When Chattanoogan Kelly Howe decided to become a paralegal, she had several local options for preparing for her chosen career.
Unlike attorneys, who must graduate law school and pass the bar exam to become licensed, paralegals can qualify themselves through either education, training or on-the-job experience.
Howe, the daughter of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel senior paralegal Mae Shelley, opted to complete the paralegal studies program at Chattanooga State Community College. The two-year curriculum allows a student to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree and then enter the paralegal profession under the supervision of an attorney in either the private or public sector.
Chambliss provided Howe with the hands-on training she needed through its apprenticeship program.
“We didn’t tell anyone she was my daughter, as she wanted to earn the position on her own merits,” Shelley says. “Of course, she did eventually tell the human resources director at that time.”
Chambliss apprenticeship
Chambliss’ paralegal apprenticeship program is Tennessee’s first college-sponsored, registered apprenticeship program in the legal field.
The two-track program for litigation and transaction paralegals includes full-time employment, benefits, tuition assistance and on-the-job training.
Paralegals play an important role within Chambliss that involves direct communication and collaboration with the section chair, attorneys, legal assistants and clients, says Caroline Coppock, marketing and communications specialist at the firm. Therefore, candidates for the firm’s apprenticeship program must be able to contribute to a high-performance team while maintaining an elevated level of professionalism and integrity. In exchange, Chambliss provides the coursework.
As an added layer of quality assurance, apprenticeships at Chambliss operate under the supervision of both the Tennessee and United States departments of labor (DOL). Chattanooga State serves as the program sponsor, handling all paperwork and reporting to the DOL.
Chambliss is one of several local businesses that have become registered apprenticeship partners with Chattanooga State, including CHI Memorial, Gestamp Chattanooga, Komatsu, Mueller, WestRock, Valmont Industries, Sphere One and Chattanooga Bakery.
The goal is to prepare aspiring paralegals with a strong foundation for a fulfilling career at the firm.
“Apprenticeships at Chambliss provide substantial training and the development of skills that will benefit both the employer and the employee,” Coppock notes.
Husch Blackwell benefits
Paralegals have a wealth of options when searching for employment in Chattanooga, which is home to dozens of law firms of every size covering an abundance of practice areas.
The competition for skilled workers benefits job seekers in the form of professional perks that can include mentorship, continuing education and reimbursement for fees in professional organizations.
Husch Blackwell, a national firm with a location in Chattanooga, also allows paralegals to work some days in the office and some days from home, depending on the team they’re supporting, says Michael Alston, managing partner in Chattanooga.
“More than half of our paralegals belong to our virtual office – The Link,” Alston says. “They work from home 100% of time unless they’re in trial or closing a deal. This provides better work-life balance for many of our paralegals and allows us to hire qualified candidates who don’t live in or around the cities where we have brick-and-mortar offices.”
Tailored professional development is also available to Husch Blackwell paralegals. In 2024, the firm rolled out an internal curriculum for its commercial litigation paralegals. The series of recorded classes covers numerous aspects of the litigation process – from document production to subpoenas to trial prep.
The firm is developing a similar curriculum for its transactional paralegals.
“We also provide subscriptions to other educational resources and have an in-house team that provides training on internal programs and software,” Alston continues.
Additional perks for Husch Blackwell paralegals include reimbursement for membership dues for local paralegal associations, a yearly stipend for qualified educational degrees or certification programs and a mentorship program.
Moreover, Husch Blackwell holds a variety of paralegal meetings throughout each year that provide training opportunities, networking and communication. Weekly and quarterly meetings, a monthly paralegal newsletter and a firm-wide, in-person paralegal retreat every other year complete the framework of support the firm provides its paralegals.
“We want to help new paralegals acclimate to the firm and then guide them on their career paths,” Alston says.
Salary
Once a paralegal has completed their initial training or education, their earning potential will vary depending on several factors. These can include state and city, whether a paralegal is employed by a firm or a corporation, and the size and nature of the firm or company, says Peggy Bates, a longtime paralegal at Chambliss and a former president of the Tennessee Paralegal Association.
“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary in the U.S. for paralegals is $60,970. Indeed puts the average salary for Tennessee paralegals at $51,199,” reports Bates. “I have a friend who’s making close to $90,000 at an Atlanta firm, and the salary in New York can be as high as $120,000.”
Compensation also includes health insurance, a retirement plan and paid time off, Bates adds.
Bates encourages young people to consider becoming a paralegal not just for the paycheck but also for the experience.
“Maybe you’re working as a legal assistant and you’d like to take on more responsibility. If you want to challenge yourself, this is a great profession. The work is very satisfying.”
Learn more information about Chambliss at chamblisslaw.com. Additional details about Husch Blackwell are located at www.huschblackwell.com.