Most people entering the profession have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies.  There are some people who even hold a bachelor’s degree, and/or a certificate from an accredited paralegal study program.  A degree is not required, but some type of formal training is necessary.

The vast majority of paralegals work for law firms.  Law firm needs will vary from location to location.  It is important to note that many law firms specialize in areas such as foreclosures, bankruptcies, and estate planning.

While lawyers are ultimately responsible for the legal work of a firm, paralegals help with much of the work.  In many ways the paralegal is the backbone of the legal profession.  Paralegals help lawyers prepare for closings, meetings, trials, and hearings.   They will often prepare written statements so an attorney can determine how to best handle a case.  Paralegals help attorneys free up valuable time, in efforts to be more productive.

Some other functions of a paralegal consist of preparing papers to set up trust funds, planning estates, and preparing various financial statements.  Paralegals will often know more about a case or client that the lawyer who is supposed to be handling it.  The paralegal’s insight is critical to ensuring client needs are fully met.

Paralegals serve many important functions.  One of the areas of concentration are corporate paralegals.  Corporate paralegals often help attorneys prepare contracts for employees or companies.  Many of these paralegals have an area of expertise.  Some prepare data for annual financial meetings, and still others even monitor changes in laws and other government regulations.

People are often drawn to the field of law because they watch a TV show like Law and Order, or Perry Mason.  In order for an attorney to go to court, they must be prepared with the case.  Behind the scenes, there are paralegals who are preparing that case for court.  Litigation paralegals often prepare documents for trial.  They often file forms, conduct research, and prepare documents.

There are over 1000 different programs that help prepare people as a paralegal.  Choice is a good thing.  Choosing the right training school is not something to be taken for granted.  It is definitely not a one size fits all situation. The quality of these programs vary greatly.  So students must perform their due diligence to make sure they select the program that best fits their needs.   Once training is completed, a paralegal can advance in a particular line of business.  When paralegal training is completed, a competent student should expect to be employed by a firm.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that there will be a net gain of nearly 73,000 paralegal openings between now and the year 2018. 

In terms of wages, the top 10% of paralegals earn over $73,000 a year.  There are also other fringe benefits to be considered like healthcare, 401K plans, stock options, and vacation time.  Most of all, it is a great opportunity to make a difference by helping people.  Paralegals are a precious resource within the legal community.

The question of how to become a paralegal, can be answered in several ways.  Most people who become paralegals go through a training program.  The training can generally be found at a professional trade school, a community college, or more commonly an on-line course.  Any internet search will reveal a plethora of choices.  Most course work is approximately 36 semester hours in length.  (That is the equivalent of 360 classroom hours.)  These requirements will tend to vary by state.

Some people get concerned by the number of hours involved in pursuing this career.  Trust me, there is rarely a career available where so few hours in training can provide such a high return in career advancement, job satisfaction, and financial reward.  We advise our clients to look at the class work as nothing more than a mere investment of time.  It is important to think beyond the here and now, and consider the long-term potential of a career.  If a client sees herself as an asset, then investing a few hours to move the game forward is well worth it. 

In California, a course at UC Berkley costs approximately $7,000.00.  Do not let the cost frighten you.  This is a subtle reminder that on-line courses are available all over the United States.  There are those who are willing to shop for the best deal.  There will always be an institution who offers course work at a cheaper price.  Please keep in mind that almost every course will grant students the same certification.  Something should be said about the quality of instruction and coursework.  As Ben Franklin said “Don’t be a penny wise and a pound foolish.”  It may make sense to pay a little bit extra for quality coursework and quality instruction instead of searching for rock-bottom coursework.  Often times, you get what you pay for.

In closing, our clients who have inquired how to become a paralegal have noted that our advice has been timely and honest. 

We remind each client that there are many ways to achieve career goals. It just so happens that the information age provides the career changer with many methods of reaching that threshold especially when considering how to become a paralegal.   We have often advised our clients that they must find their comfort level of coursework, and understand that whatever path that is chosen, they should evaluate their training very seriously.  If 36 semester hours of coursework can lead to a $25,000.00 year over year raise, then the move is well worth it.

What is a Paralegal as a member of a legal team?  A paralegal is an assistant to those who run a law firm.  Often times, paralegals find themselves writing wills, editing/proof-reading legal documents, and even advising attorneys about specifics in various legal matters.  A good analogy would be the role of nurse and doctor.  While the doctor is the medical professional, many of us understand the crucial role nurses play in the overall care and health of a patient.  The legal assistant will at the same time serve a vitally important role in the legal profession.

