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Paralegal Career Interview
Lori J. Boris, RP®, has been a paralegal for almost 13 years. She works out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and she is the president of the Minnesota Paralegal Association.
Paralegal Career Path
From an early age, Lori had an interest in the law.
“My first job in law firms was a docket clerk,” she says. “I was eventually promoted to legal secretary, and I realized then that I was able to do more substantive legal work than I was then doing.”
“Rather than become an attorney, I decided that being a paralegal was the best road, so I went to the Minnesota Paralegal Institute, which is a post-baccalaureate program. I was still working as a legal secretary, but was promoted to a litigation paralegal where I worked.”
Experiences of a Paralegal
Lori spent time as a pre-law student at Normandale Community College, but she didn’t feel that becoming an attorney was the right path for her. She attended the Minnesota Paralegal Institute to get her paralegal certificate.
Lori has been a paralegal for almost 13 years, including recently passing the National Federation Paralegal Association’s (NFPA®) Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE®), which allows her to use the initials “RP®” (registered paralegal) after her name.
Paralegal Degree Programs
“There are many levels of education in the paralegal community,” Lori explains. “They range from those who have a four-year degree plus a two-year paralegal certificate, to those who attend only a one-year paralegal certificate program.”
The requirements for becoming a paralegal differ depending on what state you live in; however, most employers at least require the completion of a paralegal certificate program.
Paralegal Job Description
Lori is a paralegal coordinator, which means that she coordinates the flow of work in her paralegal department. She works at the National Law Firm of Foley & Mansfield, PLLP.
“It’s my job to make sure that everything that needs to get done gets done,” she says. “In addition, I still have my own caseload. I work in asbestos litigation for three jurisdictions: North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.”
Paralegal Daily Routine
Depending on the area of law that a paralegal works in, the duties of a normal day changes.
“A litigation paralegal might be collecting and/or summarizing medical or other types of records, preparing deposition preparation materials, or preparing exhibits for a trial,” Lori explains.
“A real estate paralegal might be preparing all of the documents for a real estate closing. A probate paralegal might be preparing wills or trust documents, or handling a decedent’s probate after he/she is deceased. An IP paralegal might be preparing a patent application for filing.”
Paralegal: Steps to Success
A successful paralegal needs to be organized, able to communicate well, have an attention to detail, think critically, and have a good overview knowledge of the law.
“A paralegal also needs the ability to find out those things that you don’t already know,” Lori adds. “A paralegal needs to be a good researcher.”
Paralegal Job Opportunities
Earning the initial experience of a paralegal is typically the hardest part.
“I recommend getting experience any way you can,” says Lori. “Temping jobs can be great ways to get your foot in the door of a law firm. Sometimes temps end up being hired by the firm after their temp contract expires.”
“The bottom line is,” she continues, “every paralegal working in the field right now had their first paralegal job, so it’s obviously doable to get that first one. It sometimes takes some work, but it can be done!”
Favorite Part About a Paralegal Career
“I really enjoy being part of the legal team and working the cases up, getting them ready for trial,” explains Lori. “It’s a great feeling when we work together and things go well in the case.”
A Paralegal’s Future Ambitions
Lori hopes to further her trial experience as a paralegal, while at the same time increasing her knowledge of the law and building on her paralegal abilities.
Advice for Prospective Paralegals
“I would highly recommend becoming a member of their local paralegal association, and network, network, network,” says Lori. “Put yourself in front of the leaders of the profession – volunteer to help with a convention or community service events. Get to know those paralegals who have been successful in their professions.”
Lori also stresses the importance of taking every opportunity to gain experience in the field. A hopeful paralegal should also constantly work on improving his or her education.
“Being a paralegal is a great ambition,” Lori adds. “This is a great profession to be in! Just persevere and you will do well.”
