Course curriculum

    1. Course introduction

    2. Poppy's career journey and motivation for applying for paralegal roles

    3. Scarlett's career journey and motivation for applying for paralegal roles

    4. George's career journey and motivation for applying for paralegal roles

    5. Chantal Cooke and the National Association of Licensed Paralegals

    1. OVERVIEW: Different types of paralegal roles

    2. What is a paralegal?

    3. Paralegals v legal assistants

    4. Paralegal roles at high street v national firms

    5. Paralegal roles at regional v international firms

    6. Paralegal roles in regional offices of small v large firms

    7. Paralegal in-house roles

    8. Paralegal hub v dedicated team

    1. OVERVIEW: Common paralegal tasks

    2. Who do paralegals work for/with?

    3. Transactional and banking paralegal tasks

    4. Contentious and competition paralegal tasks

    5. Private client and clinical negligence paralegal tasks

    6. Real estate paralegal tasks

    7. Non-fee earning paralegal roles

    1. OVERVIEW: Essential paralegals skills and capabilities

    2. Key skills Poppy uses as a paralegal

    3. Key skills Scarlett uses as a paralegal

    4. Key skills George uses as a paralegal

    5. Successful interview answer regarding the most important paralegal skill

    6. How do you use legal technology as a paralegal? (George)

    7. How do you use legal technology as a paralegal? (Poppy and Scarlett)

    8. Successful interview answer regarding use of tech by paralegals

    9. How to develop key paralegal skills

    10. How to link your non-legal experiences to key paralegal skills

    1. OVERVIEW: Pros and cons of paralegal roles

    2. OVERVIEW: Pay and overtime

    3. Poppy's experiences

    4. Scarlett's experiences

    5. George's experiences

    6. Average pay

    7. Working hours and overtime

    8. Successful interview answer regarding challenges of the role

    1. OVERVIEW: Career progression for paralegals

    2. Career progression options

    3. Career progression at a regional firm (Poppy)

    4. Career progression at an international firm (George)

    5. How paralegal roles can help you to secure a training contract

    6. Successful interview answer to "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

    1. OVERVIEW: How to find the right paralegal role

    2. Where to look for paralegal roles

    3. LinkedIn

    4. Building relationships and connections

    5. Recruiters

    6. Online platforms and networking

    7. Apprenticeships

    8. How to secure legal work experience

    1. OVERVIEW: Paralegal recruitment processes

    2. OVERVIEW: Paralegal eligibility requirements

    3. Minimum education and experience

    4. Poppy's experiences

    5. Scarlett's experiences

    6. George's experiences

    7. Eligibility of foreign citizens

    1. Application tips for paralegals

    2. Grades

    3. CVs

    4. Cover letters

    5. Covering email

    6. Discussing paralegal work experience

    7. Why this firm and team?

    8. Why do you think you would be a strong addition to the team?

    9. Reasons for wishing to leave current paralegal role

    1. Overview of paralegal assessment centre structures

    2. Written exercises

    3. Group exercises

    4. Interview questions

    5. Case study

    1. OVERVIEW: Regulation, qualifications, and membership bodies

    2. Are paralegals regulated?

    3. Membership bodies

    4. Paralegal qualificiations

    5. Paralegal licences to practice

    6. SQE v CILEX v training contract

    1. Paralegal industry trends

    1. Poppy's top tips

    2. Scarlett's top tips

    3. George's top tips

    4. Chantal's final thoughts

How to secure a paralegal role

  • 84 lessons
  • 4.5 hours of video content

Why is this the best course for aspiring paralegals?

Firstly, we believe it's the ONLY course built specifically for aspiring paralegals! That aside, the course brings together all you need to know before applying for paralegal roles, based on the instructors' personal experiences and learnings.

  • The most comprehensive online course specifically built to support aspiring paralegals.

  • Brings together a diverse set of perspectives, from paralegals with many years of experience applying to, interviewing at, and working for a broad range of different firms.

  • Offers highly actionable guidance to help you tackle paralegal-specific recruitment processes, including examples of successful paralegal CVs and applications, plus write-ups of paralegal interviews.

  • Demystifies this often misunderstood legal role, through unique personal insights, anecdotes, and reflections.

  • Includes an animated video in each section to summarise the key points raised throughout the instructor interviews.

