Opinion Piece: New Paralegals Should Not Feel Pressured to Immediately Specialize in an Area of Law

I became a licensed paralegal in 2019 and while I was still in school, my professors regularly reminded me and my classmates to pick an area of law to master as soon as possible. I remember completing my practicum and feeling incredibly stressed because I felt like I hadn’t been given enough experience to specialize in the area of law I was working in at the time. Since this was the only practical experience I had after graduating and becoming licensed, I felt like I had to hone in on that area of law whether I liked it or not. 

Spoiler alert: I did not like it.

I understand why professors and colleagues alike encourage candidates and new licensees to specialize in an area of law as soon as possible. Specialization allows you to focus your efforts and attention on a specific area and also keeps you aligned with your goals.

For example, if you choose to specialize in Landlord and Tenant Board matters, you’ll be focused on learning all that you can about the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and the issues that affect both landlords and tenants. You will likely become well-versed in drafting different LTB forms and also gain experience in appearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board. However, if this is not an area of law you enjoy or are even interested in, it will be difficult to find motivation to continue servicing your clients. Money can be a great motivator but the void that you feel in your work will likely get bigger and bigger until it can no longer be ignored. 

When I first became licensed, I found myself feeling a bit lost. There was not one area of law I felt drawn to and because this is what we were encouraged to do, I felt like I was already behind. I think it’s important for new candidates to remember that many other individuals have been in their same position. You should not feel less than or inadequate because you haven’t figured out what area of law you want to specialize in within the first few months (or even years!) of practicing.

If there are 3 areas of law you are interested in, keep your options open and look for opportunities where you can explore these areas without too much sacrifice. If you land a job that provides services in only one area of law you’re interested in, seek out opportunities to learn about the other two areas of law you are drawn to. You can find a mentor, join a paralegal association, engage on message boards, speak with former classmates, or simply begin reading about applicable cases/legislation.

You never want to box yourself in, especially when first starting to practice. You can gain insight and experience from a variety of circumstances and I think that’s one of the beauties and versatilities of being a paralegal. You can always hone your skills and find what works best for you through different channels. When I first became licensed, I thought I would enjoy areas of law where I quickly realized the opposite.

As I navigated the waters of uncertainty, I came to the realization that I wanted to start my own practice. I still wasn’t sure which area(s) of law I wanted to provide services in but I was open to finding the answer over time. Through trial and error, I landed exactly where I needed and wanted to be. Looking back, I can truly say that the different areas of law I dabbled in led me to my specialization at the right time.

I encourage paralegals to give themselves grace and stay open-minded in practice. At the end of the day, you are the one that will be working with clients, researching applicable laws, and carrying out your responsibilities as a paralegal. If you find that you do not like something, PIVOT! It’s never too late to try or learn something new. Don’t feel discouraged and don’t feel pressured to specialize in a specific area of law right away! 

Wishing all paralegals, newly licensed and old, the very best in this industry! 

Contact me if you’d like to connect!