Paralegal

Ritu Jhingan | Legal Secretary | R S Gill & Associates

What is Paralegal?

Paralegal is a great Career option. Almost everyone seems to be talking about How to start a Career in Paralegal, while one should first develop an understanding of What is a Career in Paralegal. While anyone can have an opinion on what Paralegal entails; only a real professional can really explain it.

Legal Secretary Ritu Jhingan invested 18 years & 4 months in Paralegal. According to Legal Secretary Ritu Jhingan, Paralegal is:

A paralegal is an individual, qualified by education, training or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

How Legal Secretary Ritu Jhingan got into Paralegal?

I did BA in Humanities from Delhi University. I worked with UN for 3 years. I am working as a Legal Secretary with R S Gill & Associates since last 17 years.

Legal Secretary Ritu Jhingan's Talk on Paralegal

Navigating the Paralegal Profession: Insights and Experiences In an ever-evolving legal landscape, the profession of paralegal is gaining traction, particularly in countries like India where it is relatively new. This career path offers unique opportunities for individuals willing to enter the legal field without necessarily possessing a formal law degree. Ritu, a seasoned paralegal with an intriguing background, shares her journey and insights into this rewarding profession. Through her experiences, we gain a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a paralegal, the skills needed, the challenges faced, and the positives that come with the territory. What Is: Understanding the Paralegal Role To define the role of a paralegal, one must recognize it as an integral part of the legal profession that focuses on facilitating the work of lawyers through meticulous research, drafting, and case management. Contrary to the common perception that legal work solely involves courtroom battles, much of the paralegal's responsibility lies behind the scenes—organizing documentation, analyzing case law, and assisting with legal writing. As Ritu explains, becoming a paralegal simply requires a keen willingness to learn and strong analytical skills, allowing individuals from various educational backgrounds to step into this vital role. Education: The Foundation of a Paralegal Career Humanities A background in humanities can provide a solid foundation for aspiring paralegals. This field of study enhances critical thinking, understanding human behavior, and improving written communication. Ritu contends that her graduation in humanities has significantly aided her comprehension of the complexities within the law, allowing her to grasp legal concepts more readily. The ability to think critically, which is cultivated through humanities education, correlates directly with the skills required to analyze and interpret legal issues effectively. Languages Proficiency in multiple languages is not just a helpful asset; it is often vital for a paralegal's success. Ritu highlights the necessity of having a firm grasp on languages such as Hindi and English, which are predominantly used in legal settings. This linguistic proficiency enables paralegals to communicate effectively with clients and understand legal texts, thereby facilitating smoother interactions between the legal team and the clients. Law While a formal law degree is not mandatory for paralegals, a basic understanding of legal principles can be extremely beneficial. Ritu mentions that knowledge of law, even if acquired through political science classes, contributes significantly to a paralegal’s ability to comprehend complex legal issues. Understanding foundational legal concepts allows paralegals to draft documents more effectively and support lawyers in a more informed manner. Reading A voracious reader tends to excel in the paralegal profession. Ritu points out that a commitment to reading various legal texts and case studies is essential for effective drafting and research. This skill not only sharpens one’s knowledge base but also prepares the individual for the research-intensive demands of the job, ultimately leading to better documentation and a stronger case. Skills: Essential Attributes for Success Research Research skills are paramount for any paralegal. Ritu emphasizes that the ability to compile case briefs involves identifying pertinent precedents and judicial rulings. A paralegal’s research capacity can greatly influence the strength of a lawyer’s arguments, making this skill a cornerstone of the profession. By mastering research techniques, a paralegal can provide invaluable support to legal cases, ensuring that all relevant information is readily accessible. Communication Effective communication is critical, as paralegals serve as liaisons between clients and lawyers. Ritu notes that paralegals must be adept at listening and relaying information accurately. Strong communication ensures that both parties are on the same page, minimizing misunderstandings and enhancing client satisfaction. Whether it involves explaining a case to a client or clarifying complex legal jargon to a senior attorney, the ability to articulate ideas clearly is crucial. Analytical & Observation Skills The capacity to analyze and observe is necessary for navigating the multifaceted world of law. Ritu explains that a paralegal should be able to dissect case details critically and identify significant legal issues. This analytical prowess empowers paralegals to assist in formulating effective strategies, contributing positively to the overall progress of a case. Drafting & Writing Skills Drafting legal documents is a fundamental responsibility of a paralegal. Ritu mentions that developing these skills takes practice but is not necessarily daunting for those willing to learn. Proficient drafting facilitates clear legal communication and contributes to the professional integrity of the legal documents created. Quick Learning Given the dynamic nature of law and legal procedures, the ability to learn quickly is immensely valuable. Ritu’s career progression, without formal legal education, showcases how an adaptable individual can thrive. She illustrates that hands-on experience and a desire to keep learning can lead to proficiency and even eventual qualification as a lawyer. Computer Handling In today's digital age, computer literacy is indispensable. Ritu points out that basic computer skills, particularly proficiency in word processing, are sufficient for drafting legal documents. Familiarity with technology allows paralegals to enhance their efficiency and productivity, which is essential in a fast-paced legal environment. Positives: The Benefits of Being a Paralegal Growth One of the most appealing aspects of being a paralegal is the potential for professional growth. Ritu shares her journey from having minimal awareness of legal drafting to becoming proficient in diverse areas of law. The opportunity to specialize in different fields as one gains experience can lead to a fulfilling career path. Continuous Learning The legal profession is constantly evolving, and paralegals often find themselves in a position to learn on the job continuously. Ritu notes that her willingness to educate herself on various legal aspects has played a crucial role in her success. This culture of ongoing learning keeps the work engaging and provides paralegals with opportunities for personal and professional development. Opportunity to Become a Lawyer For many paralegals, the path may lead to law school and ultimately a career as a lawyer. Ritu envisions that her practical experience in the legal field could serve as a stepping stone towards pursuing a law degree later. This transition highlights a unique benefit of the profession, offering motivated individuals a route to formalize their legal education. Challenges: The Hurdles Faced by Paralegals Change in Legal Policies Staying abreast of changing laws and regulations can pose a significant challenge for paralegals. Ritu recognizes that a lack of a legal background may make it difficult to navigate these shifts at first. To succeed, paralegals need to be proactive in their understanding of the evolving legal landscape, which often requires dedication and ongoing education. High Responsibility Paralegals carry substantial responsibility, particularly regarding the drafting and management of legal documents. Ritu mentions that 50% of the success of a case depends on how well it is drafted, placing considerable pressure on paralegals. This responsibility can be daunting, necessitating meticulous attention to detail and thorough understanding of legal protocols. A Day Of: Insights into Daily Life as a Paralegal A typical day in the life of a paralegal can be both demanding and rewarding. Ritu begins her mornings with exercise, setting a positive tone for the day. Following this personal routine, she heads to the office and engages in various tasks related to drafting and researching legal documents. Although the work is time-sensitive, she appreciates having time in the evenings for herself, allowing for a work-life balance that not only promotes well-being but also fosters effectiveness in her role. This balance, Ritu observes, is one of the advantages of being a paralegal compared to being a lawyer, as it allows her the flexibility to learn and engage in personal pursuits outside of work. In conclusion, the paralegal profession represents a gateway to the legal world for those without traditional law degrees, opening doors to numerous opportunities for growth, specialization, and even transitions to full-fledged legal careers. Ritu’s experiences underscore that while the field presents certain challenges, the pursuit of continuous learning and commitment to excellence can lead to unimaginable success. The journey of a paralegal is not merely about legal support; it’s about navigating complexities, advocating for clients, and contributing meaningfully to the fabric of the legal system.

Install the LifePage App to:

(for Free) Watch Legal Secretary Ritu Jhingan’s full Paralegal Career Talk

₹ Do a Self Assessment on Paralegal to calculate your Dream Index, which is defined as:

According to Ritu Jhingan your chances of success in Paralegal is __%

Access your personalized Dream Index Report which will have all your Dream Indices sorted in descending order.

