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paralegal

  • 02-06-2010 3:29pm
    #1
    littletony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭


    what is a paralegal.

    i have been told that the career of a lawyer would suit me but i not sure i think that is over glamoroused by us tv, what is it really like ps i a commerce undergrad so what are the chances of me getting a training contract let alone a job


Comments

  • #2
    NOIMAGINATION
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭NOIMAGINATION


    littletony wrote: »
    what is a paralegal.

    i have been told that the career of a lawyer would suit me but i not sure i think that is over glamoroused by us tv, what is it really like ps i a commerce undergrad so what are the chances of me getting a training contract let alone a job

    A paralegal is somebody who works alongside a solicitor helping with their cases, or sometimes working on their own.

    When you say lawyer, do you just mean a paralgal or do you want to be a solicitor or a barrister?

    What class degree did you get, and from where?

    What were your school results like?

    What are your Extra Curriculars like?

    These are all things that would need to be answered before anyone could assess your chances.

    PS... punctuation is a lawyers friend.


  • #3
    johnfás
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,343 ✭✭✭johnfás


    Some of the LLM courses will take on Commerce graduates. This may improve your chances of getting a trainee position in a firm.

    The career market is very tough for potential solicitors at the minute. It isn't something I would really advise you go for unless you really want it. If you really do want it and work hard you will likely achieve it. However, be prepared for an endless wait for a job and potentially extremely poor terms when you eventually do get one.


  • #4
    nuac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,769 ✭✭✭nuac


    Re paralegals - this is an American term and afaik has no official status here. With the increase of computer skills amongst lawyers, there are less typists/ secretaries about, and a higher proportion of law clerks.

    There are also legal executives, who have or used to have, courses in Letterkenny. They do not seem to feature much in the smaller firms.

    Ifyou are thinking of a career in law, please do not rely on US TV for your view of the profession here. Attend some courts. Try to get some work experience in a law office.

    Talk to as many practising lawyers as you can.

    Look thru these boards to get views of lawyers on present day conditions.

    Personally after spending decades at it I strongly advise to consider something else.

    You will find some reasons for that view on these boards.

    Good luck


  • #5
    venutius
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭venutius


    Paralegal is not an American term, the name, "Paralegal" has been around in the UK and Ireland long before the USA was even known about by settlers, let alone being an established country. I refer you to the directory of legal practice by John Draper a London Law Diarist, circa 1526.


  • #6
    Reloc8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,857 ✭✭✭Reloc8


    The Irish equivalent would be a legal executive. Have a look here http://www.irishinstituteoflegalexecutives.com/rules.html


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  • #7
    venutius
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭venutius


    As a practice Lawyer / solicitor and Barrister at Law of 34 years standing, I am well aware of the term "Paralegal" and "Legal Executive" I have employed many in the past in various degrees of legal work.


  • #8
    McCrack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,004 ✭✭✭McCrack


    venutius wrote: »
    As a practice Lawyer / solicitor and Barrister at Law of 34 years standing, I am well aware of the term "Paralegal" and "Legal Executive" I have employed many in the past in various degrees of legal work.

    Out of interest which are you claiming to be? Are you a lawyer or a Counsel?


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