Expert: Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. - 6/8/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi. Sorry to bother you with a trivial question.

I graduated from college last year and have been unable to find a job. While in college I became deeply interested in criminal justice and law.

I would love to do forensic science, alas that is a bit out of my league. So I have decided the closest I could be in the criminal justice system is a paralegal.

So I have some general questions, if you don't mind asking, they are probably mostly your opinion.

*Do YOU YOURSELF have use of a paralegal?
*Would you accept paralegals via internships?
*If hiring a paralegal, would you expect him/her to have extensive formal training?
*Is it absolutely necessary that a paralegal have formal training?
*Are paralegals disposable? IE: are they similar to a dime a dozen employees at Walmart, where you can hire and fire at will.

Someone told me that if I want to be a paralegal, I should ask the opinion of others that work with them to see what is desired and needed.

I hope you can answer these questions, if not I understand.

Thank you!

ANSWER: KMJ,

I am going to answer your questions from my perspective and that of an attorney in a firm that has less than 10 attorneys.  I utilize paralegals or legal assistants.  In fact, I work with 4 paralegals who deal with particular areas of cases. I have worked with one paralegal in excess of 20 years and have worked with the others for over 15 years. None of my paralegals have formal training but all have their areas in which they do outstanding jobs.  From my perspective, it is not necessary to have formal training and I would prefer someone to be trained on the job since paralegal training from my perspective does not teach the paralegal how to work with our clients.

A good paralegal or legal assistant is a necessity to be successful and they are not a dime a dozen.  Many "paralegals" who go to school are doing so as a stepping stone for something else.  We look for someone who wants to make this their profession so that the clients have consistency and enjoy working with all of us.

I suggest you speak to an attorney in your area and see if they would like an intern to see if you like the work and to see if the firm likes your work.  The best way to learn is the hands-on approach.

I wish you the best of luck.

Very truly yours,

Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi sorry, my internet went down and we just got it fixed.

I would feel kind of shy calling someone on the phone (that's why I ran to the internet)

What would I say?? Who would I ask to speak to?

If I could get into this line of work without a degree that would be cool because I am in so much debt due to student loans I can't borrow anymore, haha... but at the same time I don't mind either.

Thanks for your response

Answer
KMJ,

I suggest you get the names of attorneys from friends or acquaintances.  If you are too shy to contact someone on the phone, I suggest you send a letter letting the person know who referred you and letting the attorney know you are interested in becoming a paralegal and would like to intern for free.  

Very truly yours,

Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D.