Calvin Reels, talks about a typical day as a Paralegal at Lamb Brooks; discussing the experiences and opportunities which he may be exposed to.
Morning
9:00am – 1:00pm - Typically, I am busy with both Residential and Commercial Property work. The first thing I do is to check if there are any tasks that were left unfinished from the previous day, as these will be prioritised. I then check my new tasks, which I will go through in order of urgency. This makes planning my time simple and allows me to get work done efficiently.
Everyday tasks include tasks such as drafting client care letters as well as legal documentation, ordering property searches, conversing with clients regarding their matters and ordering title documents from the Land Registry.
Lunch
1:00pm - During lunch, I usually take a stroll through town and find somewhere to eat. I often pack my own lunch, but I am partial to a Meal Deal from Tesco on occasion.
Afternoon
2:00pm – 5:30pm - I crack on with any tasks that I have. This tends to be the busiest time of the day, so it is quite fast-paced and hands on, especially if we have exchanges and/or completions taking place.
End of the working day
5:30pm – As the end of the day approaches, I review the work undertaken that day and make sure that any correspondence is married up to the relevant files.
I also spend time updating my Qualifying Work Experience Record pursuant to the SQE route to qualification.
I tend to leave the office around 5:30pm. I like to spend my evenings unwinding by either watching some Netflix, reading or playing some video games.
Three top tips for Paralegals:
- Just ask: If you are unsure about a task, you have been asked to do, just ask! It is better to understand what you are supposed to be doing, than to worry you are doing it incorrectly. Plus, then you will know how to do it in the future!
- Be a sponge: Commit yourself to soaking in everything you can. There is so much information you must process as part of the job but taking it all in and ensuring you are understanding things will help you learn that much quicker.
- Be proud of your work: Try to take pride in the work you do. At the end of the day, your job is to help people with their legal matters, and being proud of your work will allow you to provide a better service to clients.
What is it like to be a Paralegal?
Being a Paralegal can become overwhelming very quickly if you don’t stay on top of things. However, it also provides invaluable experience because you are exposed to so many different aspects of the legal profession and have the chance to tackle them. It is a job where you can truly see and feel your own progress and is therefore very rewarding.
Have you known from a young age that you wanted to become a solicitor?
I knew I wanted to be a Solicitor when I was taking my GCSEs, so I was around 14-15 at the time.
Do you have an idea of which area of law you would like to qualify into?
I have always been interested in commercial/corporate law, and I also found intellectual property law fascinating when I studied that in my undergraduate degree. However, at this stage, I am open to experiencing different fields and discovering all my options.
How much interaction do you have with clients?
I have a lot of interaction with clients. I frequently take telephone calls from clients and correspond with them by email. I also occasionally attend client meetings.
What kind of legal matters are you working on at the moment?
I am working on a variety of matters; as part of residential property work, the most common are property sale and purchases. On the commercial property side, the vast majority of the files are new leases.
What is the most challenging aspect about being a Paralegal?
The most challenging aspect about being a Paralegal is the sheer volume of information that is thrown at you. It can be tough to manage, but if you do, the experience you will gain is incredible.
What have you enjoyed the most about your experience so far?
I have enjoyed the variety of work I have been exposed to and the skills that it has taught me. Looking back, I can see how much knowledge I’ve gained since I started this role.
What 3 skills do you think are needed to shine as a Paralegal?
- Organisation
- Communication skills
- Adaptability
What advice would you give to someone applying for Paralegal positions?
Be yourself and show a genuine interest to learn. Law firms want someone who they know is going to use the opportunity to develop themselves, and who will strive to do the best work possible.
How will you celebrate when you qualify?
I will probably plan a nice trip somewhere to relax for a bit and soak in the achievement.
What’s next? Do you have any future career plans or goals once you have qualified?
The first thing is to qualify. As for post-qualification, I think the goal is to find an area of law that I am truly passionate about and seek to establish myself in that practice area.