What is a paralegal’s role inside a law firm?  The role has become increasingly important over the last decade and the job outlook is very positive with an estimated 33% increase in demand for paralegals between now and 2018.  Some paralegals work in government employment, some for law firms, and many for small practices.  Work will vary depending in the specialty areas from oil companies and estate planning to real estate and criminal law.  Once a paralegal is trained, they may choose a variety of different niche categories, or simply be a jack-of-all trades.

Training made easy.  There are no official licensing programs for paralegals.  However, most states require a registration or professional certificate.   One of the best kept secrets about paralegal training is the coursework.  While some many choose the traditional route of attending classes at a local business college, many have found online classes to be cheaper, more convenient, and just helpful.  The beauty of online classes is they can be taken at your leisure, when the kids are off to school, while you are sipping a coffee, sitting in your pajamas.  Many can relate to the bustle of coming home from one job and simply seeking the most convenient way to get ahead. 

One may ask, what is a paralegal’s professional designation?  There national organizations which offer professional regulation of standards including the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.  The NALA offers a designation of Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) and even a Certified Paraprofessional (CP).  This designation requires a two-day exam.  On the other hand, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations offers a four hour exam over a wide variety of topics.  Upon completion, the designation of Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam or PACE-Registered Paralegals is awarded to successful examiners.  This is noted with a RP designation. 

Do not let money, or a lack thereof get in your way.  Most see the paralegal profession as an investment in a new and wonderful career.  Whether you have savings or need financing, there are many options available.  Some people decide to apply for financial aid through the Federal Government by completing their Federal Financial Aid Forms (Free Application for Federal Student Aid ).  Others consider local lending institutions.  Many students have had tremendous success with Pell Grants which are based on applicant need.  

What is a paralegal going to do with the right job training?  As one might expect, there are hot spots for the legal profession all over the United States.  Some of the major cities include New York, Washington D.C. Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Dallas and Phoenix.  But, don’t be fooled by the lure of big cities, as small town in Georgia, Alaska, Iowa, and even Arizona.

Many people ask a very basic question:  What does a paralegal do?  The short answer is that a paralegal does everything.  A paralegal is involved in almost every aspect of the legal profession.  As vast as an area the legal profession covers, it appears that paralegals perform functions in the highest courts, to the smallest legal offices.

A closer examination of the paralegal profession however, shows the intricate involvement in the day to day operations in today’s legal environment.  Take the role of Lisa who works in a small law firm for instance.  Lisa was trained in an online classroom.  She received a superior ranking among her classmates, and her drive and ambition has earned a good job in a wonderful law firm.

When attempting to answer what does a paralegal do Lisa explained her role as follows:  “While the attorneys I work for are great guys, and extremely knowledgeable, they are so busy building business relationships and selling business, it is people like me that actually get much of our firm’s work done.” 

When asked about day to day operations Lisa explained “One day we have someone in the office asking about a will.  I give this client a form that explains item by item what the client should consider in a will.  I speak with the client, explain the goal of the will, and help him consider some of the options he should evaluate before we put anything in writing.  The attorney looks over all of the paperwork, and suggests strategies that will save problems from probate… some ideas include forming a trust. Once all the ideas are formed, I am the one who writes this will. Funny enough most of the will is found in template form.  I just make a few adjustments and it’s revenue for the firm.”

While Lisa’s anecdote explains one aspect of the paralegal profession, she seems to catch the spirit of the paralegal profession. If the paralegal is performing the all important support role, then he/she understands that they function as the central nervous system of the firm.  Whether it is in a research role, a patent search for a new idea, or something more involved like a phone call to a client explaining the steps in going through probate court, a paralegal can do it all.  The question then becomes whether a paralegal is limited from doing almost any job at the firm. 

A legal assistant cannot give legal advice.  That role directly relates to the often misunderstood role of a paralegal.  However, without paralegals most firms would be lacking the labor intensive backbone that is mission critical if this fun and lucrative.  As you can see when answering what does a paralegal do there are many different responses which all contribute to the professions popularity and appeal.

1.  It must be an area of high interest.  In other words, this area must be something that will be appropriate for both today and tomorrow.  Consider the amount of time and effort that will be invested in this career.  Interest level will dictate happiness and overall job satisfaction. 

2.  It must be an area which has the potential for job growth.  Nothing is worse than spending time and money getting training in an area that has no future.   While it is true that the paralegal profession shows a tremendous amount of growth potential, just be sure that the area chosen for specialty training will not be on the chopping block in another 10 years.    

