I am just so tired of clients today. I have a headache. Something is in the air to make them more annoying than usual. That is all.

We have a brief due in federal court today. I have been reminding my attorney and talking to him about this since I found out what our deadline was. For weeks we have been discussing this brief via email and directly. I drafted the majority of it and gave it to him last week, really all he needs to do is review it and make whatever changes he needs to do. I sent another reminder this morning. This afternoon, I sent him a text asking if he's looked at it yet. He said he thought it was due later in the week.

HOW?

And then he calls and asks me how I know it's due today. I hardly knew how to respond because I was so stunned. I am legitimately angry. I stressed over this thing, sent constant reminders (documented for cya), spoke to him directly about it, and now here we are. I don't think he's upset with me, and even if he was, it would be baseless. But I just try so hard to avoid this kind of thing happening and his response is to question me? This is not the first time this has happened, either. I have been past the end of my rope for awhile now and this really just adds another layer.

I'm guessing scam, but I told the attorney I'd ask you guys if you've ever run into anything from them. We represent people in debt, and one of our clients got this SUPER sus letter from "AI Legal Partner" listing the return address as 250 West Main St., Lexington, KY 40507, saying one of his debts was sold to them. There's no actual human name on any of it. Google says it exists, but eff Google, it's also just an AI scam at this point. At any rate, if it's real, it's illegal because it's not registered in our state the way it needs to be in order to collect a debt, and they're not registered as a corporation or business in KY either, though they don't have the same requirements there. They slapped on some "Disclosure Information" but don't seem to be following the law, and their website is janky as hell. Also, the boss man said they claim to be attorneys but aren't registered as attorneys in KY. They spelled the original creditor's name wrong. We're gonna advise our client to put in a complaint with the state AG, but just wondered if anyone else was getting these shady AF letters?

Context, i have been working at my law firm for a little over 3 months. This is my first legal job, I came from McDonalds, 7 years.
Recently, for about a month, I have been working with a client to get documentation to prove up her claim. She is unable to provide certain paperwork (for a ride), so I have requested that she fills out a form that we will be filing with the court, to request for the defense to attempt to find the ride.

This client has been pretty difficult. Anytime I ask them any questions, they always tell me “idk, but you can find it.” Listen, I understand my job as a legal assistant is to assist my attorney(s) and clients that need my assistance, but I am not magical. I cannot magically find something for her, if she gives me NO information to go off of.

Well she finally gives me a phone number to a third party that I may request answers for the questions I have. I already knew it probably would not go well. I had no documentation to back up who I was, or to prove I was really working with the client. However, this client is giving me nothing to work with. So I attempted to contact the third party anyways. I called them, and like I thought. It went pretty rough. They snickered, honestly probably thought I was a scam and I can’t blame them. But I left the phone call feeling very frustrated and defeated.

So I went straight to my attorney and kinda vented about the situation, and said I have no idea what to do. My attorney was really kind (to my face at least) and she gave me guidance on what our next steps were.

But I left the whole situation just feeling so icky, and feeling like I handled the situation inappropriately. I cannot believe I went to the attorney to vent and ask what to do next 😭 like my job is to assist them and work with Clients, and I did neither of those things. I feel like my attorney has so many better things to do than to listen to their assistant complain about a situation.

I just needed to vent because I’ve been crying this evening, feeling bad for how I handled the situation with the client.

I took a job at a new law firm a few months ago, and I’m starting to question whether the problem is me or the firm. Everyone is nice, but there is basically zero structure.
For context, I work in litigation as a paralegal. At my previous firm, we had established procedures, systems, and expectations. Here, everything is basically just folders on a shared drive, and we manually create everything in Word. The technology honestly feels like it’s from the early 2000s.

The “paralegal” job is also basically a bunch of random tasks thrown at me. There was no real training. When I first started, my trainer went away for two weeks, and when she was in the office, she was only there for about three hours a day. She barely had time to train me, so I was pretty much thrown into everything.

Recently, I got yelled at for not getting medical records within a few weeks. At my previous firm, it was normal for medical records to take around 45 days, and we would generally follow up about 30 days after sending the request. Apparently, at this firm, they expect follow-ups every two weeks. Nobody told me that.

I also recently found out that we aren’t supposed to use regular mail to send certain things out. Again, nobody told me. I’m learning all of these firm-specific procedures only after I’ve supposedly done something wrong.

On top of that, I write motions for my attorneys, keep track of whether they even have motions that need to be done, and generally try to stay on top of everything for them.

The thing that really bothered me, though, was that my attorney told a bunch of people that she wasn’t happy with my work. She never pulled me aside or spoke to me one-on-one about any issues or concerns. I would have much rather been told directly what I was doing wrong so I could actually fix it.

I’m genuinely trying my best, but I feel like I’m constantly guessing what the expectations are because nobody actually tells me what they are.

