Is It Time to Replace Paralegals with Lawyers?

According to North Carolina family lawyer and practice management expert, Lee Rosen, the answer is yes.

Before my paralegal readers hit the ceiling, read Rosen's recent post at his blog Divorce Discourse, "It's Time to Replace Your Paralegals...with Lawyers," carefully. He does make a good point, i.e. that law firms "can now pay an associate very, very little money."

(Which is why when my friends from college ask me if their now grown children should go to law school, I laugh suggest they do the employment outlook research first.)

I'll admit my first thought when I read Rosen's post was, "Gee, I'm glad my supervising attorney since 1994 doesn't read blogs much. Whew, close one there."

My second thought was my other supervising attorney for the last four or so years does read blogs regularly, including Divorce Discourse, but as an associate at the time, she also probably saw Rosen's post recommending that associates be paid on a pure commission basis only.

All of a sudden, you associates aren't feeling so smug about Rosen's suggestion to get rid of all the pricey paralegals, are ya?

Today's Quote: Are We Simply Grunts?

"Simply put, paralegals handle all the grunt work of lawyers..." ~ Excerpt from "Best Jobs 2012: Paralegal" (U.S. News & World Report)

At least this reporter didn't over-glamorize the profession when trying to describe what a paralegal job is like, but maybe he put it a little too simply. That "grunt work" can be quite complex and intellectually-challenging, depending on the attorneys you work for, your specialty areas, and your level of paralegal experience.

But maybe the Bureau of Labor Statistics will have to amend its projected employment growth of 18.3 percent for the paralegal profession, if law firms take attorney Lee Rosen's recent business advice and consider hiring associates instead of paralegals? (Whoa, paralegal readers, don't comment here - comment at Rosen's post! Some of you've asked if I'd seen it, and yes, I have!)

Paralegal Career Dressing: 5 Faux Croc Purses under $50

In my style blog travelings tonight, a big time designer style blog featured really adorable teeny croc totes for the bargain price of around $200! Eeek! The Teens eat that much in chips and cookies in a week!

But I really want a croc tote. Only I don't want a croc to die for it.

Maybe I need therapy. But online window shopping is cheaper.

Faux Croc Mini Satchel ~ $32.95 (New York & Co)

Sag Harbor Crocodile Ombre Satchel ~ $33.60 (Kohl's)

Reader, I am THIS close to ordering this one:

Designer Inspired Faux Leather Crocodile Oversized Satchel ~ $50 (Amazon)

Or this one - in blue:

Dasein Faux Leather Embossed Croco Satchel ~ $44.99 (overstock.com)

BONUS PURSE and educational piece for the uninformed, like myself until a few minutes ago. This is a leather wine purse, something it seems like every paralegal could use. Nice spring color, too ;)

Gala Faux Crocodile Leather Wine Purse ~ $27.99 (GiftBrand.com)

Paralegal Career Dressing: New Use for Old Blouse or Maybe Last Hurrah before GoodWill

The last time I wore this sheath dress (under $20 from Steinmart, believe me, you can get the classic look for lots less than several hundred dollars per garment), I unimaginatively put a cardigan over it and hid the neat neckline and waist insert. This time I decided to try a blouse under it - one that wasn't getting worn and might be destined for the GoodWill. I dunno if I like the look or not. Maybe a little too Renaissance Faire for the practical paralegal?

Also, all my bling is from Jada's Jewels, http://www.jadasjewels.com/. (Not a sponsored post. I love my daily a.m. JJ email :) I'm so in love with the cuff bracelet (which is really silver like it looks in the photo with my iPad), because it adjusts to my skinny wrists and looks like a ton of bangles without all the jangling, that I took every opportunity I could to show it off, only no one noticed. Except maybe you guys.

I really wanted to do the multiple watch thing that I've seen other style bloggers do recently, but I was concerned that I'd get questions regarding my senility, like, "Did you know you're wearing two watches?" This is a law firm. Style's not really our priority.

Adrienne Vittadini sheath (Steinmart clearance $16); Peasant blouse (Ross for cheap years ago when I was feeling Bohemian or something); Tights (Target); Jewelry (Jada's Jewels)

Same cheap and comfortable shooties from Ross I've been wearing all winter. They had me at the covered buttons.

Yes, I love my Incase Origami Workstation for iPad but the important thing is my bracelet, see my bracelet? :P

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This is the stuff I did all day to draw attention to my cuff bracelet, kinda like a new engagement ring.

Oops. I did steal your coffee cup, and raided your chocolate stash, too.

Oh, heck, let's just point out the obvious.

Someone has a new bracelet but needs a nap.

Do you like to accessorize with bracelets? What are your favorite kind?

Paralegal Career Dressing: 5 Items under $50 from Chico's

Perhaps I haven't been fair to Chico's, having never made it past the front door of our local store. But I checked out the online sale catalog, and found several marked down items that would be great fits for a conservative office wardrobe.

Easy Instinct Elin Jacket ~ $39.99  (Also available in a nice neutral color, Raffia)

Silky Sabrina Pullover ~ $29.98

Reagan Stripe Turtleneck ~ $19.99

This tank would rock with a suit or a cardi.

Tiered Terry Tank ~ $24.99

Here's another fun jacket to mix with spring separates:

Baseball Babe Abbegate Jacket ~ $29.98