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....

www.paralegalsecretary.bravehost.com

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

Consider a Career as a Paralegal - The Various Positions and Education Needed

A career as a paralegal is definitely worthy of consideration. Young ladies and gentlemen soon entering the job market are wise to select paths of opportunity and advancement. Becoming a paralegal fits the bill in many ways.

Wherever there are people, laws are necessary to settle disputes and protect against crime. There are many areas of law in which paralegals can work, including corporate, estate planning, tax, bankruptcy, family and domestic, criminal, environmental protection, personal injury, civil litigation, trademark, international, intellectual property, and real estate. All these areas of law create a variety of work areas, and an abundance of learning opportunity. Taking advantage of learning opportunities creates more earning opportunities.

The U.S. Department Labor reports that paralegal careers are on the rise, and expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. The median for paralegal salaries range between $31,040 and $49,950. In bigger metropolitan areas, large law firms pay upwards of $60,000. Many paralegals receive bonuses. Benefits for these positions tend to be attractively competitive.

The educational and work experience requirements for paralegal positions vary depending on employer and position requirements. These days, a four-year degree is highly advisable in general. Employers often consider applicants with a bachelor?s degree and no work experience.

A four-year degree is not necessarily required for all paralegal positions. Another applicant with a two-year degree and more specialized concentration in paralegal studies and no work experience may be equally considered. Many employers also consider the work experience of legal assistants or secretaries who have had no college training.

Online degrees are gaining popularity and are being considered positively by employers. There are several online courses designed for paralegal training. People can earn online degrees while working full-time in the convenience of their own schedules at home. Such flexibility of training makes learning easier, and opens doors for paralegal job opportunities.

There are several other steps one can take to prepare for a career as a paralegal. Many of these steps are surprisingly easy, and will open interview doors wider. I will discuss the steps in upcoming articles.

In addition to various opportunities and advancement, positions as a skilled paralegal can maintain one happily through their entire work career, yet have the flexibility of being a stepping stone into other positions. Such other positions, to name a few, could be in law enforcement, becoming an attorney, or working in top level positions of other businesses, like becoming a successful realtor. Consider a career as a paralegal, it just might be right up your alley.

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....

http://www.paralegalsecretary.bravehost.com

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 Tips

Those individuals with a bachelor?s degree in any discipline can become a paralegal by studying short term paralegal programs. These programs are made available through continuing education programs at various universities. A double major is an ideal choice for those individuals who want specialization in specific non legal fields.

Those persons who want to become paralegals can do online or traditional paralegal courses from various universities and colleges. These persons should check whether the paralegal programs are approved before applying for the course. The approval is obtained from the American Bar Association (ABA).

Paralegals should have sufficient knowledge in online computer searching and other software programs related to law. This helps to perform tasks in a better way, as paralegals most often require computers to do work.

For work to be done in an efficient and successful manner, it is important to prioritize the work. Regular meetings with attorneys can help paralegals to know daily schedules and organize accordingly. This in turn allows paralegals to give information to clients about their cases in a better way.

If any problem is there with files, discuss with attorneys as early as possible and solve the problem or question that arises in your mind. A paralegal can ask his superior to arrange meetings on a weekly basis to know about the work schedules and the work to be done in the following week.

For work being completed, paralegals have to inform the clients about the fee details. Recording work details every now and then can help paralegals to provide correct billing information. While billing, paralegals should have a clear idea about what is important and what is not. He should provide task details in a precise and pleasing manner along with the expenditures. This benefits the clients as well as the paralegals and their supervisors.

Paralegal provides detailed information on Paralegal, Paralegal Jobs, Paralegal Schools, Paralegal Training and more. Paralegal is affiliated with Notary Public Supplies.

What Can You Expect If You Land A Paralegal Job

Paralegals work in a wide variety of areas – from law firms to government offices, from trade unions to the armed forces, construction companies, accounting and engineering firms – in fact, anywhere that law-related work is performed, paralegals will almost certainly be employed. Paralegals working in the private sector are commonly employed by law firms and corporations. In large commercial law firms, a paralegal will assist with legal transaction or litigation cases, where they are responsible for organizing, copying, and tracking legal documents. Paralegals may be involved in specialized areas of the law, such as conveyancing, probate, matrimonial law or family law. A paralegal working in commerce may work in a variety of fields such as in the financial sector, banks, building societies or insurance companies. In the public sector, paralegals are employed by non-profit public law firms, government departments, local authorities, health care authorities, and the Police or Social Services. The duties of the paralegal will vary according to where they work. For example, in public sector, paralegals are more likely to be called upon to give advice to the public or work with clients in some fashion.

No matter where a paralegal works, there are several qualities and skills which a good paralegal will have. A paralegal should have excellent language, organizational and time management skills, with the ability to work concurrently on a variety of tasks. They should be able to work accurately and attentively, be able to work independently, and have the ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. Good technical knowledge is also a must, as the use of computers, software packages and databases have become central to the storage and organization of legal documents. Paralegals may be required to organize information in databases, use software to track time billed to clients, or use software packages to compute financial information. A good paralegal will also be courteous, professional, and discreet, and have high ethical standards.

At the moment, the profession of paralegal is unregulated in the UK, and there is no commonly accepted or recognized way in which you can become a paralegal. Strictly speaking, you don’t need any formal qualifications, but of course they do help, especially if you don’t have much work experience. Many young Law graduates work as paralegals for a time, to gain some experience, with the hope of being offered a training contract. Alternatively, some paralegals working in specific law fields have other specialist education – for example, a paralegal working in commerce may have been educated as an accountant or have previously worked in tax preparation before becoming a paralegal.

Robert Proctor is part of Legal Week Jobs, a website specialising in legal jobs and recruitment including gradute, legal secretary, solicitor & paralegal jobs.

For more information please visit http://www.legalweekjobs.com