Law School vs. Paralegal Certificate?
I'm looking for advice from anyone who is currently either an attorney or paralegal. I'm 34 years old, with a business/finance background, and considering going to law school next year. I want to learn tax law, and return to the investment world with my degree and knowledge. But I've read postings here from people who regret having gone to law school. I've also read that, for cost savings, law firms are hiring more paralegals and delegating the work to them. I'd consider this, but don't want to regret not "going all the way" and done law school. Thoughts/advice? Thanks!
Public Comments
- ask the same question , doctor or nurse same field the jobs and the training are very different same as a attorney and a paralegal. if you have the time and money and desire do the attorney . that way you will have a much wider choice of jobs
- In my experience, if you want to return to most worlds except for the legal world of a law firm, then you will likely regret the 3 years of opportunity cost and hard tuition / room & board costs of attending law school. Why? Because the investment world folks probably could care less about your law degree. It may even confuse them - when I interviewed with business folks, they were wondering if I really wanted to be a lawyer instead. When I interviewed with law firms, it was the reverse. Short sighted and stupid on their part, yes, but that is the reality - most people are and even more HR types are. In short, figure out where you want to get to, and then whether law school is a necessary or even viable way to get there. The dr / nurse comment below is apt. Despite most paralegals thinking they know just as much as attorneys, the fact is, they don't - they may know how to do a specialized thing, or use a fax machine or file something with the court better than an attorney - but those things are low level and not where the rubber meets the road in the legal world. Which is why lawyers get the money and the respect, and paralegals don't. Although they can do quite well and live a much more stress free life than do most attorneys.
- Thats not a new phenomena. Lawyers always have paralegals who do most of the work. law school is tedious and expensive and will be harder for someone with your education background. I know poeple who cant pass the bar, so law school will be worthless for them... BUT a jd can open many doors even you do not practice law... the law is very easy, depending on what kind of law youre talking about... many times its the same forms with the names changed for the specific case which is why paralegals can do most of the work.
