Let's Talk Skill Sets

Everyone knows about the basic skill sets required to be a good paralegal.  To be a good paralegal when you represent plantiffs in personal injury, you also need compassion.  You must like people.  If you don't, well, this part of the law might not be for you. 

Liking people isn't easy.  You can like a particular person.  You can sympathize with a family in crisis.  We can all weep for the young mother who is injured.  This is not your typical client.  You'd be lucky to find this.  No, clients are human, from all walks of life.  In fact, our attorneys who used to do public defender work say their clients had much in common.  Many are quite neurotic, swarming with trust issues, and other personal issues.  This is my specialty.  I like to work with the clients that no one wants.  You find interesting people there.

Now, even if you're fine with the beautiful people, and okay with the mildly social inept or damaged soul, you will still find yourself face to face with people best described as scum.  Child molesters, drug dealers, wife beaters, or racists...yes, you have to work with them, and I have to admit, that stretches even my patience and compassion.  If you can't like THESE people, then you'll have to find a way to work with them because you believe that everyone deserves the best representation their money can buy.  When push comes to shove, I can be quite mercenary, I have found.  Even so, I have found that it's not REALLY the money, but sometimes it's the cause.  Even this scumbag schmuck doesn't deserve to be kicked around by the insurance companies, because if they can do this to him for grounds that are moral, then who's next?

I tell myself over and over that I love my job.  I do, but I joke about it.  I just like helping people.  And you have to.  Have you ever handed over a check for $30K to someone who was angry about it?  I have.  Have you ever bent over backwards to help someone keep their lights on, or find a doctor who'd see them for free?  If you do this for thanks, it's the wrong reason, although it's nice.  I do it because I really like to help.  That makes me feel good. 

...cause it sure ain't the MONEY.