IHSS program in California?

How important is it to go to an ABA accredited Paralegal program in California?

• I've been working as a Legal Assistant (with an unrelated BA degree) for the past 4 years now and I'm trying to get a certificate so I can be fully certified/authorized. The California Business and professions code states that you don't have to go to an ABA accredited program to get your certificate in Paralegal studies but how important is it that the school is ABA accredited? Do employers actually care if the school is ABA accredited? Does it make a difference? What if its accredicted just not by the ABA (#2 in the below citing) Calif. Business and Professional Code 6450 c) A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following: (1) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association. (2) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. (3) A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. (4) A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.

• Answer:

  Yes, employers do care and it will make finding a job that much easier. Lawyers go to ABA accredited schools to be taken seriously as well as reap the benefits of the ABA, and they expect their paralegals to be ABA accredited as well. ABA accredited schools are easy to find, and don't really cost any more than getting your certificate elsewhere would, so there is no reason not to get this. Go here: http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/ for a list of ABA accredited schools and to learn more.