What I Love About Being a Paralegal

WHAT I LOVE BEING A PARALEGAL

EVEN THOUGH IT ISN'T ALWAYS EASY

Let's face it, as a paralegal, clients can be quite a challenge sometimes. Emotions tend to run high, and you simply cannot satisfy every one of them, nor can you guarantee them a positive outcome. As a matter of fact, sometimes you will not only get the irate and unruly clients, but the downright crazy ones. Trust me, I’ve dealt with the lunatics too. But, on the flip side, you do experience clients that express extensive gratitude and immense appreciation for assisting them through such a challenging experience.

Navigating the legal system can be very scary and daunting for pro se litigants, which are my usual clients, who typically don't understand the legal system or how the law works in general. As a remote contracting paralegal for a virtual paralegal services provider called Intrepid Paralegal Solutions, the legal system can even be challenging for me because my clients are from all over the country and in many different jurisdictions with different rules and requirements. So, even I get overwhelmed and feel defeated at times. But you know what? In the end, most of the time, it's very much worth the challenge.

I don't always receive appreciation and understanding from clients, but when I do, it encourages me to keep pushing on because the reward I gain from just a few kind words is tremendously fulfilling to me and I cherish the fact that I made a positive impact on somebody’s life. I truly want to help people and have always had a strong sense of justice. So, although I may not be able to bring a successful outcome to all, when justice is obtained, it is always exceptionally satisfying and rewarding.

In my paralegal career, I don't always get things right, and quite frankly, I do make dumb mistakes sometimes, which, let's be real, always sucks big time, but I do genuinely try to give my best and my all to help these people who are confused by the legal system and don't know where to turn or what to do. Sometimes, the mistakes are honestly my very own fault but I do attempt to mend the situation to the best of my ability. Like I said though, in my field of work, when you make mistakes, it sucks big time because a simple mistake can ruin a client's entire case and chance at justice.

Now back to working with clients, from the very beginning of working with one, a relationship has started to bloom. I then try my best to show clients that I truly do care about their wants and needs and will go above and beyond to assist them, but there is always a peak moment where that relationship becomes tense or strained, it’s just inevitable. This is because clients can experience a lot of anxiety and fear during the duration of working their case.

For the best outcomes, the relationship is mended and becomes more deeply connected than before, and you can even become attached to that client, but in the worst outcomes, the relationship becomes broken and then client may participate in insulting and even berating behavior. The truth is, some unhappy clients will try to cut me deep, even when I had worked very hard and did everything I was supposed to. As we mentioned before, you will never be able to force a positive outcome for all and it is impossible to please everyone.

I must say though, I have experienced clients that have profoundly warmed my heart by simple acts such as kind words of gratitude or an expression of appreciation. When you feel acknowledged and valued, words cannot describe the worthwhile impact it has on you. And for those clients, I’ll be honest, it’s kind of sad when we have to part ways when the case is finalized.

You see, going through a legal matter with a client is a journey, it has its highs and lows, it’s an emotional rollercoaster, and often even has its bonding moments. We make the journey together, and at the finalization of that journey, if the experience was valuable, I always miss them a little when they are gone but I do keep them in mind and heart, always hoping life goes well for them.

Not that I don’t wish the best for the unruly clients, I just don’t carry the same connection with them. I do wish them the best in life, but the relationship has been marred which caused the experience to have a negative impact on me in various ways. Because of this, I cannot carry the burden of disappointment because I would likely burn out or even just give up. I always strive to maintain my passion for what I do and I cannot let a difficult client steal that away from me

Being a paralegal can be very difficult sometimes, can be very stressful, and can be very draining, and sometimes people treat you badly, but I must understand that they are mad at the situation, and I am just an easy target to put the blame on. As they say, hurt people, hurt people, and I will never be able to please everyone. I must accept this to continue striving to be my best for future clients and to maintain my zeal and enthusiasm that I have for this job.

As said before, I still carry certain clients in my heart, and by simply remembering the thoughtfulness, compassion, patience, and caring words that they shared with me, I can hold t those memories close, and in return, it empowers me to love what I do, and to take the good with the bad.

I will always wish that people could understand that I’m doing my absolute very best to help them obtain the justice they desire, but those are unrealistic expectations because expectations are disappointments waiting to happen. So, I try my best to hold on to the good and let go of the bad.

I refuse to be defeated by bitter clients or difficult cases because there are other potential clients out there that need my assistance with their cases, that will value and appreciate my efforts and hard work, and I look forward to encountering even more rewarding experiences that will inevitably and eventually come with the job. Plus, if there are other opportunities for me to help obtain justice for people and make a positive impact in their lives, I don't want to miss out on being part of something so amazing and very much worthwhile.

Brianna Lummus

Paralegal at Intrepid Paralegal Solutions

ipsvirtual.com