How to get into

Paralegal?

If you are want to get into Paralegal, start by investing in a Career Plan.

The 14 hour process, guided by a LifePage Career Advisor, will help you introspect and check whether your interest in Paralegal is merely an infatuation or is it truly something you wish to do for the rest of your life.

Next, your Career Advisor will help you document how you can get into Paralegal, what education and skills you need to succeed in Paralegal, and what positives and challenges you will face in Paralegal.

Finally, you will get a Career Plan stating which Courses, Certifications, Trainings and other Items you need to do in the next 7 years to become world’s best in Paralegal.

LifePage Career Plan

14 hour personalized guidance program

Your LifePage Career Advisor facilitates your guided introspection so that you systematically explore various Career options to arrive at a well thought out Career choice.

Next: your Advisor helps you figure out how you will get into your chosen Career and how will you develop the skills needed for success in your Chosen Career.

LifePage Plan will not stop at saying "to become an Architect study Architecture". It will guide you on which Certifications, Trainings and Other items you need to do along with your Architecture education to become the world's best Architect.

Links for this Talk

Legal Secretary Ritu Jhingan's LifePage:

[LifePage]
https://www.lifepage.in/page/ritujhingan

LifePage Career Talk on Paralegal

[Career]
https://www.lifepage.in/careers/paralegal

[Full Talk]
https://lifepage.app.link/20171127-0007

[Trailer]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdnHPpVVYKE

(Paralegal, Ritu Jhingan, R S Gill & Associates, Lawyer, Legal Secretary, Drafting, Legal Documents, Legal Services)

Similar Talks

Criminal Law

Atul Singh Pundir
Advocate | District Court, Dehradun

[ 14 years & 1 month Experience ]

Criminal Law is a system of law concerned with the punishment of offenders. In other words we can say Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime.

"After running my business for 4 years I decided to practice law because my entire family is practicing law so as I also decided to do and I have been practicing law since 2002."

Corporate Law

Simar Pannu
Corporate Lawyer | Clifford Chance OSC Services

[ 0 years & 11 months Experience ]

Corporate law (also known as business law or enterprise law or company law) is the body of law that applies to the rights, relations, and conduct of persons, companies, organizations and businesses.

"I am a professionally qualified corporate lawyer. I went to the Army Institute of Law and did BA LLB from there. After that, I worked with an international law firm called Clifford Chance OSC Services which is based out of London and worked there for a year."

Civil Law

Ashish Chakravarty
Advocate and Consultant | District Court, Dehradun

[ 11 years Experience ]

Civil Law is the system of law concerned with private relations between members of a community rather than criminal, military, or religious affairs.

"After completing LLM from Kurukshetra University, I started practicing at District Court, Dehradun since 2006."

Law

Ajay Majithia
Advocate | Supreme Court of India

[ 28 years Experience ]

Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Law is a system that regulates and ensures that individuals or a community adhere to the will of the state. State-enforced laws can be made by a collective legislature or by a single legislator, resulting in statutes, by the executive through decrees and regulations, or established by judges through precedent, normally in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals can create legally binding contracts, including arbitration agreements that may elect to accept alternative arbitration to the normal court process. The formation of laws themselves may be influenced by a constitution, written or tacit, and the rights encoded therein. A lawyer's responsibilities as a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system and a public citizen are usually harmonious. Thus, when an opposing party is well represented, a lawyer can be a zealous advocate on behalf of a client and at the same time assume that justice is being done.

"After doing my schooling from Govt Model School Chandigarh, I did my LLB from Symbiosis Law School, Pune. I started my practice at the Trial Port of Gurugram & Faridabad and later, started practicing at Supreme Court & Delhi High court, New Delhi. My core interest took me to Civil & Commercial Litigation along with other areas of Law. I was a Central Government Counsel for the High Court of Delhi from 1997 to 2002."

Civil Law

Minakshi Singh
Advocate | Delhi High Court

[ 32 years & 9 months Experience ]

Civil law is a body of rules that defines and protects the private rights of citizens, offers legal remedies that may be sought in a dispute, and covers areas of law such as contracts, torts, property and family law. It is the system of law concerned with private relations between members of community rather than criminal, military or religious affairs.

