7 Lessons I Learned as a Litigation Paralegal in Real Estate — and How They Still Shape My Career Today

HomeownershipLegalQuantity Surveying
Written By Shirley Druyeh

Before I became a Quantity Surveyor, I spent just over two years working as a Litigation Paralegal / Legal Assistant for a well-known real estate company in the UK. It was my first real exposure to how property operates behind the scenes — not through glossy brochures or marketing campaigns, but through the legal disputes, deadlines, and negotiations that shape what actually happens in the property market.

That experience completely changed the way I think about contracts, communication, and professionalism. Looking back, it laid the foundation for how I now approach projects, clients, and risk management.

Here are the key lessons that have stayed with me ever since.

1. Every Document Tells a Story

Working in litigation showed me how a simple letter or email can determine the outcome of an entire case. Every document — from a tenancy agreement to an internal memo — carries weight.

That role trained me to treat documentation as evidence, not admin. The same mindset applies in construction: every cost report, variation, and meeting note forms part of a project’s story. Accuracy and version control are non-negotiable.

2. Communication Is Everything

So many disputes in real estate come down to what was said, when, and how. I saw cases turn on the wording of a single email.

That experience taught me to write clearly, confirm agreements in writing, and never assume understanding. Today, as a consultant, I’m meticulous about correspondence — not just to protect myself, but to protect relationships and clarity on all sides.

3. Behind Every Case Are Human Emotions

Working on property disputes revealed that most legal issues begin as emotional ones — frustration, miscommunication, or broken trust.

It made me realise that even in technical professions, we’re really dealing with people’s expectations, fears, and hopes. That human insight has shaped how I now handle clients and colleagues: empathy first, then logic.

4. Deadlines in Law Teach Real Discipline

Court timetables don’t move. Whether evidence bundles were ready or not, filings had to go out. That pressure taught me how to work accurately under time constraints — a skill that transferred seamlessly to managing monthly reporting cycles, tender deadlines, and project milestones in construction.

5. Clarity Is a Superpower

The best lawyers I worked with could explain a 40-page lease or judgment in plain English. Watching them taught me the value of translating complexity into clarity — something I now do when explaining budgets, contracts, and forecasts to clients. If people can’t understand your message, they can’t act on it.

6. Boundaries Are Professional, Not Personal

Litigation can be intense. There were moments when clients vented anger or stress — often directed at whoever picked up the phone first. I learned not to internalise it.

That lesson became vital later in consulting: you can care about outcomes without absorbing everyone else’s pressure. Boundaries aren’t coldness — they’re professionalism.

7. Every Role Adds to Your Foundation

At the time, I thought of that paralegal job as just a stepping stone. But looking back, it was one of the most valuable training grounds of my career. It taught me to read contracts critically, think in evidence, and manage risk calmly — all skills that underpin my work today.

It also deepened my lifelong interest in property — something that started when I was a kid flipping through home décor catalogues, imagining how I’d design my own place one day. That early fascination evolved into a career in the built environment, where I now bring both legal and commercial perspectives to the projects I work on.

Closing Reflection

If you’re in an assistant, admin, or early-career role right now — don’t underestimate how much you’re learning. The habits you build around communication, detail, and discipline will become your greatest strengths later.

That paralegal role didn’t just teach me about law — it taught me how to think clearly, act decisively, and handle responsibility with integrity. And perhaps most importantly, it reminded me that every small role can be the start of something much bigger than you realise.

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Shirley Druyeh

Shirley Druyeh is a writer, creator, and quantity surveyor redefining what work and wealth look like. Based in Sydney, Australia, she is Ghanaian and British—born in Ghana, raised in the UK, and now an Australian citizen. She writes about financial freedom, homeownership, identity, and the journey of redesigning your life—one decision at a time. Her work explores the intersections of money, independence, womanhood, and what it means to build a meaningful life beyond the 9–5.

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