How I Got My First Remote Paralegal Job While Living in Okinawa, Japan

Written By: Glenda Kastning

Being a military spouse comes with a lot of challenges—especially when it comes to building a career. In 2022, I was living in Okinawa, Japan, trying to figure out how to put my paralegal certificate to use. I didn’t have any legal experience, and I honestly didn’t know where to start. Fast forward to today, I’m working part-time as a remote family law paralegal for a law firm based in Los Angeles. And trust me—it didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen. Here’s how I got started, and how you can too.

Starting From Scratch

I have a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and later I earned my paralegal certificate from Arizona Western College with the help of MyCAA. But like a lot of people, I finished the program and didn’t know what to do next. I didn’t have any experience working in law. I just knew I wanted a job that was flexible, remote (because, military life), and something that could grow into a real career. That’s when I found Legal Reinforcements LLC.

Getting Support from Legal Reinforcements

I reached out to Lindsay at Legal Reinforcements LLC, and honestly, that was the turning point for me. She helped me polish up my resume, gave me tips on how to talk about my skills even without direct legal experience, and connected me with attorneys who were open to hiring remote paralegals. The support made a huge difference—not just in landing interviews, but in believing that I had something to offer.

My Current Role
I now work part-time as a remote family law paralegal for Andrea Merrell Caster Law Office located in Los Angeles, CA. I help with drafting documents, organizing case files, researching, attend remote hearings and work directly with clients. It’s all done from my home, which means I’ve been able to build a career that actually works with my life as a military spouse.

What I’ve Learned & Tips for You

If you’re in a similar spot—living somewhere remote, maybe overseas, and trying to figure out how to use your degree or certificate—here’s what I’d say:

 Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to start. It’s okay to start small or with part-time work. It’s still a step forward.

 Lean into your transferable skills. Military spouses are adaptable, organized, and resourceful—all things attorneys look for.

 Get help when you need it. Working with someone like Lindsay gave me the direction and confidence I didn’t even realize I needed.

 Be open to learning. Every role teaches you something. You don’t have to know everything before you begin.

Final Thoughts

Military life can make career paths feel unpredictable—but remote work in the legal field is one area where we can build something sustainable. I’m so glad I took that first step, even when I didn’t feel “ready.”

If you’re thinking about doing the same, go for it. You’re more qualified than you think—and you’re not alone.

✨ Interested in learning more? Reach out to Legal Reinforcements LLC for guidance on getting started as a remote paralegal.

Attorney Spotlight: Erin Callahan’s Experience with Legal Reinforcements

Erin Callahan founded her estate planning firm The Law Office of Erin C. Callahan, PLLC located in Texas in 2018 with little more than her passion for helping families. “I didn’t know how to run a business,” Erin recalls. “I only knew estate planning.” In those early days, she balanced her practice with running a tutoring company, building her law firm piece by piece.

Everything began to shift when she connected with Legal Reinforcements. In November 2022, she hired her first assistant, followed by Hailey in November 2023—and from there, her team and firm began to flourish. To date, Erin has made five successful hires through Legal Reinforcements.

For Erin, the value of military spouses in the workplace is clear. “Military spouses are smart, resilient, and down right good people,” she explains. “They’re ready to work, they can handle the stress of working in a law firm, and they don’t need to be micromanaged.”

One standout story is Hailey, who has been with the firm through multiple military relocations—from Texas to Korea and soon to Virginia—without missing a beat. “Hailey and I are a ‘we,’” Erin shares. “She’s my partner in running this firm. She knows how I think, she finishes my sentences, and she’s transformed operations for the better.”

Nicole, another Legal Reinforcements hire, started as an intern but quickly became indispensable. She introduced new ideas for improving processes like will signings and has grown into an essential member of the paralegal team.

When asked what advice she would give other firms considering hiring military talent, Erin doesn’t hesitate: “Be responsive, go through with the interview, and trust the process. Legal Reinforcements does the heavy lifting so you can focus on your practice. Just take a chance—the talent has the grit to succeed if you give them the opportunity.”