"After doing my schooling from Presentation Convent Delhi, I did my BA in Political science from IP College and LLB from Faculty of Law, Delhi University. I am practicing as a Lawyer at Delhi High Court since 1985."

Juvenile Justice

Dr Kiran Purohit
Juvenile Judge | Janpad, Chamoli

[ 7 years & 9 months Experience ]

Juvenile justice is the area of criminal law applicable to persons not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts. In most states, the age for criminal culpability is set at 18 years. Juvenile law is mainly governed by state law and most states have enacted a juvenile code.

"I did my MSC, Mass Communication and LLB from HNGBU. After which I established my own NGO called SNDMS. I have been a Juvenile Judge in Chamoli District since 2011"

Law

Akhil Prasad
Director, Country Counsil India & Company Secretary | Boeing India

[ 25 years & 10 months Experience ]

Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Law is a system that regulates and ensures that individuals or a community adhere to the will of the state. State-enforced laws can be made by a collective legislature or by a single legislator, resulting in statutes, by the executive through decrees and regulations, or established by judges through precedent, normally in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals can create legally binding contracts, including arbitration agreements that may elect to accept alternative arbitration to the normal court process. The formation of laws themselves may be influenced by a constitution, written or tacit, and the rights encoded therein. The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in various ways and serves as a mediator of relations between people.

"I did Company Secretary Course in India and UK and Certification in Business Administration from IE University, Madrid. I started my career as a Company Secretary with Modi Xerox in 1995 and later I have worked with several organizations Walt Disney, General Motors, Fidelity, Electrolux Kelvinator Limited and International Bar Association. I am also a qualified Solicitor in England & Wales. I have two Ph Ds one in Investor Protection and other in Media Piracy. I have been working with Boeing India as Director, Country Council India and Company Secretary since 2013. . I have joined Boeing to provide legal, regulatory, compliance and corporate affairs services to Boeing and its subsidiaries in India."

Judging

Mara Teresa Torres
Civil Judge | Judiciary Power, Concepción, Tucumán

[ 15 years & 2 months Experience ]

Being a judge is one of the most important functions that human beings can have, why? Because being a judge implies giving each person his own, as the Romans used to say, specifically Ulpiano. The judge is the director of the process, modernly is no longer an arbitrator and neither has a neutral position, is no longer the stone judge who was in antiquity but instead the judge has to have empathy, has to put him or herself in place of each part and try to solve their problems. The solution of the problems is the first function of the judge because we take into account that justice is the last step to which citizens arrive to solve their problems, then the importance of the function of the judge.

"I graduated from the University Santo Tomas de Aquino, a catholic university in Tucumn. I practiced law for 19 years, as an independent consultant. I also worked as an advisor for diferent companies and state agencies. This is one of the posibilities one gets by having a law degree. I also practiced teaching for 30 years. After 17 years of practicing law i was designated judge of Collections and constraints in the Judiciary Power of Tucumn, especificly in the Judial Center in Concepcin. In my profession as a lawyer and then as a Judge i was able to represent the Magistracy, by being a member of the advisory council of the Magistracy, which is the agency whose main function is to select the judges who are going to join the judiciary. I was also a member of the judicial school that allows lawyers to prepare for the judicial function. I have integrated the association of magistrates among other functions that I have had."

Intellectual Property Rights

Surbhi Kapoor
Lawyer | Delhi High Court

[ 4 years & 4 months Experience ]

Intellectual property (IP) is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect, and primarily encompasses copyrights, patents, and trademarks. It also includes other types of rights, such as trade secrets, publicity rights, moral rights, and rights against unfair competition.

"I graduated in Geography Honours and did masters in English Literature. I decided to pursue Law and did LLB from HNB Garhwal University followed by an LLM from UTU, Dehradun. I have been practising law since 2014 and am a Lawyer with Delhi High Court."

