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Beginning Your New Career as a Paralegal

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published January 22, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Many recently graduated paralegals start their first day on the job uncertain of what to expect. These uncertainties concern how they will be viewed by the other staff and/or utilized as a member of the legal team. It is important to remember that starting a paralegal job is like starting any other new job for which you received educational training; your first several weeks are a "getting acquainted" period with the staff. Paralegal training does differ from program to program and many lawyers are still experimenting with how to use paralegals most effectively.
 
Beginning Your New Career as a Paralegal

Prepare in Advance Before your first day of work, review your notes and textbook readings from your paralegal training program to familiarize yourself with the legal terminology and procedures that you were taught, since there may have been sometime between your graduation and your first day on the job. It is best to refresh your memory by reading over these course materials.

You may find that your first position involves work in an area of law with which you are not familiar. If so, ask one of your former instructors to recommend a book or two in that area of law so that you can do some homework, which will make you feel more confident on your first day. In addition to preparing for the type of law which is practiced by your new employer.

it is also a good idea to do some in-depth research about your new place of employment if you did not do so before your interview. If it is a law firm, then go back to their listing in Martindale-Hubbell Become familiar with the names, backgrounds, and areas of legal expertise of the firm's lawyers. This will assist you in feeling more at ease with the lawyers you meet on the first day.

If your first job is in the legal department of a corporation, you should go to Standard and Poor's or Dun and Bradstreet and acquaint yourself with the company's size, products, divisions, subsidiaries, and locations. Such information can help give you confidence, make you more useful in the first week or two of the job, and demonstrate to your new bosses that you are interested in your new job.

Government agencies frequently have annual reports and pamphlets prepared to inform the public of their functions. Pay a visit to the agency to pick up some of this information before you begin your employment. The facts that you learn by reading through the reports and pamphlets will demonstrate to the other staff that you are interested and concerned about your new position.

You may want to pay a visit to your new place of employment before you start on the job. You can meet informally with the lawyers and paralegals before starting work. You can introduce yourself to your fellow employees and ask any questions about the work setting, and types of law that you will become involved in. Sometimes this is done before accepting the job offer, however, it's easy to forget about it in the excitement of accepting the job offer.

Taking the opportunity to make a short informal visit before beginning the job is perfectly acceptable and is usually recommended. Dress for the first day on the job as you dressed for the interview (see page 90 for suggestions). It is always possible that once you begin the job you will find that the legal staff dresses casually and you may wish to follow suit. But on the first day of the job you should always dress somewhat more formally; it can only make a better first impression with the lawyers.

Allow extra time for getting ready on the morning of the first day of the job since you will probably want to arrive a half-hour earlier than usual. First, you want to be certain that you know how to get to the job (don't be late!). Second, you will need some extra time in the morning to meet with the person in charge of personnel. If you received a letter confirming your position at an agreed upon salary, you should bring it with you on the first day. You should also bring with you several more copies of your resume. Many personnel offices need a resume on file for each employee.

United States
The resume that was sent in for your interview may have been written on and/or kept by one of the attorneys who interviewed you. You will probably be asked to fill out numerous forms on your first day. These forms may include an application for employment, as well as health and insurance forms. Some companies may also expect you to have a physical examination by the company doctor.

The numbers that you will need to have on hand may include your Social Security number, your spouse's Social Security number, telephone number of your spouse's place of employment, telephone numbers of your references, and the numbers and names of your health insurance policies. You may also be given a booklet on the office's policies in regard to vacations, sick days, personal days, and overtime.

Next, the personnel director or the attorney with whom you will be working most closely will escort you around the offices to introduce you to the other staff members. You will also be shown the typing and stenography pools, the word-processing area, the law library, the file room, and the firm's or company's dining room, if there is one.

You will also be instructed on how to fill out your daily time records. Either before or after your tour of the office you will be shown to your own office. Many paralegals start in their jobs by sharing an office with other paralegals. In fact, many attorneys will also share an office if the law firm has a problem with office space. The advantages of sharing an office are that you will not feel isolated during your training period. You will usually have some one close by to answer your questions. You will also have the opportunity to develop some camaraderie with the other paralegal staff.

The disadvantage of sharing an office is that you may have distractions or noise when you are trying to complete an assignment which requires deep concentration. Or you may have some problems when making phone calls to clients or interviewing clients in person. The law library or the conference room, when not in use, may be the place where you might want to relocate temporarily when there are too many distractions in your office.

Remember, as you become a more senior member of the paralegal staff there is always the possibility of being moved to an office of your own if the space is available. Your space within the office, whether or not you are sharing it with other paralegals, will have a desk, chair, and phone. Usually there will also be a bookcase nearby for you to store some of your paralegal texts. The bookcase can also be used to store some of the case files you may be using when you assist an attorney on a case. Some paralegals share a secretary with another attorney or with another paralegal. Usually the secretary will be next to your office in order to facilitate your bringing work for him/her to type. In other law offices, paralegals may use only the typing pool to assist them in their work. Many lawyers will take their new paralegals out to lunch on their first day as a ''welcome to the office" gesture. In some offices the existing paralegal staff may take the new paralegal out.

Ask Questions One of the most common concerns of a novice paralegal is what he/she will be expected to do during his/her first few months on the job. Will he/she be given a complex assignment with few or no instructions and be expected to handle it on his/her own? How much of the paralegal's training will be applicable to the job? Most attorneys will not give difficult or complicated assignments to a new paralegal. If you are given an assignment which you do not understand or are unsure of, ask to be shown how to complete it. It is extremely important that you ask a lot of questions during your training period. It is part of the training process and the lawyers expect it.

Remember, too, that all of your work will always be reviewed by an attorney. The key to becoming a competent paralegal is to ask questions, to be unafraid of making a mistake, and to learn through your errors. By feeling prepared to start work as a paralegal, and knowing what you can expect on the job, you should be able to begin your paralegal career on the right footing.

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.

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

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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