More legal graduates working as paralegals

According to The Law Society, there are now "more paralegals (over 300,000) in England and Wales than there are solicitors (approximately 125,000) and barristers (around 12,000) combined". Not only are firms hiring more paralegals, but these paralegal positions are being filled by more law graduates than ever before due to the limited number of graduate vacancies.

In the past, paralegals were either employees with training contracts looking for further work experience, recent graduates working as paralegals for a short period of time to broaden their legal capabilities, or individuals who specifically wished to pursue a long-term career as a paralegal. However, Samuel Clague, the founder of The Stephen James Partnership, demonstrates that there is now another breed of candidates applying for paralegal jobs. He believes that: "Many academically gifted law graduates, who perhaps 10 to 15 years ago would have walked into training contracts, but given the current competition, are not able to secure one.... undertake paralegal work in the hope of one day getting the training contract, but after a number of years of rejection they resign themselves to being paralegals."

Furthermore, Clague highlights that many firms are hiring law graduates as paralegals because it benefits them financially. Clague highlights how: "Many firms are keen to employ graduate paralegals instead of more expensive trainees...by employing this type of paralegal, they are able to draw on the ability of a highly capable individual who is hungry to impress and work all hours for a fraction of the rate that a trainee is paid."

As a direct result of these trends, research has demonstrated that the number of people working as paralegals may continue to increase by over 20% in the next four years. This is predominantly due to the fact that law firms are reluctant to create more training contracts, yet the number of law graduates seeking employment continues to increase. A Legal Practice Course (LPC) graduate, who has been working as a paralegal at a media company since finishing her studies, spoke anonymously to The Guardian newspaper expressing her personal experience of this unfortunate employment predicament. She stated how: "At times, I can't believe I'm working in a minimum wage job having gone to law school. But it's a hell of a lot better than sitting around doing nothing."

In situations such as these, working as a paralegal can offer law graduates an avenue of employment which is still within their field of profession. Moreover, it offers them the opportunity to forge alliances with reputable legal firms. By working in these firms as paralegals, law graduates can forge and develop successful business relationships with seasoned members of the legal profession. By doing so, they can potentially gain training contracts and establish a credible reputation within the legal profession. For example, Charlotte Dalley graduated from the University of Chester with a 2.1 Law degree and since 2013 has been working as a trainee solicitor for Gillhams Solicitors. This position enables Dalley to assist seasoned "partners and more senior associates with all aspects of private client work including the preparation of wills, probate and the administration of estates. She also has gained some valuable experience in dealing with residential and commercial property transactions", all of which are vital skills from which she can profit throughout her legal career.

This position has enabled her to complete her training contract while working within a prominent solicitors firm. Moreover, upon qualification, Dalley will become a permanent member of the firm, thus demonstrating how working as a paralegal can facilitate future career mobility. Law graduates who would otherwise have been unemployed and distanced from the legal profession are able to work under the supervision of seasoned solicitors and gain vital legal experience which will undoubtedly improve their future career prospects.

In this manner, working as a paralegal provides lucrative employment opportunities for recently graduated law students. If they cannot attain training contracts, law graduates can work as a paralegal and earn a salary of between £18,000-£25,000. Moreover, working as a paralegal enables law graduates to continue working within the parameters of their chosen field, as well as establishing professional connections with other members of the legal profession. As a result of these possibilities, more and more law graduates are seeking paralegal vacancies, which in turn enables law firms to hire intelligent and dedicated employees at reduced salaries.

Rachael Harris is the social and brand manager at How2become, a careers information and development website.