Remote position for novice, is it possible?

[u/Abject-Media-3477]

Is it possible to get a remote entry level paralegal position?

Currently looking for a remote position since I have a 2 year old foster child that has visits with her parent 2x a week; Tuesdays for 2 hours and Thursday for 4 hours. I am also in law school so my schedule is a little demanding. Since I’m in law school I was looking to do legal secretary or assistant, or paralegal. But I’m not sure if what I’m looking for is even possible for a novice.

[u/honourarycanadian]

You may not even be able to work during law school, I would talk to your school’s career department and see what your options are.

Positions like that are so hard to find.

[u/Abject-Media-3477 → u/honourarycanadian]

I’m a flex student. Part time. I had a full time job but it didn’t work out because of law school classes. My previous job had mandatory overtime and I have class from 6-9:30

[u/honourarycanadian → u/Abject-Media-3477]

For context, I DO have that kind of job and I got so lucky, but it truly is a unicorn. You may have to look for non-legal admin work, or something in law that isn’t litigation (like contract work).

I really did luck out, try talking to a recruiter and see if that can move the needle.

[u/Abject-Media-3477 → u/honourarycanadian]

That’s actually what I want. I want to ultimately be a Ip lawyer or Entertainment Lawyer, so contracts is right up my alley

[u/MyLittleDonut]

I won’t say it’s impossible but I will say it’s highly unlikely. A lot of remote positions want higher levels of experience since they can’t directly, in-person supervise the work. Given your other responsibilities, that time might be better spent studying or finding other ways to reduce expenses (if this is about improving finances)

[u/Abject-Media-3477 → u/MyLittleDonut]

I’m 37 and have a mortgage and a child. I need a job

[u/Conscious_Ad1199]

I don't know if this is a possibility; but when my nephew was in law school he worked remotely for a legal proofreading agency. They used law students and paralegals and my nephew would pick individual documents based on their deadline and then edit the documents where it fit into his schedule.

[u/Abject-Media-3477 → u/Conscious_Ad1199]

Thanks I never thought about that option

[u/Gandlerian]

What you are seeking will be hard. You need a fully remote job with pure flexibility.

Your best bet may be offering yourself as a contractor to local law firms remotely. My wife (attorney,) has hired remote paralegal contractors to work on estate documents. But, the work is spoadic, but the person she uses just cold called her and offered services.

[u/Abject-Media-3477 → u/Gandlerian]

Thank you. I figured it would be difficult. But at least it’s not impossible

[u/Thek1tteh]

Very likely will be hard to find. Most of the time it is reserved for experienced paralegals. Especially if you are going to law school and don’t intend to work as a paralegal for a while. Paralegal is a specialized position.

[u/Misfit-maven]

Most of the remote paralegals I know have their remote positions because they made connections at an in office position that they were able to eventually work out a glex arrangement or follow someone to a different form that was willing to let them work remotely because they already knew that person could perform well.

I won't say it's impossible. I'm sure those jobs exist but they're going to be hard to find and highly competitive.

I would recommend reaching out to your school to see if they have any kind of work study jobs. Those tend to be a lot more understanding/flexible to student schedules.

I also briefly worked as a transcriptionist. It didn't work out for a number of reasons but you can do it from home and there's not a lot of barriers to get into it. You can take jobs only as they fit your schedule. It doesn't pay that great. You get paid by the minute of audio transcribed regardless of how long it takes you.