Paralegals - The World Is Thy Oyster

In spite of ever increasing difficult economic times, there are a few areas of increasing job opportunities. These include paralegals and legal assistants.

Paralegals and legal assistants are actually the individuals who help out the lawyers with much of their easier, "less legal" daily tasks, which leave lawyers more time to work on the "bigger" work. In spite of their ability to carry out various tasks that was once thought to be exclusively for lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants are still explicitly prohibited from carrying out the actual tasks that lawyers do such as setting legal fees, giving legal advice and presenting cases to the court. Legal assistants may be bright but lawyers still have the last say on things and are still considered the authority on legal matters.

Paralegals are now considered to be an increasingly important component in most law offices today and as their value has increased so has competition for their services. As more and more law offices are using paralegals there has been a parallel rise in the skill level and expectations of paralegals.

In the past, most paralegals were trained on the job but as more and more people recognize the great career opportunity that has unfolded before them a whole new paralegal educational training field has been developed.

This has been a nature progression in the evolution of the field. As the demand has grown so has the expectations, as I indicated a little earlier and many firms are no longer interested in hiring a wannabe paralegal but want a fully trained, highly competent paralegal from the first day. As a result, most law firms will now only hire paralegal applicants who have postsecondary paralegal education or university graduates with a certain number of paralegal credits.

Not only are paralegals in great demand within law firms but they're also being pursued by corporate legal departments and various government offices that specialize in different areas of the law.

Another key aspect of a typical paralegals job description includes assisting the lawyers in preparing their cases. This includes: closings, trials, hearings and in some instances high level corporate meetings. A little known fact about paralegals is that they are often the ones given the task of searching for relevant judicial decisions, legal articles as well as any other materials that may be deemed important to the case.

It's extremely important that paralegals understand all the relevant facts about the cases they are assigned to investigate and they are taught to never dismiss any bit of information as irrelevant because it may turn out to be the key bit of information needed to win a case. Another important skill needed to be a good paralegal is a keen eye for detail and the ability to multi-task. Paralegals are given a wide range of duties and they need to be able to move from one task to another when the need arises.

Paralegals are also required, in many offices, to analyze and organize all the research data they've put together into a well written, informative and useful report that their supervising lawyer can reference to help them build their cases.

If you have been thinking about a career in law, starting out as a paralegal or a legal assistant can be a great stepping stone and learning opportunity before taking the next step and a becoming lawyer or even if your aspirations are simply to become and stay a paralegal it's still an exciting career choice. With all the possibilities a paralegal career offers today, the allure is becoming hard to resist for many.

If the allure of a paralegal career is calling you, check out the links below.

Visit paralegal or online paralegal degree or paralegal degree for more information on a Paralegal Career.

Online Paralegal Degree Will Open Doors

An online paralegal degree may offer the possibility of improving your chances in the legal profession at a number of levels, starting with getting you in the door as a legal assistant. Legal assistants or paralegals are professionals who help attorneys and law firms with legal services. They are not allowed to dispense legal advice, but they are often absolutely essential in legal cases. They may perform research or complete tasks that help attorneys succeed. Legal assistants interview witnesses and clients and summarize interrogatories, testimony and depositions. They also conduct research necessary for legal cases and attend court with the attorney to offer assistance.

It is expected that the demand for legal assistants will grow in the next few years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections, the legal assistant profession is expected to grow by 33 percent through 2010. As a result, many people are considering an online paralegal degree in order to take part in this exciting profession. An online paralegal degree can give you the chance to get in at the ground level.

Some of the reasons cited by paralegals for their interest in the field include:

Professional opportunities
Legal assistants are in demand and there is plenty of good work available for these professionals. Legal assistants can work in law firms, with individual attorneys, or even for government agencies. There is plenty of opportunity to move up.

Work satisfaction
For those who have an interest in law and an interest in helping people, this can be a very rewarding field. Legal assistants help attorneys defend clients and possibly even remove criminals from the streets. While assistants do not always get the same public recognition as the lawyers they assist, many paralegals express great satisfaction in their jobs and many enjoy the great variety of work they get to do.

Pay and benefits
The legal profession is a well-paying field and although paralegals earn less than lawyers, they still can earn a substantial amount. The starting salary for a legal assistant in the US is currently around $22,000 and with overtime hours, salaries of $60 000 are quite possible.

Legal assistants often require extensive training and education in order to become qualified for the job. For those who are just starting the process of getting the necessary experience and education, the requirements can seem quite daunting. This is especially the case for those who have work or family responsibilities in addition to schoolwork. One option for these individuals is an online paralegal degree, which allows students to study from the comfort of their own home. If you have a computer and Internet connection, you can take part in distance education that can help you become a legal assistant.

