secretary to do anything besides answer their phones when they're out of the office or on a call."
A good assistant in a law firm (one who can negotiate his/her salary) does a lot more than answer phones! They will learn to: do preliminary drafting of standard documents so the lawyer just has to fill in certain technical parts and review it, proof read, at times handle time consuming or difficult clients and opposing counsel by distilling messages and screening intrusive calls, manage scheduling conflicts internally and externally, provide additional oversight for any deadlines or limitation periods beyond the lawyer's own oversight, review applicable rules of court and suggest solutions to practical procedural problems, draft letters from vague instructions given by counsel as to what is required, manage precedents, solve technical problems for counsel by either figuring it out or contacting support, etc. etc.
I also note that for any legal support staff, the more of these things you are able to master, and the more precise you are, the more you have your lawyer at your behest - your may not change but you can certainly negotiate yours hours/pay/vacation time.
posted by skermunkil at 3:49 PM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
A good assistant in a law firm (one who can negotiate his/her salary) does a lot more than answer phones! They will learn to: do preliminary drafting of standard documents so the lawyer just has to fill in certain technical parts and review it, proof read, at times handle time consuming or difficult clients and opposing counsel by distilling messages and screening intrusive calls, manage scheduling conflicts internally and externally, provide additional oversight for any deadlines or limitation periods beyond the lawyer's own oversight, review applicable rules of court and suggest solutions to practical procedural problems, draft letters from vague instructions given by counsel as to what is required, manage precedents, solve technical problems for counsel by either figuring it out or contacting support, etc. etc.
I also note that for any legal support staff, the more of these things you are able to master, and the more precise you are, the more you have your lawyer at your behest - your may not change but you can certainly negotiate yours hours/pay/vacation time.
posted by skermunkil at 3:49 PM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
*ANY* job can be the one that gets you in the right place to move up. I took a minimum-wage job delivering mail and making copies in a law firm and used that starting spot to move up to a good marketing position in the legal field.
The key lies in impressing the right people. And it isn't easy.
posted by tacodave at 3:52 PM on August 22, 2013
The key lies in impressing the right people. And it isn't easy.
posted by tacodave at 3:52 PM on August 22, 2013
Best answer: If you are in California, you do not necessarily need to do a paralegal program to become certified. You can also become certified by working as a legal assistant/paralegal for a year and then have the attorney you work for attest to your experience (it's Business and Professions Code 6450(c)(3)).
The supervisor-certification is not as portable. You're certified by declaration while working for the attorney who trains you. The code doesn't explicitly say it's only valid when working for that attorney, but other firms might not consider it sufficient or equivalent. I wouldn't go that route if you're concerned about hedging your bets re: working somewhere else down the road. I say this as someone who has been working under this provision (actually, the grandfather clause, but it's the same idea) at a family firm, but was moving towards formal certification before I decided I actually did want to go to law school after all.
Regarding the upward mobility: as others have said this is very firm specific. But, in my small/medium firm experience, for paralegals who actually do paralegal work, the job is distinct from the rest of the support staff. (A busy enough paralegal might have their own support person, an experienced enough paralegal might even have a hand in directing newbie attorneys). From what I've seen, people are hired for that role, they rarely move up into it. It's actually been more common in my experience for legal secretaries to go to law school and become lawyers (something that people who start as paralegals also do) than for lower rung support staff to become paralegals, but then stop there (i.e. not be taking baby steps towards the Bar). Typically, lower rung support staff either become legal secretaries, or else office managers, billing clerks, HR specialists and other business-side administrative people.
I'd note that at some firms, the term paralegal is used to mean something closer to "document assembly specialist" or, to be honest, "file clerk" but with a higher billing rate, and the 'paralegals' are actually less legally specialized than an experienced legal secretary. To me this is something of a misnomer, but if the paralegal position at this place is of that nature it would be a more natural move up from receptionist but not portable to another firm that expects paralegals to be knowledgable about procedure and trained in legal analysis.
If its appropriate given your relationship with this friend, you might ask for an up-or-out contract. You agree to work as a receptionist for X months (12? 18?) , while you evaluate each other for fit and they can have their projected growth so as to need a paralegal etc. At that point if satisfied, they agree that they will first self-certify you as a paralegal and promote you to that role (if allowed in your state), and then pay to get you formally certified while you're in place, with your employment not to be terminated w/o cause until your certification is complete (provided you finish on time, etc). Otherwise they decline to move forward at that X month point and you walk, so you don't languish in a receptionist position, or get stuck with minimal firm-specific training and certification you can't depend on being able to market.
