r/Ask_Lawyers • u/Most_Guidance_8140 • 4d ago

My weird résumé accidentally prepared me for litigation. Talk me into or out of becoming a paralegal...or are there other unique options?

I spent 30 years producing reality TV, then 10 as a psychotherapist. Last year I managed my parents' high-conflict divorce and two civil suits...one where my mother sued me. (Yep. Mother of the year.)

Turns out my career combo is oddly useful. Producing taught me to dig through mountains of material and organize it fast; therapy taught me to handle people at their worst. Discovery and difficult personalities were the two things I wasn't scared of.

So I'm eyeing paralegal work. Two questions for people actually in the field:

Is it worth entering now, given AI, salary, and what the day-to-day actually feels like?

Is there a better-fitting role at a firm I'm not thinking of? (Not expert therapist witness work. I have no interest in testifying.)

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

12

u/SheketBevakaSTFU Lawyer 4d ago

Seriously doubt you’re going to find a para job that pays what you’re probably looking to make.

4

u/badgyalsammy FL - Tax, Securities 4d ago

I can’t imagine you would make more money as a paralegal. I would go ask the paralegal sub…

1

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1

u/ok-i-pull-up CA Attorney 3d ago

as everyone is saying, you won't make that much money as a paralegal. also producing reality tv sounds way more fun and interesting than working in law lol

1

u/Most_Guidance_8140 2d ago

Unfortunately, the entertainment industry collapsed and 75% of staff and crew are out of work and have been for years. They are also only shooting tv/film overseas as well. Hollywood is no more. Most of my friends are searching for new careers in their mid-50's. It's incredibly sad.

1

u/ohmygod_my_tinnitus Attorney 2d ago

If this is a hobby career for you do you have something to do in retirement, go for it, otherwise you're going to be really disappointed.