Law firm hires outside applicant after promising paralegal position to legal assistant for 4 years: 'Calling out tomorrow and have 2 interviews lined up'

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    Firm just hired someone for a position I've been promised for 4 years without a word to me Smallish law firm, I was hired as a legal assistant 4 years ago. We maybe had 20 employees at the time. From day 1, "we'll get you into the closing paralegal role, that's where the money's at."
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    1st year review-- GLOWING.... we're so impressed with you we're going to cross train you so you can do the closing paralegal work. Ongoing feedback-- we realize you're wasted in your current position and are more capable than what you're doing now. Email from 2 weeks ago "<Attorney> told us you're really stepping up during this transition phase and we just want to let you know we appreciate all you do for us and love having you here as part of the team. Thank you."
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    My dept I guess has gone from about 6 people to 2 in these four years. I keep stepping up. A lot of it is quietly, like I just fix everything. The person who most recently left was not very good. So I'm kind of taking this opportunity to help with the transition so we're more whole than we were. Even though there seemed to be no plan to replace him.
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    I also have an awful commute as of 14 months ago. Rent was too high out there after I left my ex so I moved over an hour and bought my own house. Kind of cool. I've been cross trained on everything there. Nothing I can't do, and I've built amazing spreadsheets and training material that have added a ton of value. 6 months ago
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    I had a long talk with one of the managing attorneys. For some reason one of the owners didn't trust me with a simple task, one that I'd been quietly fixing and would've been easier for me to just take on. Because I had the best handle on it.
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    Said "this is making me rethink my role here. With all of the feedback I've assumed the only obstacle I'd face to be 'promoted' was attrition. We've not replaced any of the support roles and I assume if we lost a paralegal at this point we also wouldn't replace that position. But... I'm confident now that even if we lost two or three you'd find an external candidate before offering it to me."
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    We came up with a compromise and I started doing some of the paralegal work. Just to do it. Identified some needs and created more spreadsheets to automatically do calculations for pro rated fees that were done manually, think drop downs vlookup stuff. Super user friendly.
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    So last Friday. Impossibly busy day for my role. My only help in the office let me know we were moving an attorney from downstairs upstairs. We cracked jokes and stuff. Like "he's not used to windows should we get some room darkening shades? Is he going to melt?" "Hey are we worried about him jumping?" Also was like whyyyyy are we doing this today it's crazy busy. But we like that attorney and figured it was a stupid decision but were like this will be better for him.
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    But then in the thick of the day it gets dropped on me we're moving him because they hired a new paralegal. Not advertised, no conversation. Just here she is? In the office wide email for a surprise meeting to introduce her I was specifically named as not having to attend because of how nightmarishly busy my day was.
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    They took away all of my support for the day, still expected me to perform, but I guess at least realized how impossible my day was so i got out of the meeting with the new person that took the new role everyone has been promising me for 4 years. So thoughtful.
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    Calling out tomorrow and have 2 interviews lined up for the day. I should be old enough to never take lip service. But yet here I am. In a role they can't replace at this point. Too valuable to lose to a higher position. Going to spend all day preparing. Kind of don't want to go back until I can give my two weeks.
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    pukui7 • 3h ago . Calling out tomorrow and have 2 interviews lined up for the day Nice! They took you for granted.
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    alle_kinder You should have been made a paralegal within two years. That's nonsense. I'm a paralegal who was a former legal assistant and I can guarantee there's NOTHING you wouldn't know how to do in two years with very little training if you already understand how your practice field/s function.
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    I'm so glad you have interviews lined up. I hope they are for entry paralegal work. I personally made the move initially by losing my legal assistant role during quarantine, taking the amazing covid unemployment, and then interviewed at some smaller firms for simple paralegal roles.
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    Please do as little work as humanly possible during the rest of your time there. That is a ] up way to treat you. Never, ever make yourself so valuable in one role they refuse to move you to a better one.
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    OtherwiseBed4222 Warning: Once you give these people warning that you were leaving, there is going to take advantage of you even more or be something to sabotage you. I wouldn't say anything to them until the day you leave. You do not owe them anything. 4. years of your life, and you still want to be subservient.
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    jeep-olllllo Promises don't mean People come and go all the time. Any future promises can be paid right now if you want me to stay.
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    • LustfulLadyy 3h ago It's frustrating to be promised something for years and then see someone else get it without any communication. If you're feeling undervalued and unappreciated, it's totally reasonable to look for new opportunities where your skills and hard work will be recognized. Preparing for interviews and considering a change might be a good step.
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    Dazzling Potion • 2h ago SO HAPPY to read your post and hear you have 2 interviews! Give your notice, don't even CONSIDER a counter offer and move on! Best of luck to you. They FAFO for sure! Too bad for them. You were too valuable doing what you're doing. They were NEVER going to move you.
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    Dandelion_Man • 2h ago I've quit several jobs immediately after they did that to me.
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    Roosterneck • 3h ago . DO NOT GIVE TWO WEEKS. Once you have the new job, bounce!! Run out all your PTO. F em. Because once you give the two weeks, they'll probably fire you on the spot. They don't respect you, why are you respecting them???

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