Uncover the Secrets of Successful Legal Staffers: Advice from Real Pros

Summary

Legal staffers have been the unsung heroes of the legal profession for centuries. From attorneys and paralegals to law clerks and secretaries, legal staff fill critical roles that bring law firms to life and enable lawyers to do their work.


In order to gain insight into why legal staffers have been so successful, a recent survey asked legal staff at a variety of law firms to explain their insights and experiences. The survey received responses from staff who had been with the same firm for at least two years, providing a comprehensive overview of the legal staff landscape.

The survey revealed that legal staff overwhelmingly view their work as meaningful and rewarding. The majority reported that they are content with their workload and their ability to support the attorneys they work with. Legal staff also discussed the importance of having a good working relationship with their employer, as well as a sense of belonging to the legal community.

Many respondents also noted that one of the most valuable aspects of their job was the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge. Staffers reported that their peers and attorneys have been willing to share their expertise and have been eager to help them develop their skills.

Legal staff viewed their job satisfaction as the result of a combination of hard work, creativity and dedication to their profession. They also noted that there is a great deal of individual autonomy in their work and that their success is dependent on their own initiative and efforts.

Overall, legal staffing is a rewarding and meaningful profession that is greatly appreciated by its practitioners. Legal staff take pride in their work and are committed to doing their best to support their attorneys and the legal community as a whole.

Legal staffers provide essential services to lawyers and their clients, playing an integral role in the success of law firms. The recent survey revealed that legal staff are content with their work and appreciate the professional opportunities it affords them. Legal staff's enthusiasm for their job is driven by a combination of hard work, creativity and dedication, and their commitment to the profession is evident in how successful they are in their roles. Furthermore, legal staff value the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge, and seek guidance and support from their peers and attorneys. Thanks to the contributions of legal staff, law firms continue to thrive and provide top-quality legal services.
 

Legal Staffers Have Different Ideas About the Perfect Job

Legal staffers have a variety of ideas about the perfect job. Some seek job security with long-term employment and higher salaries. Others are striving for better working conditions and professional development. A few look for positions that allow them to use their full potential, while others desire positions where the pay is good and the work is interesting.
 

The Evolution of the Legal Industry

The legal industry has evolved significantly over the past several decades as technology and automation have allowed for the streamlining of many legal processes. As a result, legal staffers have seen a rise in job opportunities in areas such as contract management, technology-assisted document review, e-discovery, data analytics, legal research, and more.
 

Why Legal Staffers Prefer Legal Staffing Agencies

The increased demand for specialized legal staff has led to an increased reliance on legal staffing agencies. These agencies can help legal staffers find the perfect job, from a long-term position with a large firm to a short-term project with a small private practice. By taking advantage of the resources available through a staffing agency, legal staffers can find the job that best suits their professional goals.
 

The Benefits of Working with a Legal Staffing Agency

Working with a legal staffing agency can provide legal staffers with a range of benefits, including access to specialized resources and job postings, the ability to take advantage of flexible working arrangements, and insights into the most current trends in the legal industry. Furthermore, many staffing agencies also provide additional perks such as referral bonuses and health benefits.

I've been thinking about becoming a paralegal. Do I need to go to school and get certified to get a job as a paralegal? Are there certain schools that are best to go to? How long is the schooling for paralegals?
Jake M.

Paralegals tend to be a diverse group in terms of education and experience. The largest employer of paralegals are probably law firms, but paralegals support in-house counsel, government agencies and risk management officers. Often positions like case assistant, legal assistant and case clerk are synonymous with paralegal jobs, other times, the term refers to a person with training and a certificate from the Bar Association. The American Bar Association releases a list of ABA-approved paralegal schools, much like it does with law schools, and certain states actually require a paralegal certification. There is no set rule and often advertisements for jobs make it clear what sort of paralegal the employer is looking for. Most training programs are about a year long.

Are there classes offered that teach certain software used in law offices? I would like to broaden my skills.
Christie L. Student.

Yes! There are a great many courses apprising less than tech-savvy legal professionals of the up to date technical advancements in the practice of law. In fact, information technology and database management are fast becoming a part of the law firm environment. Let's open this topic up to our users, any recommendations for courses?

I have a BA but no legal experience. Can I still get a job in a law firm?
Alyssa P.

Sure. But you will most likely start out doing entry-level work and you won't likely be paid much. Although certain large firms will hire individuals with Bachelor's degrees, in a paralegal or case assistant capacity, you'll likely work your way up at most firms. Lots of lawyers start out in law firms after college and then go to law school. They don't necessarily have any relevant experience.

When is the right time to ask for a raise?
Jane L. 3rd year Paralegal

Depends on the firm. If you work for a large and well organized place, raises are probably given out annually after a yearly review and you won't have much leverage. On the other hand, if you work for a small firm, and you sense the financial situation of this firm is stable or improving, and you have gone more than 12 months without a raise, and your performance has been good, then it is time to ask. Most firms will reward good work with raises up to a point. If you are already making more than anybody else in your job category, a raise might not be forthcoming. You always have the option of moving to a different employer if you feel your work is not being properly rewarded. But take into consideration the benefits you are being paid. These count as salary, too. Don't change jobs just because the salary is higher. Benefits should be equal or better as well; and don't forget that often you don't become eligible for benefits until you've been at a new place six months or longer. Finally, once you leave, you give up seniority. So be careful.

Should I send my resume to a firm even if they aren't advertising an opening?
Cecily K. Recent Grad with BA

Yes, by all means. Who knows what will pop up? What do you have to lose? Its is a good idea to research the firm, and figure out what types of employees they usually hire, in terms of education and experience.

I've been in the workforce for five years. I'm thinking of returning to school and earning a paralegal certificate. But I'm having misgivings, as it seems to be a thankless job. What are some of the benefits?
Norma L. Accountant

Whoa! What's going on here? You envision paralegal work as thankless, right? If that's so, how do you expect us to convince you otherwise? There's the old maxim that 80% of the content of any job is boring, but we choose it for the 20% of the job that we like. When we pick a job or a field, it is usually because there is something about it that attracts us. Perhaps it's the ability such work gives us to write, or do math, or interact with people, give presentations, solve problems, or earn a decent living. In one key respect, all jobs are thankless, meaning they go on forever and nothing ever gets permanently resolved; for if it did, there would no longer be any work. When you look at a job or a career, look at the process involved in doing it. If you feel you will enjoy the process you will probably like the job.