Benefits of the Paralegal Profession

By Lanee’ Blunt Advantages of being a paralegal-- Image by Celalteber. A paralegal profession offers a lot of advantages as a successful career. They help lawyers prepare for hearings and trials but their specific duties vary depending on the size of the firm that they are working for. It is great for someone that is interested in law but may not want to become a lawyer. Paralegal employment is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Following cutbacks that were made in the recent recession some law firms are hiring paralegals to do tasks that were once done by lawyers. ...

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Best Way to Become a Paralegal

By Lanee’ Blunt Become a paralegal-- Image by Lusi. Most paralegals have an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in another field but have a certificate in paralegal studies.  The best way to become a paralegal is to get a two year degree or a four year degree in a paralegal program. High school students should check with their guidance counselor for recommendations of community colleges or universities that offer paralegal degrees. Decide your Legal Specialty Choose an area early that you would like to work in. For example, you may want to work in criminal law. There are many areas available for paralegals...

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Online Paralegal Program

By Lanee’ Blunt Earn your certification online--Image by Linusb4. Online paralegal programs offer students the convenience of earning a certificate online.  It is done mostly online although some mail-in course work may still be available.  Online programs are becoming increasingly popular for students that must travel a long distance to the college to attend class at a schedule time.  Some of the programs are offered at community colleges others at colleges and universities.  The course work is usually the same as offered on campus except it is delivered through a website provided by the institution. Classes Courses students...

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Paralegal Certification Programs

By Lanee’ Blunt Get your paralegal certification-- Image by Oki975. Paralegal certification programs are suitable for people that want to enter the job market quickly, and for students that have an associate's or bachelor's degree in another major. Certification is not mandatory but is voluntary.  Certification demonstrates that you have knowledge of the field, have made a commitment to the profession and have mastered certain skills.  An advanced knowledge of legal procedures, ethics, law, research and writing skills will be tested. Some of courses that students take will be contracts, legal research writing and civil...

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Paralegal Programs

By Lanee’ Blunt Paralegal is a challenging career-- Image by Shho. Paralegal school programs prepare students for their future careers in the field by providing programs in law and legal studies that address the function, organization and processes of the judicial system.  Paralegals do heavy research and support attorney functions like prepping legal cases, compiling relevant documents and data, analyzing research material and writing reports. In smaller law firms they do miscellaneous administrative work. Courses students take are principals of paralegal studies, legal research, legal case analysis, civil litigation, the practicing...

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How to Become a Paralegal

By Lanee’ Blunt Becoming a paralegal--Image by GraphiteBP. A paralegal assists attorneys by maintaining and organizing files, conduct legal research and draft documents.  They work on a variety of different things including research, clerical, and interview potential clients. They have heavy phone and email contact with clients, medical providers, insurance companies and opposing counsel. They prepare and draft complaints.  Paralegals work in law firms including criminal, family, tax, estate, corporate legal departments, or government agencies. Education Decide if to complete a paralegal certificate program for high...

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