A few days ago, I was reading the Law Gazette (an outdated copy) on the paralegal profession. Paralegals are professionals who are legally trained to assist a lawyer in drafting, proof-reading, attending meetings, in other words, a lawyer's right hand man. The only thing they cannot do is to give legal advice or fight a court case. Which is essentially what I am doing.
Paralegals in Singapore is a new concept. They are recognised in England and America, and even in Hong Kong, where they are solicitors in their own rights. They run a law firm, get clients and match them to lawyers, draft legal documentation, and even present cases in minor courts. The barristers and advocates will then present cases in higher courts, or major cases like rape, murder and theft.
But in the local context, paralegals or Legal Executives (Legal Assistants, Legal Researchers, Legal Professional Officer, etc), are still being treated like mere secretaries or clerks. Paralegals are not above doing secretarial work, because in any job, there will always be administration and support types of work, and in many cases, we have to draft out correspondences and send out emails on behalf of the lawyers.
But the difference is in how the lawyers view paralegals. Locally, besides law graduates who for some reason not able to have a practising certificate, and people who have done some law studies, there are also graduates from Diploma in Law conducted by a polytechnic. All these normally end up working as paralegals who assist the lawyer in getting the cases done.
The good thing is that more and more law firms and in-house legal departments are recognising paralegals as a profession in its own right, instead of just a mere secretary or administrative officer. For instance, right now, I can sign off letters in my name, send out emails, draft my own documents, give advice on documents, liaise with clients, all in my own name! I need not go through my boss, just have to keep him in the loop. In a way, I am having autonomy in my job and my boss trusts me in knowing what to do. Of course, when it comes to major legal advice or aspects of law, then that will have to be done by the Legal Counsel.
However, in some law firms, paralegals are still being viewed as a secretary. The difference between paralegals and a legal secretary is that a legal secretary is the personal assistant of the lawyer, so the secretary will deal with correspondence and administrative support work, but for a paralegal, he / she is able to draft legal documents, do legal research, find case law, read and interpret statutes, proof-read legal documents and give comments. In other words, in between a secretary and a lawyer.
But in some law firms, paralegals are asked to do administrative work like simple correspondence, and the lawyers still want to vet through everything and sign in the lawyer's name. After a while, the paralegal will then become bored as there will be no job satisfaction. Administrative work is alright because it is part and parcel of any job, but to do the same thing over and over again for months, people will start to feel stagnated.
The paralegal will then wonder why is it that some legal assistants are able to have the autonomy to sign off and talk to clients by him / herself, but he / she is still being viewed as a mere clerk? Which is why the turnover rate is so high. Secretaries will stay, but paralegals will not if they feel that they are not being utilised to the fullest. Afterall, when one applies for a certain job, one will expect the job to be challenging and fulfilling, and not doing mundane stuff all day.
The article then mentioned some ways in which paralegals can be more utilised. Training opportunities, prospects in the company, promotions, upgrading opportunities will all add to job satisfaction and a sense of belonging. I guess that is true in almost any job as well.
Hmmm... perhaps I should then return to law school? Even if I do not become an advocate, I can be a solicitor at least? Then that will be great where my career is concerned.
Paralegals in Singapore is a new concept. They are recognised in England and America, and even in Hong Kong, where they are solicitors in their own rights. They run a law firm, get clients and match them to lawyers, draft legal documentation, and even present cases in minor courts. The barristers and advocates will then present cases in higher courts, or major cases like rape, murder and theft.
But in the local context, paralegals or Legal Executives (Legal Assistants, Legal Researchers, Legal Professional Officer, etc), are still being treated like mere secretaries or clerks. Paralegals are not above doing secretarial work, because in any job, there will always be administration and support types of work, and in many cases, we have to draft out correspondences and send out emails on behalf of the lawyers.
But the difference is in how the lawyers view paralegals. Locally, besides law graduates who for some reason not able to have a practising certificate, and people who have done some law studies, there are also graduates from Diploma in Law conducted by a polytechnic. All these normally end up working as paralegals who assist the lawyer in getting the cases done.
The good thing is that more and more law firms and in-house legal departments are recognising paralegals as a profession in its own right, instead of just a mere secretary or administrative officer. For instance, right now, I can sign off letters in my name, send out emails, draft my own documents, give advice on documents, liaise with clients, all in my own name! I need not go through my boss, just have to keep him in the loop. In a way, I am having autonomy in my job and my boss trusts me in knowing what to do. Of course, when it comes to major legal advice or aspects of law, then that will have to be done by the Legal Counsel.
However, in some law firms, paralegals are still being viewed as a secretary. The difference between paralegals and a legal secretary is that a legal secretary is the personal assistant of the lawyer, so the secretary will deal with correspondence and administrative support work, but for a paralegal, he / she is able to draft legal documents, do legal research, find case law, read and interpret statutes, proof-read legal documents and give comments. In other words, in between a secretary and a lawyer.
But in some law firms, paralegals are asked to do administrative work like simple correspondence, and the lawyers still want to vet through everything and sign in the lawyer's name. After a while, the paralegal will then become bored as there will be no job satisfaction. Administrative work is alright because it is part and parcel of any job, but to do the same thing over and over again for months, people will start to feel stagnated.
The paralegal will then wonder why is it that some legal assistants are able to have the autonomy to sign off and talk to clients by him / herself, but he / she is still being viewed as a mere clerk? Which is why the turnover rate is so high. Secretaries will stay, but paralegals will not if they feel that they are not being utilised to the fullest. Afterall, when one applies for a certain job, one will expect the job to be challenging and fulfilling, and not doing mundane stuff all day.
The article then mentioned some ways in which paralegals can be more utilised. Training opportunities, prospects in the company, promotions, upgrading opportunities will all add to job satisfaction and a sense of belonging. I guess that is true in almost any job as well.
Hmmm... perhaps I should then return to law school? Even if I do not become an advocate, I can be a solicitor at least? Then that will be great where my career is concerned.
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