Paralegal Blog
Build Your Career as a Paralegal
A paralegal is the right arm of an attorney. Legal research, client interviews, document drafting, all this can be done by a paralegal under the supervision of an attorney. Though a paralegal cannot practice law, they have the chance to make a difference in the world, every day and the educational requirement for a paralegal is typically an undergrad degree, and there is no requirement to pass the bar exam!
Duties of Paralegal:
The most important paralegal duties would be to collect information for the lawyer regarding hearings, closings or trials. Even gathering information for corporate meetings for the lawyer is one of the important paralegal work. A paralegal collates information relevant for the case for example: identifying the appropriate laws, legal articles, and other such material. Paralegals may assist to prepare legal arguments, drat pleadings, and motions to be filed in court and assist attorneys during the trial.
Education and Training to become a paralegal
There are several ways to become a paralegal. The most common is through a community college paralegal program that leads to an associate degree. Another common method of entry, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is earning a certificate in paralegal studies. A small number of schools offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in paralegal studies. Finally, some employers train paralegals on the job.
Top 10 Paralegals Workplace
Paralegals are found in all types of organizations, but most are employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices. In these organizations, they can work in many different areas of the law, including litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate. As the law becomes more complex, paralegals become more specialized. Within specialties, functions are often broken down further. For example, paralegals specializing in labor law may concentrate exclusively on employee benefits. In small and medium-size law firms, duties are often more general.
Here are top 10 places paralegal can work
- Corporate Paralegal Jobs: With globalization infecting every other nation, the scope of business has only increased and with it comes a host of legal complicacies that can be best left to an ‘outsider’ who can handle the work expertly and provide consultancy services. Salaries can go up to $80,000 per annum!
- Legal Assistant Jobs: Paralegal experts are basically expected to help a lawyer in work and share expert opinions that only another lawyer can provide. Often, the non-degree holder paralegal assistant has an edge over conventional lawyers because they tend to think in a different frame of mind!
- Debt Recovery Paralegal Jobs: With companies declaring bankruptcies all over the country, the job of a debt recovery paralegal expert could not have come at a better time! The experts at the job can earn anywhere between $50,000-$60,000 PA.
- Engineering Paralegal Jobs: As the name suggests, there are legal jobs in the engineering sector as well. Engineers having knowledge on law are preferred here.
- Entry Level Paralegal Jobs: When starting out as a paralegal consultant, you can always use the help of some good internship. Good paralegal consultancies pay quite well.
- Commercial property/Real Estate Paralegal Jobs: Infrastructure development goes on and on and so does the job of a real estate paralegal expert as well as an attorney.
- Personal Injury Paralegal Jobs: With celebs more in the hunt for suing media houses and other similar stories in other sectors, personal injury law has emerged as a new weapon for aware people to fight for compensation! Paralegal eagles have their hands full!
- Paralegal Attorney Jobs: Paralegals have often turned attorneys with additional qualification and vice-versa. The potent mix of both the qualities has enabled few experts to make millions at the end of the year!
- Social Law Paralegal Jobs: From corporate social responsibility to feeding the underdeveloped economies, social law was never as relevant.
- Industrial Paralegal Jobs: From personal injury, labor laws and compensation, industries are fighting a new aware worker force. Thanks to the paralegal experts, the workers can’t be exploited as they were earlier.
Lawyers vs. Paralegals
Many people considering a career in the law debate whether to become a paralegal or a lawyer. Each career option has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Review these fifteen key considerations to weigh the pros and cons of each career option.
Still not certain which career path is best for you? You might consider getting your feet wet as a paralegal before investing significant time and money in a law school education. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can obtain your paralegal certificate in as little as three months in an accelerated paralegal program. Working as a paralegal is a great way to gain exposure to the legal profession, build your networking contacts and obtain valuable work experience.
The job of a lawyer is oftentimes taxing, as long hours and extremely difficult work are required. It seems that many decide to pursue law school because it is the next most logical step after they have received their undergraduate degree.
As a paralegal who completes a program at a leading paralegal school, you can take the time to actually see if you enjoy a legal career, before committing to the demanding time and money that law school requires.
