How to Become a Paralegal

Paralegals work under the supervision of lawyers as essential and skilled participants of the legal team. They assist lawyers by performing detailed legal research, conducting client interviews, preparing statements, maintaining financial office records, and doing several other jobs of equal challenge.

Paralegal professionals come from different backgrounds. Education, certification and internship are paramount to advancement in this profession. These requirements vary widely, but are normally related to the duties of the position.

Paralegal programs include general education courses, law-related courses, and legal specialty courses. The specialty courses are core programs that introduce students to domestic relations, legal research and writing, wills and estate administration, business organizations, and litigation. The students are encouraged to study general education and law-related courses prior to enrolling in the specialty programs.

ABA (American Bar Association) accredited universities and colleges offer associate?s degree (usually 2 year programs), certificate programs, and a 4-year bachelor?s and/or master?s degrees in paralegal studies.

Paralegal internships are the integral part of many paralegal training programs. They offer the students practical experience by providing work experience in professional fields like law firms, attorney general?s offices, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. Paralegals are also given specialized training in some other fields. Individuals with naturalist experience often work in environmental law, while paralegals in personal injury or medical malpractice may have undergone medical training.

A paralegal education and law school education are entirely different. Therefore it is not possible for a person to become a lawyer after working as a legal assistant. Paralegal graduates lack the qualification and eligibility to obtain a bar license.

Paralegals work in private law firms, banks, insurance agencies, legal clinics, courts, government agencies, accounting and engineering firms, and legal aid offices. Their salaries differ, depending upon their education and experience, the type of employer, and the geographic location of the job. According to the National Association of Legal Assistants? reports, paralegals earned an average nationwide salary of $38,000 in 2000.

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