• Most entrants have an associate degree in paralegal
studies, or a bachelor’s degree coupled with a certificate
in paralegal studies.
• About 7 out of 10 work for law firms; others work
for corporate legal departments and government agencies.
• Employment is projected to grow much faster than average,
as employers try to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform
tasks once done by lawyers.
• Competition for jobs should continue; experienced,
formally trained paralegals should have the best employment
opportunities.
Nature of the Work
While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for
legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals.
In fact, paralegals—also called legal assistants—are
continuing to assume a growing range of tasks in legal offices
and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. Nevertheless,
they are explicitly prohibited from carrying out duties considered
to be the practice of law, such as setting legal fees, giving
legal advice, and presenting cases in court.
One of a paralegal’s most important tasks is helping
lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate
meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases
and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They
also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal
articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned
cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals
may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining
how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits
on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal
arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the
court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials.
Paralegals also organize and track files of all important
case documents and make them available and easily accessible
to attorneys.
In addition to this preparatory work, paralegals perform
a number of other functions. For example, they help draft
contracts, mortgages, and separation agreements. They also
may assist in preparing tax returns, establishing trust funds,
and planning estates. Some paralegals coordinate the activities
of other law office employees and maintain financial office
records. Computer software packages and the Internet are used
to search legal literature stored in computer databases and
on CD-ROM. In litigation involving many supporting documents,
paralegals usually use computer databases to retrieve, organize,
and index various materials. Imaging software allows paralegals
to scan documents directly into a database, while billing
programs help them to track hours billed to clients. Computer
software packages also are used to perform tax computations
and explore the consequences of various tax strategies for
clients.
Paralegals are found in all types of organizations, but most
are employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, and
various government offices. In these organizations, they can
work in many different areas of the law, including litigation,
personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits,
intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration,
family law, and real estate. As the law becomes more complex,
paralegals become more specialized. Within specialties, functions
are often broken down further. For example, paralegals specializing
in labor law may concentrate exclusively on employee benefits.
In small and medium-size law firms, duties are often more
general.
The tasks of paralegals differ widely according to the type
of organization for which they work. A corporate paralegal
often assists attorneys with employee contracts, shareholder
agreements, stock-option plans, and employee benefit plans.
They also may help prepare and file annual financial reports,
maintain corporate minutes’ record resolutions, and
prepare forms to secure loans for the corporation. Corporate
paralegals often monitor and review government regulations
to ensure that the corporation is aware of new requirements
and is operating within the law. Increasingly, experienced
corporate paralegals or paralegal managers are assuming additional
supervisory responsibilities such as overseeing team projects.
The duties of paralegals who work in the public sector usually
vary by agency. In general, litigation paralegals analyze
legal material for internal use, maintain reference files,
conduct research for attorneys, and collect and analyze evidence
for agency hearings. They may prepare informative or explanatory
material on laws, agency regulations, and agency policy for
general use by the agency and the public. Paralegals employed
in community legal-service projects help the poor, the aged,
and others who are in need of legal assistance. They file
forms, conduct research, prepare documents, and, when authorized
by law, may represent clients at administrative hearings.
Work environment
Paralegals handle many routine assignments, particularly when
they are inexperienced. As they gain experience, paralegals
usually assume more varied tasks with additional responsibility.
Paralegals do most of their work in offices and law libraries.
Occasionally, they travel to gather information and perform
other duties.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
There are several ways to become a paralegal. The
most common is through a community college paralegal program
that leads to an associate degree. Another common method of
entry, mainly for those who already have a college degree,
is earning a certificate in paralegal studies. A small number
of schools offer a bachelor’s and master’s degree
in paralegal studies. Finally, some employers train paralegals
on the job.
Associate and bachelor’s degree programs usually combine
paralegal training with courses in other academic subjects.
Certificate programs vary significantly, with some only taking
a few months to complete. Most certificate programs provide
intensive paralegal training for individuals who already hold
college degrees.
