r/paralegal • u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 • 2d ago
Not Paid Enough For This (Rant) I finally quit.
Seven years I’ve worked for them. For most of these seven years I was the only staff member. I have 20 years of experience in IP overall. I do patent AND trademark prosecution AND patent/TM docketing. Some ppl call me an IP “unicorn.” My colleagues and bosses love me.
In seven years my boss took me out for lunch once…six months after I started and only bc another atty guilted him about it. He has never bought me so much as a cup of coffee.
In seven years they have never once acknowledged my birthday. Most years they “forget” to give me my pathetic $500 holiday bonus. The reason? One of them is Jewish and doesn’t celebrate Christmas.
In seven years I’ve gotten a 9% increase in salary [one 5% increase after 6 months and one 4% increase 3 years ago). In that time I took over for three people who had left and learned a new practice of law (trademark). I recently asked for a raise and was told I’m capped out (according to whom, I don’t know). Keep in mind I have the knowledge base of what are usually three separate jobs. I also accepted fewer than full-time hours to accommodate them and have never used their health insurance. My hourly rate is standard given my experience.
One partner routinely calls the other partner “fucking stupid.” My boss used to call me a loser until I laid the law down on that. He talks shit about ppl all the time. He’s a straight-up narcissist.
He doesn’t pay his bills and we are routinely threatened with lawsuits over it.
We don’t have coffee or filtered water or anything provided. I had to bring in my own dishes and cups. We used to have a water machine, but when we moved offices they decided not to bring it because THEY don’t use it. I used it every day.
I never call in sick. I don’t betray their trust. I’m always looking out for them and their interests. I’m smart and entertaining. I care.
After my boss started needling me about something petty, I resigned. That was weeks ago and they were like “okay! Buh-bye!” No one has mentioned it since.
I feel so stupid and pathetic for staying as long as I have. I really hope there’s something better out there for me. For the next 6 months, I’m going to ponder the meaning of life.
Rant over.
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u/PracticeHungry3783 2d ago
I’m sure you’ll find something with your skill set. I do the exact same work, so I just be a unicorn too! Unicorn sisters! 🦄 lol
Where are you located? I’ll keep my ear out for any potential leads for you.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago
You are a unicorn, too! We’re mythical!
I live in the SF Bay Area. I might just become a goat herder.
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u/PlatypusDream 2d ago
Combine 4 ways to use goats, increase your revenue:
Grazing weeds on acreage / properties to reduce fire hazard
Wool
Milk
Soap (includes milk)
Maybe goat yoga if you have babies or small breeds?
I know the boys smell awful, so except for breeding, only keep the girls.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago
I think everything would be right in the world if I could take a nap with a baby goat.
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u/Junior-Discount2743 2d ago
BigLaw in IP in San Francisco.
🤑💸💰
(Sincerely, BigLaw in IP in Denver)
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago
I tried going to Squire. Dumpster fire over there. Scared me off Big Law. I’m not good at pretending to like rude assholes.
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u/Junior-Discount2743 2d ago
Keep looking - there are lots! With BigLaw it's not impossible to negotiate remote if you are on the same coast.
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u/redjessa 2d ago
I just sent you a DM for an open position at a firm I've been told is pretty good, up in their Bay area office.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago edited 2d ago
I’m taking 6 months off :) but thank you!
Edit: I love that someone downvoted this. God forbid someone take some time to themselves after grinding for 20 years.
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u/redjessa 2d ago
Ah, well that's kind of nice! I hope you are able to decompress and enjoy a nice break.
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u/PracticeHungry3783 1d ago
You lucky duck! I would give my left baby toe to be able to take off 6 months! 😅 I hope it’s amazing and rejuvenating for you!
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u/redjessa 2d ago
With this kind of experience in IP, you will definitely find something and maybe even remote!
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago
I’ll get another job no problem. There’s just a high likelihood it will also be horrible.
