|
|
Query by klav: Why am I viewing job postings wherever some paralegals are creating far more than affiliate attorneys?
When seeking at legal job postings, I see a whole lot of posts for paralegals. Some of the salaries are much more than connect lawyers I know are creating. Some are even a lot more than senior attorneys I know make at small legislation corporations, and certainly more than a lot of solo attorney I know.
Why is this? Are paralegals turning out to be a lot more beneficial than attorneys to some organizations? Do you believe this occupation will carry on to expand and evolve? Will they turn into far more useful and make far more cash?
Also I am chatting “true” paralegal positions right here, not legitimate assistant jobs or legal secretaries.
Greatest reply:
Response by T E
that isnt surprising, as that could be a 30 yrs seasoned paralegal vs a rookie connect legal professional.
What do you think? Solution under!
Super experienced paralegals in some specialized fields (IP is the big one, although there are others) could be more valuable than beginning attorneys and thus earn more, especially in the small firm environment. Solo practitioners are a whole separate deal as they usually set their own rates and a large percentage of their earnings is going towards office space, etc.
Specialized paralegals will probably continue to be valuable because they cost the client less money and are usually paid less. A good, experienced paralegal can handle a fair amount of work that would otherwise be given to a first or second year associate and the billable hour charge will be less than half that for the attorney. Both the client and the firm win.
Paralegals have always been valuable to a law firm. And it does not surprise me to see that they can make more than some associates. I do think this profession will continue to grow.
You need to be very, very careful. Most of these postings are fictitious and fabricated – just made up by temp agencies trying to lure in employees. Be very, very careful.
Since this vocational field is shrinking (at an alarming rate), many new attorneys/lawyers are, themselves, having to work “down” as Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Legal Secretaries, Bailiffs, Court Reporters, etc, etc, to simply try to keep some of their bills paid <
A previous poster stated: "Specialized paralegals will probably continue to be valuable because they cost the client less money and are usually paid less. A good, experienced paralegal can handle a fair amount of work that would otherwise be given to a first or second year associate and the billable hour charge will be less than half that for the attorney. Both the client and the firm win." That theory SOUNDS good, but it is not what is actually happening in TODAY's job market. The "real" unemployment rate for attorneys, according to a gov't site, is 30% - so, attorneys themselves are having to work "down" as Paralegals.
Now... the law schools know this, but they won't tell you the truth >that the job market/economy is just SATURATED with way too many Legal Professionals. Instead the schools will feed you a fairytale and will LIE to you. The root of the problem is we already have too many law schools. We are STILL in a Recession, and the schools are fighting for their own survival – they will tell students anything to get to the students’ money. (Which is why they won’t tell you the truth about the job market for the field of Law.) And these schools continue to recruit and churn out even more graduates………….Remember>>> law schools are BUSINESSES – their TOP concern is making money for themselves.
>>>>>THE #1 MOST IMPORTANT THING (and I can’t stress this enough>>>): You ESPECIALLY have to beware of the BOGUS, INFLATED law school salary/job stats given out by >law schools< (AND by the U.S. Bureau of Labor)!!***<<<<<
If you don't believe me, then:
**Check out these websites: http://informeddecisionmaking.blogspot.com
http://calicocat.com/2004/08/law-school-big-lie.html
http://abajournal.com/news/triplt_bad_news_for_law_students_three_firms_aX_summer_associate_programs/
http://abajournal.com/news/as_rio_tinto_saves_millions_other_corps_will_outsource_too_counsel_says/
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/02/03/dont-try-to-dodge-the-recession-with-grad-school/
http://lawschoolscam.blogspot.com
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/another-view-lock-the-law-school-doors/?ref=business
http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2009/09/15/News/Law-Students.Face.Tough.Job.Market-3771810.shtml
http://thirdtierreality.blogspot.com/
>>>>>>>>http://beingaparalegalsucks.blogspot.com/
(A link to a website does not constitute endorsement.)
**do a SEARCH here on Yahoo Answers to see what other posters are saying about the current status of the field of Law. Call some local law firms – ask to speak to the Manager of Human Resources – ask them if they are hiring; ask them what they think about future job availability in the field of Law………………
**Do “informational interviews” with several attorneys from at least two or three different firms. (You can find how to do “informational interviews” from your local Public Library – ask the Librarian.) Interviewing attorneys is a time-efficient and extremely beneficial way of discovering if law is the right vocational field for you. Talk to a few Human Resource Managers who work at employers in the field of Law. Ask them what their opinion is on future job availability for the field of Law. Ask them if they have any current open positions. Ask them how many resumes they receive when they advertise ONE open position. (It is ususally approximately 300 resumes are received for each open position advertised.) If you personally know a practicing lawyer, set up a time with them to do an “informational interview” to ask them about their career. Talk to many attorneys. Better yet, spend an entire day with one of them.
**Talk to recent law graduates. Ask them what success they are having finding employment opportunities. < <<<<
If you want a JOB when you are done with your studies, consider and look into the fields of: >>>Healthcare, Information Technology, Law ENFORCEMENT, environmentalism, emergency planning, accounting, education, entertainment, utilities, home-car-commercial-industrial repairs, vice industries, clergy, and/or debt collection. I spoke to a career counselor from Jobs and Family Services, and HE told me that these areas are where the jobs are, and future job opportunities/availability….and scholarships.
There are MANY issues of working in the vocational field of Law. My answer is an attempt to give you a realistic way of looking at this career, and I have told you things that most will not tell you about the profession – at first. Be careful, do your research, and have your eyes open wide.
Good luck.
(This is based on my current knowledge, information, belief, and life experiences. This was intended as personal opinion, and not intended to be used as legal advice. Please be careful and do your research.<<< You DID ask the question here on Y/A. I am just trying to help you.)