tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post3367486751549772199..comments2024-01-06T00:49:44.046-08:00Comments on The Poor Paralegal: How Big Law Firms Treat EmployeesThe Poor Paralegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11920856923964614227noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-62748091714745153022016-10-05T09:52:49.654-07:002016-10-05T09:52:49.654-07:00I am very much pleased with the contents you have ...I am very much pleased with the contents you have mentioned. I wanted to thank you for this great article.<br /><a href="http://legacylawoffl.com/" rel="nofollow">Probate Attorney</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06736251503579482269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-68760670281537690572015-01-17T19:24:24.065-08:002015-01-17T19:24:24.065-08:00I lost my marriage in part due to the 2000 billabl...I lost my marriage in part due to the 2000 billable requirement at my NY-Metro law firm. I work all the time. Even if I am at home, or out of the office, I am reading emails, following up, it never ends. Sundays I always work at the office without fail. Not an easy life. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-60501472934103595242014-11-13T21:58:31.939-08:002014-11-13T21:58:31.939-08:00Amen!Amen!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-48682738652706083832014-09-18T00:03:25.497-07:002014-09-18T00:03:25.497-07:00I studied law but instead of going to work for som...I studied law but instead of going to work for somebody I acquired <a href="http://lawbrokers.com.au/" rel="nofollow">law firms for sale</a> and started my own business. I think it is the best decision I ever made even though we are not so profitable yet.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131197055600375222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-12445421080426853562013-12-17T03:59:39.823-08:002013-12-17T03:59:39.823-08:00The quality in your publish is basically amazing a...The quality in your publish is basically amazing and i can believe you are an professional on this area. <br /><a href="https://www.trademarklawattorneys.com/trademark-lawyer-los-angeles/" rel="nofollow">Trademark Lawyer San Francisco</a> & <a href="http://www.trademarklawattorneys.com/copyright-lawyer-los-angeles/" rel="nofollow">Copyright Lawyer Los Angeles</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13476249569857152368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-54586291031983421352013-02-15T01:30:14.697-08:002013-02-15T01:30:14.697-08:00Great piece of writing! I am confident this is goi...Great piece of writing! I am confident this is going to help a lot of community.Attorney Jobs San Franciscohttp://www.bcgsearch.com/legalmarketsinfo.php?id=7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-33598600676588323172012-12-28T08:48:42.423-08:002012-12-28T08:48:42.423-08:00I am a recent law school grad who passed the VA Ba...I am a recent law school grad who passed the VA Bar. For those wondering, I graduated from a top school. I work for a very small firm in the Northern Virginia area. Why? Well, I have my own office, I started seeing my own clients the moment I found out I passed the bar, I have been admitted to the VA Western and Eastern District US Bankruptcy courts, I argue before federal judges routinely, I argue before state court judges routinely, I have never had to do doc review, cite checks or any of that mundane crap, I oversee the marketing department to expend our business, you get the point. <br /><br />I make half of what big law associates makes but guess what, I am learning and getting experience at an exponential rate. I get to go to the gym every day, make it back on time for dinner at my house. Would I do big law? Absolutely freaking not. Let's do some math real quick (this is basic don't be scared) - these stats are based on a true individual that I know: <br />salary: 120k <br />hours per week: 80 <br />Vacation: 2 weeks per year <br />Bonus: 2k flat for 1st year associate <br />Experience: doc review, cite checking, online filing = worthless<br />Quality of life: highest suicidal rate among all professions <br /><br />80 * 4.3 = 344 hours worked per month <br />344 * 12 = 4128 hours worked per year <br />122000 / 4128 = 29.55 dollars per hour <br /><br />Me: <br /><br />60k salary <br />40 hours per week <br />172 hours per month <br />2064 hours per year <br />60000/2064 = $29.06 per hour <br />Experience: argue before federal and state court judges, develop client skills, develop reputation among local attorneys, develop reputation among local judges, mediation, contract drafting, etc etc etc <br /><br />Quality of life: weekends off, holidays off, I can take any day off of the week as long as I give one day notice, co-workers are like family, one week vacation. <br /><br />Yes there may be certain factors I did not take into account when doing the math but you see the main point here. <br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-4904241031226113062012-11-21T18:35:46.927-08:002012-11-21T18:35:46.927-08:00Love the guy who says he is still at work on Satur...Love the guy who says he is still at work on Saturday night. May I point out that surfing the internet and reading blogs is not exactly working. Go home!