The Dawn Of Paralegal Ascendancy

Increasingly the Paralegal job is finding wider use in law and the judiciary all over the world. In the so called developed countries, Paralegals have been recognized as an important and integral part of both the law firms and the judiciary.

That took some time in coming; the roles of Paralegals have come to be accepted in the last two decades, with Universities and diverse institutions taking up the challenge of providing specialist training for Paralegals on different fields of human endeavour. To day, you can obtain both Paralegal certificates/degrees online on just about any field.

But in the so called developing countries, Paralegals are still seen as mere lawyer's secretaries and judiciary clerks even though they, in most cases without formal training, have learnt to carry out most of the duties of a lawyer, including conducting legal research, document preparation, client interviews and drafting of legal documents.

However, all that is changing or will begin to change after the epoch making contract between the Government of Indonesia and the European Commission for the latter to support the implementation of the Supreme Court's blue print for Reforms.

This is because among the number of interventions included in this program aimed at providing good governance; Paralegals are to play a major role, which has now necessitated a training program for Indonesians as paralegals for the sole purpose of providing Paralegals as first line legal personnel for improving public access to justice through first instance legal advice.

This is hoped to help improve the instructional capacity of the judiciary in Indonesia. So if you are an Indonesian, a qualified Paralegal, or you are interested in becoming a Paralegal, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for:

"The number of consultancy days is approximately 30 days."

Vacancies Contact: Please send CV and brief cover letter via email to: vacancies.ggij@yahoo.com. The subject line of the email should state the position code: IPBPE.C3. (Applicants please apply well before the closing date).

Neshah writes for your Success. Recommended: Online Paralegal Degree Success blog or Online Paralegal Degree Success Website, the road maps to successful online paralegal degree programs

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.

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The Principal P's of a Paralegal Career

Being a paralegal, or legal assistant, is a fulfilling and challenging career. It can be rewarding. It can also be quite stressful. The four P?s will pave the way for a successful paralegal career. These are:

1. Punctuality. Ever notice how your stress level rises when you?re late for work or a meeting? You sit in traffic and the clock is ticking out a drumbeat in your head. By the time you get to work, you?re flustered and certainly not in the best mind frame to calmly begin your work tasks. Instead of this nerve-racking scenario, the practical, punctual paralegal plans on leaving for work 15 minutes earlier. This allows extra time for unforeseen circumstances to intrude but not alter one?s sense of serenity. I have a rule of thumb ? anticipate five irritations while driving to work and smile through them. If there?s more than five, well, maybe it?s time to pull off the road and let the maniacs go on ahead.

2. Patience. Be gentle with yourself. If you feel tenseness building, take deep, cleansing breaths, and several more as needed. Oxygen fills your lungs, your pulse lowers, and a feeling of peacefulness returns. Paralegals practice patience toward co-workers, clients, phone callers, anyone who may not quite have being gentle with themselves mastered yet.

3. Perseverance. A missing witness? Keep trying to locate him, and stop when you do. A file has disappeared? Search until it?s found and ask others for assistance. Feeling brain-dead while summarizing a very dry deposition transcript? Get up and stretch, look out a window for a few minutes while you feel yourself relaxing. Then don your determination again, and get back to the grind. Legal assistants who excel in their jobs are dedicated to completing tasks.

4. Pride. If you know you?re doing your best, you will feel proud of your accomplishments. Ensure your work product reflects positively on you and your boss. Every document going out of your office gauges quality; for professionals this is extremely important. Sloppy work does not go unnoticed. Check and then doublecheck your documents. Are they as clean and attractively presented as possible? If so, sit back and smile.

The above principal P?s for paralegals are, of course, only part of what highlight good skills. But they are very important. They also contribute to attaining satisfaction and pleasure in one?s position. Being good at your job AND enjoying it, what a great combination!

Laura McDonald is a paralegal. She has many years of experience in the areas of personal injury (accident related and medical malpractice), workers? compensation, civil litigation, family, environmental, and corporate law, estate planning, and bankruptcy. She is employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her website is: http://www.paralegalsecretary.bravehost.com. Laura is available to encourage anyone interested in entering the paralegal field or seeking to improve related skills

Important Paralegal Services

Paralegals are legal assistants who spend most of their time helping to manage the massive paperwork generated by legal proceedings. Paralegals file, sort, index, photocopy, and draft legal documents. They may also hold hearings and interview witnesses. Most entry-level paralegals should have a bachelor?s degree, and additional certification may increase employment opportunities. The duties of a paralegal depend on the firm for which the paralegal works and the educational training and experience of the paralegal.

