Basic Practical Steps On How To Become A Paralegal

The paralegal profession is not for everyone who would want to join it. It is a profession suitable only for those people who are willing to undergo a lot of pressure in their work. Yes, a college degree and decent grades make you qualified to be an entry level paralegal. But the question is: will you survive the job? So if you are one of those who are determined to be in this profession, here are some practical tips on how to become a paralegal:

1. Make sure you really want to be a Paralegal. It is not enough that you find the term paralegal appealing and nice to hear. The work and duties of a paralegal appealing they may be, could also be chaotic as one goes through volumes of paper and documentation most of the day. As a paralegal, majority of your working hours is spent in performing administrative tasks such as filing, retrieving and organizing documents, photocopying and endless numbering of many pages. Definitely a daunting task if one is not trained properly. The expected duties of a paralegal will depend on the legal needs and situation of the employer. There are times that when taking a break from hole punching, you may get to participate in more spectacular task of interviewing witnesses on a certain case. If it still sounds appealing for you then you may continue reading the practical steps on how to become a paralegal.

2. Obtain a paralegal education. Obtaining a paralegal education is the basic foundation on how to become a paralegal. As of today, there are various institutions that offer education programs for those who want to work as a paralegal. The most common programs are Associate Degree Programs, Bachelor Degree Programs, Certificate Programs and Masters Degree Programs. There are also free online programs on how to become a paralegal. In addition, you could also purchase books on how to become a paralegal, usually advertised on the internet

3. Prepare your comprehensive resume and cover letter. The cover letter and resume you would need to apply as paralegals are no different than ones you would use for any job. One should never take for granted the construction of his resume because a resume should reflect ones strength and skills, even personality. For guide, the format of resume must catch the attention of the reader.

4. Find your ideal place of work. . After you have prepared your resume and you think that youre now ready to enter the field of paralegals, give some thought on where you will apply. You could always search the internet for some places of paralegal employment. Once you have a deeper understanding on the different facets of the paralegal world, you are then able to move ahead in the right direction.

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History Of The Paralegal Profession

When you find the legal world appealing, you might as well get yourself acquainted with the history of the paralegal profession. It is not that ancient as it only started in the 1970s. However, court cases still need to be handled by a legitimate lawyer who passed the bar examination in order for the whole process to be complete.

You may call the history of the paralegal profession sort of a late bloomer but it was only in the year it begun where there was a great consideration of attorneys needing someone to assist them in their workloads. There were also some corporations who were looking for individuals to do legal typing services and those who are full- pledged lawyers have to carefully think of the impact it will bring to them if they resort to the job description.

Prior to such, plenty of law firms were also training their administrative staff to perform some routinary operations where it was then the dawning of independent paralegal companies. At present, paralegals are under the supervision of a legitimate attorney but they should be knowledgeable in the judicial system so they can properly armorbear their immediate head.

Over the years, there has been a lot of mushrooming private organizations that compose of legal assistants. Below, you will read a brief account of how they were formed.

History of the Paralegal Profession of AAFPE The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAFPE) was established in 1981. It took its roots when the American Bar Association (ABA) hosted the first conference for paralegal professors. AAFPE strives to accomplish the promotion of high criterions for paralegal education, provide a convention for professional improvement, offer technical assistance as well as consultation services, plan research on how to disseminate information on the occupation and cooperate with the American Bar Association as well as other institutions in developing an approval process for paralegal educational curriculums.

History of the Paralegal Profession of MPA The Metrolina Paralegal Association (MPA) was created during the winter between the years of 1980 to 1981. It was by a small group of people who deemed that the paralegal profession was becoming a reality in Charlotte as well as in North Carolina. Their first- ever meeting had the agenda of learning about the novel state association where they also presented a set of bylaws and rules. MPAs chief purpose is to further the continuity of paralegal education. Their original plan was to conduct a minimum of sis academic meetings in an annual basis then they advanced to having a whole- day seminar each year. It was held at the Central Piedmont Community College with the cooperation of the CPCC Paralegal Association.

