Interested in a legal career but unsure about law school? Becoming a paralegal could be the perfect path. Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, are vital to attorneys, providing support across a wide spectrum of tasks. This profession is experiencing rapid growth nationwide, offering diverse job opportunities across the country.
The American Bar Association (ABA) defines a paralegal as someone qualified through education, training, or experience, employed by a lawyer, law office, corporation, government agency, or other entity, who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the lawyer’s responsibility.
Paralegals are invaluable to attorneys. They assist in preparing for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Their responsibilities extend to drafting contracts and agreements, assisting with estate planning, maintaining financial records, and coordinating office activities. Paralegals may also conduct legal research, locate witnesses, obtain affidavits, and manage case files. The specific duties can vary depending on the work environment.
Common paralegal programs include associate’s degrees from community colleges or specialized schools, typically two-year programs. Certificate programs and online paralegal programs are also popular options. Most certificate programs require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, although some accept a high school diploma or GED. These programs usually take several months to complete. A smaller number of institutions offer four-year bachelor’s or master’s degrees in paralegal studies.
Paralegal degree and certificate programs generally cover law and legal research methods. Some students specialize in areas like probate or real estate. Paralegals in small to medium-sized firms often handle general legal tasks, while those in larger firms, government agencies, or corporations are more likely to specialize. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant growth for the paralegal profession, making now an opportune time to pursue a paralegal degree.