Criminal & Immigration Law

Sohrab Inder Singh
CEO | Majha Legal Services

[ 4 years Experience ]

Criminal Law is a system of law concerned with the punishment of offenders. Immigration law refers to the rules established by the federal government for determining who is allowed to enter the country, and for how long. It also governs the naturalization process for those who desire to become U.S. citizens.

"I did my schooling from SRA Public School. After that did my BA in LLB from GNDU, Jalandhar. After graduation I started working as a CEO in Majha Legal Services. I have been working there since 2013 and have been practicing Criminal & Immigration law in Amritsar, Chandigarh and Delhi."

Environmental Law

Richa Tyagi
Senior Program Officer | WWF, India

[ 3 years & 11 months Experience ]

Environmental law, also known as environmental and natural resources law, is a collective term describing the network of treaties, statutes, regulations, common and customary laws addressing the effects of human activity on the natural environment. The core environmental law regimes address environmental pollution. A related but distinct set of regulatory regimes, now strongly influenced by environmental legal principles, focus on the management of specific natural resources, such as forests, minerals, or fisheries.

"After completing a degree in Law, I interned with WWF India for two months. While working with them, I realised this was a field where I wanted to work for the rest of my life. Even since I have been working with WWF India as an Environmental Lawyer."

Law

Prasouk Jain
Founder & Managing Partner | LPJ & Partners

[ 6 years Experience ]

Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Law as a system helps regulate and ensure that a community show respect, and equality amongst themselves.

"After completing my Schooling from DPS Noida, I did my BBA from Symbiosis and did my LLB from there as well. I am the Founding and Managing Partner at LPJ & Partners."

Law

Rakesh Badhwar
Advocate | Chaman Lal & Associates

[ 18 years Experience ]

Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Law is a system that regulates and ensures that individuals or a community adhere to the will of the state.

"I have done LLB from Symbiosis Law School, Pune. I started practicing in Pune itself. I also used to practice in vacations with my father who is also a Lawyer in Patiala. I am practising law since 2000. I am an Advocate with Chaman Lal & Associates."

Intellectual Property Law

Pranav Khanna
Patent Attorney | K & S Partners

[ 4 years & 6 months Experience ]

Intellectual property refers to creations of the intellect for which a monopoly is assigned to designated owners by law. Intellectual property rights are the rights granted to the creators of IP, and include trademarks, copyright, patents, industrial design rights, and in some jurisdictions trade secrets.

"I have done my schooling from St Josephs Academy, Dehradun. I then did B Tech in Mechanical from College of Engineering, Roorkee. I have qualified Indian Patent Agent examination and I am a registered Patent Agent. I am Patent Attorney at K & S Partners."

Banking Law

Nishant Chaturvedi
Advocate | Droiet Law Chamber

[ 8 years Experience ]

Banking law is the broad term for laws that govern how banks and other financial institutions conduct business. Lawyers perform a wide variety of functions that relate to creating, following and enforcing regulations.

"I did BA LLB from Amity Law College after which I started working at High Court, Delhi. After working for 2 years I came to Dehradun and since 2012, I am working as an advocate in Dehradun Court"

Law

Pablo Macias
Lawyer | Various Assignments

[ 10 years & 2 months Experience ]

Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior.

"My name is Pedro Macias, I am a lawyer, I am 36 years old. I graduated from law school in 2007, I practice the profession as a free lancer working in a studio and I also teach in an institution as a professor. As a lawyer, I work in different branches of law, but what I especially like is the right for the consumer, which is a branch that is growing and it is innovating to put into practice and apply the new legislation to protect consumers and users of goods and services. They can be very vulnerable and for that it is necessary to defend them."

Litigation Law

Karan Lamba
Lawyer | Various Legal Assignments

[ 5 years Experience ]

Litigation law refers to the rules and practices involved in resolving disputes in the court system. The term is often associated with tort cases, but litigation can come about in all kinds of cases, from contested divorces, to eviction proceedings.

"After completing my Schooling from St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun, I did my Graduation in BMS from Mithibai College, Mumbai. I did Law from Faculty of Law, Delhi. I have been working as a Freelance Lawyer since 2013."