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Things To Note For Online Paralegal Classes

You may have finished your bachelor degree in college and now presently employed in certain company, but you still have that eagerness deep within you to go back to school. The big problem you have is your schedule. You do not have the luxury of time to pursue what you have been wanting to do once again because you are just always right in front of the monitor. You even retire late at night and think of passing a resignation letter the day after. However, you just cannot since that is the only means of your livelihood. Be gloomy no more because online paralegal classes are around to answer your bugging dilemma.

Here are online paralegal classes from Washington Learning Institute featured in eLearners.com. The said school is accredited by the New York State Department of Education where their offerings are recognized in about fifty states across the United States.

Civil Litigation is among the online paralegal classes where you will be able to acquire a complete knowledge on the major areas of the matter. You will eventually learn how to handle a case from start to finish such as interviewing the client, drafting summons and complaints and trial preparation as well as with motions and briefs. Your future instructor will take the role of a judge as he will also be teaching about history and theory. The format is in a virtual classroom with a required textbook which will cost about $575.

Law of Real Estate is among the online paralegal classes where the theory and history as well as transactions will be discussed. As you enroll, you will become well- versed with contracts, deeds, mortgages, titles and reports. Eventually, you will also be able to handle hypothetical property dealings from start to finish. When you are able to complete such, you can end up being employed in a real estate company where you will supervise closings and financings. The format is in a virtual classroom with a required textbook which will cost about $575.

Legal Research and Writing is among the online paralegal classes where you will be equipped with the most important task you will be doing as a legal assistant. If you are fully- capable of the power of the pen, you will be considered as a significant asset in any law office. You will be enrolled in a workshop- style module where you will be totally honed with the fundamental principles in legal research and writing. You will be taught how to utilize the tools and facilities such as Lexis. In time, you will also develop aptitudes on how to brief a legal issue. The format is in a virtual classroom with a required textbook which will cost about $575.

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ABA Approved Paralegal Program

In order for you to qualify with the Certified Legal Assistant Examination (CLEA) so you can eventually be licensed by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), make sure that what you will be taking up is an ABA approved paralegal program. ABA stands for American Bar Association, a prestigious organization of lawyers in the United States.

Athens Technical College Located in Georgia, Athens Technical College is among those that provide ABA approved paralegal program. It is a public institution that has a minimum length of four quarters to finish the course. Athens Technical College classes are both in the morning and evening. With an online preparatory module, its class size is only up to 18 students that highlights on quality instruction in clusters or 1- on- 1. The faculty is composed of licensed attorneys that had an extensive training in law practice and paralegal management.

Burlington County College Located in New Jersey, Burlington County College is among those that provide ABA paralegal program. They have an Associate of Applied Science program that will prepare their students to become efficient legal assistants. Burlington County College also gives its students the chance to shift to the Bachelors degree even in the semester of graduation. It requires the completion of about twelve law- related, two business and seven general education subjects. Provided during evening time, each are taught by practicing attorneys and licensed paralegals.

Cerritos Community College Located in California, Cerritos Community College is among those that provide ABA program. They require a minimum time of two years to finish their program. Cerritos Community College is just twenty minutes away from Los Angeles and Orange County. They have a strong internship program with about thirty- five locations that accept their students be it in law firms, local courts and aid offices. Their two full- time faculty members are legitimate attorneys that have an experience not just in the United States but also abroad.

Denver Career College Located in Colorado, Denver Career College is among those that provide ABA program. It is a private and proprietary school that offers a Post- degree Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Their internship is mandatory which will be able to equip their students with what awaits them outside the four walls of the academe. Denver Career College was founded in 1977 and received the endorsement of the American Bar Association two years after. Their day program can be finished in about six months which consists of the practicum outside with an evening module in eleven months. They also grant assistance projects for their graduates so they can find an initial occupation.

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The Picture of In-House Paralegals

Inhouse paralegals are type of paralegals who often work with the legalities of a corporation. They are common in cities where many corporations are headquartered. Corporations have long used inhouse counsel to take charge on their legal needs. And now other legal staff have been added to the corporate legal team they are the inhouse paralegals.

Paralegals are quite different in terms of the job nature compared to that of paralegals working in law firms, since inhouse paralegals clients are primarily corporations. Unlike in law firms, paralegals work is not assigned by attorneys, instead, caseloads are dictated by litigation that comes into the company and falls under the corporations insurance policies. Also, paralegals no matter what department, do a lot more of their own daily work without administrative assistance, as such inhouse paralegals are often trained in both the professional and clerical tasks of their trade.

