Five top tips for paralegals

We speak to hundreds of enthusiastic LPC graduates and paralegals on a weekly basis.
All of them are keen on carving out a long-term career in the legal sector and all are hoping to find the next (or first) paralegal opportunity that
will enhance their reputation as a budding lawyer, and ultimately help them in their quest to secure a training contract and realise their dream of becoming a qualified solicitor.

Here, we list our five top tips for being a great paralegal in a highly competitive market:

1. Culture is key.

We work with global, national, local and boutique firms, and they all tell us the same thing: culture fit is key. There is certainly no shortage of high-quality paralegal candidates in the market, so how well you fit in with the firm and its team, from your interview, from day one to the end of year one etc, will ultimately determine how successful you are with the firm.

2. Go the extra mile.

The paralegal recruitment market is as fluid as it has ever been, with firms becoming much more agile and cost-conscious to meet the ever-increasing demands of their clients. This change has presented numerous opportunities for paralegals to take on short-term work projects and gain experience. It is, however, the paralegals who have really thrown themselves into these roles (some as brief as one day) who have often been rewarded with more concrete opportunities at the same firm. Dig deep, contribute more than the person sitting next to you, be proactive and take on extra responsibility.

3. Immerse yourself in the sector.

The paralegals who are in the highest demand with our clients are those with something to say that goes above and beyond having good academic qualifications on their CV. Be the go-to person on a topical and relevant issue. Read blogs, write blogs, tweet, speak to the managing partner when you see them in the office kitchen – do whatever it takes to get people to recognise and respect your opinion on a particular matter or area of interest. This expertise will significantly enhance your credibility as a paralegal, and is a great example of demonstrating the initiative that many firms seek and admire in paralegals and trainee solicitors.

4. Network.

This is a simple tip that doesn’t require too much explanation. However, never underestimate how important networking is as a paralegal, and don’t always look for the immediate return. If you can go for a coffee with a solicitor or partner, or someone in a position of influence at your firm (or indeed another), then do it. We hear of many paralegals who are presented with their next opportunity through a relationship they have invested in over time.

5. Master the essentials.

Law firms are hiring more and more paralegals, and we’ve never seen such high demand for our services. As a paralegal, you are likely to be exposed to indexing, legal research, preparing trial bundles and potentially even client contact. Make sure your senior colleagues can rely on you to consistently deliver on the above tasks. This will put you in a strong position when someone is needed to step up and take on more complex work. SJ

David Thomas is director of the Stephen James Partnership