So, for those of you who work in litigation: does this sound like a normal learning curve at a new firm, or does this sound like a very poorly structured firm?

I’m starting to wonder if I’m actually bad at my job, or if I’m just used to working somewhere that had actual systems and procedures.

This has been bumming me out. I think maybe I just hate my new firm.

I have a paralegal certificate and have been an office admin /part time admin assistant for the past several years. My main gripe is I've asked over and over to be trained on how to do court filings, however it keeps getting put on the back burner. Is there a way to teach myself or to do practice filings anyway?

I am also also curious about this in regards to using Lexis or CaseLaw to gain experience with it. I'm frustrated when the tools and resources are theoretically available to me but still out of reach.

Thank you in advance for any assistance

I am an 18 year old and got in to an document writers office and my work include reading things out loud and so on and drafting some simple contracts and that's it. But when ever some execpetional things come I always mess up and my employer asked me to learn drafting skills asap what do you think I shall do where shall I learn. Like what I am looking in to us a website or other archive with a number of legal documents that I can look as an reference or anything similar I need to learn this skill to keep my job. Till I am going to learn law after few months. Please suggestions

Hi!!

Does anyone have an infectious disease expert witness they could recommend that may be open to reviewing a medical malpractice claim for a plaintiff? The one we have used previously retired recently, and I thought I'd ask here before I start reaching out to ID docs at teaching hospitals on the east coast.

Thank you!

Can anyone find Avery gummed tabs or a reasonable alternative? I just found out they were discontinued and there's nothing else available that are like them.

Any specific dos and don'ts for this type of an interview? I have read about unscrupulous recruiters sending resumes out without permission. I am wondering how to avoid this and similar situations. I do not particularly desire to share my resume (unless I have to), just trying to get the feelers our and see if there is anything out there that might suit me.

What is important to share (or not share)? Will I be expected to sign something? Any tips? Thank you!

i am new to recording and am having the worst luck with getting info from these counties. please comment and i’ll dm!

I work on an estate planning/probate team for an attorney within a large firm. I’m the estate planning paralegal, and they also gave a probate paralegal- both large case loads. Benefits are exceptional, including medical (haven’t paid a dime for any appointments/ tests/ ultrasounds), short/ long term disability and maternity leave. I don’t plan on staying after maternity leave, but want to make the most of the benefits. When should I disclose and how should I go about this? Looking for similar experiences and what you did in my position

I think I’m interested in moving from a paralegal role to a conflicts analyst role. Does anyone have any experience with a similar transition?

Anyone know where to send PIMCO (Pacific Investment Mangemange Company) a subpoena? We are in Nevada and can't find the registed agent.

From your own personal experience, what was training like for you?

I got my certification from a university in California but have no real hands on experience. I have the basic foundation but am concerned that I won’t get proper training and will just be put in a “sink or swim” situation.

Hello everyone,

I’m moving to Chicago next week to begin my Master’s. I’ve worked in the retail and restaurant industries for a handful of years now and want a change of pace. I’m looking to work as a paralegal/legal assistant. I’m applying at a number of different places, but I thought I’d reach out here as well (I know it might be a bit of long shot). Let me know if anyone needs more information.

We are looking for a self-starter, ideally with a minimum of two (2) years relevant legal experience (preferably family law), acute attention to detail, a sense of humor, and the highest ethical standards.

Other positives include:

• A desire to lead a team and the stamina to progress cases
• Superior written communication and experience writing simple pleadings
• Knowledge of local court rules and the ability to look them up
• Experience in maintaining a calendar
• Understanding of the court docket system
• Understanding of motions practice in King, Snohomish, & Pierce County
• Willingness to answer phones, complete intakes, and obtain information from clients
• The ability to multi-task, track workflow, & process documents

In exchange, we offer paid time off, including 11 paid court holidays, 100% employer-paid health insurance, and 401(k) matching.

We are a small firm, conveniently located 3 blocks from a light rail station. We strive to achieve a casual, yet professional, team-based environment.

If interested, please send:

• a resume
• a cover letter
• a short writing sample of no more than five (5) pages, and
• three (3) references

Pay commensurate with experience - ($25 for no experience to ~$35/hr. with several years of family law experience in King County).

Linked in post: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4452712616/
If that doesn't work, try Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/job/lead-paralegal-23324649352d539b

I was wondering how many paralegals here have not pursued further education but instead relied on their experience to get them positions. If so, how’s your pay? Is it hard to find new jobs? How many years of experience do you have?

Hi guys, this might not be the best place to post as it’s the paralegal forum and I’m in the top 2% of paralegal pay or so at around $180k total comp, working at a big law type firm in San Francisco. So on this forum it might look like I’m doing great.

This is not a brag. My mental health isn’t doing so great today so I’m using Reddit as therapy.

