1. Does each office do its own recruiting and hiring?
Yes. Although some of our offices may coordinate their recruiting activities, the selection process and hiring decisions take place at the individual office level. If you are interested in more than one office location, send your resume packet (resume, transcript and writing sample) to the paralegal contact in each of the offices in which you are interested

2. When is the best time of year to apply for a paralegal clerk position?
The firm is always interested in hearing from qualified candidates, and there is a slight degree of turnover during the year, especially in the summer months when many paralegal clerks leave to attend law school or graduate school. The best time to apply for a position that will be opening up during the summer months is the fall or spring semester of your senior year.

3. Does the paralegal clerk position require a degree in any particular major?
No. The firm considers candidates with degrees concentrated in any major.

4. As a paralegal clerk, will I be assigned to one particular practice area or will I get exposure to several different practice areas?
Typically, paralegal clerks are assigned to a particular department, practice area, docket or, in some instances, an individual case or deal. On occasion, paralegal clerks may split their time among two or more practice areas or dockets within their assigned department. Paralegal clerks typically remain with their initial assignment for their entire tenure, although there is opportunity for exposure to other practice areas.

5. Will I have any input on the practice area to which I am assigned?
We try to match interests when we can; however, assignments are based upon the needs of the individual practice areas.

6. To whom will I report?
Paralegal clerks work with one or more supervising paralegals. However, they report to the administrative manager responsible for the paralegal clerk program as well as their supervising paralegals.

7. What kind of orientation and training does the firm provide?
There is a great deal of on-the-job training by the paralegals and lawyers. Much of the information with which new paralegal clerks need to become familiar in order to perform their jobs is very assignment-specific. All offices provide comprehensive computer training to introduce new employees to all of the computer systems used on a daily basis.

In addition, all new paralegal clerks receive orientation regarding the different support departments that they will need to use in their position. Some offices offer training on practice-related skills and database technology

8. How many hours will I be expected to work on a weekly basis?
In addition to working a standard work week, paralegal clerks have the opportunity (and are expected) to work overtime when their regular work or overflow work requires it.

9. How is the compensation package structured?
The compensation package has three components: a monthly base salary, overtime pay for any hours worked in excess of a regular work week and an annual bonus.

10. What is the average length of tenure for paralegal clerks?
Because most of the candidates hired for the paralegal clerk position are planning to attend law school or graduate school, or are interested in promotion to paralegal, the average tenure for paralegal clerks is fairly short. Most paralegal clerks bound for law or graduate school work for one to two years before returning to school. Although the number and frequency of paralegal openings is directly dependent on the needs of our lawyers, some paralegal clerks interested in becoming paralegals are promoted within one year.

11. Does working as a paralegal clerk improve my chances of being offered a summer associate or permanent associate position with the firm?
While working for the firm as a paralegal clerk does not guarantee that you will be considered for, or offered, a summer associate or permanent associate position, doing so does give you the opportunity to become familiar with the firm, and gives the firm an opportunity to get to know you.

12. What if I decide not to go to law school after working in the paralegal clerk position for one to two years? Is there a career path available to me at the firm?
Yes. The paralegal clerk position is the entry-level position in the paralegal program. Many paralegal clerks who desire a career in the paralegal profession are promoted to paralegal. The firm maintains a low attorney-to-paralegal ratio, allowing paralegals the opportunity for significant responsibility, including drafting documents, performing factual and legal research, assisting at trials and closings and interacting with clients.

Paralegals who have demonstrated exceptional performance are considered for promotion to senior paralegal after they have been in a paralegal position at Baker Botts for at least three years and have worked as a paralegal for at least five years. Senior paralegals enjoy an enhanced benefit package and increased educational opportunities and often serve as case managers and trainers.

Paralegals and paralegal clerks also have been promoted to administrative positions in the firm. In the past, paralegals and paralegal clerks have taken positions in paralegal administration, attorney employment, litigation support coordination, client development and benefits administration.