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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Paralegal Classes

Paralegal classes comprise both substantive legal knowledge and professional skill classes. These classes aim at the development of core skills in legal research techniques. Studies involve compilation and analysis of data, understanding legal vocabulary, preparation of legal documents, and law office management. A certified paralegal program coordinator can conduct paralegal classes. Only approved institutions can conduct paralegal classes. Paralegal regulations may vary with each national association.

Various kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal classes. These include business colleges, community colleges, universities and proprietary institutions. These institutes award associate degree, bachelor?s degree and advanced degree in paralegal education. The classes cover paralegal topics, general education and related areas. The duration of associate degree classes is up to 70 semesters. Bachelor?s degree classes include paralegal and related courses. The duration is up to 130 semesters. Very few institutions conduct master's degree classes or advanced classes for paralegals. Some universities conduct advanced degree classes for legal administration and legal studies.

The paralegal education classes also comprise certain legal topics. They are substantive law, legal office management, procedural law, law office related environments, delivery of legal services, paralegal profession, legal research, legal writing, computer skills, legal interviewing, legal investigation, ethics and other areas of legal practice. General education related to paralegal classes focus on topics such as critical thinking, communication skills, computer skills, ethical understandings, organizational skills and computational skills. The general education classes also ensure basic understanding of history, business and political systems.

Various institutions conduct paralegal certificate programs. These programs are conducted for those students who already hold an associate or bachelor?s degree. The duration of paralegal certificate classes may be from 18 to 60 semesters. Paralegal education programs offer student services. This includes career information, placement assistance, academic counseling, paralegal associations and continuing legal education.

Some institutions provide both campus and online paralegal classes. After completion of the online course, certificates are issued to the student. The campus students and online students get the same certificate.

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Christmas: Should a Paralegal Buy Gifts for Co-workers?

With Christmas peeking around the corner, it?s time for paralegals to start thinking about their shopping list for office gifts. Bigger law firms may adopt the Secret Santa method. Names of participants are written on strips of paper and dropped in a hat. Each person draws one name and shops for that lucky recipient. Typically a spending limit is set. This method may cut down on how many people are on your gift list. A word of advice, if you participate in a Secret Santa drawing, do everyone a favor by adhering to the spending limit. There?s nothing more irritating than one or two people getting awesome, expensive gifts while others who followed the rules sit there feeling oddly embarrassed that they DID follow the rules.

That said, yes, you should buy gifts for your attorney, secretary, other paralegals, and most especially support staff ? the receptionist and clerks whose help is oh-so-necessary.

You do not have to spend an arm and a leg to show your yuletide appreciation for co-workers. If you have an inside track on types of things those on your list would like, great. If you don?t, this list may be helpful.

1. Baked goods (homemade or store bought)
2. Bath and body products
3. A paperweight
4. Gift certificate (to a restaurant, mall or movie theater)
5. Pen set
6. Lapel pin
7. Scarf
8. Chocolates
9. Plant
10. Gloves
11. Potpourri
12. Candles
13. Ornament
14. Stress ball
15. Photo frame
16. Coffee cup warmer

To cover bigger groups likes clerks/runners, your best bet is baked goods. Prepare the goodies on a festive plate and wrap with red or green cellophane. Finish with a ribbon.

Gifts for your boss ? do not choose gifts that are too personal. It is inappropriate particularly if your boss is of the opposite sex. However, if you are aware of a hobby or pastime that your boss enjoys, you can find something that compliments it.

Gaily wrapped packaging makes a ?small? gift more special. Take time to attractively wrap and beribbon your office gifts.

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, employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. 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.

Paralegal Schools Can Prepare You for an Exciting Career

Paralegal Schools, colleges, and universities prepare students for an exciting career assisting lawyers in a wide variety of duties. A paralegal's job depends on the type of organization for which they were hired, and many find work as court clerks and judicial assistants.

Paralegals in large law firms, government agencies, and corporations, might choose to specialize in one aspect of law, such as tax, child custody, or real estate. On the other hand, small law firms may expect paralegals to take on a variety of duties that require a general knowledge of law practices.

Paralegals in law firms may assist in preparing for hearings, trials, and meetings; they may investigate case facts and relevant information; or they may determine laws applicable to judicial decisions. Writing reports to help determine case management, preparing arguments, drafting pleadings and motions, assisting in courtroom proceedings, and preparing and organizing materials for lawyers are all common tasks of a well-trained paralegal.

Paralegal Certificate (PC) programs and Associate of Arts - Paralegal (AA-P)degree programs are often available at two-year community colleges. Some four-year paralegal colleges and universities, and some business schools also offer four-year Associate of Arts degrees in paralegal programs. Bachelor of Arts - Paralegal (BA-P) and Bachelor of Science - Paralegal (BS-P) degrees at four-year paralegal universities and colleges provide a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences to round out the educational experience. Paralegal School Bachelor degree programs can provide majors, minors, and concentrations in paralegal studies within another major, such as medicine or business. Bachelor degrees in paralegal studies are in-depth programs for students seeking entry-level positions in law firms, or for career advancement in current occupations.

Master of Arts - Paralegal (MA-P) and Master of Science - Paralegal (MS-P) degree programs at graduate colleges and universities provide advanced degree studies in law-related subjects of legal administration and legal studies.

Paralegal School degrees prepare graduates for drafting papers, researching cases, investigation, record-keeping, and administrative functions. While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to their assistants. Paralegals are assuming more legal duties in legal offices, and often perform many of the same tasks as lawyers.

Paralegal School studies will entail computer use and technical knowledge that is essential to performance of work necessary in a law firm. Legal work often requires use of specialized software and research on the Internet.

If you are interested in learning more about Paralegal Schools, or Online Paralegal 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. Find Paralegal Training from Colleges, Universities, Online Schools, and Vocational Schools at SchoolsGalore.com.