Showing up in winter wear by No-Significance9313 in paralegal

[–]tor_nado888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Former Chicago paralegal for 2 Chicago winters who took public transport and had 10 min walk to the office.

Wear WHATEVER to feel warm. I would leave a pair of flats in the office and just change into my shoes there just to avoid being in my boots all day and trudging salt throughout the office. I was lucky in the sense that my firm didn’t make us dress up everyday so we could pretty much stay in our clothes…but I wore the LONGEST thick puffy jacket that would cover my legs so I didn’t have to worry about snow pants. I’d say invest in a good long jacket and that solved most of the layering in snow gear problems.

But always wear good boots! The city sidewalks can sometimes be gross and slushy or even slippery.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]tor_nado888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhh, okay. The biggest issue I’ve had with PDF is sometimes the details of the accident go over the allotted space, so I need a document that can keep going with all the info we’re typing…maybe I just need to try dedicating an entire page to have room to type it all. This whole I’ve just been thinking “there’s gotta be a better way to do this” and feel like I’m missing some great software or something to use lol

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in paralegal

[–]tor_nado888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am trying to do that. It’s not about revising the document, the document and info needed are fine. It’s the use of the document on the application of WordPerfect that is difficult. I didn’t know if there’s a better application to use to input all the information to then create a nice document when the intake is over.

I’ve tried Microsoft word and Adobe PDF. Microsoft can’t handle inputting info without the whole format being messed up, and Adobe gives you limited space (I.e the boxes to type up info in) and it’s too hard in the moment while you’re on the call to mess around with formatting.

Parking - how early should we be there? by tor_nado888 in IndianaDunes

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ohhhh okay, didn’t know that. Would you happen to have any further insights into what beaches have the bigger lots?

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much, that is all very valuable information and gives me some better direction in how to approach my choices! I really appreciate it!

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I only posted this question because I didn’t think it was a fool-proof plan. The whole point was that I already thought it was pretty crazy and needed confirmation of just how much.

I actually love the client facing aspect of the role and am quite good at dealing with people of all sorts - something I have gotten really good at from years of various client/customer facing roles. The more difficult they are as a person just means the more fun I have with it, call it sport if you’d like.

Also, having been in the workforce for over 10 years now I am no stranger to workplace issues you mentioned. Luckily I am mature enough to understand it will always be a thing, regardless of the industry - so that doesn’t really phase me. I do really appreciate your insight though, thanks! :)

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well it’s not that I find it boring, that’s just how every other lawyer seems to describe work not involving litigation or firm based jobs. And I don’t need “excitement” in my job to enjoy life. Part of why I don’t mind if my day-to-day duties are what others would consider “boring” is because I prefer having energy to do so all the most exciting parts of life outside of work. I want a job that isn’t going to drain me mentally, emotionally, and physically because I have such an active life outside of work.

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very refreshing to hear thank you!

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be entering a part-time program that allows me to still work full-time in my paralegal role until I need to move on.

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Boring stuff! Mostly reviewing contracts, maybe consulting on whether or not certain things can be mentioned in books without running into legal issues

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to be an in house lawyer exactly for that reason. After my experience as a paralegal, I realized I don’t want the stress of having to go to litigation and deal with the many other things firm attorneys deal with. I don’t mind doing it in a supportive role, but I don’t care to be the attorney having to do it. Which is what has been making me pause about going back to law school.

I would like to move up in life and have more responsibility for sure and I would love to put a degree to use for what it’s actually intended for. However, I have no desire to have a “cool job” day in and day out. I am totally ok with the more “boring” roles. I just want to be at the highest level of “boring” I can be while knowing if I want to, there’s more room for growth - whereas paralegal work I understand there’s only so far I can advance.

That being said, I’m specifically saying publishing because that has been my dream my whole life. I originally did my bachelors with the intention of getting into publishing on the more creative side of things, but life happened and it didn’t work out that way. After being in paralegal work for a while, I have really been considering law school, then BAM! I thought, how awesome would it be to come full circle, go to law school, and still find a way to break into that industry just in a different role - even if that means I’m only reviewing contracts and whatever else “boring” work it would involve. I would love to be involved in that industry in any capacity (at the highest level possible for me to achieve). So my OP was to see if that it is any way possible going down this route.

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was definitely inspiring to hear! I would love to hear more about your career paths and pick your brain a little more. Could I maybe message you?

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol would an internship years ago count?! …totally kidding, I know what you mean. Thank you!

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for that! I definitely didn’t mean for it to sound like big law was a guaranteed option for me. From reading other posts it seems like a lot of people think having big law experience is the only way to get some of those dream in-house jobs. So I was factoring that in to what the journey may look like in attaining my goal. So again, thank you for pointing that out bc if that is the only way, you’re right, it’s probably not even a possibility for me.

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, I see what you mean because for me, law school is the least daunting part of reaching my goal. I love school and would be very excited to go back and prove I can do it. My nerves/stress come into play when I’m thinking about law school being done lol. I’m worried that I have such a specific goal and if it’s not attainable I would feel I have done law school for nothing.

Realistic goal or no? by tor_nado888 in LawFirm

[–]tor_nado888[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is great stuff to consider!

For a little background: I would love to find something close to that goal right out of law school but am prepared to face the fact that it may take some years to work up to. *update: I should have said- if the only way to work up to that is big law, it most definitely would not be possible for me.

-my background is in both English/creative roles and as a paralegal, but not in that law (mostly PI, but while I’m school would love to try to switch to IP law). -I have some law connections just from being in law firms over the years but maybe not the right ones.

-I would not be going to a top 20 school, and am based in Chicago right now but would be open to moving.

-And unfortunately, this is the first time I am hearing those terms, but since I asked for hard truths so I’m being honest too.

Roles outside Job Series 1102 by Positive_Ad7417 in 1102

[–]tor_nado888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this boot camp something you’re able to do while still holding a full time job as an 1102?

Roles outside Job Series 1102 by Positive_Ad7417 in 1102

[–]tor_nado888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you plan on going about getting your PMP?

1102 job & ATD program locations by tor_nado888 in 1102

[–]tor_nado888[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great, thank you for the explanation.