About 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and proprietary
schools offer formal paralegal training programs. Approximately
260 paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association
(ABA). Although many employers do not require such approval,
graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance employment
opportunities. Admission requirements vary. Some require certain
college courses or a bachelor’s degree, while others
accept high school graduates or those with legal experience.
A few schools require standardized tests and personal interviews.
The quality of paralegal training programs varies; some programs
may include job placement services. If possible, prospective
students should examine the experiences of recent graduates
before enrolling in a paralegal program. Any training program
usually includes courses in legal research and the legal applications
of computers. Many paralegal training programs also offer
an internship in which students gain practical experience
by working for several months in a private law firm, the office
of a public defender or attorney general, a corporate legal
department, a legal aid organization, a bank, or a government
agency. Internship experience is an asset when one is seeking
a job after graduation. Some employers train paralegals on
the job, hiring college graduates with no legal experience
or promoting experienced legal secretaries. Other entrants
have experience in a technical field that is useful to law
firms, such as a background in tax preparation or criminal
justice. Nursing or health administration experience is valuable
in personal injury law practices.
 |
|
Brown Mackie College - The Brown
Mackie College system of schools is dedicated
to helping our students successfully pursue
a college education that will prepare them
to launch a career or enhance their current
one in an increasingly competitive economy.
Get the personalized attention and hands-on
training you need to achieve the success
you deserve. You'll enjoy small class sizes,
outstanding faculty, and a unique one-course-a-month
delivery format that's designed for busy
people like you. Students choose from programs
that will enable them to become part of
growing fields of business, health care,
legal assistance, and computer technology.
Campus Locations: Atlanta, GA; Tucson,
AZ; Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Findlay,
OH; Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Merrillville,
Michigan City, South Bend, IN; Moline, IL;
Miami, FL; Fort Mitchell, Louisville, Hopkinsville,
KY; Lenexa, Salina, KS |
 |
|
Associate Degrees
• Associate of Science in Paralegal
Studies
Diploma Programs
• Diploma in Paralegal Assistant |
Bachelors Degree
• Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Certificate Programs
• Certificate in Paralegal Assistant |
|
|
View
a complete list of colleges offering Paralegal programs
Certification and other qualifications
Although most employers do not require certification, earning
a voluntary certification from a professional society may
offer advantages in the labor market. The National Association
of Legal Assistants (NALA), for example, has established standards
for certification requiring various combinations of education
and experience. Paralegals who meet these standards are eligible
to take a 2-day examination. Those who pass the exam may use
the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal
(CP) credential. The NALA also offers the Advanced Paralegal
Certification for experienced paralegals who want to specialize.
The Advanced Paralegal Certification program is a curriculum
based program offered on the Internet.
Paralegals must be able to document and present their findings
and opinions to their supervising attorney. They need to understand
legal terminology and have good research and investigative
skills. Familiarity with the operation and applications of
computers in legal research and litigation support also is
important. Paralegals should stay informed of new developments
in the laws that affect their area of practice. Participation
in continuing legal education seminars allows paralegals to
maintain and expand their knowledge of the law. In fact, all
paralegals in California must complete 4 hours of mandatory
continuing education in either general law or in a specialized
area of law. Because paralegals frequently deal with the public,
they should be courteous and uphold the ethical standards
of the legal profession. The National Association of Legal
Assistants, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations,
and a few States have established ethical guidelines for paralegals
to follow.
Advancement
Paralegals usually are given more responsibilities and require
less supervision as they gain work experience. Experienced
paralegals who work in large law firms, corporate legal departments,
or government agencies may supervise and delegate assignments
to other paralegals and clerical staff. Advancement opportunities
also include promotion to managerial and other law-related
positions within the firm or corporate legal department. However,
some paralegals find it easier to move to another law firm
when seeking increased responsibility or advancement.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Paralegals and Legal Assistants,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm
|
