How Much Does A Paralegal Make?

When it comes to legal firms, paralegals are not just assistants; they hold an important responsibility. The job of a paralegal need not always be the same; there would be variations based on the office size and the kind of law being practiced. In some cases, the paralegal may carry out assistant work for a single attorney, even if he is part of a huge law firm. In some of the other cases, the paralegal professional would be taking care of most of the work that comes under the purview of the law firm.

Some of the primary duties of a paralegal professional are drafting correspondence, pleadings, scheduling mediations and hearings, setting up client meetings, etc. If the paralegal is working in a small firm, then he could be doing the work of a receptionist as well. The paralegal working for a single attorney would be taking care of all the professional and personal schedule of the attorney.

Paralegals are of different types and their salary is primarily based on the nature of their jobs. Litigation paralegals are the ones who make the most in terms of salary when compared to family law or real estate paralegal professionals. Some of the other paralegal types are criminal law, personal injury law, and administrative law.

The paralegals who make the most money out of their profession are the ones who are appropriately educated; it means that they have a college degree behind their name. The college degree is acquired only after the individual completes an associate degree followed by a four-year bachelor degree. Most of the paralegals in the industry have an associate degree. There are some law firms who are not just satisfied with the person’s educational qualifications, but also ask for relevant work experience. Most of these legal firms are big law houses and the years of experience they expect are in the range of five and ten years. If a person does not have relevant work experience, or is just fresh out of college, or just does not have the relevant qualification, then he should be willing to work his way up in the firm and attain a decent position after few years.

There are several things that the paralegal does. The amount of research and administrative work that the paralegal puts in makes it easier for the lawyer to concentrate on some of his other work. A lawyer who does not have a paralegal would find his work hectic and overloading. With experience, the scope of work for a paralegal professional expands. Irrespective of how experienced a paralegal is, he would never be able to argue or present a case in a courtroom, and he cannot also give professional legal advice to people. If needed, the paralegal can pass the instructions of the lawyer to the clients.

After having learned so much about the profession, one would definitely like to know how much does a paralegal make. The amount of money that a paralegal can make is enormous. During the initial years, a paralegal would mostly make between $10,000 and $20,000. Later on as the paralegal gains some experience, he can even touch the $100,000 figure annually. Ultimately, the salary drawn in by the professional depends on internal factors like aptitude, skills, and learning. In comparison to bigger firms, smaller legal firms do not pay much. However, the duties and responsibilities in a smaller firm is more when compared to the larger legal houses.

What Does A Paralegal Do?

To people who want to know what does a paralegal do, a paralegal is a legal professional who basically carries out the administrative and transactional duties of a lawyer. In short, the lawyer is the one who approaches the bench, but the one who does all the research and organizing work behind the curtains is the paralegal. In the olden days, the responsibility of a paralegal professional was not much. However, things have changed and paralegal professionals are continuously taking over more responsibilities and duties.

Paralegals are not just restricted to the legal firms; they can be found in several other industries. Most of these paralegal professionals are employed in law firms, corporate departments, government offices, etc. In a legal firm, the paralegal would be working in several different aspects of law which include litigation, corporate law, personal injury, intellectual property, criminal law, immigration, real estate, etc. The work of a paralegal would become even more specialized as these different laws become complexed.

The job description of a paralegal also differs with organizations. There are basically two types of paralegals: corporate and litigation. The nature of work for these professionals is similar but there is a difference in scope. A corporate paralegal usually deals with documents relating to business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, etc. A litigation paralegal is more into lawsuits and offences, etc. The responsible of a corporate legal is to be aware of the several changes in norms and regulations brought about by the government and ensuring that the firm he works for comply with those requirements.

The paralegals who are employed in the government sector have different sets of duties and it is primarily depended upon the kind of government office they work for. Paralegals who work in projects based on community service are primarily into helping the aged, poor, and several others who need but cannot afford legal assistance.

The work environment for a paralegal is pretty much routine, and this is the case when the paralegal is new to the job. Over a period of time as these professionals start gaining some experience, their scope of work expands and they are handed with additional tasks. Most of the paralegals carry out their work in an office and libraries. In some cases for gathering additional information, they could be travelling.

As far as education of a paralegal is concerned, the basis dedicated degree is an associate degree, which could be earned at several community colleges. Those individuals who have a degree in another field can take a certificate course in paralegal studies and start working as a paralegal professional. The number of colleges and universities that offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in paralegal studies are few. This is exactly the reason why most people learn about the field while on their job. The bachelor’s and master programs in paralegal combine several other subjects within the course.

There is an increase in the demand for paralegals and this is precisely because there are more people who are seeking professional legal services. The salaries of paralegals vary considerably and it primarily depends on the experience levels of the professional, his work location, education, training, etc. The full-time annual salary of a paralegal professional can be anywhere between $40,000 and $70,000. Along with the salary, there are several paralegals that get bonuses and incentives for extending their work hours or exhibiting exceptional work.