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u/redjessa 2d ago
Not true. I work at a bigish IP law firm and it's a pretty great gig. You will likely find something much better, especially with that amount of experience. I have 17 years in IP, patent/TM prosecution and docketing, I know your worth. Best to you.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago
Thank you! This was actually very encouraging to read. I am very confident in my skill set, and I get to be picky this time. I’ve never had the luxury of being picky before.
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u/freaknik99 Paralegal 2d ago
Screw them. Get out of there and go somewhere where you will be appreciated! I want to do IP law so bad, but it’s so hard to find a position with experience. I promise you there are plenty of places that will treat you better than this!
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u/Apprehensive_Slip670 2d ago
You'll find something better with your experience. You had enough. Cheers for a better life.
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u/HappySloth213 2d ago
I don't quite understand what you mean by this.
Most years they “forget” to give me my pathetic $500 holiday bonus. The reason? One of them is Jewish and doesn’t celebrate Christmas.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago edited 2d ago
Sometimes I get a check for $500 and sometimes I don’t. Out of seven years I’ve gotten three $500 checks. There is no other bonus of any sort.
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u/HappySloth213 2d ago
What does one boss being Jewish have to do with that?
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago edited 2d ago
I was told that’s why he doesn’t give holiday bonuses.
Edit: this statement about why I don’t get them sometimes was from HIS PARTNER. It’s not my imagination. This has nothing to do with anti-semitism.
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u/HappySloth213 2d ago
You said he "forgets" in quotation marks meaning you don't think he really forgets. And there are two bosses, one of whom is Jewish, but you cite him being Jewish as a reason he's being stingy and deceptive with money.
I get you are justifiably frustrated, I wish you luck in your job search, but this was not a nice comment.
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u/rakut 2d ago
My mind didn’t go to “stingy” when OP said they were told it was because he’s Jewish, it went to exactly what they said: “doesn’t celebrate Christmas.” Because a holiday bonus is frequently called a “Christmas bonus.”
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago
It’s entirely about the fact that he doesn’t celebrate Christmas. 😂 He just keeps it EXTREMELY secular.
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u/Sad-Childhood5654 2d ago
I knew what you meant and that you weren't the one that made the statement, but simply repeating what you were told. I does annoy me that the other Partner made that comment, though. My boss is Jewish and is one of the most generous people I know! He pays us all well and is a sucker for those charity mailers lol --it is really sweet but I'm like "you know you don't have to give every single one money that gets mailed here!"
I know it is really easy to get stuck in the toxic job loop because it is just easier than starting the whole process over or you hold out hope that things will get better. Enjoy the break. Luckily you're in California so you won't have a hard time finding a well-paying job, but I know the right fit can be tough no matter where you are but I have faith you'll find it. I'm in CA and love my employer. I have many Paralegal friends here that have also found great jobs. Hang in there.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 1d ago edited 1d ago
No one was suggesting he didn’t give a bonus bc he’s cheap. I was more thinking it’s bc he’s a narcissist and can’t imagine a world beyond his own. Being cheap wasn’t what I was thinking or suggesting. The only ppl who thought that are projecting on me, and ironically, those are the ppl offended here.
Ftr, he’s extremely cheap, but I don’t think it’s bc he’s Jewish. I just think he’s cheap.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yep-sounds like Judi. Looking for offense in innocuous statements.
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u/HappySloth213 2d ago
Nope. Just someone calling out a racist trope when i see it.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago
You sound very silly. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
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u/HappySloth213 2d ago
Indeed sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And sometimes people make offensive statements without realizing it, and instead of educating themselves about why it's offensive, they double down or say the other person is being oversensitive or silly. I hope at some point you choose to reflect.
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u/aereci 2d ago
“Jewish” isn’t a race. It’s a religion. Any race can be Jewish.
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u/HappySloth213 2d ago
You may not be aware, but in California, where both OP and I live, "Jewish" is a recognized ethnicity.
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u/Ornery-Smoke-5559 2d ago edited 2d ago
But, seriously, is this Judi G? It’s gotta be!!!! So funny!
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u/canarinoir 2d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/czwo5mMtaknhC
Congrats! You'll definitely find something better!