According to Marge Dover, Executive Director of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), more and more corporations of today employ inhouse paralegals. Insurance companies, financial institutions, medical corporations and research firms are just a few areas that increasingly prefer to hire inhouse paralegals instead outsourcing legal tasks. Companies are becoming very creative about using the skills of the paralegals.

Multi tasking and being able to handle complex projects are just some of the paralegal skills that are being utilized by the corporations. Paralegals often perform copious diverse tasks and communicate with different people every day. A paralegal may have little supervision, however they may report to more than one supervisor, such as the corporations inhouse counsel and the department head.

House paralegals may either perform the majority of the corporations legal work or specialize in one particular field. Some of the areas that hired inhouse paralegals participate in are contract compliance, litigation and intellectual property law. Inhouse paralegals may also work for the human resources department. Daily tasks of paralegals may include writing reports to corporate clients, corresponding with other corporations, attorneys, and clients, docketing and file maintenance and inhouse training of employees. Inhouse paralegals also serve as liaison between legal department and the rest of the company. The other duties of inhouse paralegals include: * Filings of company profiles. * Creating and distributing company board books. * Maintaining legal department files. * Maintaining company and subsidiaries corporate minute books. * Maintaining and coordinating files for employees personal trading files and * The general paralegal duties such as filing, having agreements signed and distributing to appropriate parties.

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Accredited Paralegal Schools

Two and half decades ago, paralegal education consists only of a handful of programs across the whole United States, with many legal offices, law firms, corporations, and government agencies providing only on the job trainings for prospective paralegals.

Today, on the job trainings still remain an important element in developing successful paralegals, but the roles are shifting. More and more employers are setting requirements for hiring, including higher education and/or formal training in paralegal studies.

But when it comes to paralegal education, or any education for that matter, it is not enough that you enroll in some obscure program provided by an equally obscure school or institution.

Accreditation is your assurance of a program quality and accreditation is your ticket to increasing your chances of getting hired to do paralegal work in a prominent law office or government agency.

Thus, if you are considering a paralegal career, then be sure to enroll in a program provided by an accredited paralegal school. Fortunately, the current trend in paralegal education is accreditation, perhaps in an effort to compensate for the general lack of educational standards in paralegal profession. As such, many of the programs for paralegal studies available today are from accredited paralegal schools.

What are the types of accredited paralegal schools?

The types of accreditation given to paralegal schools are the following:

* Regional Accreditation A regionally accredited paralegal school becomes such only after a regional accrediting body grants accreditation to its paralegal programs. For the accreditation to be valid, the regional accrediting body must have jurisdiction over the accredited paralegal school. In addition, the regional accrediting body must also go through a recognition process with the federal government before it could exercise its accreditation powers.

* American Bar Association (ABA) Approval The ABA has approved over 250 paralegal or legal assistant training programs nationwide. In order for a school to receive accreditation from the ABA, they must comply with the guidelines laid down by the Association. The only ABA accredited paralegal schools in the country are those that offer programs that are not distance learning or correspondence courses.

The guidelines set forth by the ABA for accredited paralegal schools provide important information when evaluating programs. Even so, schools are not compelled to comply with these guidelines. In fact, it is quite possible for a school to be considered as on par with an ABA- accredited paralegal school even though it has no ABA approval yet, so long as it is in substantial compliance with the ABA guidelines. This compliance, of course, is subjective. In short, it means that the accredited paralegal school program for paralegal studies already complies with the guidelines but, for some reason, has not sought ABA approval yet.

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Career As A Paralegal

The paralegal profession is currently experiencing a great deal of growth and prosperity. With the average USA annual salary averaging around $34,000 for local and state work, nearly double that for Federal Government work, and much more in the private sector, it?s no wonder this career field is growing. Let?s take a look at just a few reasons why a career as a paralegal is so rewarding.

Challenging Work

Attorneys pass much of their workload along to paralegals, also known as legal assistants. However, paralegals may not perform all of an attorney tasks, these tasks include setting legal fees, giving out legal advice, and presenting court cases. But they may play a role in virtually everything else.

