Is there a difference between a Law Clerk and a Paralegal?

If I go to college studying Paralegal Education can I still get a job as a law clerk?

• I applied to College for both Law Clerk and Paralegal and got accepted to both. Ive already excepted my offer for Paralegal but I'm wondering if i can kill two birds with one ...show more

• Answer:

  I would be very wary about that law clerk program. Definitely find someone who has taken the program AND is currently employed as a law clerk using that degree. I am a paralegal in Texas and have been in the position for many years. I've been in the legal field for many years. As I browsed the curriculum, it doesn't follow what we, here in Texas, consider a proper education for a "law clerk". Typically, law clerks are law students or full fledged attorneys. They are often employed by judges to write briefs and memorandums, or by law firms to perform basic legal research so that the law student can get a better hands-on education. I'll be honest. I've never met a law clerk who possessed a degree like the one you linked. Law clerks require a graduated understanding of the law, which is why the position is typically held by a law student. It appears this program is trying to sell a paralegal degree wrapped in a "law clerk" title. I could be wrong, but until you find someone gainfully employed with that degree, I wouldn't invest my time or money into that program. Our firm would not hire you as a law clerk with a 2 year degree.