How to Become a Paralegal

Paralegals assist attorneys by conducting research, writing reports and doing other preparatory work related to closings, hearings and trials. Education and certification are highly valued in this career.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Career Counseling
• Computers
• Legal Software Programs
• Online Career Search

1. Ask your high school guidance counselor for recommendations of institutions offering paralegal certificates and degrees.

2. Obtain the school catalogs and check whether the paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA); some are not. If most of the lawyers in your area prefer ABA-approved college programs, don't even consider other offerings.

3. Decide whether to complete a paralegal certificate program for high school graduates, or a two-year or four-year college paralegal program. Be aware that many paralegals today are receiving at least a bachelor's degree, especially if they want to work for larger organizations.

4. Visit several schools you are considering. Be certain that they're known for being able to arrange a variety of internships for their students.

5. Choose an area of legal specialty if you would like to work for a large law firm or the government. Possibilities include corporate law, criminal law, patent and copyright law, and real estate law.

6. Become proficient in online computer research and legal software programs. A good portion of your work will be done in front of a computer screen.

7. Plan to eventually become certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) through a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) designation. This will put you on a faster career track. Visit the NALA Web site (nala.org) for certification information. Note: Don't confuse this with a certificate program offered in a school.

Tips & Warnings

• If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can enter a short-term paralegal program that is designed for college graduates. Such programs are offered at universities through continuing education programs.
• Consider receiving a double major if you want to specialize in a particular nonlegal field.
• Expect to occasionally work up to 90 hours a week during trial preparations, especially during the early years of your career.
• A paralegal is not legally permitted to give anyone legal advice.

[michellec1000]

on 4/23/2009 hmmm.... my comment did not fit. Well continued from the previous comment: ...staying a paralegal in California. The market is far too overcrowded and one has to luck out to have any kind of sustainable career as a paralegal. Myself and several of my colleagues have gotten together to form an internet forum dedicated to informing people about the downfalls that the majority of paralegals encounter (at least in the San Diego market). People are also welcome to start threads based on their experiences in their respective geographic locales. Please check it out: http://dontbecomeaparalegal.forumotion.com/don-t-become-a-paralegal-f1/don-t-become-a-paralegal-san-diego-t1.htm

[michellec1000]

on 4/23/2009 I would not underestimate PurpleZinnia's comment about how key it is to know someone in the legal market who can definitely get you a job. If such a person doesn't have that kind of pull then undertaking a paralegal certificate may be a losing proposition depending on where you live and you may end up like over half of San Diego paralegal program graduates who never get to become a paralegal.With that said, every market is different. I have a lot of experience in the San Diego legal market and it's terrible. All other California markets suffer from many of the same downfalls from my experience in speaking with other California paralegals, monitoring the job field, and applying for jobs throughout the state. I myself have a BA, an ABA approved paralegal certicate, a CLA, and a whole host of other credentials. It does not matter there are too many pitfalls related to becoming and stayin

[lchez66]

on 8/28/2007 i totally disagree with the comment about not getting paid commensurately. I am a litigation paralegal for a fairly decent size law firm. I have an AS in Paralegal Studies and my CLA. I currently earn $5,000 less than an associate attorney that our firm just hired (FYI: he has 5 years experience). Every individual is different. If you are smart and aggressive, it can be a great career.

[PurpleZinnia]

on 8/16/2007 BEWARE. A 2-year paralegal degree will get you nothing but debt. A 4-year degree is a must plus knowing someone in the legal profession. I recommend taking office technology courses that will help you become a legal secretary. Many legal secretaries make the leap to paralegal more easily than people who trained specifically to become a paralegal. I got suckered by my community college. I jumped out a pre-education track onto the paralegal track because I wanted to work in a professional office environment to earn money for school rather tnan continue with customer service. I believed that I could earn more money as a paralegal. Now, I deliver newspapers 7 days a week, scrimp and save, and dodge calls from creditors.

[jgellsworth]

on 3/21/2007 Some negative points of view on this board.......

I would suggest that many paralegals continue their legal studies and eventually pass the bar. Thus, many current attorneys have been paralegals themselves at one time.

I would be quick to point that out if an attorney treated me with 0.00 respect. Then again, I would not allow myself to be treated as such, by anyone.

Good luck with your aspirations, and hold your passion and dreams close. You can read here, that many people will attempt to steal them from you.