Paralegals take up the slack
Sun Herald
Sunday July 19, 2009
KAY RHODES, of law firm Fox and Thomas at Goondiwindi on the NSW and Queensland border, says the firm employs three lawyers.The firm had so many shortages in the past nine years that work had to be given to paralegal staff members, she said."The hiring process can take a long time because we have to make sure the person is really suited to the work and the lifestyle," she said. "It can be distressing for everyone if the person doesn't work out."She said the decision to move from city to country can be "immense", often involving leaving friends and family and at considerable expense.She felt the firm was like a "training ground" for young lawyers, who left once they were fully qualified.The townsfolk try to help prospective employees find accommodation and jobs for their partners to help them settle in."Young lawyers these days are much more mobile than baby boomers and, even though most enjoy their training here, usually they don't want to stay," she said.The firm has tried to overcome shortages by keeping an advertisement permanently on its website, hiring gap-year students and attempting to hire from overseas.Deborah Frecklington of Kingaroy firm Kelly & Frecklington said it had asked local students if they were interested, but they were all heading for the bright lights of the city."Young lawyers usually don't consider coming to the country," she said."I think it's a generation Y thing. Tree-changers are usually a better option because they want to move out of cities," she said.The firm recently employed a fourth-year university student as a law clerk. As an incentive, the firm is considering paying the clerk's $6000 to $8000 College of Law tuition fees.She believes the Government should consider introducing a HECS-type scheme.
© 2009 Sun Herald
