AboutSally A. Kane Expertise As a recent law school graduate who excelled in law school, I can answer questions regarding the law school experience including preparing for and applying to law school, excelling in law school, law review, legal writing tips, the law school curriculum, exam success, financing law school, balancing work and school, clerkships and externships, job interviewing and more. I do not answer homework questions.
Experience I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field, ten as a litigation paralegal and three as a corporate attorney. During law school, I juggled many priorities including a full time job, law school and a newborn baby. In law school I served as a law review editor, wrote for student publications and completed two externships, one with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and one with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Publications I have published law and career related articles in a variety of publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Juris and The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting.
Education/Credentials I possess a B.A. in Writing from Edinboro University, a Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne University and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law.
Expert: Sally A. Kane Date: 5/27/2008 Subject: paralegal
Question Hi Sally,
I currently work in the hi-tech industry. I make good money but my job is far from satisfactory. I was wondering if you enjoyed being a paralegal? Did you have satisfaction knowing that you were trying to help somebody? I don't wish to become a lawyer but I would like my job to help someone. I'd like to advocate in areas of health care and/or consumer help. Any advice?
Thanks
Lisa
P.S i admire your background.
Answer Hi Lisa,
As a paralegal, I worked primarily in products liability and insurance defense. Our clients were international corporations and insurance companies so we really were not helping anyone on a personal level. As an in-house paralegal, our goal was mainly to help boost the bottom line. I did perform pro bono work helping victims of domestic violence obtain Protection from Abuse petitions and that was rewarding. There are many paralegal opportunities in personal injury firms, public interest firms and other venues that allow you to help others in the areas of health care and consumer assistance. You might contact your local legal aid center for more information.
If you work in the high-tech industry, are tech-savvy and are interested in the law, there is a new career option for you: litigation support. Tech-savvy paralegals and IT personnel assist in developing databases to manage large-scale litigation. This is a hot and lucrative career field.