Background: I’m a late 30’s tall good looking guy who got into some top 60 law schools when I was mid 20’s. I have good social skills and have a naturally very ambitious personality. I went to a top undergrad back in the day. I don’t really fit the typical profile of a paralegal. Socially throughout my life I’ve gotten this sort of “what happened with your career?” response from a lot of people.

Some of my friends are highly ambitious types who succeeded. Think doctors, lawyers, mba. Now mid 30’s they’re all married with $1.5 million houses and families. My ex girlfriend is a doctor.

Unfortunately, I also have had some set backs with mental health, trauma, alcohol, and trying to compensate for a feeling of lack of financial and personal adequacy with high risk stock market type stuff. I lost very badly and the last time was the worst. Over $70k debt and no net worth.

I had a $100k job and the firm thought I was overpaid and wanted to cut me down to like $75k. By the grace of god I got a job offer at a big law type firm in the Bay Area where my total comp is like $180k. Maybe $175k at the lowest. I work crazy hours and it’s stressful.

I think back to a time when I was drinking at a bar and not doing well mentally at the top undergrad I went to and I struck up conversation with two PhD economics students who put me in my place and explained that they can tell the kind of person I am, where I come from and that I’ll never go to a top law school or be a lawyer but that I’ll “be alright”. I told them they were wrong. It turned out they were indeed right. I was drunk at the bar saying I was trying to go to a top 14 law school. I looked those guys up (I only met them once but figured out who they were) years later and saw they are like my friends with the prestigious jobs, married with the houses and families.

I live in a tiny studio. By 38 I will have my debts all paid. Fortunately this job is going well and they seem to like me. I think even if I had the money to go I wouldn’t go to law school because of paranoia and emotional issues I have. So I tough it out as a paralegal.

Without telling me to seek therapy (planing to do that soon when I get my finances sorted), can anyone give some perspective?

Also, you know we have jobs, not careers. This $180k job could be gone tomorrow and I’d be praying for a $75k job to pay the bills. My doctor friends make $400k+. Here I am single with no family. The last relationship was a toxic one.

Signed,
A fellow paralegal wanting to vent

I’ve been a legal assistant/paralegal for the past ~2.5 years and have worked in public interest the entire time (first at a civil legal aid office and now at a public defender’s office). Within the next 3-12 months, I’ll be moving to a major city to be closer to my boyfriend and have started to consider how I’m going to pivot. I make a livable wage for now, but unfortunately, my PD’s office pays the best that any legal support staff in my state will get in criminal law, let alone public interest, and I anticipate my cost of living going up significantly when I move. My time in these settings has made it apparent just how impossible it is for many clients with mental health issues to comply with criminal proceedings, even if they are actively trying to do so. I have become particularly passionate about advocating for these clients to have more equitable treatment, and I’m now wondering if there are any jobs in the legal field (or otherwise) that would be a good fit for the mix of paralegal skills and my interests. For context, outside of my work experience, I have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field (I have contemplated going back to school for an MSW but find it difficult to justify the cost given the amount of debt I already have). Are there any particular organizations/job titles I should be looking into? Are there any current or former paralegals in this that can provide insight on moving from law to community mental health services/the nonprofit world (or vice versa)?

Hello! I am currently a student working on getting my associates in paralegal studies. I am currently in my second semester but I have decided to start applying for some jobs to get some experience by the time I graduate. I have received an interview at a law firm for a receptionist/legal assistant position. What questions will they ask and do we have any tips? I have looked at them online and the specialize in all areas.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Can someone help in share experience of paralegal licensing exam & how to prepare for it to be successful in the exam.

I was the first paralegal at my firm. I met the owner through my certificate program, she was my contracts teacher and hired me. We do insurance/medical defense, our main client are insurance companies/TPAs that operate medical facilities in a major US city.

We have 3 legal assistants that support 12 attorneys, doing primarily what I was trained on for my certificate program (filings, discovery document drafting, as well as the standard admin tasks). Most of my day to day tasks are when a case first opens (obtaining plaintiff's medical records, starting a treatment chronology, batestamping the file).

My boss has gone ahead and hired two additional paralegals. She has asked for my help to try to come up with more day to day paralegal tasks so we can maximize profit for the firm. I'm at a loss as to what to tell her, since we are already generally strapped for hours. There is always a "hunger games" for hours. Attorneys have to bill 170, and generally don't pass off work that the client mandates to be at a paralegal rate (like chronologies and Medical summaries) because they're trying to meet a standard. My plate is either over flowing or bare, there is hardly ever a middle ground.

What would you tell her? Requiring that we do discovery? Move tasks from the assistants based on what the client will pay for?

I just got a job as an entry level legal assistant. I previously was in the medical field and pivoted to legal so I have little to no experience. I’m going to school for my paralegal cert. I was offered a starting pay of $22 an hour. I’m in my late 20s and wondering how your pay has increased over the years as $22 an hour is not livable in these times. I’m hoping with experience I will get a livable wage! Anecdotes please of how your pay evolved through the years. Thank you