Ursula Furi-Perry is an attorney by trade, but her passion for writing has her on a new career path.
She has published more than 300 articles in national and regional publications, but in January of this year the American Bar Association published her book "Fifty Legal Careers for Non-Lawyers."
Furi-Perry presents opportunities for people looking to get into the legal field without being a lawyer. Some of the choices she discusses are for careers as a legal aide, in-house paralegal, legal nurse consultant, as well as opportunities for self-employment and work in the corporate sector.
"It's all about different kinds of degree options," she said, "and following the path that's right for you."
She became inspired to write the book because she hadn't seen any books like it. She knows there are plenty of career guides for lawyers, but not for those who just want to be a part of the lucrative field.
She hopes the book will inspire more people to get into the world of law because it will benefit lawyers. If there are more trained legal professionals, work can be distributed through an office. Furi-Perry believes that the fact that the American Bar Association wanted to publish her book means lawyers are beginning to include other legal professionals in the field.
"These people could make a lawyer's job easier," she said. "They do a lot of tasks so attorneys can focus on serving their clients."
In addition to her current release, which can be purchased on the bar association's Web site, at some Barnes and Noble stores and on Amazon.com, she has two new books on the horizon.
The first one, due to come out in October, is a career book for law school graduates. It is also being published by the American Bar Association. The next one, coming in the spring of 2009, will be titled "Law School Revealed: Secrets to Law School Success and Making the Most of your Law School Experience." It is being published by Jist Publishing.
Furi-Perry was admitted to the bar in November after graduating magna cum laude from the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover. She has a law office in Haverhill, the city she has called home for three years. She focuses primarily on contracts, real estate, small business representation and estate planning.
She is so busy writing and teaching that her lawyer cap is being worn less and less.
"I practice very little... on the side," she said.
Furi-Perry has found that teaching, another one of her callings, is a rewarding aspect of her life she just "kind of fell into." Teaching allows her to spread the same messages she writes in her books on a much more personal level.
An adjunct paralegal faculty member at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Furi-Perry is also an adjunct professor of writing and legal reasoning at the Massachusetts School of Law. She also teaches paralegal courses at Bridgewater State College.
"I just love the way I can connect to my students and really help them shape their careers," she said. "Years after I teach some of my students, they often call me for advice or pass along resumes. I'm always receptive to that."
