Students who earn their paralegal certification will enhance their ability to join a dynamic and growing profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of paralegal jobs are expected to grow an astonishing 28 percent through 2018. An expanding population as well as an increase in business demand will drive the growth of paralegal jobs. Both students who are just starting out and professionals looking for a career change will find new and rewarding challenges in the paralegal profession. Also, formally trained paralegals who earn their certification will have the best job prospects in the coming decade.
What Does A Paralegal Do?
Paralegals do many of the jobs that attorneys do with the exception of offering legal advice, setting legal fees and trying cases in court. Paralegals often help lawyers prepare for legal proceedings by finding court case precedents, legal articles and laws relevant to their cases. For instance, someone with paralegal certification may prepare a report for a lawyer suggesting ways that a case may be tried. Also, a paralegal may prepare motions, pleadings and affidavits. During the course of a case, paralegals will track and organize files to keep them accessible to attorneys for easy reference.
Paralegals with a paralegal certification may also draft mortgages, separation agreements and contracts. Additionally, they may help to establish trust funds, plan estates and prepare tax returns. Depending on the setup of the law office, paralegals may perform office functions and manage office finances. While paralegals employed by corporations and government often work a standard 40-hour work week, paralegals who work for law firms often work many extra hours when they are under pressure to meet deadlines.
What Skills Are Needed?
Paralegals in today’s world must have strong computer skills. For instance, paralegals often use database software to store and retrieve legal information. In addition, paralegals use imaging software to scan documents and billing software to keep track of office activities. When needed, paralegals may also use tax software to analyze the tax consequences of certain client decisions.
Paralegals also need strong research skills and communications skills. Because they will often draft legal documents, paralegals must be able to communicate well in writing with minimal errors. A paralegal must also be extremely organized so that all office procedures run smoothly and so that attorneys have easy access to needed information.
Those who obtain paralegal certification should have a profound interest in the law. An interest in legal proceedings and helping others to navigate legal proceedings is essential to a paralegal’s success. Many hours are spent researching judicial decisions, laws and legal articles, which means that successful paralegals must truly enjoy immersing themselves in the law.
What Is The Educational Process Like?
Most paralegals earn an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. However, career professionals who already have a degree in another subject area may earn a paralegal certificate. Associate’s degrees usually take one to two years to complete with full-time study, while certificates may take as little as a few months.
Paralegal programs will include courses in legal research and in the legal applications of computer software. Also, many programs provide internship opportunities for students, which gives them valuable on-the-job experience. Internships also enhance the possibilities of finding a job after graduation.
Classes may take place either in the classroom or online. Online education provides flexibility for people who want to keep their current jobs while taking paralegal courses. However, some students prefer the verbal interaction and communication opportunities that are unique to the physical classroom. Students should consider how they will learn best before deciding whether they prefer a classroom or an online environment.
What Is Professional Paralegal Certification?
After completing a degree or certificate program, paralegals may obtain a professional certification. A number of organizations offer professional paralegal certification to paralegals who take a voluntary examination. While professional certification is not necessary, it may enhance job prospects in a competitive job environment.
Certifying organizations include the National Association of Legal Assistants, the American Alliance of Paralegals and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. For paralegals who want to specialize, the NALA offers online specializations in a variety of subjects, including commercial bankruptcy, contracts and business organizations. After completing the online program, the NALA awards students the credential of Advanced Paralegal Certification.
What Are The Advantages of Specialization?
Paralegals may take specialization courses during their education or may choose to specialize when they earn continuing education credits. Although 70 percent of paralegals still work for law firms, many paralegals are now working for corporations, banks, real estate firms and insurance companies. Becoming a specialist may improve future job prospects because specialists will have the flexibility to work within a large number of environments and a paralegal certification helps you achieve that.
Is the Job Market Competitive?
In spite of the rapid job growth anticipated, the large number of people who are attracted to this occupation will still make job applications competitive. Paralegals who have formal training and professional paralegal certification will have more success finding jobs. Generally speaking, those who work in large cities for large law firms will earn more money than those who work in more rural geographic areas for small firms. However, many paralegals receive bonuses to compensate them for the many extra hours that are part of a paralegal’s job. Most firms offer benefits including insurance and paid leave, and some may even reimburse paralegals for all continuing education costs.
How Does an Interested Person Get Started?
Students or professionals who think that they have what it takes to be a paralegal should start investigating their options for earning their degree or certificate. Many schools offer programs, and those accredited by the American Bar Association are particularly prestigious. Students should review the course requirements to make sure that the material interests them, and they should also look for programs that offer internship opportunities. Additionally, students who already know what they want to specialize in should look for a school that offers them the coursework that they need.
Many people are interested in the legal profession but do not want to wade through the extensive educational requirements for becoming an attorney. Paralegals perform many of the same jobs that attorneys do, and students can obtain paralegal certification within just a few months or years. With the many job opportunities that are expected to open up in this field, students who obtain paralegal education will be paving the way toward a bright and inspiring future. Paralegal certification is the way to go if you are looking to jump-start your career.