<br /><br />This blog would be a lot more interesting if people who were actually successful in Biglaw added their thoughts. I billed 2350 hours last year. Yes, my whole life was about work. But I had some great experiences at the office, challenged myself in ways I didn't think possible, developed crazy skills, and also managed to take 4 vacations during my down times. And don't even get me started on the insane bonuses. I'm not planning to do this forever, but I am definitely good at it and my firm treats me like a prince. So it's not all bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-52227140719240519612012-05-14T18:47:16.257-07:002012-05-14T18:47:16.257-07:00I don't get it. You say you make well more as ...I don't get it. You say you make well more as a paralegal than lawyers from your class, this is proof that BL is evil or just a pat on the back? Its inconsistent to use your pay as a bragging point but then complain about working 70hrs after you just admitted you're making more than your counterparts. So you have never practiced law, choosing instead paralegal in BL vs law in BL. You're ten years in and still not out. I don't get people who take quiet time from their work to comment how much they hate their job and to turn away, then log off & get back to work for another 10yrsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-43352836787349605712012-05-14T18:34:21.290-07:002012-05-14T18:34:21.290-07:00I get that many ppl are disillusioned by BigLaw li...I get that many ppl are disillusioned by BigLaw life, but the amount of complaints I see on blogs and comments seems disproportionate to the number of attorneys that exist. I mean if we're talking drudgery, I think data entry or telemarketing. Lots of people have crappy jobs, some more than one. Lots of people work more than 40hours a week, a lot more! The only thing is that a lot of ppl arent getting 160k entry level. This is a democracy, you choose what you study, you choose the firm you work for, you choose everything. Money ñor the firm is the problem. I think not knowing enough about business or ever having coroorate work experience, perhaps having only ever having studied since high school, or work-study, or some externshio at best. Those people in movies staring into a monitor, sitting at their assigned cubicle is not dramatized. And those people usually make 50-60k at the highs. <br /><br />I just think perspective is needed. It seems like a lot of spoiled kids from the upper-middle class whining about having to work hard. Unlike people like me who grew up near the poverty line and having folks who worked crazy hours & shifts, and myself having worked enough jobs to know that billable hours doesnt sound so scary, can rationalize how that when someone working 50hrs on avg makes 50-75k, someone making 160k just might require more than that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-37034882724108933722012-04-20T22:02:06.746-07:002012-04-20T22:02:06.746-07:00I have been working in BL for 10 years now, I neve...I have been working in BL for 10 years now, I never practiced though I passed the bar...I LOATHED law school and the ass&holes in it, I should have known, I work as a paralegal and I make 70k which is more than 70% of my grad law school class that was not Ivy league. Bottom line, if you are not Ivy league forget it, I will put in a few more years and then get out in fact I am always scheming to get out but bc my resume is littered with other BK names I am very desirable to hire. I go to my office at 8 and work 5 hours a week no pay to get there before everyone else. I take 1 lunch a week, if that..during a deal (m&a's mostly) I am there 70 hours, sometimes ALL NIGHT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-65731740557223131532011-12-13T03:47:20.325-08:002011-12-13T03:47:20.325-08:00it is a nice blog. In helping out readers you shou...it is a nice blog. In helping out readers you should know their needs and for this blog you satisfies our needs. keep up the good work. keep on posting. you indeed have nice blog you can also post more about your related topics.<br /><br /><a href="http://techniciansalary.net/paralegal-salary/" rel="nofollow">paralegal average wage</a>hvac technician traininghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09991312658432898006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-1819811402930680792011-09-15T17:18:45.657-07:002011-09-15T17:18:45.657-07:00RUN! Like your A is on fire! The attraction to t...RUN! Like your A is on fire! The attraction to the BLF is the $$$, but when you break it down based on hours worked, you'll be slave labor. The smile on your face when you saw your first pay-check will quickly disappear when you are loaded up to the eyebrows with massive piles of work that you have to slave through endlessly. You'll be so stressed out that you'll turn into a completely different person: nasty. The management pit employees against each other; it's cut-throat. You'll witness constant firings, constant hirings, and a revolving door. The law grads who are are passed over for these job are the lucky escapees. Like I said, RUN!