A professional conversation is one key to discovering the right niche in paralegal studies.  One of the first things you should do is ask someone who is a paralegal about the job.  There is no better source than going to the horse’s mouth for answers.  A book is way too static, and the internet can often times lead you on nothing more than a wild goose chase.  One thing I would recommend is picking up the phone and asking if you can speak with someone who does this job for a living.  While there might be a degree of discomfort in making a phone call, consider the downside of not researching a career, and walking blindly into an area that does not resonate well with your personality.

Professional instructors are a key resource in choosing the right area of paralegal studies.  One of the pluses about researching different schools is talking to people.   While weighing the pros and cons of traditional vs. online schools you will undoubtedly come into contact with professional instructors.  You should have access to instructors.  If you do not get return phone calls or emails, chances are this is a school that is not interested in your professional needs, just your money.  Immediately cross that institution off your list.  Most instructors will respond to student inquiries.  Be sure to ask the two basic questions:  1. Areas of Interest.  2.  Areas of Growth.

Observations are another critical area that is often over-looked.  It is highly recommended that anyone interested in pursuing a career as a legal assistant should in fact observe an office where professionals are busy at work.   You can learn a lot by just watching and seeing first-hand what a paralegal does for a living.  The other key to observation is developing connections with other professionals.   Most people are open to helping other, and it gives the potential student in-sight.  No doubt that a little time invested in a career now, will pay dividends later.  Also, consider the network you are building as you meet new people.  There is no doubt that people like to help each other out.  Maybe these same people will be able to give you insight to various areas of paralegal studies.

Today’s workforce requires people to go the extra mile.  Through research, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings you will start building confidence in your abilities, and also be recognized as someone who takes the paralegal profession seriously.  We must accept, the days of just showing up to a job are over.  Your personal efforts to investigate paralegal studies will separate you from the competition.  It will also make your career move as a paralegal more fulfilling.

Traditional education is still the most popular form of school in the United States.  There is something to be said about meeting an instructor, interacting with a class, working collaboratively with projects, and formal presentations.  Some states require students to have actual classroom hours as opposed to correspondence schools, or on-line academies.  There are many great benefits from attending paralegal schools that have a physical presence.  They include having licensed professionals who more than likely have practical experience in in the field of interest. 

Think about importance of receiving training on patent law from a lawyer who actually practices patent law.  That often costs extra money, but it also put students in a position to maximize their interactions with this instructor, or with others in similar situations.  People tend to learn best by interacting with others.  Research suggests that verbal interaction in any type of an academic environment generally increases understanding, provides better understanding, and most of all retention strategies.  Let’s not forget about building a social network as well.  In a day and age of social networking on places like Facebook and Linked-in, getting to know classmates face to face can provide life-long friendships and insight to career changing opportunities.

On the other hand, online paralegal schools provide students with the flexibility and self-paced rate of learning that is not provided by traditional schools.  For instance, some people are career changers.  The crazy hours and shifts of work and family life may not be conducive to a traditional education setting.  In this case, convenience is the name of the game.  Consider the life of a single parent trying her best to raise a child, and provide an income.  The on-line approach would be best for her.  She is able to leave her 9 to 5 job, get home make dinner, help with homework, and get her child off to bed by 8 PM.  After catching a half-hour breather of no-brain TV mom can now start on her career that will move both her and her child to a better lifestyle. 

Besides convenience online paralegal schools provide students with a wide array of activities that are technology dependent.  Students are forced to equip themselves with the tools of the trade.  In many cases, this experience allows students to sell their technology skills along with their online legal training.   

Most legal professionals realize how busy people are, and can appreciate the efforts it would take to become a paralegal.  There are two common ways to become a paralegal.  Consider the pros and cons of each path.  Most of all, be sure to find a career path that will open the right door to this lucrative legal profession.  Take time, research, and perform other due diligence like cost and placement services.  There are many paralegal schools to choose from.  Make the choice that works for you.

It is extremely important to find a paralegal school that gives prospective candidates basic information regarding paralegal salary.  This should include: 

1.  A placement rate after course completion.  The investment of time and money should be rewarded with gainful employment.  If a school cannot stand behind its graduates, or at the bare minimum cannot provide former students with jobs referrals, then it is a school that should be avoided. 

2. Starting salary ranges of course graduates.   Any legitimate paralegal course or training program should provide salary information.  This information should provide prospective students with low-end and high-end salary ranges for students.  AVOID SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT WILLINGLY SHARE THIS INFORMATION.

