Paralegal Qualifications Needed To Work For A Law Firm

Individuals who are seeking an entry-level position in the field of law can consider training to become a paralegal. People in this position play a supporting role in a law office assisting lawyers with a variety of tasks. Anyone who can meet the necessary paralegal qualifications can learn about the legal system from the ground up in any reputable law firm.

Specific duties vary depending on the firm size but paralegals are usually responsible for drafting legal documents, conducting case research and maintaining detailed client files for the firm. They spend a lot of time pouring over articles and reference books researching relevant laws and regulations. They may investigate facts and present the information to the lawyer per instructions.

Individuals interested in pursuing this line of work can choose from many paths. Most people seeking employment have completed an associate’s degree program in paralegal studies at a community college. Anyone with a bachelor’s degree can enter a certificate program but in some cases, a firm will hire graduates with a bachelor’s degree for on the job training. This is often true if the job candidate has a background in criminal justice, tax preparation or some other technical field helpful to a law firm.

Program applicants should choose a training program with approval from the American Bar Association. This will ensure they receive a certificate recognized by most reputable law firms. Some programs offer internship opportunities giving students a chance to accumulate some practice experience and explore the work environment to see what the daily routine is like.

Ideal candidates for this work have a genuine interest in the legal system and exceptional interpersonal skills because they interact directly with clients and must represent the firm in a professional manner. They are familiar with doing online research and use various software programs to maintain, organize and store documents. They possess good research skills and can organize their findings into a formal presentation for the supervising lawyer.

Many employers give special consideration to job applicants with a minimum of twelve months experience working for a law firm or in an office environment. Individuals with the proper paralegal qualifications can pursue a rewarding career in law.