Are there any paralegals here?

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:41 am

I ask because I need a better career. Now that my animal situation is closing, I need to find something else to do that's respectable and pays decently. I am scoping out "how to become a paralegal" articles on the web but I'd like to hear from anyone who is or has been a legal assistant as to what I need to do and also to please tell me about the pros and cons of having this kind of job.

I understand I can take a 2 year college course or I can take a certificate program that ends in a few months. I don't understand the catch involved in that. How can one learn in a few months what two years requires?

Thank you.

Post by **spot** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:54 am

No I'm not, but you'd know that already. I do have a thought though. Advice appropriate to urban US doesn't hold for rural US, and you're "small town Arizona". If you tap in your Zip code to http://www.azbar.org/legalresources/findlawyer.cfm and email a couple of practices in your own town, or in a commuting distance you're comfortable with, ask them what they'd look for when taking on paralegal staff (and say you're not asking whether they have vacancies!). I'd hope they'd be polite enough to send back a useful paragraph which points to the best way forward. You needn't give your resume or ask what other qualifications they'd insist on, the examining body they refer you to will have all that detail.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:42 am

Spot that's excellent advice. Thank you. I'll do that this week.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:02 pm

I have a friend that is a Paralegal. She never worked for a law firm though. She's worked for the Land Title Company, then she moved to Dallas to work for a larger company and gets to work from home. But I think the majority of time Paralegals type of contracts and do lots and lots of research.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:08 pm

I worked for an attorney for a year and a half, a Real Estate Attorney. I worked as a Settlement processor, basically got all of the paperwork ready for the Attorney for the closings and dealt with the Lenders and the Realtors...etc.

I loved the job, it was high maintenance and stressful at times. Spots' advice was GREAT!! I would also suggest that you become a Notary if you aren't already, that is usually a MUST for anyone around legal documents.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:09 pm

Thanks Sheryl.

That's one of the reasons I thought I'd be good at this, because I enjoy researching stuff and hunting for needles in haystacks. Does your friend make a reasonably good living? Do you know if she went to school for it?

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:11 pm

WonderWendy3;669431 wrote: I worked for an attorney for a year and a half, a Real Estate Attorney. I worked as a Settlement processor, basically got all of the paperwork ready for the Attorney for the closings and dealt with the Lenders and the Realtors...etc.

I loved the job, it was high maintenance and stressful at times. Spots' advice was GREAT!! I would also suggest that you become a Notary if you aren't already, that is usually a MUST for anyone around legal documents.

How cool Wendy! I didn't know that about you. I'm glad I posted this thread, I'm getting good advice. Thanks- I will remember about becoming a notary.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:11 pm

She got an Associates, can't remember exactly the title. But it was only for two years. She's not rich, but she's a single mom and doing well for her and her son while living in Dallas(which is not cheap)

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:15 pm

RedGlitter;669434 wrote: How cool Wendy! I didn't know that about you. I'm glad I posted this thread, I'm getting good advice. Thanks- I will remember about becoming a notary.

ha ha, I'm not just another pretty face!! :wah::wah:

You are welcome!! Good luck with the new Career!:):)

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:18 pm

Thank you!

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:21 pm

She got a Associates in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. I'm looking at the college catalog now. Do you have a junior college near you? If so make an appointment and talk to one of the advisors. They would really help you out.

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:23 pm

I have a paraboots if that will help you.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:25 pm

YZGI;669446 wrote: I have a paraboots if that will help you.

I gotta a paramittens on a string

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:26 pm

minks;669448 wrote: I gotta a paramittens on a string

Imagine that from a Canadian.:wah:

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:28 pm

:wah: You guys.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:29 pm

YZGI;669450 wrote: Imagine that from a Canadian.:wah:

yep we run around yanking on one side making the other side slap ya in the face... good clean Canadian fun I tell ya.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:30 pm

RedGlitter;669451 wrote: :wah: You guys.

oooo more attention

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:57 pm

My first ever job was as the outdoor clerk in a Sydney legal firm. I am not sure what 'paralegal' means, but I had to do bankruptcy and trade name and property searches and deliver documents to the various courts. I wore out a lot of shoes traispsing round Sydney, but it was totally great! Good luck, RedGlitter!!

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:02 pm

AussiePam;669545 wrote: My first ever job was as the outdoor clerk in a Sydney legal firm. I am not sure what 'paralegal' means, but I had to do bankruptcy and trade name and property searches and deliver documents to the various courts. I wore out a lot of shoes traispsing round Sydney, but it was totally great! Good luck, RedGlitter!!

Thanks Pam! Paralegal is the fancy name for legal assistant. They do research and prepare documents, locate witnesses, etc. for the lawyer. I have a cousin who has done it for years but we are not in touch so there's no asking her about it. But thanks!