Benefits of the Paralegal Profession

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advantages of being a paralegal--
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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.  They work with lawyers to gather documents for important transactions, hearings and depositions, take statements which must be done in person.

Another benefit of being a paralegal is that you have the opportunity to work in a variety of different legal areas. You don't necessarily have to work for a law firm you can work for the government, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate, and title agencies. 

Top earning paralegals make more than $70,000 a year due to bonuses and overtime pay.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The median annual wage of paralegals was $46,680 in May 2010.” Paralegals that work for busy law firms may work very long hours and overtime.

Most paralegals receive other benefits such as medical insurance, dental and life insurance, reimbursement for continued legal education, a 401(k) savings, vacation, paid sick leave, and personal time off.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics; Paralegals andLegal Assistants

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Best Way to Become a Paralegal

By Lanee’ Blunt

Become a paralegal--
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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 such as, corporate law, real estate, government, patent and copyright law.

Visit Schools

A degree in paralegal studies combines paralegal training with other academic subjects. Taking online courses is another option for someone currently working full time and that wants a career change.  Find out if the school that you want to attend is able to arrange a variety of internships. Many of the schools also offer an internship in which the student will gain on the job experience in their field of study, working for a private law firm, the office of a public defender, attorney general, government agency, a legal aid organization, or corporate law.

Certification

It is not required for a paralegal to be certified by most employers. The certification will put you at a level of professionalism.  Get certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and through a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA).

Important Skills

Paralegals must be familiar with computers and legal research. They use computers to organize and maintain important documentation.  They need good research and investigative skills to conduct the necessary legal research.  They must be proficient writers to document and present the research to their supervising attorney.

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Online Paralegal Program

By Lanee’ Blunt

Earn your certification online--
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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 take tend to proceed at a set pace, and it is set by the institution, the textbook work with assigned reading, online course content, assignments, and testing.  Specific required courses are needed in areas of business law, contracts, litigation, court procedures and ethics.

Completion Time

An online paralegal program may take from three months to one year to complete the certificate program.  Most students are allowed to live anywhere in the U.S. and the program includes texts, online lecture notes, mock exams, writing labs and reference materials for all fifty states. 

Advantages

Paralegals that earn certification can work in all areas of law, corporate, criminal, real estate, family law, government and legal technology. Most employers do not require that you have certification, but having a certificate may help you in the labor market. 

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Paralegal Certification Programs

By Lanee’ Blunt

Get your paralegal certification--
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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 litigation and professional responsibility and legal ethics. Most certification programs can be completed in a short time for example, if going full time 7 months and part time about 17 months.

You can attend classes in the evenings and on weekends in most colleges.  If you are working full time you can attend on a part time bases. Most schools will give you a window of completion and some require that you complete the program within a 5 year period.  If you are working full time and want to attend a classroom setting some classes will be held two or three nights per week plus some Saturday sessions.

A paralegal certificate signifies that you have the credentials and that you are qualified to provide superior service to a law firm and to a corporation.  It is recognized by the American Bar Association which marks a high level of professionalism and achievement.

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Paralegal Programs

By Lanee’ Blunt

Paralegal is a challenging career--
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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 paralegal and internship. You can attend a 4-year bachelor's degree program or a 2-year associate degree program.  There are community colleges that offer 2-year associate degree programs.  In an associate degree course of study students will earn approximately 60-70 credits. A 4-year bachelor's degree program paralegal will be the major course of study.  Some schools offer job placement so check with your admissions office to see if they offer this service.

Most certificate programs offer specialized paralegal training for people that already have a bachelor's degree and want to enter the paralegal field.  Most offer an internship where the student gains experience working for several months in a private law firm, corporate legal department, and bank, legal aid, or government agency. As an intern you will do your final semester of the program and will be given a choice of different sponsors.

There are many law firms and attorneys that need paralegals. Paralegal jobs are in demand and a talented paralegal can make a great living and have a challenging career.

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How to Become a Paralegal

By Lanee’ Blunt

Becoming a paralegal--
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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 school graduates.  Most certificate programs are for people who have degrees in other areas and take a few months to complete. A paralegal will typically earn an associate degree from a community college or university.  A bachelor's degree in paralegal studies combines paralegal training, legal research and legal applications of computers with academic subjects.

Areas

Choose an area that you would like to work in for example a large law firm or a corporation.  Make sure that you take computer classes because a lot of your work will involve online computer research. 

Work Schedules

Most paralegals work full time for law firms, corporations, and government agencies.  Most paralegals that work for busy law firms work long hours and overtime to meet deadlines.

You will need good research skills to conduct the legal research.  Paralegals must be able to write to present their research and related information to their supervising attorney.

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