Paralegal Division

• Publication year: 2024
• Citation: Vol. 37 No. 2 Pg. 69
• Pages: 69

Paralegal DivisionVol. 37 No. 2 Pg. 69Utah Bar JournalMarch 2024

The Mystery of the Paralegal Profession

by Shalise McKinlay, Jennifer Carver, and Liberty Stevenson

What is a Paralegal? When posed with this question, most people draw upon their knowledge from LA Law, Suits, Better Call Saul, or Erin Brockovich; however, none of these shows demonstrate the realities of working in the paralegal field. After working as a paralegal for more than two decades, even I have some difficulty providing a concise explanation of what I do. I believe a big reason for this is that paralegals are constantly adapting and evolving depending on the needs of the moment. Our job description can be very broad. This article focuses on what makes a good paralegal and how to advocate for yourself so that your attorneys know how to properly utilize your skills.

The paralegal profession can be high stakes, time demanding, and people's lives are often held in the balance. Because of this, it is paramount for paralegals to be able to handle stressful situations. Specific personality traits and skills, such as being detail oriented, multi-taskers, even-tempered, and excellent communicators, are necessary to propel you through your...