The Inside Track: How Being a Paralegal First Can Make You a Better Trainee Solicitor

Jan 16, 2024

Written By Megan Hornsby

In the legal sector, the path from paralegal to trainee solicitor is gaining recognition for its unique advantages. This article explores how the specific insights and skills garnered during paralegal experience can contribute to success as a trainee solicitor. Often being paralegal can be viewed as the dress rehearsal to your role as a trainee solicitor.

The benefits of the paralegal experience

A paralegal role will prepare you with foundational skills, such as conducting thorough research, drafting documents and efficiently managing client relations. If you think about all the tasks which are undertaken in a law firm (filing, research, updating clients), the legal bill would skyrocket for clients if an Associate or Partner did these tasks. Therefore, paralegals are vital for the day-to-day functions of law firms.

Through these daily tasks, a paralegal gains a well-rounded understanding of the legal profession and the different processes involved. Take litigation for instance. Through filing and chasing court documents, a paralegal is more likely to know the completion or listing timescale than the partner. With this knowledge, a paralegal can assist the partner in preparing nuanced advice for clients on whether to issue proceedings or accept a settlement.

One of the hallmarks of paralegal experience is the continual client interaction. From handling initial inquiries to managing ongoing relationships, you're at the forefront of client communication. This exposure cultivates not just a familiarity with client needs but, more importantly, the development of nuanced communication skills. Your ability to convey complex legal concepts in an accessible manner becomes a cornerstone for you as you progress to a trainee and associate.

Transferable skills

The best way to learn is often through doing, as opposed to reading a SQE manual or being told by a senior lawyer.

Proficiency in legal research and drafting can be continually developed during a paralegal role. You'll routinely tackle tasks that require comprehensive legal analysis, drafting of legal documents, and preparation for litigation. Specific examples, such as researching case law to support legal arguments, are a great way to learn about how to tackle these client queries in the future. In addition to independently drafting documents, it’s always good practice to engage with your supervisor about why a certain application is being filed or why at a certain court. This will ensure a more complete learning experience as a paralegal.

You'll often find yourself managing diverse caseloads, handling multiple tasks simultaneously, and progressing assignments based on importance. This experience is crucial for the development of effective time management and organisational capabilities: attributes that are pivotal for you as a trainee solicitor. As a paralegal, you can hone these skills with the safety blanket of a more experienced supervisor ensuring deadlines are being met. In addition, it is the perfect time to learn techniques which help you to best prioritise; whether you need a written to-do list or enjoy using the pomodoro method.

Client-centric approach

As a paralegal, you’re integral to building and maintaining client relationships. By ensuring transparency, responsiveness, and a keen understanding of client needs, you contribute significantly to fostering trust. You'll frequently find yourself at the frontline, addressing client inquiries or concerns. Whether it's explaining legal processes, providing updates on case progress, or alleviating concerns, your experience as a paralegal prepares you to navigate similar situations with confidence.

Often as a paralegal, you will draft emails for approval from a supervisor. This provides you with the opportunities to hone your drafting, tone and overall writing style before becoming a trainee. A general tip is also to pay attention to the emails sent by your supervisor to clients; you can learn how the most competent lawyers handle client relations.

This proactive approach to client interactions provides invaluable skills for you as a trainee solicitor, who must handle a broader spectrum of client needs and expectations.

Navigating legal specialisations

As a paralegal, you'll often have the opportunity to work across various practice areas, dipping into unknown areas of law without committing to extended periods of time. This diverse experience not only broadens your understanding of the legal landscape but also enables you to make informed decisions about your future career path.

Networking and professional relationships

Networking within the legal community is a cornerstone for career advancement, and as a paralegal, you have a head start in this regard. Having interacted with solicitors, legal professionals, and potentially even attended court proceedings, you have a pre-established network.

Attending legal events, joining legal associations and gaining accreditations will help improve your knowledge of the sector. The relationships cultivated during your paralegal tenure become invaluable resources as you transition into a trainee solicitor and qualified lawyer.

The qualified solicitor route

The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) has significantly changed the landscape of legal qualifications. As an aspiring paralegal, you'll find it easier to qualify as a solicitor, with the SQE2 exam specifically designed to assess practical skills.

Notably, the time spent as a paralegal count towards the two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) required for solicitor qualification. This alleviates concerns about securing a traditional training contract, providing a more accessible route to becoming a qualified solicitor.

Conclusion

Too often in your early legal career you’re hounded with questions on when you will secure a training contract, when you will become qualified or comparisons with your peers on their professional journeys. Remember, the legal profession is a long-term career not just a two-year training contract. Therefore, having a paralegal role will only serve to improve your professional skills and make you a better legal professional in the long term.

Paralegal Work