How to Become a Paralegal in Georgia
To become a paralegal in Georgia can be as simple as convincing an attorney to hire you to serve in such a capacity. The state has no formal educational or other requirements to be employed as legal assistants. That said, candidates looking to work as paralegals in the Peach State can improve their chances of landing a job in the field if they have a college education and a paralegal certificate. Law firms and independent attorneys are more likely to hire someone with an educational background that is focused on the law.
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Instructions
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Graduate from a two- or four-year college. While the subject you major in is not tremendously important, many would-be paralegals choose law-related majors like political science, prelaw and economics. Math or technology majors can also be beneficial for students who may want to focus on areas of paralegal practice that require heavy work with numbers, such as real estate or tax law.
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Enroll in a paralegal studies program and obtain a certification of completion. Georgia has a number of colleges and universities that offer these programs ,which teach students how to perform practical paralegal applications in a business environment. Most of these programs require students to participate in a working internship--a good way to get hands-on experience and to network with other legal professionals.
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Join a local professional organization like the Georgia Association of Paralegals (GAP) or the State Bar of Georgia, which has a membership section for legal assistants. Getting involved in these types of groups is an easy, focused way to learn more about the profession and meet potential employers. It also looks good on your resume.
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Prepare a resume centered around your legal education and experience. Be sure to include all of your former jobs, even if they are not legal in nature. Georgia attorneys are often willing to train the right candidate if he has a stable employment history and a professional appearance. Also include at least one business reference on your resume.
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Research local paralegal and legal assistant jobs online (Monster, Yahoo! HotJobs, community newspapers). Send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for any potential positions. Follow-up within the week with a phone call to the person who received your information.
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Tips & Warnings
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in the paralegal field will continue to grow strongly through 2018. Formally trained candidates are likely to find the most lucrative and gratifying jobs within the field.
Be careful if you consider practicing as an independent paralegal who is not directed by an attorney. Georgia takes the unauthorized practice of law seriously. The state regularly prosecutes paralegals who work directly with the public.
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