Volunteering Your Time

The NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, EC-1.4: A paralegal should serve the public interest by contributing to the improvement of the legal system and delivery of quality legal services, including pro bono publico services. This code specifically states that a paralegal should donate at least 24 hours of pro bono work annually (EC-1.4(d)).

Giving of your time offers many benefits to both you and the client, such as, you:
* Gain a sense of satisfaction by helping those less fortunate,
* Make contacts that could lead to a paying job,
* Improve your paralegal skills and gain excellent hands-on experience.

While most people would see the benefits of volunteering their time, an article by Lawcrossing.com, “Should you be Bothered with Pro Bono Work?” offers up some downsides such as helping those less fortunate could leave you feeling emotionally drained.

If you’re searching for options to help, check out the ABA site under Volunteering. This site has a wealth of information for locating opportunities. Another program that is available in our area is CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocate for children. This program provides all the training needed for you to help our communities’ children.

Another program, established by the NFPA Pro Bono Committee in conjunction with a military out reach program connects civilian paralegals with military paralegals. The civilian paralegals show their support by sending care packages and keeping their military counterparts abreast of news regarding the civilian paralegal profession. This program started in 2005 and already has 27 NFPA member associations participating. An individual member can participate as well.

Paralegals who freelance

The aim of this blog is to explore the numerous avenues of employment and business opportunities for paralegals.

Disclaimer -- the purpose of this blog for me to obtain high marks from my course professor and is not meant, in any way, to be considered legal, business or any other type of advice.

Entrepreneurial Paralegals

One way is to be your own boss and work when and for whom you wish – ah, freedom and flexibility. There are pros and cons to this arrangement though and some of them are mentioned in an article from the May 2007 publication of Legal Assistant Today.

First though, some “musts":
* Experience – you should have at least a few years of actual experience in the field.
* Education – at a minimum you should have an associate’s degree in the paralegal field, a bachelor’s degree is better and certification is a plus. Any additional knowledge, experience, and education in business would be a plus, plus.
* Business plan – you need to know where you want your business to be in 5 – 10 years.
* Marketing skills – got to get the word out!
* Funds – enough to purchase the necessary equipment to meet your clients’ requirements.
* Cash reserve –at least 6 mos. to hold you over until your many clients come knocking on your door.

Some “shoulds”:
* Having a niche – as mentioned in the article, one person was well versed with trial presentation software; another was a certified CT Summation trainer and consultant.
* Memberships – professional organizations are excellent marketing tools and help to create a connection and network with other paralegals. The support will be invaluable and you never know when you meet someone that can help you out when you land that large account!

An interesting observation mentioned in the article is a paralegal entrepreneur stated that she received greater respect from lawyers as she’s viewed as a “fellow businessperson.”

The pros and cons are probably obvious: be your own boss, call the shots, come and go as you please...but the cons must be considered as well. A couple downsides would be that sometimes you may have to take jobs or work with clients that you'd rather not but, the bills must be paid. Then as for freedom to come and go...I've always heard that a business owner works twice as hard (if not more) than an employee. I'd love to hear from anyone who's had such an experience.