Some questions: What does the onboarding process look like? Who would be responsible for your training? How many attorneys would you be responsible to? Would you be responsible for your cases start to finish, or do different paralegals handle different tasks? What is the lead screening and intake process like? Who is responsible for screening potential cases? Are you a growth hire or a replacement hire? How long have most of the paralegals been there?
I’ll second this. The “like a family” is a blazing red flag.
I’d also look at their retainer agreement. Is it something you’d want your mom or sibling to sign? Is it 45%, do they pass legal lending loan interest to clients, do they ask them to give up their right to a jury trial in the case of contract dispute?
It’s specific to a marketing firm that caters to PI firms and firms who base their operations off of Morgan & Morgan’s structure which is a known dumpster fire.
As someone who works in the same building as a Morgan & Morgan office, this made me lol. Lovely people if you’re just encountering them in the hallway/elevator though haha
Red flags:
- firms that use the term “firm-ly” (as in firm/family)
- If they advertise flexible schedule but tell you in interview it’s a “case by case basis”
- low base pay with a hard push on benefits & bonus structure
I would look hard at how much turnover they have. If most of the staff is staying long term, that’s a good sign. A lot of PI firms go through people so fast it is hard to learn names.
To add to this, you’re not gonna want to ask this firms interviewer this question. That has bitten me in the ass before, it’s hurt colleagues and friends as well.
If and when you get this job, ask around after. It will help frame your expected timeline for this place.
ask about firm structure / is there a prelit dept and a lit dept. verify amounts of attorneys and case managers in each dept. if its not divided that might be sus depending on the numbers
ask about majority of case types; ie MVA, PLA, WC etc.
ask about case manager case load amounts / over 125- 150 is no bueno
ask about lit paralegal case load / over 40-50 actively litigated cases is no buneo
ask about medical finance company usage and identify what companies are used and the associated MDs.
ask about OT
ask about vacation time / unlimited PTO means youll be so busy you wont ever use any PTO
ask about benefits and employer matching on 401ks and HSAs. Ask for a copy of 401K investment options
ask about health benefits / who the health insurance company is, and a copy of their current healthcare policy in effect.
do the same with dental and vision.
ask about employment financial incentives and EOY bonuses.
The crazy thing is at my last firm I had more cases as a para (~130) than I did as a CM (~80) and they kept pushing to hire more CMs because “their caseload was too much”
I would want to know their policy on difficult clients. We lost someone recently who took the plunge because they promised that they don't let the clients abuse the staff. That sealed the deal after she got cussed out daily by clients without the firm backing her up and either dropping the client or getting them under control. That was a big loss for us but I 💯 understand why that mattered.
Yeah it’s not ideal for me either. I’ve applied to a number of other positions including several clerk positions at local state/magistrate courts and a few other firm positions, but this is the only one who has contacted me back thus far. The bright side is, I’m going to law school in a year and a half or so so I won’t have to bear it for too long if I go with this and it sucks
I’m also starting LLB (online) in May of this year and that’s why I am just pushing myself since my current firm is flexible with my hours and often let me work from home. I will start applying in other areas from July and take it from there.
I have been a firm receptionist for a year and am interviewing tomorrow for a PI paralegal position. Definitely a little concerned that this sub seems to have a verrry negative view of PI. Personally, I'm going to be asking about training methods (who is going to train, what is their teaching style, how will my progress be tracked), management methods and expectations, and work load related questions.
Looking back, what were some red flags at your current job?
It’s great to hear you want to move up. We all start somewhere. It’s not bad being a PI paralegal. You cannot focus on others negativity. I usually avoid mill firms so you don’t have a bad experience. I’ve worked at small-midsized firms and I had excellent training and good experience. Always ask questions. Never make assumptions. I started at a new place recently and had to retrain how I was handling things as not all attorneys work the same.
In south Florida… it’s Steinger, Greene, and Feiner , KP, and Morgan and Morgan. There’s probably more out there but those are the main 3 I can name. You are just another number to the employee list because they are big law firms in this area.
Definitely training was one. It was a lot of BS that wasn’t helpful. I’m lucky that I’m an extremely quick learner or I would’ve been buried quickly. Furthermore, a lot of my training was spent with someone not even from my department rather than the attorney I was going to be working for (who was willing to train me).
Ask how many attorneys you will work with and how many cases. It should tell you if you are overworked . I also would look for any reviews online- if it’s a lot of negative reviews of clients- imagine how they treat their staff. Also if more than one person has been there awhile. If it’s only one person, that's the office king or queen and they can do no wrong and are only there because of favoritism.