3.  Insight if the school has any specialty areas of training.  While any school can boast of high salaries, a legitimate school should be able to provide interested students with information about their students once they become trained professionals, and enter the workforce. A reputable school will provide students with the latest trends and insights to the paralegal profession.  For instance, a paralegal in real estate will have better training in foreclosure procedures, bankruptcies, short-sales, and abandoned properties.

Expertise is mission critical when determining paralegal salary.  A paralegal will get a lot of on the job experience.  Over time, paralegals often find other areas of law which become a natural niche for them.  This will be an area where there is a high degree of interest and understanding.  In some cases, an experienced paralegal will explain concepts and procedures to attorneys who do not share the same level of understanding.  The best paralegals are able to perform their job with a high degree of autonomy.  This means that there is not a lot of need for collaborative work.  With continued success, and the development of niche areas of expertise, a paralegal will deserve a superior salary.

A good paralegal is invaluable!  In tough economic times, companies look to lower the costs of running a business.  Lawyers tend to make a lot more money than paralegals.  However, paralegals can perform many functions of an attorney, for a fraction of the cost.   In an economy that has seen massive layoffs and persistent unemployment of nearly 9%, many paralegals have avoided layoffs and even seen salary increases. 

As a rule of thumb any professional should make themselves a valuable member of an office staff, and work as a team player.  Still, a superior paralegal will do the things that are necessary to become indispensable member of the office.  As a key member of the staff, a paralegal salary will also include benefits, vacation time, and in some cases other perks like stock options and deferred compensation.

Oil/Gas Paralegal

While gasoline hoovers around $3.45 a gallon, the United States is desperately searching for ways to curb our dependence on foreign fuel sources.  The Marcellus and Utica shale deposits have been and answer to the prayers of many in the oil and natural gas industry.  At no time since the days of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil has there been such a concerted effort to drill domestically.  While some of these leases and land purchases might be done by Real Estate paralegals, a paralegal who specializes in leasing land, mineral rights, and other industry related items has opportunity for the next 50 years.

Estate Planning Paralegal

Paralegal jobs requiring knowledge of Probate are also known as Estate Planning paralegals.  This is a legal specialty unto itself.  Estate planning paralegals specialize in preparing documents in estates, wills, trusts, and other probate forms.  Estate Planning Paralegals assist in the creation of legal documents.  Often times, this paralegal will be working with people have assets that will be passed on to family, friends, and charity.   Many times, a paralegal will help advise family members through the probate process since it is often times a new or difficult process for clients to understand.  A paralegal who specializes in estate planning will draft and interpret a variety of legal documents.  In many cases there are transfers of money, personal items, and other assets and liabilities.

Real Estate Paralegal

Whether real estate is hot or not, a Real Estate Paralegal will see a lot of action.  For instance the large run-up in home process during the last decade and provided a boon for those who specialize in residential and commercial real estate.  Some of the most important aspects of this career include researching title information on properties, deeds of trusts, quit claim deeds, and similar documents. A Real Estate paralegal’s job includes understanding the closing process and much of the administrative process that is associated with property including closings, transfer of assets, and other miscellaneous work associated with this legal niche.  Real estate paralegals will also be privy to client’s financial records, and other personal information.  As a result, it is important to understand the importance of client confidentiality.

Insurance Paralegal

Paralegal jobs that require Insurance paralegals work almost exclusively with insurance companies, for insurance companies, or those who file suit against insurance companies.  Often times an insurance paralegal will work in cases of fraud, questionable denial of claims for and against insurance companies.  As an insurance paralegal there is often a high sense of reward associated with claims.  Most insurance paralegals work within the framework of a law firm, or an insurance company.  Some work for hospitals and even large medical practices.  Insurance paralegals must be able to look at policies, and understand more complex portions of policies.  In some instances, a paralegal will even assist someone through the claims process until there is resolution. 

Employment Law Paralegal

A paralegal who specializes in Employment Law is an interesting niche.  This area has seen rapid growth due to a number of workplace oriented lawsuits.  Cases involving matters from hiring to firing employees often crosses the desk of an employment paralegal.  Other interesting cases include all types of discrimination cases, issues between unions and management, work place safety and compliance, and one of the common cases, sexual harassment.  Not only will an Employment Law paralegal deal with Federal laws, but there are also a variety of state statues which are involved as well. 

Patent Paralegal

If you have ever caught an episode of Shark Tank, or any other shows which feature inventions, ideas or other intellectual property, then a Patent Paralegal is something that should make good sense. Many people look at inventions or believe their ideas have a specific application.  The key is to protect those ideas.  Many paralegals perform patent searches to determine if an idea is original, and also helps people fill out the necessary paperwork be ensure the idea does not infringe on any other patents or violations.  This specialty area will require additional coursework and certifications in patent law.  For some, it can be a confusing and extremely complex area.  Therefore, patent paralegal tend to have a higher rate of compensation.  It is a high degree of knowledge that requires specialty training.

