Enhance To Advance Your Paralegal Responsibilities

By Karen Conole

You’ve been working as a paralegal for some time now and, while you enjoy your work, still you wonder: Is that all there is?

If you think your skills, education and experience are being underutilized by your firm, then take a moment to determine where you are in your career advancement, as well as where you want to be, so that you may plan a transition strategy.

First, establish what level of paralegal you are.

In litigation, for example, entry-level paralegals typically work coding documents, Bates stamping and organizing exhibits and general data entry. This “apprenticeship” allows a new paralegal to become familiar with the various legal documents, their purpose and sequence in a case.

Mid-level or “Junior” litigation paralegal duties generally involve more trial preparatory work—such as preparing discovery documents, interrogatories and motions—always under the close supervision of a senior paralegal or attorney. Written and oral communication skills are of greater importance at this level of work, which may also involve interaction with opposing counsel.

Senior litigation paralegals often function in a more administrative capacity, supervising and, to some degree, directing the trial team’s efforts, and may be included in the tactical decisions of casework, working in close coordination with the attorneys and clients.

Different areas of law may require different duties for their paralegals but, although the tasks and responsibilities at each level vary, the qualities that will advance you from one level to the next are remarkably similar:

First, and perhaps foremost, is your motivation. Every employer wants go-getters who seek out ways to work smarter and better. To expand your responsibilities beyond the work you’ve already mastered, start by asking questions about other projects and expressing your interest in them. Show not just a willingness but a genuine desire to take on more or harder work by offering help wherever you see it’s needed.

Be patient, though. It may take a while before your motives and/or your capabilities are trusted by others enough to delegate new work to you.

If, after a while, you feel your offers of help are not garnering you additional challenges, then politely but straightforwardly ask your supervisor just what additional duties you might be allowed to try. Be prepared to suggest two or three tasks that you think you could perform competently. If you have experience that would underscore your qualifications, be sure to mention that, too.

If you’re given work that you feel is beyond your abilities, treat it as a test of your problem-solving skills. Even if you’re not able to complete the job, do what you can, then ask your supervisor how she would proceed with it. At the very least, you’ll exhibit a willingness to tackle unfamiliar undertakings and an eagerness to learn.

Be prepared, as well, to work the extended hours or be given the low-level work that nobody else wants to do. This may be a test of your earnestness. Whatever task you’re given, do it to the very best of your ability, even if it wasn’t what you had in mind, because the more competent you appear, the more “over-qualified” for menial work you’ll seem and the more likely you’ll be considered for higher-level tasks, next time.

Since legal work is cyclical, though, it may well be that there are currently no new projects suitable for you. Again, be patient, but keep your eyes open for the next opportunity to prove yourself.

In addition to motivation, you’ll need advanced skills to back up your claims to greater responsibility.

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations now recognizes that, while a 2-year degree with an emphasis on paralegal studies is still acceptable as the minimum criteria for most law firm employers, future paralegals entering the field will need a 4-year degree, including 24 semester hours or the equivalent of legal specialty courses, to be competitive in this ever more sophisticated field.

In particular, your communication and technology skills will need to be top-notch for most high-level paralegal work.

You’ll be expected to write with clarity and conciseness, using appropriate legal terminology, and to speak intelligently and confidently in order to conduct effective investigations and communicate with clients, attorneys and court personnel.

If your writing or speaking skills need polishing, enroll in classes or seminars to bring you up to speed. If time constraints don’t allow for classroom study, seek out on-line courses that better fit your schedule.

Consider joining a club, such as Toastmasters International, in which the development of your communication and leadership skills becomes a fun, group activity.

Whatever method you choose, any personal development which improves your self-esteem will have a carryover effect of renewed confidence in the workplace, as well as in other areas of your life. This win-win result is one reason why professionals who’ve reached the top in their field still endeavor to enhance and improve their skills.

Of growing importance, too, is advanced computer proficiency, including coding and organizing documents on CD-ROM, using case management software for the court, performing advanced searches on the Internet and more. Gone are the days when a firm’s only technologically savvy person was their information technologist (“the IT guy”).

Now, everyone is expected to keep up, so be sure to take advantage of any and all training offered by your firm, even if it doesn’t directly apply to your current duties (yet) and seek out other avenues for learning more. If your firm uses a software program that is unfamiliar to you, research tutorials for it on-line, or take a night class for it at your local adult school.

Perhaps less quantifiable—yet still taken into consideration by employers when assigning more responsibility—is an employee’s aptitude for leadership. For paralegals that means taking control of a project, anticipating and providing for what needs to be done and shepherding it to a successful completion with minimal supervisor input.

You’ll want to exhibit a “pride of ownership” of the projects you’re assigned, by ensuring that those elements within your control are done properly and accurately. Careful fact checking and proofing your work will show your supervisor that your own high standards and that of the firm are closely aligned, giving her the confidence to delegate work of increasing importance to you.

Additionally, since no firm wants to invest extensive training and responsibility to someone who is not “in it for the long haul,” you’ll also need to demonstrate long-term commitment to your career. A good way to show this is with your active membership in professional organizations, such as your local paralegal association, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and any others that educate and advocate for your field. These organizations provide excellent networking and educational opportunities and are well worth the investment of your time.

Another way to demonstrate your dedication while gaining invaluable, hands-on experience is to offer to do pro bono work. There’s never a shortage of volunteer opportunities for skilled legal staff, so find a project or organization that appeals to you and offer your services: You will likely gain quick access to a wide breadth of cases and the responsibilities regarding them, while helping to serve your community’s legal process in the bargain.

In the end, your paralegal career can be as dynamic or as static as you allow it to be. You’ve come this far; so why not resolve to apply yourself in more strategic ways and see just how much farther you can go?

You may never need to ask yourself “Is that all there is?” again.