Why I’m a ‘career paralegal’ in legal aid work?

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Being a paralegal is often seen as a steppingstone to a career in the legal profession. But for many, it’s a fulfilling career in itself. Here are three points of view shared by career paralegals from The Family Law Company who all work with legally aided clients. 

For more information on why a career as a paralegal might suit you, read this LCN Says.

Clare Glazsher

“I’ve been a paralegal for 14 years, mainly in the care team. The work I was doing at the start is quite different to the type of work I undertake now.

“I believe there’s a lot to be said for having an experienced paralegal on the team. I often wonder whether people still think paralegals just deal with admin – like a glorified typist (it’s a dated image)! A paralegal plays a vital and respected role in a legal team. We free up lawyers’ time so that they can concentrate on the in-depth issues of case and court work. We’re trusted to get all the background work done; act as a liaison point for clients; and have the knowledge to answer most of their questions.

“Paralegals form useful professional relationships with experts like barristers and guardians; we’re often the first port of call when they have queries. It’s not common knowledge, but there’s an unofficial network of local paralegals who all help one another out and offer support when necessary.”

Tanya Johnson

“I started out as a receptionist, then a secretary before becoming a paralegal in the care team. Training is an important aspect of my work, for example, I completed an online course with Central Law Training to better my understanding of the care system and my role within it. There are plenty of courses available for paralegals wanting to gain some extra knowledge.

“Getting to know parents and supporting them through difficult times in their lives is crucial. Experience definitely helps me to answer queries in ways that each individual client can understand. I enjoy the client interaction that comes with my work; it’s free of the pressure of having to go before a judge.  

“There’s no typical day for a paralegal and the work is varied. Quite often I sit behind counsel to support clients during difficult fact finding or final hearings. I liaise with barristers to provide instructions from our clients and support them at court. I’m responsible for preparing documents, including response to threshold and final statements at the end of the case.

“Paralegals also support the fee earner in cases where we’re instructed by a guardian. For this, we ensure all the paperwork is provided to the guardian in a timely manner, prepare applications and deal with the instructions from experts.

“So, life is never boring and it’s great to feel you can help clients navigate difficult processes. I think we’re the unsung heroes!”

How do you know what paralegal qualification to go for? Read Amanda Hamilton’s advice in this article.

Sharon Creaven

“The paralegal role has changed over the years; there’s now far more pressure due to stricter Legal Aid Agency guidelines and the shorter timescales in which a case must be concluded. 

“There are so many aspects of the role, from attending meetings with a client to preparing their statements or attending court to assisting them and their barrister throughout a hearing. It’s always a collaborative process with the lawyer giving advice when they’re able to review a case. 

“For me, the most rewarding part of the job is developing working relationships with clients. We’re often their first point of call and will talk them through the process. We’re a calm, kind voice at the end of the phone, which is important when a parent is struggling. A care paralegal often supports victims of domestic abuse, parents with a learning disability or difficulty who need extra support, or parents who are totally overwhelmed and anxious about court processes and dealing with social services.

“We try to make sure our clients never feel that they’re being unfairly judged and that they’re guided to the right support services. But equally, we have to tell them about things they need to change, improve or accept.

“In my experience, a team that works well has a mix of roles, including lawyers, career paralegals and paralegals who want to progress towards qualifying as a legal executive/solicitor.

“We’re often asked, “what’s a paralegal?”  and my answer might be “someone who parachutes into court with the bundle!” and sometimes, “no we don’t see ghosts, that’s paranormal!”

Clare Glazsher, Tanya Johnson and Sharon Creaven are paralegals in the care team at The Family Law Company.