What Lawyers Need to Know About Effective Legal Staffing - Legal Staffers Share Insights

Summary

Legal staffing has become an increasingly important issue in the legal industry. As law firms have become bigger and more specialized, the need for legal staffers has grown. In order to be successful in the legal industry, it is essential for law firms to have a reliable and talented pool of legal staffers to rely on when needed.


Legal staff members play an important role in the law industry, providing expert assistance and guidance to attorneys and legal teams on a wide range of legal matters. They are often called upon to provide research and support to attorneys in preparing and filing legal documents, but they also help to ensure that attorneys and legal teams stay abreast of the most up-to-date legal developments.

To get a better understanding of the state of legal staffing, LawCrossing conducted a survey of legal staffers to find out their opinions and experiences in the legal staffing industry. Over 500 legal staffers participated in the survey, and the feedback they provided was enlightening and informative.

According to the survey results, legal staffers are generally satisfied with their positions, with most citing good pay, benefits, and job security. However, the survey also revealed that legal staffers often feel undervalued and underappreciated, with many of them pointing to a lack of recognition for their hard work and contributions.

The survey also highlighted that the legal staffing industry is competitive, with a limited number of opportunities and fierce competition for those jobs. Legal staffers often have to work long hours to stay competitive, and the survey found that many of them experience burnout due to the demanding nature of their jobs.

Overall, the survey showed that legal staffers are generally happy with their positions, but also feel undervalued and under-recognized. The competitive nature of the legal staffing industry can also lead to burnout. However, legal staffing is a necessary and important part of the legal industry, and it's clear that legal staffers need to be supported and appreciated in order to do their best work.

Legal staffing is a vital part of the modern legal industry, and the survey conducted by LawCrossing revealed that legal staffers are generally satisfied with their jobs. However, the survey also highlighted that legal staffers need support and recognition in order to do their best work. The competitive nature of legal staffing also can lead to burnout and long hours for legal staffers. It's essential for law firms to have a reliable and talented pool of legal staffers to rely on when needed, and it's clear that legal staffers need to be supported and appreciated to ensure that they remain productive and motivated.
 

What Legal Staffers Have to Say About the Industry

Legal staffing is one of the fastest growing job sectors in the United States today. With the addition of contract professionals and paraprofessional support staff, the legal industry has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of legal support staff has increased by more than 75 percent since 2002. As the demand for legal staffing continues to increase, so too do the opinions of those working in the sector.
 

Benefits of Working in the Legal Field

When asked about the benefits of working in the legal field, many legal staffers cited the opportunity to work with experienced attorneys, gain real-world experience, and develop their legal skills. Legal professionals consistently noted how the fast-paced environment of a law firm allowed them to stay up-to-date on current legal topics and gain valuable insight into the legal profession. Furthermore, many legal staffers stated that they enjoy the flexibility that comes with being able to work in various industries and move between practices depending on their preferences.
 

Drawbacks to Working in the Legal Industry

While many legal staffers spoke highly of the industry, some also noted some of its flaws. Many indicated that the long hours and pressure to meet tight deadlines can be a major struggle. Others cited the ever-changing legal landscape as a challenge that requires consistent effort to stay up-to-date. Additionally, some legal staffers noted that the lack of job security can be a concern, as the legal sector is known for having a high turnover rate.
 

Compensation & Benefits

Legal staffers often commented on the level of compensation and benefits in the industry. Many noted that the salaries for legal professionals have risen significantly in recent years, often outpacing other sectors. Furthermore, many legal staffers commended the generous benefits packages offered by their employers, which often include medical and dental insurance, 401Ks, vacation and sick days, and other perks.

1. Are lawyers nice to work for? What are they like as bosses? I was thinking of going to paralegal school... I would like to know more about the work environment at a law firm.
Annie C.

Well, lawyers, much like any high stress professionals, often tend to be pressed for time, under pressure and overworked. The stereotype tends to portray angry lawyer bosses and the ever-suffering paralegals. This is certainly not always the case, but holds true in many instances. For example, a litigation paralegal in a large firm may well have that sort of boss, but a bankruptcy or probate practice in a small- to medium-sized firm may be fairly low stress and congenial, producing nicer bosses. Any of our readers are welcome to share their work experiences here.

2. I've been out of the legal profession for several years. I worked as a paralegal several years ago and quit my job to stay home with my child. I am wondering what the market is like now for paralegals?
Joanna M.

While the legal field took a tumble like other professions during the economic recession, it seems that we at LawCrossing are finding more and more employers looking for paralegals, so it seems that the market is improving. Even when the market is bad for attorneys however, the market for experienced paralegals is not all that bad since often downsizing firms tend to rely more on paralegals, who are paid less, and hence a better economical choice when times are hard.

3. Do law firms prefer someone with a college education along with a paralegal certificate? Or can I get a good paralegal job with just a high school diploma and paralegal certificate?
Josh L.

Large firms tend to hire paralegals with BA's, who are often doing paralegal work as a stop-gap job, between law or grad school. Often career paralegals who are certified tend to be more in demand. There is a lot of information on this topic in this week's Paralegal Profile -- check it out!

4. I want to work at a law firm. Do you think I could get a job starting out as a receptionist and then move up to being a legal assistant or paralegal? I don't really have the money to go to school right now.
Allison B.

Yes, many firms like their legal staff "home grown." They train them without much experience and use internal promotions, however you need to find those firms. A good idea might be to talk to some paralegals who work at the firms about how they got their jobs.

5. How many legal secretarial positions do you have on your website?
Roanne L.

I just did a search and found over 3000 posted just this week! Doing a search is free, go to advance search and try doing a search for today, this week, this month etc.