Introduction

Hello and welcome to my world  - the world of legal staffing (legal secretaries, legal assistants and paralegals).

My reason for writing this book is:  

1.  to help you understand what skills are necessary to succeed in the
     legal field and how to acquire those skills;

2.  how your particular personality might fit into the legal field; and 

3. how to break into the legal field with no legal experience.

In the “Overview” section, you’ll find a good list of the skills I believe are necessary to succeed in these fields.  I provide more detail concerning each of these areas further along in the book.

Legal Secretaries/Legal Assistants (New & Future):  It is not important that you have office experience.  If you have the determination to develop the skills outlined in this book, success may be just around the corner.  

•        How deep is your commitment?

•        Are you willing to work hard and smart to achieve
                     your goals?

•       Are you willing to start at the bottom to end up at the
                    top?

I think you are. 

“Be courageous.  It’s one of the only places left uncrowded.”  Anita Roddick

Paralegals (New & Future):  Each skill I write about in this book is important and required by your employers.  They are all valuable to you.   

You may be told while applying to a specific school or signing up for a course that once you receive a certificate you will be “employable”.  My advice to you is to read this book and then ask the questions of the admissions counselor I suggest before you spend any of your hard-earned money.

I’ve read many comments on list-servs from those trying to enter the legal field who have recent graduates from accredited programs, non-accredited programs as well as from schools offering certificate programs and they simply cannot find work and/or just do not know how to network or market themselves.

It’s been disheartening to read some of these comments because many people had taken out loans or received financial aid in order to complete the course and were unable to find a job after all of their hard work was over.

I truly believe you will gain a better understanding of what employers are looking for by reading this book from cover to cover.  Develop the skills necessary to do the job. 

Be willing to start at the bottom!

The skills I outline in this book will bring both you and your future employer the best value.

So, read on.  Become strong in those areas you feel you are weak in and pat yourself on the back for the areas you are strong in.  Keep working hard and your efforts will be rewarded.

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest”

Benjamin Franklin

Coaching/Mentoring

One-on-one coaching/mentoring is available for you if you feel you might benefit from short-term, one-on-one mentoring.  The coaching/mentoring fees are very reasonable and may just provide you with the “push” you need. 

Simply send an e-mail to paralegal126@cfl.rr.com  for more information regarding how my coaching/mentoring program might work for you.