Repost from Parenting Board: Question for lawyers/legal assistants about work as a legal assistant

I applied to law schools last year and got in but turned down my acceptance when I found out I was pregnant. There was no way I would be able to work full time (being DH and I just bought our house), go to school and be pregnant at the same time. I am going to be going out on maternity leave in a few months, my is due April 2nd. I was thinking about taking the Paralegal courses offered at Hofstra while I am home with the baby. I do not want to go back to my old job so I intend on quitting anyway. We have enough money saved for me to stay home for a few months. Than I thought after completing the courses I would be able to get a job either P/T or F/T (depending on ) as a paralegal and eventually (years from now) go to law school as I intended.

Do you think it is beneficial to get a Paralegal certificate? It seems from job ads not many law firms want to train a newbie. Just wanted to get your input and advice. Thanks!

Re: Repost from Parenting Board: Question for lawyers/legal assistants about work as a legal assistant

I attended the paralegal certificate program at Hofstra in 1997. Before I got my certificate no firms would hire me but afterwards I got numerous job offers.

Re: Repost from Parenting Board: Question for lawyers/legal assistants about work as a legal assistant

i have been a paralegal for six years and never took a course, it's not that hard to pick up on, especially if you are into law

Re: Repost from Parenting Board: Question for lawyers/legal assistants about work as a legal assistant

How much can you make as a paralegal? You can FM me if you don't want to post. Thanks. I may want to change careers soon.

Re: Repost from Parenting Board: Question for lawyers/legal assistants about work as a legal assistant

Im also a paralegal without a certificate. I kind of fell into the profession

Re: Repost from Parenting Board: Question for lawyers/legal assistants about work as a legal assistant

I took the Hofstra Paralegal Program in 1998. While it got me my first job (they would only hire those with paralegal certificates) all the other places i work for didn't ask for them. Since then though i have gone more into legal administration.

I personally feel i learned most of the stuff on the job. I didn't find the classes that interesting or worth the money.....

A paralegal is different then a legal secretary. They do a lot of research and whatnot, while legal secretary's do more of the typing of briefs and legal documents. In the city you can make anywhere between 40K-100K but you also work a crazy amount of overtime. When i was a paralegal i felt i did a lot of the lawyers jobs that they didn't want to do. A lot of paralegals go on to law school or leave and move to another area of work (like i did).

feel free to FM me if you want more info.