From Paralegal to Law School: My Journey at Rutgers University & EBM Law

During my undergraduate journey at Rutgers University, I underwent significant growth both academically and as a leader. Two key influences for this growth were my role as a paralegal at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell and my tenure as President of an IFC Fraternity. These experiences were instrumental in achieving what I consider my proudest accomplishment to date: admission as a full-time student at Rutgers Law School.

In March 2023, a fraternity brother offered me the opportunity to cover for him at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell during spring break. Seizing this chance, I promptly accepted. Working closely with Eric during that week allowed us to establish a connection, leading to him extending an offer for me to work for him during the 2023-2024 school year.

Since the fall, I have worked part-time at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell. I learned numerous valuable skills that have helped me in the early stages of my law career. As a paralegal, we perform a crucial role behind the scenes. While Eric represents you in court, our paralegals handle client communication, interact with courts, prosecutors, and judges, and ensure your case file is updated with the essential motions and documents needed for success. Our firm is deeply committed to our clients' welfare, sparing no effort to secure the best possible outcomes. Working at Eric's firm has been immensely fulfilling; investing hours in studying statutes, researching precedents, drafting documents, and corresponding with courts culminates in the enjoyment of witnessing our clients achieve favorable results.

My experience was vital in developing professional, leadership, and academic skills crucial for my career. Eric generously offers positions every school year to Rutgers students who want to develop skills in the legal field. This opportunity offers the chance to develop your writing skills as you learn how to professionally convey a concise message to the court and opposing parties. Moreover, it cultivates strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills necessary for a successful legal career. Eric occasionally invites paralegals to his networking group, where he demonstrates outstanding leadership and delivers captivating speeches. Through these events, Eric not only showcases his exceptional leadership skills but also facilitates valuable networking opportunities among fellow business owners.

While working at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell, I held the position of President at an IFC Fraternity. As stressful and time consuming as it was, being President taught me so much about myself. I grew into a decisive, confident leader—a transformation that will undoubtedly benefit me throughout my lifetime. Eric and I bonded over this experience, as he gave me advice along the way and even performed a seminar in front of my fraternity during a chapter meeting. 

Amidst juggling fraternity commitments, work, and academic responsibilities, I dedicated a significant portion of my time in the fall to preparing for the October LSAT. It proved to be one of the most demanding and draining periods of my life, requiring substantial sacrifices during my senior year. Throughout this challenging journey, Eric provided unwavering support and understanding, recognizing the stress I was under. I performed well on the LSAT and applied to numerous schools, with Rutgers Law being my target school. Remarkably, Rutgers Law admitted me into their upcoming 1L class. In a personal call from the Dean of Admissions, he specifically cited my role as a paralegal at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell as impressive, further affirming the impact of my experiences.

As a boss and mentor, Eric B. Morrell embodies professionalism and genuine mentorship. He provides an excellent example for what it takes to be a successful attorney. Eric's support for his paralegals is evident in his readiness to assist with questions and his methods of efficiently delegating responsibilities for each case. Eric cares about his employees, as he prioritizes their academic studies and strives to grow a strong relationship with them. My favorite aspect of working for Eric is his ability to trust his paralegals to navigate the fast-paced learning environment autonomously. He instills a sense of accountability among his team, teaching them to take ownership of their actions—a valuable life lesson that extends beyond the workplace.

If you're presented with the chance or have an interest in pursuing law, I strongly encourage you to consider applying at the Law Offices of Eric B. Morrell. I expect to use many of the professional skills and legal skills I learned at the firm everyday in my career. I am confident that this opportunity will further enrich experience in law school and in the professional world overall. I hope this reflective blog post has provided insight into the rewarding journey of working as a paralegal.

Thank you Eric,

Tyler Norman