Is anyone a legal asst/paralegal?

[jellybean]

I have a 2 year paralegal degree, but am wondering about taking the CP exam. I think it would be good for refreshing on what I learned in college and to have on a resume. Has anyone taken it? I've heard from another (15 yr paralegal) that it isn't necessary-but I'm just curious.

[berbles]

I'm a patent paralegal, which is its own breed, so I can't help.

I think Lucy Honeychurch is a paralegal.

[riker]

My employer hired me based on prior work experience. I have actually never heard of the CP exam and had to Google it and I've been a paralegal for 8 years.

[Deleted]

I was, without a paralegal degree. Don't waste your money. Or ask your employer to pay for continuing education.

[jellybean]

Well I know I already wasted two years and $$$ on a degree. Lol. I have over three years of experience. Thanks for the replies!

Just wondering about working my way up to a higher paying position later on.

[jellybean]

I should add, I work for an estate planning firm. No big cases to help on

[Deleted]

I'm a lawyer, not a paralegal. I think whether it is worthwhile depends on what kinds of jobs you're looking at. Or at the very least, at the firms I've worked at it wouldn't have been helpful at all. Our paralegals have either been smart kids straight out of college with no experience whatsoever or career paralegals with a lot of experience (but no special education/certifications necessary).

[Deleted]

Nov 8, 2013 18:41:50 GMT -5 berbles said:

I'm a patent paralegal, which is its own breed, so I can't help.

I think Lucy Honeychurch is a paralegal.

What is different about a patent paralegal?

[vmars]

I'm a paralegal - I had my paralegal degree + bachelor's when I applied for jobs (while working as a secretary for a solo) - all of that combined plus a reference helped me land a job at a large law firm in my area. However, the most important qualifications were probably the fact that I had experience and I had a good reference. You don't need the exam to get a better job, you need experience & even better if you know someone. I would take whatever you can get to get experience then move to a better firm when you get the opportunity.

[berbles]

Nov 8, 2013 20:19:47 GMT -5 @gypsy said:

Nov 8, 2013 18:41:50 GMT -5 berbles said:

I'm a patent paralegal, which is its own breed, so I can't help.

I think Lucy Honeychurch is a paralegal.

What is different about a patent paralegal?

Completely different and specialized area of law. I don't deal with contracts, negotiations, etc. And I only do admin type stuff for my boss w/r/t litigation.

The two fields don't really have much overlap, even though they're both "paralegal."

[jellybean]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I really love my job, but sometimes I feel like a glorified receptionist. ...which is fine, but I hate being bored at work not having much to do.

Eventually (many years down the road) I could see myself going to a larger firm.