Paralegal Salaries

Paralegal salaries depend on various factors such as education, training, experience, geographic location and type of the firm. Paralegals who work in large metropolitan areas generally earn more money than those who work in less populated regions. Generally, the annual salary of a paralegal can range from $24,470 to more than $61,150. The median salary of a paralegal is approximately $33,000. Benefits included in the annual salary of a paralegal are health insurance, sick leave, vacation time and retirement plan. Many paralegals receive year end and case bonuses in addition to their annual salary.

There is salary variation in large firms, small legal firms and government agencies. Paralegals working for the government receive higher salaries and benefits. The large law firms pay higher salary to paralegals than the smaller ones. Some of the law firms give higher salaries and benefits to paralegals with specific qualifications. Attorneys generally pay paralegals based on the quantity and quality of their work. Paralegals can get discretionary bonus based on their overall performance. Overtime payment for the paralegals depends on whether the paralegal is an exempt or nonexempt employee. Nonexempt employees can get overtime compensation under the state laws. Regulations for paralegals may vary with each state. This change also affects the annual salary of paralegals.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Legal Assistants, the average annual salary for paralegals in 2004 was $46,862. The average annual bonus was around $3,339. The average total annual salary including bonus was $50,255. The survey highlights that the salaries for paralegals increased by an average of $1,700 per year. The median average salary for a paralegal in Los Angeles is $45,116. In San Francisco, paralegals can expect a beginning salary ranging from $30,000 to $45,000. A senior paralegal in San Francisco can expect a salary of $55,000.

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A Paralegal's Business Card Speaks Professionalism

A business card is a small "calling card" which advertises a business or service offered. Information found on a business card includes the business name, individual contact person, and various ways to contact the service provider, including address and telephone numbers. Today, business cards also include email addresses and web site information.

Paralegals communicate with many people. Often, an attorney's clients will stay in regular contact with his paralegal. This is because a legal assistant is generally more accessible than the attorney and can be depended on to route important information between the two.

When a paralegal meets with a new client to gather pertinent information it is usually the first contact that client has had with the firm and that employee. Handing them a business card at meeting's end is a professional touch. Clients appreciate having easy access to telephone numbers and even the paralegal's name. Often the circumstances that led them to an attorney's office are unsettling. They might not initially recall names easily, so a business card takes out the guess work. That business card is also a small, comforting link to the help they need.

I highly recommend that paralegals have their own business cards. These can be prepared by a printing company, or prepared on blank business cards and run through a laser printer. Another option if a boss would prefer their own business cards used by the paralegal ? prepare small mailing labels with the paralegal's name, direct phone extension and business email address, and affix the labels to the back of the firm cards. Typed information looks more professional than just writing it by hand.

A paralegal may have occasion during personal activities to hand out a business card or two. A friend or relative may need legal assistance. The firm employee may witness an accident. A conversation about needed services can crop up anywhere and any time. If a paralegal is equipped with business cards, professional networking is a breeze.

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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 Certification - Pros and Cons

Paralegals and Legal Assistants (the terms are interchangeable) back in 60's and 70's received much of their training on the job via real world experience. However, since that time things have changed and now most paralegals enter the field by going through the certification process. Although certification is not required to get a job, in fact it's still not a licensed profession, a paralegal that's been certified is generally considered to be a better trained, more qualified candidate than a paralegal that hasn't been certified.

The certification process for paralegals is a bit like becoming an attorney; it requires an individual to pass a test from a qualified paralegal organization. Just like gradating from law school doesn't make someone a lawyer - they must first pass the bar exam, and with paralegals, completing a certified training program doesn't make them a certified paralegal; they must first pass the exam in order to earn certification.

Even after certification many paralegals choose to continue their training by specializing in particular niches of the law like: estate planning, criminal law, commercial law and so on.

There is a wide array of certification programs out there so when searching for the best program for you to either further your education and training or to begin your paralegal career, you will have to spend a little time and weed out those programs that don't fit your situation.

Some organizations claim that they've been approved or that they are compliant with the American Bar Association but the only way to verify their claims is to check with your state bar association.

Explain to your state bar association representative that you are looking for reliable information about either entering the paralegal field or that you are seeking continuing educational training. While most states don't require paralegal certification, your states bar association should be able to connect you with the top certification and training organizations and programs in your area that they feel are reputable.

You can check with your states better business bureau or attorney generals office if you are looking into online certification or correspondence courses, to see if any complaints have been filed about the companies offering the courses.

Although, the paralegal certification selection process will take a bit of time and research, a positive off-shoot of the whole thing is that it will probably pay off down the road by helping to ensure that you find the best possible certification training available in your area or online. It should also help you avoid the time, expense and frustration of choosing the wrong training program; perhaps one that isn't recognized and then having to deal with the realization that you having nothing to show for your efforts.

In addition, the whole research process will prepare you for the type of research you will be required to do as a certified paralegal.

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

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