What is the job outlook for Paralegals/Legal Assistants?
MP asked:
I have a bachelors degree, and am going to earn a paralegal certificate this December from an ABA approved program. 6 months ago I got a job as legal assistant for a bankruptcy firm. I currently earn $15.00 per hour, which is better than the assistant manager job I had before. Several of my classmates have gotten jobs within months of taking the paralegal program. I researched the industry before I considered this line of work, and it looked pretty good in comparison to where I was at before. My question is; What does the industry or job outlook look like for paralegals in the next 5 years within a declining economy? Would I be better off getting a few years experience in the paralegal field, and then going to law school, pass the bar, and become an attorney for better earning potential and leverage in this industry? I know it all boils down to what I want, but I just want some opinions on the matter. Obviously, after going to law school I would have some significant school loan debt, vs. little to no debt for just being a paralegal.
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Filed Under Law & Legal |
Tagged With Boils, Classmates, Paralegal Certificate
Comments
One Response to “What is the job outlook for Paralegals/Legal Assistants?”
The opportunities for a paralegal really depends on the specialty. The most in demand paralegals are those in the litigation field; followed by corporate paralegals who are responsible for maintaining corporate records, articles of incorporation, etc. While the “least” marketable [but the "highest" paid] paralegals are in the field of intellectual property [i.e., patents, trademarks] and immigration law. In conclusion, choose your paralegal courses accordingly, with emphasis on litigation preparation [discovery], docketing/calendaring of incoming pleadings [calendaring] and trial preparation [creating Exhibit tabs, Bajii jury instructions, etc.]. The “pro” side of a litigation paralegal is often “unlimited” overtime which can amount to a high salary range of $65,000 to $75,000 per year, while the “downside,” being constantly pressured to meet a monthly client billable quota. And failing to meet that quota, often results in the paralegal’s overnight dismissal. It’s not a pretty picture. I just want to lay out what really happens in the real world of litigators and their relationship with subordinate paralegals.
Good luck!