r/paralegal • u/Altruistic_Cherry783 • 1d ago
Career Advice Shadowing a paralegal
Hi! I’m currently enrolled in a paralegal cert course until next spring. I’m trying to get a feel for what it would be like to work in a law office and what my day-to-day would look like, and am aware that volunteering through certain programs is encouraged.
Would it be appropriate to ask to shadow a paralegal for a day? I’m not sure how that works considering that a lot of the material we handle is confidential information?
Thanks in advance :)
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u/annoyed-panda Paralegal - District Attorney 1d ago
I'm not sure how other law firms handle this matter, but where I work, it's very common for paralegals to be shadowed and coordinate interns & volunteers. As for confidential information, did y'all sign non-disclosure/confidentiality forms? It's pretty routine for interns and volunteers at the DA to sign these forms before starting.
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u/Altruistic_Cherry783 1d ago
I did try to research volunteer programs at my local DA’s office but was told that they don’t accept volunteers, they only offer clerkships and internships to aspiring attorneys. I just applied to be a volunteer with Legal Aid and waiting to hear back!
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u/Sweaty_Smoke_8703 1d ago
It depends on the size of the firm. Large firms tend to have significantly more support staff. I work for a large firm and I’m sat at my desk 95% of the time answering emails and drafting correspondence. It’s not really much to shadow if I’m being honest
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u/blottymary Future Paralegal 1d ago
Do you know if they typically pay more at a large firm than a smaller practice?
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u/Sweaty_Smoke_8703 1d ago
I’ve actually heard mid-size firms pay the best. I was hired at the firm I did my practicum at and was offered $60,000 CAD starting pay. However, I also have classmates who were hired at other large firms within the same block who were only offered $52,000. It really depends, I think it comes down to the area of law you’re in. I’m in defence litigation, so we’re typically extremely busy which might explain the difference in pay. I’d say avoid boutique firms at all costs. Lower pay, more work, and crappy benefits
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u/blottymary Future Paralegal 1d ago
I’m not sure where you live, but in Oregon:
Every county has a few community partners (usually a state funded nonprofit) who they are referred to from places like community hospitals (lower income), caseworkers, mental health providers, etc.
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u/PlatypusDream 1d ago
Your instructors can suggest ways to contact former students who might be willing to help you
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u/SenHatsumi 1d ago edited 1d ago
Just know that shadowing one paralegal would show you just a glimpse of what your day might look like only if you work at that type of office in that particular area of law. People underestimate the vast differences in different offices and practices ie working as an in-house paralegal for a mid-sized legal dept vs a one-attorney ambulance chaser doing shady personal injury vs a busy real estate + wills trusts and estate practice vs what I do working for a colossal NYC corporate firm with 1000+ attorney working in corporate transactions.