Case preparation is part of a paralegals workload. Paralegals often help lawyers with background information and research, legal history, case studies, fact-finding investigations, document preparation and analysis, plea documents, folder, record and file handling. The work they perform is often involved with hearings, trials, closing comments, and corporate functions.

Jobs are available for paralegals in many types of companies and organizations. They work with employee benefits, labor law, criminal law, corporate law, government (at all levels), real estate and bankruptcy. And you?ll find them working in personal injury law and litigation as well.

Career Tidbits

The following list includes a few pieces of interesting information concerning paralegals:

- Paralegals usually work year round, although temporary paralegal work is available. Although 40 hours is average, heavy workloads are a possibility. Work isn?t always at the office; paralegals need to work in libraries and often travel in order to gather relevant information.

- In 2004, there were 224,000 paralegal jobs, with private practices employing roughly 7 out of 10 of them.

- Job opportunities for paralegals are expected to climb at a faster than average rate through the year 2014.

There?s no better time to check into being a paralegal than now!

All Rights Reserved. Visit Paralegal Career to learn more about a career as a paralegal.

Legal and Paralegal Online Schools

Online Legal and Paralegal Schools, colleges, and universities offer the option of preparing for this profession at times and locations that are convenience to the student. Professional certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor degrees in legal and paralegal programs are available completely through Internet studies!

Online Legal and Paralegal Schools, colleges, and universities train professionals to work under the supervision of lawyers. The Legal and Paralegal professional's responsibilities include many duties, such as drafting motions and subpoenas, reviewing documents, and filing papers with courts, and procedural functions of the Law firm. However, some Legal and Paralegal professionals work independently as freelancers and in private practice, as well as directly under the employment of individual lawyers and legal corporations.

Online Legal and Paralegal training and education can vary widely. Certificates are attained through schooling and passing tests that confirm legal or paralegal skills, understanding, and abilities. Legal and Paralegal Professional Certification is a voluntary process that proves one's skill levels and preparation for entrance into the profession. Legal and Paralegal certificates often increase the possibility of hire and of promotion.

Legal and paralegal practitioners may choose to pursue advanced certificates through associations or agencies that specialize in areas of certification, such as business and commercial law, corporate law, criminal law, real estate, tax and probate, estate planning, intellectual property. However, Legal and Paralegal certification is not required in many states for those who practice their Legal and Paralegal skills.

Online Legal and paralegal Schools, universities and colleges offer complete bachelor degree programs in Legal and Paralegal studies. Two-year courses of study can also be found in accredited community colleges. The increasing trend for law is to respond quickly to the needs and workloads of law firms and the manner in which a firm handles their business.

If you are interested in learning more about Online Legal and Paralegal Schools and other types of schools, please search our site for more information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; your educational resource to locate schools.

New Bankruptcy Training Course Provides 7 CLE Credits for Paralegals

713Training.Com develops first nationally-recognized bankruptcy training materials

Columbus, Ohio based company, 713Training.Com has recently introduced the first nationally-recognized training materials for bankruptcy paralegals working in the debtor area of law. The recognition was provided by NALS (the association for legal professionals.)

The training materials developed by 713Training.Com are quite extensive. The book, How to Start a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant Service is based on the idea that "bankruptcy assistants" can now work from home for bankruptcy attorneys nationwide. Under the new law, electronic filing is now mandatory for attorneys filing bankruptcy petitions. This has opened the door to create the "virtual bankruptcy assistant" field - which is growing very rapidly.

Attorneys love to use virtual bankruptcy assistants because they save them an average of 55% to 80% on overhead expenses. The process begins when attorneys are provided with a set of detailed Client Intake Forms that they give to their clients to fill out and return. The attorney reviews the information provided by the clients, then he or she sends the Client Intake Forms to the virtual bankruptcy assistant.

The virtual bankruptcy assistant inputs the initial draft of the bankruptcy petition, then contacts the client to obtain any additional information or to clarify data they provided on the Client Intake Forms. This crucial step is one of the reasons attorneys love the service of a virtual bankruptcy assistant. The client gets to know the "assistant" and this reduces redundant telephone calls to the law firm.

