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

Paralegals - What Exactly Do They Do?

So, what's a lawyer got that a paralegal does not?

Well, there's that law degree diploma hanging on the wall. And that hefty fee that comes with an office visit.

While there are some limitations to what a paralegal can do, chances are that most of your attorney's work is done by a paralegal, a legal assistant that he or she trusts to know the law and the documents being prepared. Be thankful - the paralegal fee is far less than the fee would be if an attorney were completing your paper work. Don't worry that your legal work is less effective or efficient because it was completed by someone other than your actual attorney. When the attorney puts his or her signature on a document prepared by a paralegal, the lawyer is verifying that the information is correct. It's just as legal - but probably costing you a lot less - to have the paralegal complete your paper work.

There are a lot of duties a paralegal plays in an attorney's office. The paralegal may do legal research and writing for your attorney. A paralegal may even take over as case manager, a situation that many firms are considering if they have not already adopted to help keep legal fees lower and affordable.

There are five things a paralegal cannot do. One, a paralegal cannot give legal advice. Only a licensed attorney should do that. Two, a paralegal cannot develop the attorney-client relationship. It just makes sense - the attorney-client relationship should be between those two people, otherwise it would be called the law firm representative - client relationship. Three, the paralegal cannot sign papers on behalf of the client. Only the attorney can attest his or her name to those legal documents. Four, the paralegal cannot represent a client in court. While many paralegals could probably do so quite well, it just isn't legal. And, five, the paralegal cannot set and collect legal fees. Only the attorney can do that.

Different states have different requirements for paralegals. Some do specifically require certification. Other states allow attorneys hiring the paralegals to judge the person's qualifications. After all, the attorney will be the one signing off on all of the paralegal's work. Some attorneys require a certain amount of legal experience, a background in research or other clerical skills. If you are interested in a career as a paralegal, check with some attorney's offices or law firms in your hometown. See what their qualifications are. If they prefer to hire paralegals with course certificates, ask if they can recommend a school or schools for you to examine.

There are plenty of opportunities to take paralegal courses, even for today's busiest people. In addition to home study courses, there are online courses, and programs of study at two and four year colleges and universities. One method of study is sure to fit your budget and the school of your choice may even have financial aid options available. If you are thinking of a paralegal career - or changing careers to be a paralegal - check out all your options and decide if having a two or four year paralegal certificate will help make you more marketable in the legal world.

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Paralegals and Pearls - A Match Made in Fashion Heaven

Paralegals wear suits to work. Their jobs are professional in nature and it is important to dress appropriately with that sense of that business world. Ladies, carefully consider how you accessorize with jewelry for the office. A legal assistant?s jewelry should be simple yet elegant.

What is the perfect jewelry selection for work? Pearls.

Resting among the oldest and most universal of gems is the pearl, shining in its many splendors. Pearls are symbolic of purity and chastity, the ultimate of feminine charm. Ancient Romans considered pearls a symbol of wealth and social standing. Pearls were also held in high esteem by the Greeks.

Fair maidens during the Dark Ages believed there was magic in the lustrous gems which would protect them from harm. These maidens often graced a favored noble knight with a strand. Knights thus favored would even wear those strands of pearls into battle. The royal courts of Europe were adorned with pearls. At one time, several European countries ordered that only nobility were allowed to wear pearls.

Pearls are available in the entire color spectrum making them easily adaptable to any outfit. Rose' and silver/white pearls better compliment lighter skin tones. Pearls with a creamier hue or gold-tone flatter darker skin tones.

Sharp business fashion is satisfied by stranding pearls in two different ways. The first way combines pearls of the same size and shape. The second option is a necklace of similarly shaped pearls, but graduating in size to the middle of the piece. A tip: wear necklaces no greater than 16-18? in length. This keeps another?s focus automatically pulled upwards, toward the face, which is best for work communication. Another tip for paralegals when wearing pearl necklaces: add just a touch of gloss on your lips. A pearl necklace captures focal point attention, moving upwards, first to the subtle lip shine and upwards again to shining eyes.

Pearls are beautiful jewelry staple for office wear. They are also very adaptable to many occasions in a woman?s life. The petite gems are often a ?rites of passage? gift for young ladies, such as a 16th or 21st birthday. Pearl necklaces can be either store-bought for such gifts, or hold the sentimental value of being handed down family generations.

Pureness is symbolized in weddings by white gowns, white lace?and pearls. The luminescent beads are worn by brides, ladies in the wedding party itself, and mothers of the bride and groom. Female wedding guests may also wear pearls.

Pearls are just as appropriate for other occasions, such as church services, or an evening at the opera. Add a pearl necklace to a social mixer outfit and the outfit is complete. Tiny pearl earrings can be worn anywhere for any occasion.

Pearls are quite literally gems that a woman can infuse into her wardrobe for many occasions in her life. Versatility of color hue makes mixing and matching a breeze. Combined with the pearl?s history of symbolic purity and wealth, what better accessory is there for a paralegal to wear?

