If I Become a Paralegal, Can I Still Become a Lawyer?
If you are in a paralegal training program or are working as a legal assistant, you can still become a lawyer with additional training. Although most prospective attorneys do not work as paralegals before entering law school, serving in an administrative capacity can be a good career move, particularly for individuals who are not sure that a legal career is right for them. As a paralegal, you can gain hands-on experience conducting legal research, drafting documents and corresponding with clients -- tasks that will be required of you should go on to become a lawyer.
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Minimum Qualifications
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To qualify for admission to law school, you must first earn a four-year college degree in any discipline. Generally, paralegals hold either a specialized certificate in paralegal studies or an associate degree. As such, many paralegals must complete two to three additional years of undergraduate studies before applying to a juris doctoral program.
Undergraduate Curriculum
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Many paralegal training programs are skills-based, so legal assistants should fill in their deficient credits with courses that will prepare them for law school. The Law School Admission Council explains that classes in academic writing, public speaking, government, sociology, psychology, philosophy and formal logic all form a solid foundation for juris doctoral studies.
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Law School Application Process
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Applying to law school takes approximately one year. You must first take the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, which tests logic, reading comprehension and writing skills. Additionally, you must submit official copies of your undergraduate transcripts, including those from your paralegal training program. Law schools also require prospective students to submit personal essays that explain why they are interested in law school, and complete personal interviews. As a final requirement to the admissions process, applicants must submit three to four letters of recommendation from professors or other professionals who can attest to the applicant's ability to succeed in law school. For a paralegal who has been out of school for five years or longer, a supervising attorney may be a good source for a letter of recommendation.
Part-Time Programs
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Paralegals who want to continue to work in their current positions while training to become attorneys may want to seek out law schools that offer part-time evening programs. These programs typically take four years to complete. That is one year longer than the traditional full-time juris doctoral program. As a practicing paralegal, you may also be able to receive academic credit for some of your professional work after completing your first year of studies if your employer is able to meet your school's academic guidelines and provide you with additional duties.
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References
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