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 a paralegal depends both on experience, additional educational specialization, and the environment in which the paralegal works.
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations recommends that most paralegals have a bachelor’s degree. Although a survey indicated that only 50 percent of paralegals had a bachelor’s degree in 2001, the four-year degree is quickly becoming an expected standard in this rapidly growing field.
Paralegal certificate programs are offered by most colleges and universities, as well as online. Before enrolling in any program, make sure the program is approved by the American Bar Association. Paralegal certificate programs typically require a bachelor’s degree, strong critical thinking and communication skills, a secure understanding of law ethics, a legal vocabulary, experience in a law office, and the ability to conduct legal interviews and research. Some programs also require a minimum college GPA.
Paralegal certificate program participants can choose a variety of classes, such as management, public administration, policy-making, ethics and public responsibility, interviewing and research techniques, writing, and introductions to criminal, commercial and government law and litigation. The courses may also provide the foundation for a bachelor of arts degree in justice.
Though California is currently the only state to have educational requirements for paralegals, many employers require similar standards, including certification. Paralegal certification may be granted by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), by examination, and by the NFPA, by examination. Both of these programs require educational requirements to take the examination, which is why a paralegal certificate program may help a paralegal become certified. NALA has different combinations of education and experience to qualify for the test, and NFPA requires bachelor’s degree with at least two years paralegal experience.
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What is a Paralegal?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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,...
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Paralegal FAQs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Paralegal is a legal assistant who works under the guidance of attorneys or lawyers. These persons carry out various legal tasks, which include legal research, legal document preparation, and law office management. These persons gain corresponding qualification by education, training or by work experience at...
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A Look at Paralegal Training
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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Paralegal Associations
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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...
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Choosing the Right Paralegal Courses
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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Is Paralegal Education Necessary?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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How to Become a Paralegal
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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...
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Paralegal Classes
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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...
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Paralegal Resources
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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Paralegal Seminars
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Paralegal training courses, paralegal training seminars and train-the-trainer programs are important for all paralegals, also called legal assistants. A paralegal’s jobs include helping attorneys prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. The paralegal occupation is now a reputable and popular career path. This legal...