If you are considering whether to try a traditional school or distance education, consider the advantages and disadvantages to getting your degree in cyberspace:

Distance education can be shorter to complete
A certificate can be obtained in as little as a few months and some accelerated programs allow legal assistants to get started with their job search very fast. However, you do need to be sure that your online paralegal degree is legitimate and from an accredited school. Not all distance education has the same prestige.

Distance education can be completed in your spare time
You can work full time and study in the evenings. However, be aware that you can only succeed with an online paralegal degree if you are disciplined enough to work steadily, even after a long day.

Online education can be less expensive
There is no need to move to be near a campus so you'll be saving money not having to commute. Plus, many online paralegal degree programs cost less in tuition than their in-class counterparts. However, you will still be responsible for books and other fees, so do your math carefully before you enroll.

Making the decision to apply for an online paralegal degree is a big decision that will affect your finances and your marketability as a job hunter. Choose your school and degree options carefully for the best post-graduation job options.

Andy West is a freelance writer for Virginia College. VC Online provides a career focused Online Paralegal Degree program. Please visit Virginia College Online at http://www.vconline.edu/site/program.cfm?Program_ID=24

What You Should Know Before Taking UP A Paralegal Degree Course

If you decide to obtain an online paralegal degree or certificate, it is imperative to appreciate that you will need, prior taking the classes, a good understanding of your chosen paralegal field and course. You can research the necessary information online for Paralegal training and Paralegal jobs.

This is very necessary because a Paralegal is an important member of a legal firm or the legal department of either an organization or a Government department. A Paralegal?s duty is basically to facilitate the duties of lawyers in law firms, run the legal departments of organizations or Government departments based on paralegal ethical code. . So to be able to coupe with expected Paralegal responsibilities, you either go in for a Bachelor degree course or if you already have a Bachelor degree you could want a Paralegal course to enable you sit for paralegal exam to qualify as a Paralegal.

Courses are usually ABA approved paralegal programs tailored to meet the extensive amounts of Paralegal duties in the field. For instance, as a Paralegal in a law firm, you are supposed to know and be able to do almost all that the lawyers can do except appear in the law court, which was not included in your paralegal education.

This calls for thorough Paralegal training on legal matters, the American legal system and procedure, so that when you graduate and become employed you will be in a position to do all sorts of research and legal duties in legal matters either for a law firm, an organization or a Government department serving the general public.

You can then see why a Paralegal course demands extensive reading skills for you to become equipped for the job of a Paralegal, which among others, include the ability to process data without difficulty by understanding easily the information presented for your action.

The formal entry requirement for an online Paralegal degree program is the high school diploma for a four year course. This leads to a Paralegal Bachelor degree based on a curriculum tailored to inculcate skills and knowledge of American legal system necessary for practicing as a Paralegal in the United States.

A good communication skill will stand you in good stead because at the end of your course and out in the field as a Paralegal you will be involved in interviewing of clients, which requires that you should easily put across what you are saying unambiguously to a client.

Basically, you are to take your course seriously in order to come out prepared to do all or some of the following without difficulty in your paralegal career:

? Draft legal documents
? Handle bankruptcy matters
? Review legal documents and give advice
? Interview clients
? Write legal letters of demands
? Handle Real Estate and foreclosures
? Give legal advice on immigration issues.
? Be in a position to identify and analyse legal positions
? Be able to understand and communicate information between the law firm and the law courts and any other legal problem that will fall into your laps.

Because of the nature of the Paralegal field, a general Paralegal course could be followed by a specialization in a particular field of your choice. All said the Paralegal course and duties are not for faint hearted people. They require real commitment for success to be achieved both during training and in the field with the proper knowledge of the code of conduct of the paralegal profession.

Neshah writes for your success ? visit Paralegal Degree Programs or Online Paralegal Degree Success for more information and resources before you embark on an online Paralegal course

Take Advantage Of An Exciting Online Paralegal Degree Program

Online degree programs are like the new technical school. They prepare busy people for the rigors of the work place and provide the knowledge necessary for getting a much better job. Specifically, they offer opportunities in new and budding industries where people have a chance to have a great, long career. Most online universities make their living from working professionals in business who want to gain a degree in order to move up in the corporate world. One different type of degree is gaining popularity, though. The online paralegal degree is one that is relatively painless and affords students an opportunity to work in the legal field. Specifically, this degree is aimed at a person who wants to get there quickly.

The best reason for getting an online paralegal degree is because it will give you an opportunity to jump into a lucrative field. With one of these degrees, you can work immediately as a paralegal or a legal assistant for a big firm or a small firm. With that position, you stand to make a good salary with an opportunity for advancement.