Looking back, Erin credits Legal Reinforcements with shaping her firm’s success. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” she says. “The people Legal Reinforcements vets have changed my business and given me the support system I always needed.”

Team Member Spotlight: Alexis Cole

We’re proud to introduce Alexis, who has been an integral part of Legal Reinforcements since December 2023. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, Alexis discovered her professional path in the remote legal industry, where she quickly gained experience through contract positions across multiple practice areas, including litigation, intellectual property, and estate planning and probate.

Over time, Alexis found her passion in estate planning, where she now serves as a Legal Assistant for two firms operating in both Florida and Texas. In addition to her client-facing work, she plays a vital role at Legal Reinforcements by supporting operations and guiding military talent through the onboarding process to receiving a job offer.

For Alexis, the most rewarding part of her work is building meaningful connections with candidates—from conducting interviews to celebrating their hiring successes. She takes pride in knowing her efforts directly contribute to shaping careers and creating opportunities for military professionals in the legal field.

7 Reasons Why Law Firms Should Hire Military Spouses

Military spouses possess a unique set of skills and experiences that make them well-suited for law firm work. Their ability to adapt to new environments, strong work ethic, and dedication to their family and community make them valuable assets to any law firm.

Here are some of the key reasons why military spouses are a great fit for law firm work:

1.       Adaptability: Military spouses are accustomed to frequent moves and adapting to new environments. This ability to adjust quickly to new surroundings and learn new skills is invaluable in the fast-paced environment of a law firm. In a field where change is constant and unexpected, military spouses are well-equipped to handle the challenges that come with adapting to new cases, clients, and legal systems.

2.       Strong Work Ethic: Military spouses are known for their dedication and commitment to their family and community. They often juggle multiple responsibilities and are skilled at managing their time effectively. This same level of discipline and hard work translates well to the demands of law firm work, where long hours and tight deadlines are the norm.

3.       Attention to Detail: The military lifestyle requires spouses to be organized and detail-oriented in managing the various aspects of their lives. These same skills are essential in the legal profession, where precision and accuracy are critical. Military spouses are well-equipped to handle the complex and often tedious work that comes with legal research, document preparation, and case management.

4.       Cultural Sensitivity: Military spouses have had the opportunity to live in different parts of the world and are exposed to a variety of cultures and ways of life. This experience gives them a unique perspective and sensitivity to cultural differences, which is especially important in the legal profession. Understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds of clients and colleagues is essential to building strong relationships and being an effective team member.

5.       Experience with Sensitive Information: Military spouses are informed of sensitive information (we call it OPSEC) such as when the service member will be leaving or coming home from a deployment. They know and understand the importance of information remaining confidential

6.       Leadership and Teamwork: Military spouses often take on leadership roles in their communities and volunteer organizations. This experience gives them valuable leadership skills and a strong sense of teamwork. Law firms are highly collaborative environments that require lawyers, paralegals, and support staff to work together effectively. Military spouses are well-suited to this type of work environment, where teamwork and leadership are highly valued.

7.       Availability: It’s not a secret that there is a labor shortage. With the national unemployment rate around 3.6%, military spouses still have an unemployment rate of 22%.  The factors that cause this high unemployment rate include living in rural areas, living overseas, living near a base where the local community doesn’t want to hire someone that will move in 2-3 years, long waitlists for childcare availability, and not being plugged into that community. None of these factors impact the military spouse’s actual ability to do amazing work.

Military spouses are highly skilled and qualified candidates for law firm work. Their adaptability, strong work ethic, attention to detail, cultural sensitivity, leadership, and teamwork abilities make them valuable assets to any law firm. And they are ready to work! Employers in the legal field should recognize the immense talent and potential of military spouses and actively seek to hire them for their legal teams. We can help! Email us at LKennedy@LegalReinforcements.com about your hiring needs!

[This blog was generated in part with the assistance of ChatGPT]