Next, the virtual assistant does an extensive online criminal, civil and deed search to verify some of the information provided by the client on the Client Intake Forms. This assists the attorney in meeting the "due diligence" requirement under the bankruptcy law.

Finally, the draft is returned to the attorney (via PDF format) to review. After review, the attorney can make changes to the document and file the bankruptcy petition or turn the job of electronic filing over to the virtual bankruptcy assistant.

Law firms have been using offsite services for many years, so this idea is not entirely new. Attorneys use runners to file documents in court. They use court reporters who prepare documents offsite. In fact, many attorneys take their work home and prepare their own documents outside the law firm anyway. Drafting bankruptcy petitions can now be added to that list of offsite services for law firms.

But drafting bankruptcy petitions (especially under the new law) requires a skill that needs a high-level of training. Drafting bankruptcy petitions is not simply data entry. Now, this high-level of training is being taught throughout the country by 713Training.Com. Through their books, videos, DVDs, weekly teleconferences, online exams and seminars - 713Training.Com is leading the way in providing professional training that will be a tremendous asset to the bankruptcy field in the years ahead.

To view the upcoming seminars that provide 7 CLE credits to paralegals, visit http://www.713training.com/seminars/

Submitted by:

713Training.Com http://www.713training.com Columbus, Ohio 43212-2303 Office: 614-875-4496

Since 1988, Victoria Ring has developed 7 different businesses from the ground-up. This experience enables Victoria to identify with almost every stage of business growth and the marketing tips and techniques she reveals to her audience can be put to use immediately. Currently, Victoria Ring is the CEO of 713Training.Com - a company dedicated to training debtor bankruptcy attorneys and their staff in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 petition drafting sk

Paralegal Career - 5 Tips To Determine If It's Right For You

If watching TV shows like Law and Order or old Ally McBeal re-runs has you thinking you would love a career as a legal assistant, you may want to look into the real world of one before entering the paralegal job market.

Working as a paralegal can be interesting and very rewarding work, but no one should enter the field with delusions of becoming an Erin Brockovitch. Listed below are some of the qualities a good paralegal should have.

1. You must love research. Not only must you love it, you should be the kind of thinker who can find innovative ways to find facts as you research cases. Maybe your research will require surfing the Internet for days on end, or you may find yourself neck deep in old files at the county courthouse. You may even find yourself searching through old newspaper articles. If you do not like research, find a different career choice.

2. You must be organized. As a paralegal, you are not only organizing cases and files for yourself; you are also organizing them for use by attorneys and other case workers. Having your own system of filing will not work for a successful paralegal. Your organization must be logical and easy for others to follow. Remember, all the research you do could either make or break the client's case.

3. You must work well with limited supervision. If you require a boss standing over your shoulder reminding you that your work is due soon, don't consider a career as a paralegal. For one, the attorney or business person you work for will not have time to be your deadline reminder. And, don't expect that just because your boss says you have two weeks to complete a case file that he or she won't say they absolutely need it two days later.

4. You must work well under pressure. As you gather research about a case, little facts could pop up that change the entire course of your research. If you get frustrated easily, being a paralegal might not be the career choice you should make. An adaptable person succeeds as a legal assistant.

5. You must have good people skills. Just because your job might mean doing a lot of research doesn't mean you won't have vital contact with clients. As a paralegal, you may take statements from clients and help direct their questions and concerns to the attorney. You are their liaison with the lawyer. It's important that you like to help people and can work with a diverse group of people if you work as a legal assistant.

If you have the above qualities, you would probably make a great paralegal. If you have those five qualities, plus having training or certification as a legal assistant, the world will be your oyster. The training will set you apart from all the other people who also have the same qualities. Twenty and 30 years ago, no one had formal training as a legal assistant. All those paralegals are preparing for retirement now and their employers will plan to replace them with a trained professional instead of offering on the job training again.
Scott Knutson is an entrepreneur and writer. For more of his articles visit: Paralegal | Online Paralegal Degree | Online Paralegal

Tips On Choosing The Best Online Paralegal School

Although the demand for many professional fields seem to be diminishing, the outlook for paralegals continues to be very bright. There is an ever increasing need for qualified individuals to help lawyers and corporations by indexing and filing the large amounts of paperwork that are involved in legal proceedings. Paralegals also may be used to interview witnesses and hold hearings as well. And a paralegal career is often a stepping stone to even greater involvement in the legal and governmental field.