Online paralegal degree programs offer the convenience of quickness, as well. Most online paralegal programs can be completed in around one year, meaning that students can enjoy the fruits of their education much quicker than in the past. These universities have degree programs that will immediately prepare students for the rigors of the legal field. In the program, you will learn the skills of the job and the knowledge to do it right. You will also gain a bit of insight on the work ethic and other responsibilities that are essential to success. By choosing an online paralegal degree program instead of a traditional university, one can gain the skills and expertise to succeed at the job, while skipping the unnecessary courses usually assigned by a traditional program. This degree enables graduates to have a very high job placement when they complete the program.

Another extremely valuable component of this degree program is that it will equip you with a bachelor degree that can lead to many other opportunities. Should you enjoy the legal field after working in it, this degree will give you an opportunity to pursue post-graduate work that will make you even more marketable to big companies. In general, this online paralegal degree is simply a stepping stone to much greater things. While it requires only a year to complete, it affords a lifetime of better living.

Many online universities offer paralegal students the option of combining their degree with another program within the university. Many take advantage of the chance to combine their paralegal degree with something in business. A popular program is the applied management degree program in association with the paralegal training. This specific combination of learning will enable workers to work well with attorneys who work on business law and contract litigation. By gaining even more specialization in a field, workers make themselves doubly marketable to potential employers. With this knowledge, there is a good chance that you can do something that your competitor for a position is unable to do.

Online paralegal degree programs afford students with an opportunity to succeed in a very short period of time. Anyone who has a strong desire to work within the legal field and can put up with about a year?s worth of online classes should consider this challenging and exciting career. This small sacrifice can go a long way to establishing a worker in a growing and very competitive industry.

Andy West is a freelance writer for Virginia College. VC Online provides a career focused Online Paralegal Degree program. Please visit Virginia College Online at http://www.vconline.edu/site/program.cfm?Program_ID=24

Why is a Paralegal Career an Excellent Choice

A career as a paralegal is an excellent choice. Young people graduating from high school and college should consider becoming a paralegal, legal assistant or legal secretary. There are many reasons to explore legal careers.

Some people use their office staff positions as springboards to become attorneys. They can work during the day and take classes in the evening. While they are working in their springboard positions, they learn on-the-job. They might admit this arrangement, though tough at times, gives them an advantage in law school courses.

A paralegal career certainly does not have to be a springboard to be successful and fulfilling. Legal assistants can enjoy their careers in the long-term. These are solid careers with as much learning and opportunity for advancement as the candidates opt to create for themselves. Some people enjoy their careers in a particular area of law so much they stick with it, be it the very same position or the same type of position. Others take the opportunity to work in different areas. Either way, these careers are filled with learning and new experiences.

Working in a law firm is prestigious. Law firms are comprised of white-collar workers who dress to fit the part, from the managing attorney to the partners, associates, paralegals, legal secretaries, receptionists and clerks. Those hired are very intelligent, or they would not have even made it through the door. This creates refreshingly crisp office communication from friendly jokes and camaraderie during breaks, to stimulating work discussions.

People working in the legal field are particularly aware of political issues and upcoming changes in the law. After all, it affects how they accomplish their jobs. As a paralegal, you?re ?in the know? and often reminded of the very principles upon which this nation was built.

Consider the job structure of such a career. More often than not, a paralegal position in a legal department comprises regular work hours. The benefits offered in these positions are competitive in order to hire good employees. Those benefits include vacation and sick time, 401K, and available group health insurance. Lunch breaks are usually one hour. Most law firms or companies with legal departments are situated in downtown hubs that provide variety for dining and shopping. Parking fees are usually paid by the employer.

Many retail store workers get an employee discount when they purchase items sold by their employer. Car salesmen receive bonuses for top sales. In most any type of work position, there are specific perks. As a paralegal, typically one perk is free legal advice.

A legal assistant has access to a wealth of legal information in person and through available written and computerized materials. She can easily prepare her own Will, Living Will and General Power of Attorney. A paralegal might prepare her own real estate documents; this saves money at closing. Family law information and forms are available for divorces, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and adoption.

The ability to prepare one?s own formal paperwork and to discuss strategy regarding personal situations with attorneys, free of charge, is a major benefit. Larger law firms may have a cap on how many hours of free legal advice an employee may request in a year, and smaller ones may have no cap. Free legal advice is a particularly helpful work benefit for our many life chapters. It could actually save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

These are just a few of the reasons to choose a career as a paralegal. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that paralegal positions are on the rise. This is the perfect time to embark on your career course as a paralegal, legal assistant, or legal secretary. Would you like to learn more, and earn more?

Are you fascinated by trials? Do you like helping people? A career as a Paralegal is challenging, rewarding, and NEVER boring. Sign up for free newsletters that show you how to step into this exciting career. Adventures await you....

