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 different backgrounds. Education, certification and internship are paramount to advancement in this profession. These requirements vary widely, but are normally related to the duties of the position.
Paralegal programs include general education courses, law-related courses, and legal specialty courses. The specialty courses are core programs that introduce students to domestic relations, legal research and writing, wills and estate administration, business organizations, and litigation. The students are encouraged to study general education and law-related courses prior to enrolling in the specialty programs.
ABA (American Bar Association) accredited universities and colleges offer associate’s degree (usually 2 year programs), certificate programs, and a 4-year bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees in paralegal studies.
Paralegal internships are the integral part of many paralegal training programs. They offer the students practical experience by providing work experience in professional fields like law firms, attorney general’s offices, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. Paralegals are also given specialized training in some other fields. Individuals with naturalist experience often work in environmental law, while paralegals in personal injury or medical malpractice may have undergone medical training.
A paralegal education and law school education are entirely different. Therefore it is not possible for a person to become a lawyer after working as a legal assistant. Paralegal graduates lack the qualification and eligibility to obtain a bar license.
Paralegals work in private law firms, banks, insurance agencies, legal clinics, courts, government agencies, accounting and engineering firms, and legal aid offices. Their salaries differ, depending upon their education and experience, the type of employer, and the geographic location of the job. According to the National Association of Legal Assistants’ reports, paralegals earned an average nationwide salary of $38,000 in 2000.
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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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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 Seminars
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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...
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Choosing the Right Paralegal Courses
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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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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 Salaries
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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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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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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Do You Need A Paralegal Certificate?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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Paralegal Internships
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Lots of companies looking for paralegals or legal assistants prefer those who have previous work experience. Participation in the paralegal internship programs is a good means to acquire that experience. Today, the internships are an integral part of all paralegal certificate programs. The internships are...