What can I do after being a paralegal?

Jul 15, 2022

Written By Jack Medforth

If being a paralegal isn’t working out for you, or it was never your long-term plan, you may be wondering what career options are now open to you. This article will run through what options could be available to you.

What is a paralegal?

For some context, a paralegal aids lawyers in administration, legal document drafting and client communication. Their role can vary from firm to firm, but their primary role is usually to aid fee-earners and help in the smooth running of a firm.

Different paralegal roles

Firstly, if you are unhappy with your current role as a paralegal, it is worth noting that the role can vary from firm to firm and therefore applying to a new paralegal role, particularly in a different field of law, could provide you with a very different experience.

On a similar note, the job is one that can also change with experience, with senior paralegals often having a much more responsibility than those who have only just entered the industry. Therefore, staying in the industry longer, or changing where you work may provide the change you’re looking for, so it is worth exploring this as an option unless you are sure the job isn’t for you!

Law degree

If you became a paralegal after completing a law degree, then there is a wider range of options open to you. You could start the journey towards becoming a solicitor or barrister by taking the appropriate further qualifications.

Indeed, working as a paralegal will have provided you with great practical experience of the legal industry and could be a way you can stand out against other training contract/pupillage applicants.

Even if you haven’t got a law degree and became a paralegal through a different route, if you like the idea of becoming a lawyer you could begin a law conversion course after your career as a paralegal. You will have gained valuable legal experience and taking a law degree at a slightly later stage in life is definitely an option!

If you have care commitments or other possibly restricting factors then online university may be for you. Courses are becoming much more streamlined in recent years and many universities now run ‘blended learning’ if you would prefer a mix of in-person and online teaching.

Other options in the legal industry

If you haven’t taken a law degree and don’t plan to, but still wish to stay in the legal industry then there are still plenty of options available. There are many roles like a paralegal but that may have more specific duties such as legal assistants, administrative assistants, legal secretaries, or personal assistants to lawyers.

There is also the option of a legal clerk, which although it would require some different skills, is a viable option for those who have worked as paralegals.

Outside the legal industry

If you have no desire to continue working in the legal industry then don’t panic, the skills you have picked whilst working as paralegal are highly transferable. Corporate assistants in finance companies require much of the same skills as a paralegal does, as well as most types of administrative office jobs within any industry.

Options such as becoming an office manager are also available. Many similar roles are often given different titles within different industries, but require those fundamental skills of managing people and administrative tasks.

In conclusion

To summarise, there are many options open to people after being a paralegal. Even if you don’t have a law degree and don’t wish to stay in the legal industry, the skills acquired within the role are highly transferable and can be easily tailored to working in another industry.

Alternative Routes into Law