So obviously, advanced training will be necessary in order to become a qualified paralegal. And here are some tips to help you choose the best paralegal school for your needs.

1. The very first and most important consideration regarding education in almost any field is to make sure that the school and the courses you will take are fully accredited by a recognized accreditation agency. This is important because in recent times there has been an increase in education scams, commonly referred to as diploma mills, that seem to offer quality training courses at bargain prices, whereas in reality the education received is of very little value in the workplace.

So when considering an online paralegal school, the first step is to make sure that their education program has been reviewed and accredited by educational peers who validate or verify that the education received is of high quality according to accepted educational standards. And you also will want to be sure that the program is approved by the American Bar Association.

2. Before choosing any online paralegal training program, it's good to ask a few questions of the school to determine how effective their training really is. For instance, you can ask them how many of the enrolled students actually finish or complete the courses provided? Also, how many other former students have gone on to find meaningful employment in the paralegal field? The more success that their former students have had, the more likelihood that you can enjoy the same kind of results yourself.

3. Next you should also consider the costs associated with any particular online paralegal training program. Bear in mind that you will be saving the cost of having to stay on campus or travel back and forth as you would normally do at an off line school. Also, many online colleges that offer paralegal training have financial aid programs to help students out who cannot afford to pay all of their class tuition. So whichever school seems to appeal to you, be sure to contact them and ask about aid and assistance for meeting the costs of paralegal courses to find out what is available to you.

Choosing a career in the paralegal field is very timely as there is a tremendous need and demand for qualified paralegals in the workplace. And there are several high quality online schools that specialize in paralegal training to help fill that need. So if you use the suggestions are provided above to find an online paralegal training school, most likely you will be able to enjoy an exciting career in the legal field for many years to come.

You can find an online paralegal school and paralegal certificate programs and more by visiting our education website.

Online Paralegal Degree - Never Leave Your Home

Do you feel that the judicial branch of our government has been turned into a mockery of the system engaging in activities antithetical to their original intent by activist judges and apathetic legislators who stand by idly while one of the three pillars of the nation's government slowly cripples the society that it was created to serve? Then perhaps an online paralegal degree is for you.

A career as a paralegal is an integral one in the legal process of our country. You will be assisting courts and law firms prepare for cases by researching, drafting legal documents, doing appraisals, working with court procedures, and other essential functions. All of these skills can be taught to you through an online paralegal degree course. When you finish you will be ready to start your new career, that will offer you both a daily challenge and satisfaction that you are contributing greatly to an important sector of society.

Another reason why getting started on an online paralegal degree at this point is because of the ability to really focus in on an area that interests you the most. The reason for this is due to the fact that the legal field has become very specialized. Many lawyers, and even courts, have begun to work strictly on cases in their specific field. This way if you have an interest in domestic, criminal, corporate, environmental or many other areas of law, you can work exclusively in this area. And online paralegal degrees allow you to specialize in your field of interest, so you'll be ready to obtain a job that works directly with your interests.

The online paralegal degree programs are waiting for you, as is the desperately ignored judicial system. Get out there and make a difference in your life and in society.

Legal and Paralegal Schools

Interested in law? Legal and paralegal schools educate and train students to become professional legal associates who usually work under the supervision of a lawyer. Legal and paralegal professions include paralegals, legal secretaries; file clerks; and legal aides; consequently, paralegals often work independently in private practices.

Ideally, legal and paralegal school graduates should have attained sufficient comprehension, skills and knowledge prior to entering professions of law. Thus, legal and paralegal training curriculums teach prospective candidates how to provide an array of valuable services such as court filings; the drafting of motions and subpoenas; document reviews; and other legal procedures.

While legal and paralegal schools vary in educational training platforms, and may be subject to individual state recommendations and requirements; exam certifications often accompany successful course completion. Furthermore, legal and paralegal educational coursework usually provides comprehensive educational programs that result in the attainment of a Bachelors or Associates degree; depending on particular discipline.