How Do I Become A Paralegal?

Paralegals are trained professionals who help attorneys with their legal proceedings. They do a lot of research on cases to assist the attorneys, draft legal documents, make affidavits etc. but cannot appear in the court of law.

Paralegals draw a handsome salary, which significantly grows as years pass. Many of us who want to be a successful paralegal often seek the answer to the question, how do I become a paralegal? In the past employers would provide on the job training to the aspiring paralegal candidates; however, this practice is being slowly wiped out. The higher the education you have the better your chance to acquire a job in one of the top companies.

 You can become a paralegal in many ways. You can take an online distance-learning course if you cannot afford the expense and the fees of a campus degree or you can get an associate’s degree from a community college. For students freshly passed out of high school can opt for certification courses or associate’s degree. Certification courses can take three to twenty four months for completion and associate degrees take two years and full attendance for completion. For individuals with a different education background like nursing, real estate etc. who want to become a paralegal can take up specialist training courses. Certified Paralegal (CP), Registered Paralegal (PACE) and Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) are few of the certification courses recognized by the legal firms in the US.  It is important to take a degree approved by American Bar Association (ABA) from an accredited institution. Several certification-training programs offer intensive paralegal training to candidates with college degrees.

 Several paralegal training programs also offer internship to the students to help them gain practical experience before they step out to get a permanent job. They may complete their internship at a corporate legal department, a private law firm, government agency etc. This is especially a requirement for applicants who do not hold any formal paralegal training. Acquiring voluntary certification gives an upper hand to an applicant seeking to work as a paralegal. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has set standard rules of certification that includes a combination of experience and education. Eligible paralegals who met these criteria can give a two-day examination and the candidates that pass can use Certified Paralegal (CP) and Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) qualifications. For specialization, experienced candidates can also take Advanced Paralegal Certification offered by NALA, which is also available on internet. Employers also prefer candidates with at least a year’s experience in a law firm. Technical knowledge is an added advantage for an aspiring paralegal candidate.

 As the paralegals gain experience they need less supervision and are given more responsibilities. Experienced paralegals can assign work to other clerical staff and paralegals. A paralegal should also have good interpersonal skills to develop and maintain good relationships with the clients, managers etc.  He or she should also have good organizational and research skills to meet deadlines and investigate information for legal cases. Good speaking and writing skills and computer skills are necessary.

 Seek guidance from school counselors, review different school  catalogs and check different paralegal programs, decide on what certification you want to take, choose a specialty , become computer savvy and also consider getting a NALA certification to become a successful and most sought after paralegal.

Steps You Can Take To Become A Paralegal

A paralegal is an individual who assists lawyers and attorneys by writing reports, conducting research, or any other preparatory research required before a court case. This is a law career to education and certification are highly valued. You are paid quite handsomely and it can be interesting and rewarding work. However, this line of work can require some education and preparation on the part of the person who wants to become a paralegal. To ensure your future in this job, you should plan ahead and make steps to prepare for your future as early as you can. Here are a few steps that can guide you on how to become a paralegal.

High School is a place of decision, you can be uncertain about what your life's path will be. If you so decide to become a paralegal, you can ask your school guidance counselor for advice and inquire about recommendations for institutes that offer paralegal certifications and degrees. It's never a bad idea to start preparing early in your life.

After high school, you have two choices. You can decide to take a paralegal certification program for graduates from high school. Or you can go to a college or university and get a diploma for 2 to 4 years of study. Keep in mind that many paralegals get at least bachelors degrees, so to get a good job higher education may be necessary, especially for the larger companies.

If you choose to go to a school of higher learning, do some research about the institution you are considering. Make sure that they are known for being able to provide good internships for their students, because that will get you the experience you need.

There are many areas of legal specialty to choose from. Choose one that suits you and apply yourself to that field of knowledge. There are quite a few possibilities including criminal law, corporate law, patent and copyright law, and real estate. You can choose to work for a large company or the government.

A large portion of your work as a paralegal will be done in front of a computer screen. So it can be quite important to become very proficient in online computer research and using legal software programs. The more you prepare, the better you will be at your job.

The last step is perhaps the most important one. Try to eventually be certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) by a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) kind of job. This will put you on a much faster track and will eventually help you to get the kind of jobs you want.

Besides all that, to become a proficient paralegal you will want to work hard and study hard. Get experience and become knowledgeable in your profession.

How Do You Become A Paralegal?

If your question is "how do you become a paralegal?" you have a number of options.  You need to choose the option that is appropriate for your personal preferences and career goals.

One option is to attend college.  Most universities and community colleges offer courses for future paralegals.  You can choose from coursework that only covers paralegal training, or coursework in a legal field.  You also have the option of working toward an Associate's degree, or pursuing a higher degree.