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-77387735200152981272011-07-12T20:16:27.076-07:002011-07-12T20:16:27.076-07:00Please stop your complaining. ANY job where you ma...Please stop your complaining. ANY job where you make 6 figures will require long hours and hard work. That's the trade-off: time vs. money, it's extremely rare to find a job where you get both. this isn't just an issue in BIGLAW.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-9388253754338749612011-02-26T16:43:55.014-08:002011-02-26T16:43:55.014-08:00If anyone wants to know what life in Biglaw is lik...If anyone wants to know what life in Biglaw is like, read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Proceed-Caution-Americas-Largest-Prestigious/dp/0159001811/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298766488&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">Proceed with Caution</a>, by William R. Keates. Mr. Keates, who worked in Biglaw, kept a diary of his life therein; he turned this diary into a book about his experience.<br /><br />Another good book about life in the Amlaw 100 is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Double-Billing-Lawyers-Pursuit-Swivel/dp/0688172229/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b" rel="nofollow">Double Billing</a>, by Cameron Stratcher. Rather than keeping a diary a la William Keates, Stratcher writes a short novel based heavily on his experience at the fictional, NYC firm <i>Crowley & Cavanaugh</i>. Though the details are fictional, the underlying reality is not.<br /><br />I purchased both books, and I read each of them in a matter of days. I couldn't put either of them down. I contemplated going to law school. Before I made such a commitment though, I wanted to look before I leapt. These books deterred me from going to law school; after reading them, I decided that, even if I were successful in my endeavor, I wouldn't like what law firm life entails. I'd heartily encourage ANY 0L to read these books! Even if one has to buy them (as I did), it's cheap compared to having $120K of NON-DISCHARGEABLE student loan debt. Think of them as cheap due diligence. Later...MarkyMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02710045100037253902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-17757793229020550642011-02-23T07:35:08.106-08:002011-02-23T07:35:08.106-08:00See how you can get into a fun career that pays.
...See how you can get into a fun career that pays.<br /><br />By Yahoo! Education Staff<br /><br />"Job #1 - Paralegal<br /><br />If the idea of being an important part of a team sounds like something you would love, consider becoming a paralegal. The U.S. Department of Labor expects employment of paralegals to grow 28 percent from 2008-2018.<br /><br />What's to love: As a paralegal, attorneys will rely on you for everything from interviewing witnesses to investigating facts. You'll be a vital part of the legal team - and in a position to really make a difference in the lives of people in need of legal help. What's not to love about that? <br />[Start training for this rewarding job. Find Paralegal schools near you.]<br /><br />What it takes: Prepare for this rewarding career by earning your associate's degree in paralegal studies. If you already have a bachelor's degree, a paralegal certificate program can give you the edge you need to get started in this career.<br /><br />What it pays: The average annual salary for paralegals is $50,080. "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-78631943979285677652011-02-22T12:00:54.865-08:002011-02-22T12:00:54.865-08:00Stop everyone! It's OK to drool over the $100K...Stop everyone! It's OK to drool over the $100K salary. You're human. But, if you already graduated and have been passed over for BIGLAW; it's over. No need to dwell on the unattainable. <br /><br />Get to the heart of the story. Everyone in Biglaw and Shitlaw agree the legal field is collapsing. My plan. Get whatever legal experience I can then transition out in five years. I don't know what the next profitable bubble will be. But it won't be the legal field for years to come.<br /><br />k.i.s.s.: plan 5 years then out!<br /><br />theyuppieattorney.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-61754219030791468422011-02-22T03:23:06.024-08:002011-02-22T03:23:06.024-08:00To those who say you feel the hours, you're ri...To those who say you feel the hours, you're right! I routinely work 45-50 hours, occasionally more; for me, that's quite enough. Working anything more than 50 hours will impact your quality of life. While I like the extra money, money is no good if you cannot ENJOY it...MarkyMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02710045100037253902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-26415044028061628842011-02-21T18:25:33.146-08:002011-02-21T18:25:33.146-08:00This post is spot on.
