A Day in the Life of a Paralegal: Time to Get Things Done!
So what does the day of a stylish freelance paralegal consist of? Well that varies from day to day. Most days it feels like you stuck trying to remember what you were going to do. It takes time to develop a consist rhythm per se and what that rhythm consist of is totally up to you. Structure in some form is needed but other days you might just go with the flow. Whatever your patten may be, make sure it fits you individually.
7:00 AM – Early Emails & Client Invoices:
Running your own business means you’re wearing a lot of hats! Because of this, I try to take my time and ease into my day. The mornings are blocked ff for me to relax and get my gameplan together. After that, the day kicks off with answering client emails, and reviewing project management systems to see what needs tackling today.
8:00 AM – Planning & Prioritizing the Day:
Unlike the traditional 9-to-5, freelance paralegals get to design their own schedules. This is the time to map out priorities—whether it’s drafting legal documents, working on a big research project, or managing a tight deadline for a client.
9:00 AM – Client Consultations & Virtual Meetings:
Running your own company means you’re in charge of client relationships. Video calls and phone consultations are part of the mix, where you discuss upcoming work, answer legal procedure questions (without giving legal advice), and strategize project timelines.
10:30 AM – Document Drafting & Contract Review:
Now it’s time to get into the work itself—prepping legal documents, reviewing contracts, and doing any legal research necessary to meet client needs. Whether working for law firms or directly with individuals, freelance paralegals manage a wide range of legal support tasks.
12:30 PM – Lunch Break (with a Side of Marketing):
Even as the boss, lunchtime isn’t fully a break. Freelancers often squeeze in a little marketing—updating their website, posting on social media, or networking with potential clients during this hour.
1:30 PM – Client Follow-ups & Project Updates:
Midday is the perfect time to check in with clients, send drafts for review, or follow up on pending projects. Freelancers thrive on keeping clients updated to build trust and long-term relationships.
3:00 PM – Administrative Time:
As a business owner, managing invoices, contracts, and bookkeeping is just as important as the legal work itself. Freelancers often spend this time balancing their books, sending out invoices, or handling business-related admin tasks.
4:30 PM – Final Check-Ins & Prep for Tomorrow:
Before winding down, freelance paralegals often check in on ongoing projects and ensure everything is ready for the next day. This might also be time to respond to last-minute client emails or get started on tomorrow’s to-do list.
6:00 PM – Calling It a Day (or Not):
Running your own company means flexibility, but it can also mean longer days. Depending on the workload, freelance paralegals might extend their work hours into the evening. However, the payoff is the freedom to design a schedule that works best for their life and business.
Whether you’re a powerhouse in the office or managing your own freelance business, life as a paralegal is busy, rewarding, and full of diverse challenges. Paralegals truly are the backbone of the legal world—keeping everything organized, on track, and moving forward!