Paralegals support lawyers by organizing the massive amounts of paperwork law offices generate, running the office smoothly, helping to draft documents and interviewing witnesses. Paralegals may work for lawyers, corporations, or government agencies. In general, a college degree is sufficient education to become a paralegal, although courses do exist to train and certify paralegals. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations estimates that 84 percent of paralegals have some form of form paralegal education.
Several specific types of paralegal jobs are available. Litigation paralegals help prepare documents for trials. Corporate paralegals prepare paperwork for business dealings. Probate paralegals interview clients and prepare tax and financial documents. Real estate paralegals prepare closings and research land laws. Government paralegals work for the White House, the Justice Department, or the Federal Trade Commission and may organize evidence, answer questions for the public, or conduct hearings. Employment paralegals do work similar to a litigation paralegal, but work specifically with unions or discrimination cases.
The average starting salary of a paralegal is about $21,500 while working normal hours. Most law firms, however, require that paralegals work more hours than the typical nine to five, Monday through Friday work week. The extra overtime could bump a beginning paralegal’s salary up to almost $60,000 a year. An experienced paralegal can expect to make around $40,000 a year, about the national average, with life and health insurance benefits.
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations estimates that 84 percent of paralegals have had some formal paralegal education. A paralegal’s specialization determines what fields he could work in, for example medical law or labor movement organizations. According to a 2001 survey, about 25 percent of paralegals have an associate’s degree, about 50 percent of all paralegals have a bachelor’s degree, and eight percent have either a master’s degree or a J.D. degree. Certificate or degree programs are available for paralegals who wish to have more training. At a minimum, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations recommends that aspiring paralegals have a two-year degree with an emphasis on paralegal studies. A bachelor’s degree, however, is recommended.
A paralegal’s resume should list education, experience, awards and highlight writing abilities, professional and personal skills. Sample paralegals resumes are readily available on the Internet. Be sure to attach a cover letter, as you would when applying for any other job, stating your interest and describing the skills that make you a perfect candidate for the job. Sample cover letters are also posted on the Internet.
A simple way to find a law firm is to go to the local library and skim through Martindale Hubbell, an index of every lawyer in the country organized by city and law firm. Online sites also allow registered users to browse hiring law firms.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Is Paralegal Education Necessary?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Paralegals help make lawyers look organized. They typically sort, prepare, photocopy, and index documents, while also interviewing witnesses or conducting hearings. Most beginning paralegals should have a bachelor’s degree, according to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). Roughly 50 percent of paralegals do, with...
-
What is a Paralegal?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
A paralegal is a person who assists the attorneys in the delivery of legal services. A paralegal is also known as legal assistant. A paralegal should be qualified through education and training to perform substantive legal work. Substantive work of paralegal includes recognition, evaluation, organization,...
-
Do You Need A Paralegal Certificate?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Paralegals are an integral part of any law office, corporation or government agency that must work with lawyers. Paralegals keep the paperwork under control by indexing, photocopying, and organizing documents. Paralegals may also help draft legal documents, conduct hearings, and interview witnesses. The work of...
-
Choosing the Right Paralegal Courses
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Paralegals typically have a bachelor’s degree to help them professionally assist lawyers or corporations and government agencies dealing with the law. Paralegals help lawyers navigate the large amounts of paperwork generated in legal proceedings by indexing, photocopying, and filing. Paralegals also may hold hearings or...
-
A Look at Paralegal Training
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
A paralegal assists lawyers, corporations, or government agencies that must work with the law. Most of the time, paralegals help lawyers to keep afloat of the mounds of paperwork needed in law. They organize, index, photocopy, and run errands. They may also interview witnesses, draft...
-
Paralegal Associations
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Paralegal associations are considered one of the network tools that bind practicing paralegals, vendors, and students in the paralegal field. These serve as a means to know about paralegals and inspire one to start a career as a paralegal. These associations encourage paralegal education to...
-
Paralegal Resources
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Paralegal associations are one of the most important paralegal resources available. These associations maintain a database of paralegals who are members. These associations can be national, state or local. Most state and local associations are affiliate members of national associations. Some among the national associations...
-
Paralegal Salaries
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
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...
-
How to Become a Paralegal
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
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...
-
Important Paralegal Services
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
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,...