Many of the paralegal?s services are performed directly for the benefit of a lawyer, businessperson, or government employee. These services assist the employer with his or her duties. A paralegal may also work directly with the lawyer?s clients, drafting necessary contracts and paperwork. Some paralegals, however, provide legal services for people who cannot afford full legal services. Typical paralegal services include preparing all types of court documents, planning finances, including estates with will and trust plans, and corporate services.

Paralegals prepare a number of court documents, such as motions, briefs, and depositions. Motions petition the trial judge for particular rulings favorable to the lawyer?s team. Briefs are reports that describe and support the motion. Depositions consist of interviews of witnesses before the trial begins. All these documents must be indexed and organized, and often must be entered into a computer, by the paralegal.

With proper training, paralegals may draft wills and trusts, separation agreements, and mortgages. Paralegal services may extend into real estate by helping prepare tax returns and planning estates.

Paralegals with more business training working in a corporate environment may help handle bankruptcies filings, shareholder agreements, stock option plans, benefit plans, or tax returns. Some may keep finance records for the law firm. Others may help oversee business contracts.

Since paralegal services often involve paperwork, it is critical that a paralegal also be experienced in organizing and sorting information, as well as conducting research and interviews. Additional training in all these skills is available at colleges, universities, and online training programs.
 

How Does An Online Paralegal School Work?

When choosing to pursue a career as a paralegal online, it is important to understand how online paralegal schools work. In this article I will go over this in detail.

There are few prerequisites needed for admission to an online paralegal school. You will need to have at least a highschool diploma or an equivalent, and having work experience or other training will help, but is not necessary.

Some schools will require potential students to list their work experience and education so they can better provide them with classes that are varied. Paralegal schools will not reject applications if you do not have enough work experience or education requirements other than those listed above.

Some online paralegal schools will give students trial class options in which they are allowed to take the first course as a trial. By taking this course, you will get a fundamental understanding of what it means to be a paralegal and the type of work you will have to do in this field.

You will also get a feel for the learning environment of the online program. Once you have tried this course, you can then decide if the program is good for you and if you wish to continue. If you feel after this that online learning is not for you, you are free to cancel.

Most online paralegal programs will give you credits for this course if you complete it and wish to continue. At this point you may be enrolled in the paralegal certificate program, in which you can become certified as a paralegal in as little as seven to ten months, depending on the program.

Some intensive online programs allow you to become certified as a paralegal in as little as six weeks. Those who want to further their education and specialize in specific areas can choose to take even more classes. To apply for a paralegal program, you will probably have to fill out online forms and submit it to the program administrator, or you will need to simply call.

In order to graduate, some programs will require you to take what is called the Certified Legal Assistant Exam. To be allowed to take this exam you may be required to have a certain number of hours of education and training. Upon completion of this exam you will be qualified to become employed as a paralegal.

After applying for an online paralegal program, you will be mailed or emailed a letter of acceptance or denial. It will provide you with instructions on how to enroll in your classes, and how to make payments. A student coordinator will assist you with payment processing. Once you have made your payments, your books will be sent to you, and you can begin your classes.

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Paralegal Online Schools

 

Online Paralegal Schools offer studies and degrees in the many responsibilities of legal assistants, or Paralegals. Paralegals perform many of the time-consuming tasks that lawyers would otherwise perform in legal offices. Paralegals, however, may not practice law, setting legal fees, or give legal advice.

Online Paralegal studies prepare students for assisting lawyers to prepare for hearings, trials, meetings, and closings, investigate case facts and relevant information, identify relevant laws and prior judicial decisions, locate legal articles, and prepare and organize materials for lawyers. A well-trained Paralegal will be prepared to write reports that will determine how to handle a case, prepare arguments, draft pleadings and motions, and assist attorneys in the courtroom proceedings.

The duties of Paralegals can vary widely, depending on the type of organization in which they work. Paralegals in small law firms usually are responsible for a variety of duties that require a general knowledge of the law. Large law firms, government agencies, and corporations, however, are more likely to expect Paralegals to specialize in one aspect of law.

Computer use and technical knowledge has become essential to Paralegal work, requiring studies in software and Internet.

If you are interested in learning more about 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.