Obviously, this will need to be a pretty good friend for them to offer you terms like that in this market. On the other hand, your friend already thinks you'd be a benefit to them given the proposal, is comfortable with you (which is kind of invaluable in a small practice) and the kinds of information gathering and process-oriented work that paralegals do might in fact be a good fit for someone with a BS and an education that stressed more logic and rigor than your typical liberal arts person. So I wouldn't be concerned about the degree, I doubt they'll be, if you decide you want to do this.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:17 PM on August 22, 2013
The supervisor-certification is not as portable. You're certified by declaration while working for the attorney who trains you. The code doesn't explicitly say it's only valid when working for that attorney, but other firms might not consider it sufficient or equivalent. I wouldn't go that route if you're concerned about hedging your bets re: working somewhere else down the road. I say this as someone who has been working under this provision (actually, the grandfather clause, but it's the same idea) at a family firm, but was moving towards formal certification before I decided I actually did want to go to law school after all.
Regarding the upward mobility: as others have said this is very firm specific. But, in my small/medium firm experience, for paralegals who actually do paralegal work, the job is distinct from the rest of the support staff. (A busy enough paralegal might have their own support person, an experienced enough paralegal might even have a hand in directing newbie attorneys). From what I've seen, people are hired for that role, they rarely move up into it. It's actually been more common in my experience for legal secretaries to go to law school and become lawyers (something that people who start as paralegals also do) than for lower rung support staff to become paralegals, but then stop there (i.e. not be taking baby steps towards the Bar). Typically, lower rung support staff either become legal secretaries, or else office managers, billing clerks, HR specialists and other business-side administrative people.
I'd note that at some firms, the term paralegal is used to mean something closer to "document assembly specialist" or, to be honest, "file clerk" but with a higher billing rate, and the 'paralegals' are actually less legally specialized than an experienced legal secretary. To me this is something of a misnomer, but if the paralegal position at this place is of that nature it would be a more natural move up from receptionist but not portable to another firm that expects paralegals to be knowledgable about procedure and trained in legal analysis.
If its appropriate given your relationship with this friend, you might ask for an up-or-out contract. You agree to work as a receptionist for X months (12? 18?) , while you evaluate each other for fit and they can have their projected growth so as to need a paralegal etc. At that point if satisfied, they agree that they will first self-certify you as a paralegal and promote you to that role (if allowed in your state), and then pay to get you formally certified while you're in place, with your employment not to be terminated w/o cause until your certification is complete (provided you finish on time, etc). Otherwise they decline to move forward at that X month point and you walk, so you don't languish in a receptionist position, or get stuck with minimal firm-specific training and certification you can't depend on being able to market.
Obviously, this will need to be a pretty good friend for them to offer you terms like that in this market. On the other hand, your friend already thinks you'd be a benefit to them given the proposal, is comfortable with you (which is kind of invaluable in a small practice) and the kinds of information gathering and process-oriented work that paralegals do might in fact be a good fit for someone with a BS and an education that stressed more logic and rigor than your typical liberal arts person. So I wouldn't be concerned about the degree, I doubt they'll be, if you decide you want to do this.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:17 PM on August 22, 2013
Or perhaps I misread: does the friend whose idea this was currently work at a firm that's hiring?
If not disregard the thing about the up or out deal, because that sort of thing is a personal favor. I still think you're fine with a BS, though.
(I should say I was previously working under the grandfather clause, I don't see it in the code anymore, so now I guess I'm working under the cited section until I get licensed as an attorney.)
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:22 PM on August 22, 2013
If not disregard the thing about the up or out deal, because that sort of thing is a personal favor. I still think you're fine with a BS, though.
(I should say I was previously working under the grandfather clause, I don't see it in the code anymore, so now I guess I'm working under the cited section until I get licensed as an attorney.)
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:22 PM on August 22, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also legal assistant/paralegal is a certification program, it takes about 3 semesters to do the coursework for a paralegal.
Of course, there's always a parking space at the mall, even at Christmas-time, so if you think this would be an AWESOME job that you'd enjoy doing, then go for it.
However, if you're just looking for security...give it a miss.
What job sounds like fun to you? How about something like that?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:56 AM on August 22, 2013 [1 favorite]