Instructors

Paralegal (large international firm) Poppy Turnbull-Smailes

Poppy has worked as a paralegal at both Norton Rose Fulbright and Kennedys, where she gained experience spanning civil tort litigation, banking/finance, corporate, disputes, real estate, and shipping/maritime law. She also gained 6 months of in-house paralegal experience at a marine insurer, before ultimately securing a training contract at A&O Shearman. She secured her first paralegal role after completing a law degree Newcastle University, having previously had no success during the usual vacation scheme / training contract recruitment cycles. However, her paralegal experience helped her to secure - and ultimately convert - a Winter vacation scheme at a Magic Circle firm. She is passionate about encouraging candidates who are struggling to secure training contractS to consider paralegal roles as a stepping stone.

Commercial Law Academy Founder & Ex-Freshfields Lawyer Jake Schogger

Jake Schogger is a best-selling commercial awareness author, ex-Magic Circle lawyer, and the founder and CEO of Commercial Law Academy. He also co-founded SQE revision platform Law Student Academy. He trained at Freshfields, then spent years at a boutique law firm advising start-ups and scale-ups on a range of corporate, commercial and employment matters. He has also worked extensively as a career coach, and continues to deliver employability and skills presentations at leading universities and law firms across the UK. Connect with Jake on LinkedIn via www.linkedin.com/in/jakeschogger

Paralegal (regional firm) Scarlett Mordue

Scarlett has worked as a paralegal at a high street firm (Lamb & Holmes Solicitors), national firm (TV Edwards Solicitors), and large regional law firm (Shoosmiths). She has gained ample contentious experience spanning civil litigation, commercial litigation and clinical negligence. She secured her first paralegal role after completing her law conversion course, having previously studied criminology for her undergraduate degree.

Paralegal George Finney

George has worked as a paralegal at a regional firm (Ramsdens Solicitors) and a large international law firm (CMS). He has gained ample experience working on real estate matters, as well as some corporate experience. He secured his first paralegal role after completing a law degree at the University of Sheffield, and the LPC at the University of Law.

NALP CEO Chantal Cooke

Founded in 1987, the National Association of Licensed Paralegals - or NALP - is the longest running professional paralegal body in the UK. NALP strives to ensure that its members are recognised as a key part of the legal profession by the quality of its qualifications and professional development. NALP encourages, promotes and develops the role and practice of the paralegal and represents the best interests of its members. Chantal Cooke is NALP’s CEO and formerly its Director of PR. She has been part of the NALP team for nearly a decade. Chantal is also an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, co-founder of the UK’s first ethical radio station.

The impact Commercial Law Academy is having...

Sophia Birch

LLB, University of Nottingham

"Thank you for the resources that the Commercial Law Academy provides - with the online platform I was able to secure my vacation schemes at a Magic Circle and another big law international firm!"

Adam Khattak

Future trainee, CMS

“Incredibly useful resources! I was accepted onto a vacation scheme, which definitely wouldn’t have been possible without Commercial Law Academy - it can make a very big difference!”

Amber Pessoa

MSci Natural Sciences, University of Nottingham

“Such insightful resources - particularly helpful for preparing for an AC! The content brought my understanding of an M&A transaction from nothing to being able to successfully complete a case study interview!”

Zainab Atif

LLB, City Law School

“The academy has really been a crucial tool, simplifying what was otherwise a very complex and daunting process. As a result, I have received two assessment centre invites. It definitely is a must-have resource!”

Rebecca Pauley

BA History, UCL and MSc Gender, LSE.

"Just wanted to drop a quick note to express how useful I've found the Academy for my applications this year. Going into AC preparation, I didn’t know where to start, so having specific courses laying out everything that might come up in competency and case study interviews has been an absolute game-changer. Ended up with ACs at Jones Day, Baker McKenzie, and Linklaters! Cannot thank you enough!"

Elaine Dunn

Trainee Solicitor, DLA Piper

"Commercial Law Academy was the key contributing factor to my success in securing a training contract with a major international law firm"

Demi, Law graduate

Feedback on her Commercial Law Academy membership

"Putting your advice into practice, I've landed a training contract with the largest of Ireland's top 5 firms. The Commercial Law Academy was an invaluable investment for my career. Jake has an outstanding teaching style..."

Final year History student

Feedback on the training contract module

"Brilliant, so in-depth and insightful...I feel much more confident about how to approach applications and demonstrate my skills in a way that matches those required."

Kristy, Australian Law graduate

Feedback on the M&A content

"I have just received an email from [Magic Circle firm] saying that I passed the case study interview! It involved mostly contents covered by your M&A course - thank you so so much!! Honestly would not have made it without your courses."

Final year Politics & International Relations student

Feedback on the assessment centre, growth mindset and employability content

"I found the insights you provided extremely helpful and easy to understand, especially as a non-law undergraduate entering the legal sector."

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