I still want to make a counter just because I know that a few of the positions I have lined up pay atleast 12-15 per hour and I think one of those will pan out.
After hearing all the wisdom of your peers, I still think that is the right move. I think it can be done with tact. And, I think it can be done without conditioning acceptance of employment on the add'l $5/hr. That is, "I accept, but how do you feel about $15/hr." They may counter w/ $12/hr, in which case you are better off.
From the firm's perspective:
Paying you $15 is still a deal over the prior paralegal, especially if they are investing in your future, and acquiring someone w/your Spanish skills.
You think $15 is a deal for the firm to get a T4 grad when there are countless other T2,3,4 people without jobs? Even in this thread, people are complaining that they are either finding no work or taking unpaid things.
Honestly, I think if OP asks for a 50% raise, they will shoot him down.
That would be like me calling the firm I'm going to be working for this summer and telling them that $2,600/week isn't enough, I need $3,900 or else! Preposterous.
The only problem with your analogical reasoning is that, well, your analogy is retarded.
The guy is worth more than $400/week w/out any legal education, w/out being a future associate with the firm.
And, why are you so preoccupied w/getting the guy to be soooo grateful for $10/hr - that is poverty, literally.
He has a marketable skill w/ his Spanish and has a B.A.