Can pro bono work help your paralegal staff and their career development? Not only can it improve their experience, but it can be an important part of your community outreach program. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations actually includes a requirement that each of their paralegal members contribute at least 24 hours of pro bono work each year. And, while the National Association of Legal Assistants doesn’t have a policy in place, they highly encourage their membership to participate in pro bono work as well. So how can pro bono work help a paralegal’s career? Let’s take a closer look.
A great way to get experience.
Paralegals and legal assistants can benefit from pro bono work by gaining experience outside of their normal daily duties. This can expand experience and create resume builders for the future. Anyone interested in working within the legal framework can benefit from offering these services to others simply to gain knowledge.
A way to give back to the community.
Of course, there is also the aspect of volunteering and helping out others in the community. Pro bono work is built on the idea that those with legal expertise can help the average person with concerns that would otherwise go unresolved. The feel-good aspect of helping others has personal health benefits.
A way to focus on personal development.
This is also a way for a paralegal to spend some time working on themselves. They can learn from the experience, work on soft skills such as patience or communication, and ensure their overall package is quality for current and future employees. Self-development is often overlooked but essential for any professional.
A great way to network in the industry.
Beyond the development of hard and soft skills and the ability to help others in the community, pro bono work can connect legal assistants with others in the industry. There may be aspects of pro bono work that fall outside of the typical day to day work which will require connecting with other experts within the industry and community.
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