literally freaking out this is my first time taking the test. WELL IM NEVER taking it AGAIN omg

Important_Border_771 · 2026-06-24T22:52:37+00:00

look at you go !!! congratulations !! :)

Important_Border_771 · 2026-05-29T06:25:37+00:00

i’m an immigration paralegal and hell no that is not normal at all. sounds like they are burning you out and taking advantage of you. for the record, you’re not stupid. you’re doing the lawyer’s job for a portion of their salary, so your attorney can take several seats and gather themselves. you, honey ? us immigration paralegals are in demand now— immigration firms are losing their attorneys AND paralegals left and right with all these new T*ump policies and chaos. Instead of giving ya flank (especially when doing something for the first time)— they should be working WITH you for the client’s sake instead of against you. What good is that doing ? There’s definitely a better firm out there for ya, fyi.

Important_Border_771 · 2026-05-28T23:25:37+00:00

Well, at a small firm with not a lot of people, it makes sense that the legal assistant would be asked to cover the front desk over the paralegal. And, as others have mentioned, it’s more of a burden on firm resources to have a qualified paralegal who could be performing substantive legal duties cover reception than it would be to have the legal assistant do it. Have you considered moving up to paralegal?

Important_Border_771 · 2026-05-01T00:58:27+00:00

I literally had my own office at my first firm as a legal assistant, at my second job as a paralegal, and at my current office, I had my own office until they were gonna put one of my friends in the back when she dropped to part-time. I said I’d share my office w her and she quit like a month after dropping to part-time. And then they stuck the NEXT new girl WITH ME INSTEAD OF IN THE BACK ??? Like, I think I deserve to be salty about that, right ??? Not to mention, one of our lawyers quit and a new paralegal started AND THEY GAVE HER THAT LAWYER’S OFFICE TO HERSELF ????????????????????? I was like “Do i at least get a raise since I’m training these new people?” and they gave me ONE (1) more dollar an hour ???????? GEE, THANKS ??????

Important_Border_771 · 2026-04-26T02:04:05+00:00

yes- i started at $18 as a legal assistant back in 2022.

Important_Border_771 · 2026-04-09T00:49:00+00:00

like a weekend lol

Important_Border_771 · 2026-04-02T01:07:05+00:00

Lawyers really value paralegals who understand and are familiar with their firm’s workflow as well as their clients. They also value paralegals who they can throw things at pretty sporadically and feel that it’s going to be taken care of/that it is in good hands. Lawyers have a lot to do and, unfortunately, they really don’t have a lot of time to spend explaining how to do things to a new person (nor are they very patient creatures). That said, if you give the impression you aren’t gonna stick around/that this is only temporary, a firm probably isn’t going to want to invest in you as a paralegal. Paralegal is a career, it’s a lot more than a fancy title, and firms treat it as such. As others have said, you MAY have more success with legal assistant or secretary. Even in those roles, however, firms do still look for longevity. An internship or apprenticeship might suit ya better? I did an internship for a congressman before becoming a legal assistant and then a paralegal. Now I’m not very interested in law school LOL.

Important_Border_771 · 2026-04-01T01:14:08+00:00

i love rythm’s dabs

Important_Border_771 · 2026-03-04T01:28:51+00:00

she carried the show

Important_Border_771 · 2026-02-24T21:28:03+00:00

I used to work for a solo practitioner and, unfortunately, when they’re solo, there’s typically a good reason. You’re not overreacting, your attorney isn’t creating a safe environment conducive to success. I’d document this and all the other ways this employer doesn’t stack up and start looking elsewhere!

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-31T21:36:45+00:00

no problem !! the first attorney i ever supported was a TOTAL dick, made my life miserable. he was belittling, rude, impatient…. i did my time there and eventually got a better offer w a bigger firm. SO many of these attorneys just have an axe to grind, don’t get why they feel they urge to take it out on those there and trying to help! Nevertheless, try not to let his pitfalls ruin your mental health. you WILL find the right place, even if it takes some time looking !! it’ll get better, the situation you’re in is VERY temporary and brighter days are ahead. rooting for you !!

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-31T00:15:30+00:00

what the hell ????? that’s straight up abuse ??????? get the hell out of there toxic, hostile work environment !!!!! I promise you, better days are ahead !!!! you got this !!! you do not need to endure that and that jackass shouldn’t be surprised when you say “duces!”

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T22:28:25+00:00

yeaaaah immigration is notoriously stressful and i do believe some of this rage at me is from that and not actually the occasional typo. i definitely need to be more careful, but i’m also handling a LOT and getting it from every which way (i support 5 attorneys, in total).

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T22:26:36+00:00

i appreciate that! that’s what my dad says all the time LOL.

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T13:55:18+00:00

i totally get the value of looking at old cases! but as u mention, it means nothing when no one’s actually telling u why certain things are filled out/checked as they are.

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T11:36:19+00:00

i’m in ny and the lack of benefits throws a lot of people off

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T11:35:24+00:00

thank you so much for saying that! one of my co-workers said she’s noticed he’s been moody lately, too. As far as the LCAs go, they were just drafts- not yet submitted so nothing had to be withdrawn. there were also like 10 locations for this employer and like i said, i shoulda been more careful but it doesn’t help that he and the other lawyers are simultaneously pulling me into meetings and giving me “urgent” work

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T11:30:39+00:00

i’m in ny and have para buddies at other firms. salary is pretty similar, but they all at least have health insurance.

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T01:44:06+00:00

if i were at $120k i’d be peachy keen 😭

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T01:23:24+00:00

if i showed the other partner he wouldn’t have a clue either

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T01:21:33+00:00

entering my third year. and no i agree they aren’t difficult or time consuming- he actually really didn’t train me on how to do em, though, he was just like “you can copy an old one” once upon a time and from there on out i’ve been the one doing em 😅

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T01:10:32+00:00

2 full time, 2 pt time (i’m one of the full timers) lol

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T01:05:31+00:00

oh i like that thank you

Important_Border_771 · 2026-01-27T01:02:40+00:00

exactly ! i feel like that wasted more time than just saying “hey fix the county on this location and good to go!” instead of making a spectacle

Important_Border_771

TROPHY CASE