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A Quick Insight to the Paralegal Profession

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published February 18, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Here are some definitions of "paralegal." According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "paralegals perform many of the same tasks as lawyers, except for those tasks considered to be the practice of law." The National Federation of Para legal Associations (NFPA) defines a paralegal as "a person qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, govern mental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work."
 
A Quick Insight to the Paralegal Profession

WHY BECOME A PARALEGAL?

There are several reasons to become a paralegal. Read on to find out more about the many benefits of this growing profession.

Job Satisfaction

According to a survey conducted by the NFPA, paralegals find that contact with attorneys and a sense of responsibility are the most satisfying parts of their work. Of course, job satisfaction among paralegals can vary greatly. Once you have received paralegal training, you have a certain flexibility in the kind of work you do. That's even more true when you have a couple of years of experience. Therefore, if you do end up in a job that you find is not satisfying, it is fairly easy to change positions. Of course, the market for paralegals varies across the country, but if you have a certain amount of drive, you can find or create a position that is fulfilling.

A potential area for dissatisfaction is the duties you, as a paralegal, are expected to undertake. The profession is still new enough that not all lawyers really understand what a paralegal is, especially as compared to a legal secretary. Many others, in small firms and solo practices, feel that economics keep them from hiring both a legal secretary and a paralegal. As a result, paralegals are often asked to undertake tasks that are clerical in nature. For the most part, a paralegal who works in an environment where everyone-including the attorneys-pitches in as needed probably doesn't mind so much performing the occasional clerical duty.

On the other hand, a lawyer who understands and is respectful of your position will realize that while paralegals and legal secretaries both do important and difficult work, the two jobs are not the same. Most people, for example, wouldn't expect someone lacking legal training to conduct research or draft a pleading. Nor should they expect someone trained as a legal assistant to do clerical work. It can be a good idea to ask for a written job description when you apply for a job.

Professional Growth

As you gain experience as a paralegal, opportunities for advancement will present themselves. If the firm or company you work for is fairly large, you will have a chance to advance in-house into supervisory and management positions.

However, if you work at a smaller firm or company, you may need to make a lateral transfer to a bigger employer to move on to a managerial position. Certainly, even if you work for a very small employer, you will be given more responsibility and be expected to perform your duties with less supervision as time goes on.

One way to demonstrate that you have continued to grow in your profession and therefore deserve to advance in your career is by receiving certification. Certification is voluntary, and currently few paralegals receive certification, but it may become more important as the field grows.

A Word about Certification

United States
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) administers the certified legal assistant (CLA) exam, the most common method of certification for paralegals. It is important to note that this certification is not the same thing as the certificate you may receive from your paralegal training program. The CLA program is an attempt to recognize national minimum standards of competence for paralegals. According to NALA, there were 8,630 certified legal assistants and 690 certified legal assistant specialists in the U.S. as of May 1997. For comparison purposes, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, estimates that less than one-tenth of paralegals have their CLA. Nonetheless, NALA claims that paralegals with CLAs are consistently higher paid than those without.

To take the CLA examination, you must have graduated from a paralegal training program that is ABA approved or that grants an associate or bachelor's degree or a post-baccalaureate certificate, or a program that consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours, of which at least 15 semester hours are substantive legal courses. Or if you have a bachelor's degree in any field plus one year's work experience as a paralegal, or a high school diploma and seven years of experience, you may take the exam. It is unusual for a paralegal to sit for the CLA exam right out of school; in fact, depending on your education, you may have to work for a while before you qualify to take the exam. However, you may want to take it someday, so it is worth keeping its requirements in mind as you make decisions about your education and career.

The CLA is a two-day exam based on federal law and procedure. The exam covers the following topics:
 
  • ethics
  • legal research
  • communications
  • human relations
  • interviewing methods
  • legal terminology
  • judgment
  • analytical ability

It also tests knowledge of substantive law, including the American legal system and four areas of your choice: administrative law, bankruptcy, business organizations/corporations, contracts, family law, criminal law and procedure, litigation, probate and estate planning, and real estate. Upon successful completion of the exam, you may use the designation C.L.A. (a registered trademark) after your name.

NALA also offers you the opportunity to receive advanced certification in one of several specialty areas. After you have passed the CLA, you may take an exam in bankruptcy, civil litigation, corporations/business law, criminal law and procedure, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, or real estate. Successful completion of one of these four-hour tests allows you to designate yourself as a specialist in the particular area.

In 1994, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations decided to begin administering its own certification test, called the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE). To qualify to take this exam, you must have a minimum of two years of paralegal experience and a bachelor s degree and a certificate from an accredited school or a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. You also must not have been convicted of a felony or had any kind of license, registration, or certification revoked. If you successfully complete this exam, you may designate yourself PACE registered paralegal or RP. The PACE test also has a specialty component.

A few states have begun providing their own paralegal certification, and more are considering it. Often they give the tests in conjunction with the CLA or the PACE. As of now, certification for paralegals is voluntary. However, it is always possible that it will be required in the future. Either it will be required de facto (in fact) because "everybody else" has it, or it will be required dejure (by law). Remember that to some extent, attorneys exert influence over the paralegal profession, and the majority of them had to take grueling bar exams in order to practice. They may decide that certification of paralegals is a good idea, too.

Salary and Benefits

Earnings of paralegals can vary a great deal, depending on the level of education and experience of the paralegal and the geographic location and size and type of the employer. Throughout the country, actual paralegal salaries range from about $10,000 to over $80,000. As a rule, if you are in a large urban area and work for a large firm, you will make more than paralegals in smaller cities at smaller firms. The average salary of paralegals employed by the federal government is about $5,000 more than that earned by legal assistants in the private sector, but there are opportunities to make more in the private sector.

Paralegal benefits vary as well. Most paralegals receive vacation, sick leave, life insurance, and medical benefits. Less than half of paralegals have access to a pension plan. Paralegals who received a bonus reported that it averaged over $1,800.

A current issue in the paralegal profession is that of overtime. Most paralegals are nonexempt employees; that is, they must be paid overtime for working over 40 hours a week. Some paralegals would prefer to be exempt employees and be paid a straight salary; they believe that nonexempt employees, because they are paid an hourly wage, are seen as less professional. Paralegal associations are very involved in the dispute about whether we should be professionals and receive a straight salary or whether we should receive overtime. To me, overtime is unprofessional. You might have to sacrifice for a few years on a straight salary, but if you want to be respected as a professional, you need to be recognized as a professional, and that's one of the ways you do it.

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.
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