What should I do to become a paralegal?

What Is Required to Become a Paralegal?

• Answer:

  The 2006 Compensation and Benefits Study Report drafted by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) reports 44 percent of employers require that their paralegals have an associate or bachelor's degree, 40 percent require certification through a paralegal program and 38 percent required a specified number of years working as a paralegal. Further, the report indicates that only 10 percent to 17 percent of employers would hire a paralegal with no formal education or experience. Increasingly, education and experience are key requirements to becoming a paralegal, also called a legal assistant. History of Paralegals The paralegal profession was first recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1968 when it sprang to the foreground as a way to offer lower cost legal services. It was expensive to pay a lawyer to do everything required to move a case forward. By using legal assistants to handle matters substantive and clerical, an attorney could charge less for his services. Back in those days, most paralegals learned the job by doing it and no special education was required. The 2006 NFPA report highlights the increasing nature of the requirements today's firms have put in place for new paralegal hires. Associate or Bachelor Degree A general requirement for becoming a paralegal is a two or four-year degree. Some colleges and universities offer an associate or a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, but as a general rule, such specificity is not necessary. Most law firms or corporations will be equally as pleased with a degree in political science, history or English. The degree accomplishment holds more weight than the concentrated area of study. Paralegal Certificate Another increasingly important requirement for an individual who wants to work as a paralegal is a certificate from an ABA-approved program. A number of types of programs fit this standard. Individuals earning a certificate through a paralegal school will be introduced to the practice of law in a variety of areas to include litigation, contracts, real estate and family law. Most of these programs also have a practical element, allowing students to work an internship in a law firm setting. Working Experience Working paralegal experience is always a strong qualification to bring to the table. Experience can be worth as much as, if not more than, education when it comes to securing a position as a legal assistant. Applicants who have gone to school to get a paralegal certificate will have a chance to get some hands-on experience as an intern in a legal setting. Other ways to get legal assistant experience include working a summer or part-time job doing anything in a law firm setting or volunteering for a local Legal Aid organization. Skill Sets To get and keep a job as a paralegal, a person must possess several natural qualifications. These include excellent verbal and written skills, exceptional organizational abilities and the ability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and accurately in a deadline-intensive environment.