Another option is distance learning.  While many distance learning schools offer paralegal degree programs, many also offer career diplomas.  A career diploma program can be completed in a relatively short period of time.

The decision about which option is best for you depends on your future plans.  When you take your plans into consideration, it will do more than help you decide on an educational program.  It will also let you know where to find paralegal jobs, and the salary you can expect.

Most states in the United States require paralegals to work under the supervision of an attorney.  This is why many paralegals work for private attorneys or law firms.  Researching available jobs in your area will provide much information.  The type of degree they require is one of the most important.  You will also see whether employers in your area require experience.

However, there are some states that allow paralegals to work on their own.  One example is document preparation.  Preparing legal documents for consumers is an exciting career in states where it is allowed by law.

Paralegals who work for attorneys also have exciting lives.  A paralegal's daily duties can range from researching law cases to interviewing clients, to appearing in court with the attorney.  From being efficient with paperwork to having good communication skills, a paralegal's work day is usually active and interesting.

If the legal field and working with people are amongst your interests, becoming a paralegal may be the best decision you have ever made.  The best candidate for a paralegal job is the person who takes his or her job seriously, and has a desire to make a difference in other people's lives.  You need to be mature, stable, and able to follow instructions, yet also be able to work without constant supervision.

If you have any questions about the coursework that is best for your career goal, you can visit a local college.  They can help you decide which program is best suited to your needs.  If distance learning is your preference, the school's admissions department can assist you in making your decision.  Whichever program you choose, you can look forward to a great learning experience.  It is your first step to your new career as a paralegal.

The Entry Level Paralegal Resume: What To Include

Congratulations on looking for work as a paralegal. The field is growing, and opportunities for qualified paralegals are never lacking. As you put together your entry level paralegal resume, there are a few elements that you want to make sure you do not forget. Your resume should include your education, particularly the courses you took to prepare yourself for a career in the legal field. You will also want to include any experience you have working in law firms, courthouses, government offices or legal departments. Once you have your education and your experience highlighted, you can include any other special skills and accomplishments that will set you apart from other paralegals looking for work.

Since you are looking for entry level work, it makes sense to start with your education. If you went to school specifically to study paralegal training, list the name of the school and the years you attended. Make sure you include any certifications, degrees, or special awards you received. Include activities that you completed in school that might be relevant to your work. For example, if you were on the debate team or participated in student government, employers will find that beneficial. Include other schooling that speaks to your ability to handle paralegal work. This might include additional classes, seminars you attended, or conferences you went to.

Your experience might be a little light, especially if you have just graduated from a program and you are looking for your first paralegal job. Any work history that demonstrates your ability to work independently, conduct research, stay organized, and manage people and projects will be useful. Start with yoru most recent employer, and remember to highlight any work you did within the legal system. Even summer jobs answering phones at a law firm or internships should be included.

Remember to list special skills on your entry level paralegal resume. If you speak additional languages, put that on your resume. Include computer software you know, how fast you can type, and any other special talents that you will be able to bring to the job. Have someone you trust proofread your resume, and start sending it out.

Tips On How To Become A Paralegal In California

A busy attorney does not always have access to a group of law students, when he or she needs help with library research or some other minor task, one that relates to a legal issue. When faced with an absence of such youthful eagerness to do perform the simplest of chores, such attorneys often look to the men and women who have been certified as paralegals. On the west coast, many of those who which to join the ranks of those legal assistants must learn how to become a paralegal in California.

While all fifty states require someone with a law degree to take an exam, before charging clients, only California has laid down regulations regarding the certification of paralegals. Those who obtain such a certification can pursue several different routes. Such an adult can work for a small law firm or a large corporate office. Alternately, he or she can set up an office and charge clients for the provided paralegal services.

Those young adults who dream about joining the ranks of the paralegals should take the time to become familiar with legal terms. An understanding of such terminology will prove useful during performance of the first formal step, of those that must be completed by the man or woman who has chosen to become a legal assistant. That first step involves attendance at a two to four year college. It ensures the securing of an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree.

Only after graduating from that institution, can a degree-holding male or female hope to become a paralegal. There are several ways by which a college graduate can acquired the necessary certification. By passing one test, he or she can be certified as a legal assistant.
By passing a different test, he or she can acquire the designation of Registered Paralegal.

Both tests have been designed to test the knowledge of aspiring paralegals. The former test is administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants. The latter is administered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

There is a third option opened to those who encounter some obstacle, while trying to pass either of the above-named tests. It requires completion of the courses offered in an online program. Graduates of that program must then pass a four hour exam.

Still, acquisition of a certification does not mean that the certified man or woman can get paid for doing a paralegal’s work for many years to come. If he or she wants to retain that certification, then that same individual must satisfy the continuing education requirements. Failure to satisfy those requirements soon puts an end to the wonderful career, one that can be enjoyed by those men and women who have learned how to become a paralegal in California.