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Paralegal Career Requirements
Most often, a career in a law-related field requires years of pursuing higher education, internships and tens of thousands of dollars. For this reason, pursuing a career as a paralegal is an appealing option to many people. Read on to discover the responsibilities of a paralegal, as well as the education and training requirements necessary to pursue this rewarding career.
What Types of Work Would I Be Doing With a Career as a Paralegal?
A paralegal works as an assistant to a lawyer. They help the lawyer prepare for meetings or trials by researching facts, laws and legal precedencies set in similar court cases. While they carry many of the duties previously assigned to lawyers, they never present a case to the court, set legal fees or offer legal advice.
Paralegals find employment in a variety of fields, including banks, law offices, real estate agencies, court offices, large corporations and insurance companies. While many paralegals choose to work in a traditional environment, some choose to operate as independent contractors to law firms and private practices.
What Sort of Education and Training Will Help Prepare Me to Become a Paralegal?
Aspiring paralegals have a number of options available to them, as there are no universal requirements for achieving this career. While the American Bar Association approves some certificate programs and degrees, enrolling in an approved program is not a requirement for becoming a paralegal.
The path that requires the least amount of time and money is a certificate program. These programs are generally designed for individuals who already have an associate's or bachelor's degree, and are comprised solely of courses that relate to paralegal work. Course offerings include classes covering topics such as law and ethics, family law, business law, and legal research.
Some aspiring paralegals choose to enroll in a paralegal degree program. These programs consist of general and foundational studies, such as math, English and history, as well as courses that pertain directly to paralegal work. Students study law-related subjects such as legal writing, intellectual property and personal injury. Some schools even offer master's degree programs in paralegal studies, but employers rarely require this level of education.
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