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Laura McDonald is a paralegal. She is a member of NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). Laura is experienced in the areas of personal injury, civil litigation, family, environmental and corporate law, estate planning and bankruptcy. She works for Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C., located in Frankfort, Kentucky. The firm's website is www.mlhlawky.com

The Lawyer's Secret Weapon - Paralegals

Efficient management of caseloads and staff is required for lawyers to fully utilize the potential of their practice. Paralegals can play a significant role to ensure this goal. The Department of Labor is projecting that paralegals will be among the fastest-growing professions in the economy by the year 2008.

Below are some of the benefits that attorneys and clients can experience from the employ of a good paralegal:

Benefits to Attorneys

Most legal firms are not streamlined in order to make optimum use of staff. Many lawyers are doing the same work that paralegals do. By allotting work to a paralegal, your own time can be utilized by handling those tasks that require your expertise. Instead of handling every last detail of each case (can you say micro-manage?), set up time each week/day to meet with your paralegal, so that they can bring you up to speed on each case they?re handling for you. The payoff? Increased income from the ability to handle more cases, and more time off, as your presence at the office isn?t required to get everything done.

Benefits to Your Clients

According to a study conducted by American Bar Association, 70% of people choose not to seek help from lawyers for their legal needs. Why? The high cost of legal services and the headaches of dealing with lawyers.

Why not use this information to your advantage by offering every client the services of your excellent paralegal staff?

Clients who retain you are seeking to rely on you and your staff. Clients are aware that your availability to them is costly. So delegate. When dealing with a paralegal, clients see up close how the appropriate time and attention has been given to their case. This helps clients feel confident about your firm?s legal services, and also helps to form a strong relationship between the client and your firm. Moreover, the paralegal?s close interaction with the client can help you understand all aspects of the case better. Without such personal attention, clients may feel overlooked and apprehensive about seeking your help with additional matters.

Benefits to the Paralegal

Paralegals, as evidenced by their choice of profession, enjoy challenging jobs. With increased interaction with you, a paralegal will be able to perform varied tasks, and decrease your workload substantially. According to a recent study by National Association of Legal Assistants, the tasks of assisting clients, drafting correspondence and pleadings, research, case management and document analysis are the aspects of the legal profession preferred by paralegals. Again, delegation makes sense, so that your expertise can be utilized for revenue production.

By taking advantage of the suggested benefits listed above, you can not only streamline your office, but you will also find that you have the time (and energy) required to look for new avenues of growth.

Jack McDonough is a Colorado CPA, speaker, coach, author, and consultant to professionals in the legal and accounting industries who desire to make more money while working less hours. Jack is President of Wealthy Professionals LLC. WealthyProfessionals.com

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.

Read More On ABA Approved Paralegal Program

The Paralegal Certificate Program

A paralegal or legal assistant is a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

A paralegal has a limited task that can perform. He cannot represent a client on a trial or accept a case. He cannot also give legal advice. In short, a paralegal cannot perform functions that are considered as a law practice. The paralegal performs some duties of the attorney such as but not limited to conducting and interview to the client, locating witnesses, conducting investigation, legal research, and interviews, drafting legal document, correspondents and pleadings with the supervision of an attorney.

To become a certified paralegal or Certified Legal Assistant CLA, he or she must achieve requirements such as graduating from a paralegal certificate program that is approved by the ABA; or an associate degree program; or a paralegal post-baccalaureate certificate program; or a paralegal certificate program with 60 semester hours of which at least 15 semester hours are substantive legal courses. He can also be a paralegal if he or she has any bachelors degree plus a one year experience as a legal assistant with a completion of at least 15 semester hours or substantive legal assistant courses. Or he or she could have a high school diploma or equivalent to seven years experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar.

If an individual want to become a paralegal through paralegal certificate program, many educational institutions are offering paralegal certificate program as a professional course. It is aimed to prepare future paralegal certificate program holders in paralegal career. The paralegal certificate program of some institutions are focused of practical skills and research while other are focused on classroom lectures while other paralegal certificate program can be acquired online.

Institutions give paralegal certificate program which covers the following topics: Legal Research, Legal Writing and Reasoning, Technology and the Paralegal, Real Estate, Corporate Law, Litigation, and Probate. Some offers the paralegal certificate program upon completion of the Introduction to Law for Paralegals, Legal Research and Writing, Civil Procedure, Torts, Contract Law, and Criminal Law and Procedure. Although it varies from institution to institution paralegal certificate program should be based on the paralegal certificate program approved by the American Bar Association ABA. A grade not lower than C should also be maintained to attain the paralegal degree.

Admission depends on the institution offering paralegal certificate program. Some recommend a bachelors degree or at least completing 60 semester credit hours, or equivalent, of general education courses for one of any accredited colleges or universities in the country, while some institutions offering the paralegal certificate program accepts applicant which has achieved at least 3.0 GPA.

Either way, entering on a paralegal certificate program is a good start in achieving a wide career in the field that needs a lot of dedication, patience, and discipline.

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