Bankruptcy Paralegal

With a 9% unemployment average throughout the United States, and economic uncertainty for years to come, and changes to healthcare, there is no doubt that paralegals who specialize in bankruptcy will have employment opportunities for the foreseeable future.  Paralegals that have bankruptcy experience are in high demand throughout the United States.  A paralegal who specializes in this area will perform such tasks as:  different types of bankruptcy filings, and the process of bankruptcy.  Some paralegals may even receive additional training in the area of business bankruptcies since such a high number tend to fail as well. 

Immigration Paralegal

Paralegal jobs that require specialization in immigration could also be a part of the next legal boom.  There is an estimated 20-30 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.  If and when Congress acts (and it will be sooner than later), there will be a phenomenal opportunity for anyone who has experience in the immigration process.  America has been the land of opportunity for millions.  The American Dream even under the cloudy skies of recession, still shine throughout the world.  Many people would rather come to America, than to live out there days in a repressive economic or political system.  A paralegal who is bilingual is often a key to success in this area.  Particularly, Spanish-speaking paralegals however, a friend works for a law firm specializing in Iranian immigration to the United States.

Nurse Paralegal

Damage is the basis of any lawsuit.  There is a natural marriage between law and medicine.  That is why a nurse with paralegal training enjoys a specialty niche that can be financially rewarding.  A nurse paralegal will assist with cases from bodily injuries, accidents, nursing home care, and even death.  A nurse paralegal must understand the importance of medical records, medical terminology, and other medical matters.

As you can see there are many different paralegal jobs.  By no means is this list exhaustive however it will give individuals interested in becoming a paralegal a chance to see the many different types of specialties within the profession.

A paralegal is also known as a legal assistant.  A paralegal functions in a wide variety of roles.  For instance, at one office a paralegal will specialize in a specific area like bankruptcy, however at another smaller office there may be a need for flexibility.  Therefore the legal assistant will need to be cross-trained. 

The job description of a paralegal should not be confused with that of an attorney or lawyer.  While both careers deal with law, a paralegal works under the supervision of attorneys.  Much of the time, a paralegal takes care of the more time consuming work, so an attorney is able to pursue other business.  In some cases the paralegal may know more about the inner-working of a procedure or case than an actual attorney.  In those cases, the paralegal will bring the attorney up to speed on a case.  Most of the time, the paralegal usually follows the lead of a supervisor.

Some people are intimidated by a paralegal’s job description.  Oftentimes prospective candidates believe they know nothing about law.  One should not fret.  Here are a few candidates who became paralegals:

Woody’s parents were small business owners.  He did not want to follow his parent’s footsteps but his background gave him special insight to a paralegal career.  Woody is a jack-of-all-trades.  He works for a small law office that specializes in real estate title work, workmen’s compensation cases, and estate planning.  While working in this office, the firm decides to test the waters on class action lawsuits.  In order to be successful Woody must be familiar with all the business angles for his employer.

As a former teacher and union representative, Tina understands the procedures of basic employment law. She works as an employment law paralegal.  Tina must deal with paperwork surrounding unlawful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, union related matters, and safety compliance.  Tina will carry a specialized knowledge of federal and state laws as well.

Tracy has experience in the medical field.  She started working for a hospital as a teenager in food preparation.  She became a secretary for a pediatrician, and through networking was offered a position for a urology practice.  Tracy’s unique background prepared her for work as an insurance paralegal.  Now Tracy works with a law firm that outsources insurance related cases.  She helps define coverage issues, and seeks remedies within the limits of a policy.

Chip’s family has a farm in east Ohio.  His parents were approached by a representative from a small natural gas supplier.  His parents were able to retire with a residual income source for life.  Chip becomes a paralegal to help other families realize the economic potential for their property.  His familiarity with oil and gas leasing contracts, real estate knowledge, and personal story make him an easy fit as a paralegal.

These paralegal job descriptions share a similar theme.  None of these paralegals thought they knew anything about law or the paralegal profession.  However, each candidate brought a unique background that easily fit into a legal niche of paralegal.  In fact, all things considered, the experience each candidate had, allowed them a degree of expertise that would have otherwise gone untapped.  While none of these individuals were interested in pursuing a legal degree, their specialized experiences prepared them for a career as a legal assistant.  The broad range of a paralegal job description allows people from all walks of life to pursue this fun and exciting legal career.

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