A paralegal employed by a corporation works in its legal department, one of the many departments in a large company. Such a job is like working in a small general practice law firm. Some of the legal work that a corporation, bank, or insurance company is involved in will probably be done in conjunction with a law firm specializing in a certain kind of law, like litigation, real estate, or trusts and estates.
It is very possible for a corporate paralegal to work for both the general counsel of a corporation and a law firm. Paralegals find that working in a corporation allows them to have set working hours in contrast to a law firm's overtime hours, although a corporation will probably not offer the same variety of work as a law firm.
Working conditions are not uniform in all companies, so before accepting a job, a paralegal should find out exactly what his/her duties will be. Generally, the corporate paralegal will work in the areas of securities, real estate, and state and federal incorporation regulations.
Benefits usually are excellent in a corporation, bank, or insurance company. Many offer reimbursements which allow the paralegal to continue his/her education in either law or business school. Secretarial help will be available as well as a well-equipped law library.
Corporate paralegals have a definite advantage in their jobs. As they become familiar with the company's operations in general, future job mobility within the company may become possible.
Profile—Working in a Major Corporation
Karen A., a Phi Beta Kappa graduate with a degree in history, graduated in 1962 and taught for a year before having her first child. After her child was born, she returned to the teaching profession as a substitute teacher and continued to teach off and on for the next fifteen years while studying for her master's degree. She was never able to teach her specialty, history; she was always assigned to English or remedial reading classes, and as a result, she became dissatisfied with the education field. She was contemplating a career change when she saw an advertisement in the newspaper for a paralegal training program.
As a history major, she had always had an interest in law but never considered going to law school since she had her four children in the years immediately following graduation from college. Karen mentioned the possibility of attending a paralegal pro¬ gram to her husband, an attorney. Since he was familiar with the paralegal as a valued assistant to an attorney, he encouraged her to apply to a paralegal program. Karen decided to attend a six-month certificate program, which met in the evenings.
This program concentrated on a general practice curriculum. This seemed to be the best kind of program for Karen to take since she lives in a somewhat rural area whose law firms have a general practice. Before the end of the paralegal program, Karen had secured a position in a three-attorney general practice law firm.
There were three secretaries for the three attorneys and Karen was their first paralegal. Her salary started at $12,000 a year, but she had no health or insurance benefits. After working there for several months, Karen had an offer to interview at a Fortune 500 corporation’s legal department.
This interview was arranged by the paralegal program's placement office. Karen interviewed for the job and was offered it. She decided to accept the job because there appeared to be more career advancement in working for a major corporation. The salary and benefits were better too, including full reimbursement for education expenses. Her salary jumped to $15,000 a year.
The legal department consists of eleven attorneys, seven secretaries, three paralegals, and one office manager. One of the paralegals is going to law school at night.
The main areas that the legal staff concentrates in are securities law, litigation, real estate transactions, contract law, and tax law. Karen performs some legal research and fact-finding. Her main job duties are concentrated on editing monthly operating reports, assisting in workman's compensation and personal injury cases, and digesting depositions. She has been sent to Washington, D.C. to assist in the discovery phase of a major litigation.
At present, she is being trained in filing and renewing trademark registrations. Although Karen feels that she is being given
more and more responsible duties, she has not ruled out a job change from the legal department to another part of the corporation. She recently applied for a position as a marketing analyst which required some legal training.
Karen feels that paralegal training was essential for her to make the move from teaching to business. Without the certificate in paralegal studies, she believes that she would have had to study for a master's degree in business administration to have made the leap into the corporate setting without first being a secretary. Her understanding of business and the skills needed to succeed in it have given her the opportunity to begin a second career.
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published January 21, 2013
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration law
- Workers’ compensation
- Insurance defense
- Family law
- Trusts & estates
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.
? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Alternative Summary
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
More about Harrison
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