Going back seven years ago,...This post is spot on.<br /><br />Going back seven years ago, I was interviewed at Boies, Schiller, and Flexner for a paralegal position. At the time, I had two years experience under my belt working for a mid size law firm in White Plains which handled some pretty high profile cases. Being 24 y/o and scoring an interview with the firm that represented Al Gore and had a serious score card in litigating fair trade and intellectual property suits, I was honored just to get an interview.<br /><br />My first interview went very well. I was interviewed by the office manager and the litigation manager (who was a senior paralegal). They seemed very nice and happy to be working at firm. When I was called back for my follow-up interview, I met with some of the attorneys. There was one attorney in particular, a recent law grad from Colombia, who was up front about working there. He told me that it was not rare for associates and staff to work three days straight without going home. Average work week was 65-80 hours. Yes, as a paralegal you would make overtime. But get this...the starting salary was $30K (this was in 2001). There were some legal staff who earned close to $80K-$90K per year with the overtime, but at what cost? When I asked the attorney if he liked working there, he looked right at me and said "No". His plan was just spend 2-3 years there, make a dent in his loan and get out. He was even contemplating returning to school to obtain an MBA in Finance.<br /><br />Not many people are forthright when they interview people. The office manager and litigation manager said my average work week would be between 45-55 hours (not much difference than my work week at the time). However, I was more inclined to believe the attorney who interviewed me. He had nothing to really gain if I accepted the position, or not, so he had no reason to lie to me about the position and life at the firm. I received an offer, but I declined it. Ironically, I ended up accepting a position in a financial company which I ended up working on average 70 hours per week as an assistant manager (but at least the company offered me better benefits, and I had a corner office and my own admin).<br /><br />You *will* get burned out working 60-90 hours a week all the time. Trust me. By the end of 5.5 years being a manager, I got out just before the company ended up imploding due to the economy. The $85K salary I earned ended up having the same value as $8.50 with the amount of stress and demands placed on me. Some of these Big Law firms and high profile positions at companies take a serious toll on your physical and mental well being. My high paying job meant nothing when I would have daily panic attacks and I would have to cancel plans because of work, or I was just too exhausted from working. My vacations were spent sleeping.<br /><br />Some can handle the stress, but in the long run it's not worth it. I have yet to meet anyone who lives a long, productive life, who endured stress and trauma for many years.<br /><br />My advice: if you are in the position to say "no", do it. If you have debt, pay it off and save some money and find something else you can do, either in a smaller firm, or in insurance. Big Law and high profile In-House jobs are just not worth it.Legal Professionalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02135450121551536149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-68191568207857140422011-02-20T15:39:45.821-08:002011-02-20T15:39:45.821-08:00February 20, 2011 6:59 AM
Well, we'll see ho...February 20, 2011 6:59 AM <br /><br />Well, we'll see how you do out there, 6:59, especially since you already possess a pissed-off attitude. Wait until you add some real stress to that mix. Should be lots of fun for you and those around you. Good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-79921301919936033242011-02-20T14:23:57.169-08:002011-02-20T14:23:57.169-08:00Hey PP
Will you let us know about the solar energ...Hey PP<br /><br />Will you let us know about the solar energy employment opportunities?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-31546946779458818062011-02-20T13:01:44.649-08:002011-02-20T13:01:44.649-08:00I feel sorry for kids that go to law school while ...I feel sorry for kids that go to law school while dreaming of working in Biglaw. I did a few years at Biglaw, got out, started my own boutique firm and within a couple of years developed a sizeable book of business. I was approached by a law firm that wanted to absorb my firm and bring me in as a non-equity partner. I told them to go fuck themselves as I have seen too many biglaw firms acquire smaller practice groups only to poach the clients and then spit out the partners down the road. This is a brutal business. Why on God's green earth would anyone think this is a dreamy profession? Money doesn't buy happiness kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-70676079687888453802011-02-20T09:41:29.055-08:002011-02-20T09:41:29.055-08:00To 6:59
The reality is that biglaw jobs aren'...To 6:59<br /><br />The reality is that biglaw jobs aren't as great as they seem and the deliberately try to weed you out. Many people dream of getting these jobs in law school when only a select few will ever get these jobs. They may make good money, but they won't last long enough to enjoy it. <br /><br />It actually is a scam, because even big law firms promise you the "work /life balance" and all of that interesting work jargon. <br /><br />Most biglaw associates will get kicked out and take a pay cut when they leave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-78247634938408131792011-02-20T06:59:50.077-08:002011-02-20T06:59:50.077-08:00Gosh, you mean BigLaw expects people to work extre...Gosh, you mean BigLaw expects people to work extremely hard for $160k plus per year? My that is news. Thank you so much for exposing this amazing scam. Now I'm sure that no one will want those jobs anymore. Thank goodness for you and your wonderful blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436231778998654522.post-13131845847358583272011-02-20T00:10:14.826-08:002011-02-20T00:10:14.826-08:00This is absolutely brilliant. I work for an Amlaw ...This is absolutely brilliant. I work for an Amlaw 100 firm and this solar energy executive perfectly describes how hellish my life is working inside biglaw. It's Saturday night and I am still at the office. AhhhhhhhhhhAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com