As a form of continuing education, advanced legal and paralegal certifications are frequently offered through relevant legal agencies and associations, which concentrate in specific areas of the law including business, commercial, corporate, criminal, real estate laws, etc.

If you would like to learn more about legal and paralegal education, feel free to research relevant topics onsite.

C. Bailey-Lloyd is the Public Relations' Director for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Legal and Paralegal Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.

Paralegal Certification - An Insider's Perspective

Believe it or not, a paralegal (or legal assistant) is not a licensed profession in the United States. While some paralegals originally received on the job training when the profession came into existence in the 1960s and 1970s, more people entering the field today do so with certification. Certification is voluntary, not a requirement to be a paralegal. However, a paralegal with certification and special training is generally better prepared for promotion and will stand out in a field of candidates who might likely meet most qualifications but who are not certified.

To get certified as a paralegal or legal assistant (the terms are used interchangeably), one must pass a test from one of several paralegal organizations. Certification for paralegals is a little like that of attorneys. Just because an attorney passes law school doesn't make him or her a lawyer. They must first pass the bar exam. The same situation is true for paralegals. Completion of a certification program does not make one a certified paralegal. It's passing the exit exam that issues that certification.

In addition to entering the field as a certified paralegal, most of today's legal assistant professionals choose to continue their education as an on going process. Some want to specifically develop certain areas of their work -- like receiving additional training in commercial law, criminal law, estate planning, etc.

When you are searching for a certificate program to either begin or continue education in the paralegal field, you will have to weed out those programs that are not right for you. There are quite a few programs out there. Some say they are approved by or compliant with the American Bar Association. The best way to check is to contact the bar association in your state. Tell the bar association representative that you are seeking information about either entering the field or continuing professional development certification and ask for program referrals. While most states do not require certification for people to be a paralegal, the state's bar association will be able to hook you up with some of the organizations and programs they do recognize as reputable.

If you are looking into various online certification courses or correspondence courses, check with your state's attorney general's office and better business bureau to see if any complaints have been filed about the institution offering the courses. The state's bar association would be another good source of information as well.

While selecting your choice of study for paralegal certification may take some legwork initially, it will pay off for you in the future. Besides, the research you do as you search for certification information will better prepare you for the types of research you may end up performing as a legal assistant. Additionally, it may save you a lot of expense and heart ache in the future. Nothing would be worse than "completing" a paralegal training program only to find out that its certification is not recognized widely and after the expense and time, you basically have nothing to show.

Paralegals: Working in the Law Field Without a Law Degree

Paralegals help lawyers prepare for trials, do client interviews, assist in hearings and closings, perform legal research, prepare legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions, obtain affidavits and assist during trials.

California Definition:
Paralegal is a person who either contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs substantial legal work under the direction and supervision of an active members of the State Bar of California, as defined in Section 6060, or an attorney practicing law in the federal courts of this state, that has been specifically delegated by the attorney to him or her. Tasks performed by a paralegal include, but are not limited to, case planning, development and management; legal research; interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information; drafting and analyzing legal documents; collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney; and representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is permitted by statute, court rule, or administrative rule or regulation.

Find descriptions from other states at http://www.paralegals.org

Education Requirements:
2 year associates degree in paralegal studies or
4 year bachelor's degree plus paralegal certification

Skills Needed:
Good research abilities, investigative and organizational skills, understanding of legal terminology, knowledge of legal software applications

Certification:
National Federation of Paralegal Associations: www.paralegals.org

Job Opportunities:
70% of paralegals work for private law firms, a small percentage free lance and the rest work for the government

Income:
Starting salaries are $25,000 to $79,000 per year based on education, training, and experience. The average in 2004 was $39,000.
Other salary factors include location and size of the office. The US federal government starts at $59,370 per year.

Resources:
US Department of Labor: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm
Paralegal Education: www.aafpe.org
Paralegal Organization: www.paralegals.org
ABA Directory of Accredited Schools: www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/

Find out how you can enter this exciting field at Paralegal Information!

Pat Schraier is a web site designer and owner of Way Out West Products, Inc. Paralegal Resources at Internet University Degrees