Does an Attorney have more freedom to move around than a paralegal?
Asked by dsjnix
Helping someone who is currently working as Paralegal. She says that job entails too much sitting at desk and that it is aggravating a back condtion. So she wants to go to law school to be an attorney and says that work as an attorney allows for more ability to move around as needed and does not involve as much prolonged sitting. Is this correct?

Best Answer:
Not really. All attorneys spend a significant amount of time drafting legal documents which still entails sitting at a desk for hours at a time. Even if she becomes a litigator, for the most part, she has to remain seated when the other side is presenting its case and examining and cross examining witnesses. If she works at a firm, she'll also be sitting second seat for most of her first few years which means she wont be standing much at all during proceedings since she wont be presenting the case or examining or cross examining witnesses for the firms clients most of the time. It is also basic business etiquette to be seated during client meetings. On a separate note, if she has a genuine medical condition regarding her back condition, she could ask for an accommodation. One of our associates has a lower back condition and has an extra smaller separate desk made for use from a standing position which he uses sometimes to alleviate his back discomfort.

That is true for the most part. I work in a law firm and the assistants and paralegals pretty much have to stay at their desk all day. The attorneys get to attend hearings, depositions, inspections, trials, meetings which all can be local or out of state even. If they need to leave to pick their kids (or play golf) they can for the most part. This is called going to meet with a "potential" Client.
Answered by plasma71104