A paralegal will greatly benefit from simply adding pearls to her wardrobe. The benefits are both in the sense of appropriate business fashion, and to her as a beautiful woman. A woman?s pearls shine, just like her eyes do, as she succeeds both professionally and personally. If you have not done so already, add pearls to your wardrobe today.

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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 http://www.mlhlawky.com

Paralegal Internships

Lots of companies looking for paralegals or legal assistants prefer those who have previous work experience. Participation in the paralegal internship programs is a good means to acquire that experience. Today, the internships are an integral part of all paralegal certificate programs. The internships are designed to improve the student?s total learning experience through a planned period of inspection, study and involvement in a law firm.

Paralegals are very important to law offices, corporate legal departments, government agency courthouses and other law-related settings. These people hold case analysis, research, and client interviews. Besides, they write lawful documents and prepare wills, bankruptcy records and real estate papers. By handling limitless routine tasks and research, paralegals can save lawyers? time and clients? money.

Paralegal students have numerous opportunities to achieve real world experiences within the legal society by finishing an internship. They get valuable insights into different areas of practice to improve their legal knowledge and career choices. In general, all paralegal students have to complete an internship. However, the majority opt to complete two internships.

American bar association guidelines require all paralegal students to attend and complete an internship program even if they are already working in a law firm. All internship programs are a practical how-to guide for paralegal students to perform in law-related offices. The major stages of an internship experience includes identifying erudition goals, finding the right office, self-monitoring and documentation, and handling office politics.

A potential paralegal student will merit from the chance to observe and work with practitioners in the field. Paralegal internships help the students apply the concepts and principles attained in the classroom, mingle with professionals in the legal community, and analyze on-the-job experiences with regard to academic learning.

In the United States, many organizations and education institutions offer paralegal internships with practical and working experience in a legal setting. Most internship programs are unpaid. Many institutes reimburse interns for mileage and related costs incurred in the performance of the intern?s responsibilities. If pay is available, it normally starts from a minimum salary to $12 per hour.

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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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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.

Taking Online Paralegal Courses To New Heights

A paralegal is an assistant to an attorney. This person participates in a number of activities that involve legal cases including researching case law, prepare pleadings, and assist in arguments. Becoming a paralegal is a highly lucrative position. Most paralegals work in law firms and are very well paid. It is also a great stepping stone if you are interested in becoming a lawyer. In order to be a paralegal, you must have an associated degree in paralegal studies. Online paralegal courses can help you attain that degree.

Many people who are already in the work force can not afford the time it takes to go to traditional colleges. Opting for online paralegal courses, though, will help resolve that problem by allowing you to work from the comfort of your own home and set your own schedule. This is a very convenient option for working parents or those who already have professional obligations. Anyone who has time restrictions will benefit from this.

Online paralegal courses will give a basis in understanding the law and the functions of a law office. Courses may include contract law, litigation, real estate law, research and criminal law. These courses will give the student the basis to be able to successfully work in and participate in a law firm or legal division within a company. Paralegals are highly valued employees who do a lot of the legal work in a case. With today?s increasingly litigious society, the need for paralegals is on the rise. As cases increase, so does the need for attorneys and assistants. Paralegals earn on average, $40,000 per year and can increase with experience. Therefore, getting a paralegal degree is a valuable investment into your future.

Taking online paralegal courses does not need to be expensive. Generally, you only pay for the classes as you take them. Online paralegal courses are also less expensive than traditional courses because there is no need for a formal classroom setting or dedicated teacher with student to teacher ratio restrictions. The savings for this is passed through to the student. Also, because it is only necessary to have an associate?s degree to become a paralegal, the degree can be obtained faster and cheaper than a bachelor?s degree. If you still have budget concerns, most programs will offer financial aid. This can be in the form of student loans that do not have to be paid until the degree is completed or grants that never need to be paid off. Check with your school?s financial assistance department for options.

The need for paralegals is on the rise. It is a great time to get into this field as there are many available jobs that pay well. The average salary of a paralegal is high and the additional earning potential is also high. It is estimated that this particular filed will grow at an above average rate over the next several years. Getting a degree will give you an advantage over the competition and help you land a very lucrative job. The convenience of online paralegal courses will help you attain your goal quickly and affordably.
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Paralegal Studies to Counter Increasing Demands for Legal Assistants

An attorney, judge, prosecutor, or any public defender cannot assume full responsibility over whole phase of legal work. Even with their outstanding and brilliant minds, they still cannot carry on without any assistant. With their hectic and extremely tight schedules, preparation for their legal duties must be given attention by an assistant before they can proceed with the formal proceedings. This is where paralegals come into the scene. And who are these paralegal assistants? These are the persons who had backgrounds in paralegal profession.

