Difficult to Find Work as a Paralegal in NOLA? (New Orleans: crime rates, job market)

[AtalantaJones]

I'm a recent graduate from an ABA-approved paralegal program. I also have a BA and several years of administrative experience working for large firms in the Seattle metro area.

Until I got a paralegal job here in Seattle (which happened very recently), I was planning a move to New Orleans. I still plan to move there someday, as it's both warmer and more... well... interesting than Seattle.

Can anybody advise on how hard it might be to get work as a paralegal in NOLA, with a paralegal certificate, a BA, and several years of paralegal work experience? Now that I'm working, I won't be moving for a few years. I'd like to plan ahead, though. My boyfriend used to live there, would also like to move back (he's a welder), and says the job market is an "old boys'" network... that you have to "know somebody" to get a good paying job there. True? Thoughts? What kind of legal practice areas are in demand there? (In Seattle, it's Patents and Intellectual Property).

[Nico82NO]

Ambulance chasing is the majority, there is also a large amount of class action stuff, and a fair share of DUI/DWI stuff. Probably a good bit of civil suit stuff, and given the crime rates some a bunch of criminal too.

Medical and Legal are the two biggest industries to get into here. Your boyfriend is right, thejob market here is a "good ol'boy" networking environment. Its almost to the point where if you weren't the LSU quarterback in college you won't get the job, if you were then you could be a surgeon without med school and a 1.75 GPA.

There are bands here, but I doubt any really make eough to copyright material. The rest cover old blues, jazz, rock etc. Maybe some money from the indi film side for intellectual property. I can't imagine copyrighting artwork is that economical.

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Yeah, really not much in the way of intellectual property here, but there's a very competitive legal environment overall.

[AtalantaJones]

Thanks for the responses. It's a bit discouraging to hear that the "old boys' network" stereotype is accurate, but I guess it makes sense, jobs overall being scarce-- employers would rather hire people they "know" (or feel they know via similar backgrounds, etc.) than people they don't.

I don't actually work in an IP or Patent practice area. Just threw that out there. I'm about to start with a solo practitioner who does Social Security/VA disability law. I imagine there would be call for that in NOLA, and since it's federal, that experience would maybe transfer easier later on.

Thanks again, and any further insight is definitely welcome.