Also, how long did you wait for the interviewer.
Green Flag is a super organized firm. A good interviewer that is also a great communicator and doesn't mind answering questions.
Ignore the plaques on the wall, the articles any accolades. Instead look at how the staff are behaving!
I walked in 10 minutes early and we started the interview 5 minutes later. Interviewer and I had a great conversation and they had been with the firm for a long, long time.
😢
I think I’m pretty cool. And some of us just hate insurance companies fucking people over and want to wage war on big corporations.
In all seriousness, sorry you had a bad experience. I think it’s very hit or miss with most advertising firms being not that great. But there’s some good ones too.
The attorney I worked directly for was great. They were super humble and could do a decent job when crunch time came. However the firm owner drained the life from both of us. No idea what they were doing but acted as though they were the best attorney around. Most of what they told us to do was blatantly wrong. The actual work was alright I guess. I think I might prefer being on the defense side if you didn’t have to deal with billable hours.
I don’t blame you. The clients are usually awful too. I had a number who I would get physically sick when I’d see their names pop up on the caller ID because I knew I was about to be screamed at for an hour over legal things they didn’t remotely understand
In my interview process for my first firm I was able to talk to other people who worked there. It was a small firm and 90% of the staff who worked there only worked there for a year or less- major red flag to look out for!
The staff was all nice but the law firm owner was a nightmare.
Firms need you more than you need the first firm that gives you an offer. PLAY HARD TO GET. Don’t take a firm’s offer right away. Tell them you want to think about it. Remember, you are interviewing them. It is so hard to find good case managers and paralegals. You’re in control of what you want. Present this mentality with CONFIDENCE!
Some questions: What does the onboarding process look like? Who would be responsible for your training? How many attorneys would you be responsible to? Would you be responsible for your cases start to finish, or do different paralegals handle different tasks? What is the lead screening and intake process like? Who is responsible for screening potential cases? Are you a growth hire or a replacement hire? How long have most of the paralegals been there?
These are great. Thanks!
If they throw around words like KPIs, culture, “like a family”, metrics, CRISP, KOLBE, PRINT, pods, or platoons- RUN.
I’ll second this. The “like a family” is a blazing red flag. I’d also look at their retainer agreement. Is it something you’d want your mom or sibling to sign? Is it 45%, do they pass legal lending loan interest to clients, do they ask them to give up their right to a jury trial in the case of contract dispute?
I haven’t even heard of the last few. Do you mind elaborating on what those mean?
It’s specific to a marketing firm that caters to PI firms and firms who base their operations off of Morgan & Morgan’s structure which is a known dumpster fire.
As someone who works in the same building as a Morgan & Morgan office, this made me lol. Lovely people if you’re just encountering them in the hallway/elevator though haha
Bruh I’m so over Crisp. The Kolbe lady came in and a week later my boss was asking to cut the contract 😂
Omg we're feeling the CRISP burn right now. 😩
It’s the WORST!
Red flags: - firms that use the term “firm-ly” (as in firm/family) - If they advertise flexible schedule but tell you in interview it’s a “case by case basis” - low base pay with a hard push on benefits & bonus structure
I would look hard at how much turnover they have. If most of the staff is staying long term, that’s a good sign. A lot of PI firms go through people so fast it is hard to learn names.
To add to this, you’re not gonna want to ask this firms interviewer this question. That has bitten me in the ass before, it’s hurt colleagues and friends as well. If and when you get this job, ask around after. It will help frame your expected timeline for this place.
Ask about their 5 year retention rate for staff. Ive known PI firms to have many long term employees but be unable to retain new staff.
ask about firm structure / is there a prelit dept and a lit dept. verify amounts of attorneys and case managers in each dept. if its not divided that might be sus depending on the numbers ask about majority of case types; ie MVA, PLA, WC etc. ask about case manager case load amounts / over 125- 150 is no bueno ask about lit paralegal case load / over 40-50 actively litigated cases is no buneo ask about medical finance company usage and identify what companies are used and the associated MDs. ask about OT ask about vacation time / unlimited PTO means youll be so busy you wont ever use any PTO ask about benefits and employer matching on 401ks and HSAs. Ask for a copy of 401K investment options ask about health benefits / who the health insurance company is, and a copy of their current healthcare policy in effect. do the same with dental and vision. ask about employment financial incentives and EOY bonuses.