First, what is paralegal and who are these paralegal persons? Paralegal is called a profession, which endures most interesting aspects of legal activities like variety of tasks of legal community. Within the bounds of paralegal profession encompasses diverse range of responsibilities, projects, environments, and functions in legal industry. A paralegal may not assume the legal work of the lawyers, however they carry in their own hands tasks such as whole segment of trial preparation or case management. Their key duties include: analyses of documents and data in relation to legal proceedings of the cases, compiling, organizing, then presenting the newfound information to the lawyer. Presentation is carefully condensed into an outline with case history, plan of actions plus relevant notes that will help construct any precedents, case, hearings, or laws matters.

Among countless agencies where a paralegal assistant will be found are: courts, state and government agencies, corporations, finance companies, banks, accounting firms, engineering firms, consumer organizations, legal aid offices. Some of the commercial firms where a paralegal can provide services are: entertainment production outfits, public relations agencies, advertising companies, insurance agencies, or real estate agencies. Flexibility of paralegal profession may also be seen in surroundings like civil rights and criminal law, civil litigation, health care, family laws, environmental protection, corporate law, immigration, and others.

Rendering services for paralegal jobs does not really require a specific academic education. So, how does one become a paralegal? There are some who have only gone on-the-job-training. Many have formal education for paralegal studies like bachelors degree or two-year course for paralegal education while others have completed different paralegal certificates. Some paralegal certificates can be completed by merely a matter of months from a paralegal school. There is also a post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate offered by some paralegal education courses. Paralegal schools offer paralegal programs.

Paralegal studies are offered for students to bring them up into the rewarding careers of paralegal professionals. In paralegal training, each would be aided by lawyers in the legal industry. Paralegal courses will initially supply students with substantial knowledge so that they could be fully prepared to practical skills and meet high standards of industry in terms of proficiency, academic excellence, and professional integrity. Paralegal studies institutes are widely spread to meet solutions for the escalating demands of paralegal or legal assistants. Paralegal schools made it particularly practical and efficient by offering online paralegal studies for the students. If a student does not have the means to render much time to complete paralegal studies, he can opt for the online paralegal schools. Paralegal studies online are a flexible way to complete paralegal education such as paralegal certificates program, paralegal bachelors degree program, and paralegal post-bachelors certificates.

Responsibilities of paralegal positions have been increasing gradually that they are already running out of resources how to curtail the equally elevating workload of attorneys and lawyers. With this concern, paralegal schools now offer paralegal training courses in many paralegal certification programs. A student can search through online for the best paralegal schools that offer these courses.

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Paralegal Training Programs for Career Advancement Sara JenkinsWith the recent years significant increase in legal worlds activities, lawyers and attorneys are also equated with intensified workload that they cannot uphold these duties on their own anymore. With this matter, paralegals or legal assistants come into action. And this would also mean an additional task to their responsibilities that might require them for knowledge enhancement. But no worries as paralegal training programs are offered by paralegal schools to equip potential paralegal students with expertise in their fields. Paralegal schools prepare students for a rewarding career in paralegal world through their paralegal certification or paralegal education. The students are offered privileges to develop their skills and knowledge that supply them with efficiency to perform their duties as paralegals or legal assistants. Typically, paralegal training programs offer courses that would augment the students abilities to take up paralegal duties and responsibilities entitled to them under an attorney or lawyers supervision. Paralegal training would equip students with introduction from general duties of the paralegals including legal terminologies and the knowledge in court system. They are also taught to conduct legal research and interviews. After this level they are taught on how to analyze and compose this analysis into an effective legal document.

With the prevalence of expansion of the law firms duties, another field of career opportunities is now open for their advancement in their career. Once the students have completed general courses, they can elect to continue their paralegal studies with different specialized areas offered by paralegal training program. Specialized courses offer choices of elective courses leading towards specific fields of the study. This would allow students to gain additional expertise in a specific field and enable them to perform a number of tasks in paralegal exercises. By taking special paralegal courses, students will be provided with foundation on paralegal profession and render them more competence in the job market. With unpredicted changes in the legal market, it is deemed essential to prepare these students into more challenging areas of paralegal matters so that they can be more equipped with specialization which other matters lawyers are handling may be conveyed unto paralegals. Just like any education, all paralegal training programs come with subjects that train the students in areas of legal ethics and as well as professional responsibilities.

Paralegal training can be completed through traditional classroom system or the more flexible paralegal online classes. Paralegal training online offer the same quality as that of traditional system. But, there is more advantage in taking paralegal training through the internet as students can complete their training at their own pace of time. Distance learning programs for paralegal training also offer more flexibility and accessibility without sacrificing any of the course content of a traditional classroom system can offer. With the increase of the demands in paralegal education, paralegal schools are now tapping the services of the internet to offer students specifically those that cannot devote full time to accomplish paralegal training in a classroom. Over time, online paralegal classes are becoming a trend in the market because of its special advantages that guarantee students.

Online entrepreneur Sara Jenkins, is dedicated to helping others and their needs to succeed in life by offering free tips everyday. To learn more about her free tips program, and to sign up for her FREE how-to articles and FREE bonus how-to books and resources, visit www.TipsEveryDay.com