Glamorous sectors for paralegals

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There are paralegal positions to be had in all sectors, whether public, private or charitable. Plus, if you want a paralegal career that includes a side order of glamour, there are also plenty of roles to fit that bill, including in film, fashion and professional football.

Let’s look closer at a few of the exciting industries in which paralegals play an important role.

Film, stage and television

Have you got a passion for movies, stage or TV production? Or maybe you have acting or production ambitions but, as insurance, you’ve qualified as a paralegal. Either way, there are plenty of production companies based in London and around the UK that utilise the knowledge of paralegals. It might mean working on contracts relating to scenery or costume design, or to retain an actor for a part on TV.

A while ago, the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) conducted a survey of 300 companies/organisations, including movie production companies, to ascertain how many employed a paralegal to deal with their day-to-day legalities.  The survey found that they all employed people in-house, who weren’t solicitors, to deal with employment contracts and commercial contracts and other legal-related matters. In other words, they employed paralegals.

Fashion and retail

If you’re interested in fashion, clothing or dress and shoe design, why not consider a paralegal role in one of the top design houses. Sometime ago, NALP was approached by a top shoe designer to assist in finding a paralegal for its legal department. The criterion was that they had to be qualified through NALP. Of course, we obliged and put the designer in touch with several candidates. Obviously, positions like that don’t land in our lap every day but consider the possibilities. If you’re a fashion or design guru and have also gained a NALP paralegal qualification, the world could be your oyster.

In terms of glamour, think of Chanel or Christian Dior or British designers like Vivienne Westwood or Stella McCartney or, if you’re besotted by what’s on your feet, then shoes designers such as Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik. What do they all have in common? They’re all well known for their designs around the world, and they all employ paralegals. Using your paralegal knowledge and skills could gain you a position that could also lead to the possibility of world travel

Professional football

These days football is a multi-million-pound business. Most premiership football clubs employ doctors, physios, chefs, waiting staff, receptionists, security, cleaning staff and a whole team of lawyers and paralegals to deal with the day-to-day running of a club, its players and any legalities that may occur. This can include players’ employment contracts, buying or renting a property for players or staff, assisting with small legal matters such as driving offences, marital problems, defamation actions and publicity-related legal matters.

Chelsea, for example, has a ‘village’ to run. This includes restaurants, cafés and bars and promotional suites for guests. Plus, it employs hundreds of staff. The club has also developed The Chelsea Foundation to encourage, motivate and inspire younger people through football and sport generally. It has a museum and guided tours.

If this is your dream paralegal job, then think of the number of football clubs not only in the premiership but also in the lower leagues that may be interested in taking you on as a paralegal.

Interested in a career as a paralegal? Read this guide for LawCareers.Net's advice.

Amanda Hamilton is patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), a non-profit membership body and the only paralegal body that is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of qualifications in England). Through its centres around the country, accredited and recognised professional paralegal qualifications are offered for those looking for a career as a paralegal professional. Follow the NALP on Twitter (@NALP_UK), LinkedIn and Facebook.