How to Become a Paralegal
A paralegal, also commonly known as a legal assistant, is somebody who carries out tasks assigned by their supervising attorney. Paralegals have many duties, some of which include assisting attorneys in their opening and closing arguments for trials, drafting pleadings and motions, and conducting legal research. Because the duties of a paralegal require an extensive working knowledge of the legal field, many firms will only hire individuals who are certified to be paralegals.
Depending on prior education, paralegals can either pursue an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or obtain a paralegal studies certificate. An associate’s degree in paralegal studies is a two-year program, typically, offered at a community or junior college. These programs combine paralegal and elective courses to create a multidimensional education.
A bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is a four-year program that is offered at colleges and universities. The bachelor’s degree programs require you to take paralegal courses, general education, and elective courses. While a bachelor’s requires more time, they normally are very worthwhile in terms of receiving a balanced, thorough education. In addition to your courses, you will also be required to complete an internship at a law firm. The internship is intended to give students real, working experience in order to prepare them in their career. But, for those who already have bachelor’s degrees, a paralegal studies certificate is their most viable option. It strictly consists of paralegal courses without the requirements of completing any general studies or elective courses.
Pursuing a certificate in paralegal studies is a straight-forward, condensed route to becoming certified to work as a paralegal. Universities or community colleges offer these certificate programs, and the course length ranges from a few months to a year. Like the bachelor’s program, a certificate programs requires you to complete an internship as well. You also have three certificate options that you can choose from in your certification program. The three certifications are:
- The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- The American Alliance of Paralegals Inc. (AAPI)
- The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).
Another step that would help in your journey to becoming a paralegal is speaking to other paralegals. Other working professionals can share valuable insight on the career. You may learn how many hours they typically work or whether where they work is a high-stress, high-paced career. You may also gain insight on what firms are looking for when hiring new paralegals, which can put you at an advantage. Meeting other paralegals, either through internships or networking, can create lasting relationships that could potentially help you find a position. A recommendation from your internship supervisor could result in being hired upon graduation or certification.
While being certified is not required to become a paralegal, it certainly helps. Many law firms would rather hire individuals who have been trained and certified to work in what is usually a fast-paced legal environment with little room for error. While it varies from firm to firm, many paralegals work over-time, with the rest of their colleagues, in order to meet deadlines and to finish large workloads. Working as a paralegal is a demanding position, but many paralegals find their profession rewarding. Individuals with an interest in the legal field, who possess strong writing, verbal, and organizational skills, may discover a career as a paralegal, very suitable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Jones is a court reporter, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+.
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