Penal Judging

Elena Grellet
Penal Judge | Judicial Power of Tucumán

[ 0 years Experience ]

The Penal Judge is the one who has to make decisions in order to pacify a society that has been injured by a crime. What is being pursued by the penalty or the sanction is precisely to pacify the society. After the commission of a crime are always injured parts and the decision of a judge tends to resolve this conflict.

"I am Argentine, I studied and graduated a lawyer in the National University of Tucumán (UNT) in my native province and I have a specialization in criminal law, among other specialization. I practiced the profession independently, later I entered the Judicial Power of my province, the Judicial Power of Tucumán, and since entering, more than 20 years ago, I have occupied different positions. I have been a criminal prosecutor, always in the criminal forum, and for many years I was a correctional judge, the judge who judges misdemeanors (traffic accidents, robberies, etc) and for more than ten years I have held a position in a criminal chamber as judge of criminal chamber to judge serious crimes."

Corporate Law

Dev Aditya
Legal Consultant | Various London Law Firms

[ 8 years & 2 months Experience ]

Corporate law (also known as business law or enterprise law or sometimes company law) is the body of law governing the rights, relations, and conduct of persons, companies, organizations and businesses. The term refers to the legal practice of law relating to corporations, or to the theory of corporations. Corporate law often describes the law relating to matters which derive directly from the life-cycle of a corporation. It thus encompasses the formation, funding, governance, and death of a corporation.

"I have worked for two magic circle firms the highest law firms in UK namely Mayer Brown LLP and BLP LLP before I joined University and continued working in my early University days. At that time Mayer Brown LLP was also the seventh largest law firm in the world. Following this I also worked for Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. a golden circle firm. I then completed my law degrees and worked for Solacexis now CHESS solicitors and continue to consult for them today on a selective case by case basis. My main areas of proficiency are in corporate and immigration laws of the United Kingdom."

Consumer Law

Noopur Gupta
Senior Advocate | District Consumer Forum & State Commission for Consumer Disputes

[ 19 years Experience ]

Consumer protection law or consumer law is considered as an area of law that regulates private law relationships between individual consumers and the businesses that sell those goods and services. It is a way of preventing frauds and scams from service and sales contracts, eligible fraud, bill collector regulation, pricing, utility turnoffs, consolidation, personal loans that may lead to bankruptcy.

"After doing BA from AMU, I did LLB from HNB Garhwal University. I am a writer & poet. I am the Director of Noopur Dance Academy and teach dance. I am a Senior Advocate with District Consumer Form and State Commission for Consumer Disputes."

In-House Counselling

Amitesh Giroti
In-House Counsel | DHFL

[ 4 years & 3 months Experience ]

In-House Counsel are hired by a corporation's law department to handle a range of legal issues affecting the company, among them employment, policy, tax and regulatory matters. More prevalently, they play a managerial role, overseeing work that's been outsourced to attorneys at independent firms. Depending on the size of the corporation and the nature of its work, in-house attorneys may be either specialists in a certain field or general commercial practitioners.

"I did my schooling from St Joseph Academy, Dehradun. After that, I did my BA LLB (Hons) from Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, IP University, New Delhi. I started my Career at Jus Juris Law Firm in Delhi as a Junior Associate Lawyer. I spent about two years there and learnt the basics of litigation from drafting briefs, appearing in courts to dealing with clients. Post that, I worked with Sanjeev Goyal and Associates in Delhi for 7 months. Presently, I m working as an In-House Counsel for DHFL since 2019."

General Law

Avnish Bhatt
Assistant Professor | ICFAI University

[ 10 years & 1 month Experience ]

General law means territorial law of a country. It consists of all persons, things, acts and events within the territory of a country which are governed by it.

"After graduating in Law, I went on to do Masters in Law from Hidayatullah National Law University. I am a Judo Player and also teach Judo. I am a Member of Amity University Sports Selection Board. I have worked as an Advocate at District Bar Association, Dehradun. I am Assistant Professor at ICFAI University."