Experiences of a Paralegal

Working as a paralegal is a common route for law graduates and those aspiring to qualify as solicitors or barristers. Most legal employers, if not all, recognise the value of gaining paralegal experience. Not only does it provide an insight into the legal profession, but it also demonstrates your commitment to pursuing a legal career.

Although many paralegal positions are temporary, they can provide valuable experience and help you build a strong foundation for your career. I have worked in several paralegal roles since graduating from university and currently work at a Magic Circle law firm. In this article, I will share my experiences of working as a paralegal and provide an insight into what you can expect from the role.

What Do Paralegals Do?

The actual day-to-day work that a paralegal undertakes will vary dependent on the firm you are working for. Whether this means copy checking, bundle preparation or document review is entirely dependent on the work that needs to be carried out, and your suitability in terms of qualifications for the role. My first paralegal role involved working on an investigation and sifting through files to see whether they are of relevance to the investigation being carried out. My second paralegal role was slightly different. It involved drafting correspondence whilst under supervision of a solicitor, office admin, greeting clients and also bundle preparation.

Paralegals for international law firms may also be expected to speak a second language as work is likely to cross jurisdictions. My experience has involved working for two large law firms, with both roles requiring the use of English and German. In my current role, my German language skills, combined with being a native English speaker, have allowed me to work on matters requiring fluency in both languages.

How Much Do Paralegals Earn?

Salaries and hourly rates vary considerably depending on the firm, location, experience and whether the role is permanent or temporary. Temporary paralegal positions are often paid hourly and can provide a useful source of income while you gain legal experience.

How to Get a Paralegal Role

There are two main ways to find a paralegal role: applying directly to law firms or using recruitment agencies. Building up your CV with relevant experience will make you a stronger candidate, and temporary paralegal roles can be a useful way to do this.

Temporary roles often involve tasks such as document review and copy checking. Although these may not involve drafting or direct client interaction, they are still important aspects of legal work and provide an opportunity to gain experience within a law firm. There is also nothing wrong with continuing to look for other opportunities while working in a temporary role. In fact, a temporary position can be a useful stepping stone while you are building your experience and deciding what type of legal work interests you.

It is also worth making a good impression. In my experience, firms value paralegals who have demonstrated that they can do the job well, particularly when they need people for future projects. A temporary role may therefore lead to further opportunities within the same firm, although this should never be taken for granted.

Is Being a Paralegal Worth It?

Overall, my experience of working as a paralegal has been extremely positive. The people I work with, the quality of the work and the opportunity to gain experience at a well-known international firm have all contributed to this. The main drawback is the uncertainty that can accompany temporary positions, but this should not necessarily put you off applying. Paralegal work provides valuable practical experience, insight into the legal profession and can strengthen applications to law firms and chambers. I would therefore encourage anyone considering a legal career to consider paralegal work.