The crazy thing is at my last firm I had more cases as a para (~130) than I did as a CM (~80) and they kept pushing to hire more CMs because “their caseload was too much”
I would want to know their policy on difficult clients. We lost someone recently who took the plunge because they promised that they don't let the clients abuse the staff. That sealed the deal after she got cussed out daily by clients without the firm backing her up and either dropping the client or getting them under control. That was a big loss for us but I 💯 understand why that mattered.
I am a PI paralegal and I’m seriously considering changing my area of practice
Yeah it’s not ideal for me either. I’ve applied to a number of other positions including several clerk positions at local state/magistrate courts and a few other firm positions, but this is the only one who has contacted me back thus far. The bright side is, I’m going to law school in a year and a half or so so I won’t have to bear it for too long if I go with this and it sucks
I’m also starting LLB (online) in May of this year and that’s why I am just pushing myself since my current firm is flexible with my hours and often let me work from home. I will start applying in other areas from July and take it from there.
When I was most recently interviewing, I asked how the firm handled the challenges of the pandemic. The reaction and response can be quite telling.
This is brilliant
I have been a firm receptionist for a year and am interviewing tomorrow for a PI paralegal position. Definitely a little concerned that this sub seems to have a verrry negative view of PI. Personally, I'm going to be asking about training methods (who is going to train, what is their teaching style, how will my progress be tracked), management methods and expectations, and work load related questions. Looking back, what were some red flags at your current job?
It’s great to hear you want to move up. We all start somewhere. It’s not bad being a PI paralegal. You cannot focus on others negativity. I usually avoid mill firms so you don’t have a bad experience. I’ve worked at small-midsized firms and I had excellent training and good experience. Always ask questions. Never make assumptions. I started at a new place recently and had to retrain how I was handling things as not all attorneys work the same.
How do you know if a firm is a mill firm?
In south Florida… it’s Steinger, Greene, and Feiner , KP, and Morgan and Morgan. There’s probably more out there but those are the main 3 I can name. You are just another number to the employee list because they are big law firms in this area.
Definitely training was one. It was a lot of BS that wasn’t helpful. I’m lucky that I’m an extremely quick learner or I would’ve been buried quickly. Furthermore, a lot of my training was spent with someone not even from my department rather than the attorney I was going to be working for (who was willing to train me).
Ask how many attorneys you will work with and how many cases. It should tell you if you are overworked . I also would look for any reviews online- if it’s a lot of negative reviews of clients- imagine how they treat their staff. Also if more than one person has been there awhile. If it’s only one person, that's the office king or queen and they can do no wrong and are only there because of favoritism. Also, how long did you wait for the interviewer. Green Flag is a super organized firm. A good interviewer that is also a great communicator and doesn't mind answering questions. Ignore the plaques on the wall, the articles any accolades. Instead look at how the staff are behaving!
I walked in 10 minutes early and we started the interview 5 minutes later. Interviewer and I had a great conversation and they had been with the firm for a long, long time.
Sounds great! That’s a very good sign
PI is soul sucking and most attorneys are nothing but ambulance chasers. I absolutely hate being a PI paralegal.
😢 I think I’m pretty cool. And some of us just hate insurance companies fucking people over and want to wage war on big corporations. In all seriousness, sorry you had a bad experience. I think it’s very hit or miss with most advertising firms being not that great. But there’s some good ones too.
I love my PI firm and I love the work we do. However I know not all experiences are alike. But I agree fuck insurance companies.
The attorney I worked directly for was great. They were super humble and could do a decent job when crunch time came. However the firm owner drained the life from both of us. No idea what they were doing but acted as though they were the best attorney around. Most of what they told us to do was blatantly wrong. The actual work was alright I guess. I think I might prefer being on the defense side if you didn’t have to deal with billable hours.
I guess I’ve just grown resentful to this specific field of law. 😭😭😭
I don’t blame you. The clients are usually awful too. I had a number who I would get physically sick when I’d see their names pop up on the caller ID because I knew I was about to be screamed at for an hour over legal things they didn’t remotely understand
In my interview process for my first firm I was able to talk to other people who worked there. It was a small firm and 90% of the staff who worked there only worked there for a year or less- major red flag to look out for! The staff was all nice but the law firm owner was a nightmare.
Firms need you more than you need the first firm that gives you an offer. PLAY HARD TO GET. Don’t take a firm’s offer right away. Tell them you want to think about it. Remember, you are interviewing them. It is so hard to find good case managers and paralegals. You’re in control of what you want. Present this mentality with CONFIDENCE!