Paralegal Careers

Are you interested in starting your career as a Paralegal? Are you currently working as Paralegal and would like to take your job to the next level? You can earn a Paralegal degree while studying from home. Distant education programs are designed for working adults who want to take courses and earn their degrees, but have to maintain professional and manage priorities at home. An online Paralegal degree program can provide an excellent foundation for a career as a Paralegal. Use eLearners.com for help in selecting the online Paralegal degree program that is right for your career goals.

Whether you are earning your Associate’s Paralegal degree or a Bachelor’s Paralegal degree, eLearners.com offers instant access to informative resources on numerous Paralegal schools and online Paralegal degree programs and is a convenient portal from which to request more information from the Paralegal schools that interest you most. Each of the schools offered through Paralegal Jobs with Paralegal degrees is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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Overview for Paralegals

Paralegals, which are also called legal assistants, continue to take on more tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. However, they are prohibited from doing anything that could be constituted as the practice of law, including setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases in court.

One of the most important tasks of a paralegal involves helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases.

After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys

Employment Situation

Paralegals are found in all types of organizations, but law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices employ the greatest number of paralegals. There were about 238,000 paralegals at work in the United States in May 2006. Private law firms employed 70 percent of paralegals and legal assistants; the rest generally worked for corporate legal departments and at various levels of government.

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is because employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers.

Education Outlook

The most common way to become a paralegal is through a community college paralegal program that leads to an associate degree. Another common method, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is earning a certificate in paralegal studies. A limited number of schools offer a bachelor’s and master’s degree in paralegal studies. Some employers train paralegals on the job.

Associate and bachelor’s degree programs usually combine paralegal training with courses in other academic subjects. Certificate programs vary considerable; some take only a few months to complete. Most certificate programs provide intensive paralegal training for individuals who already hold college degrees.

About 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and proprietary schools offer formal paralegal training programs. Approximately 260 paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). While many employers do not require such approval, graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance employment opportunities.

Salary Expectations for Paralegals

Salaries for paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of $43,040. Earnings ranged from under $27,450 to over $67,540.

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Corporate paralegals often assist attorneys with employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock-option plans, and employee benefit plans. They also may help prepare and file annual financial reports, maintain corporate minutes’ record resolutions, and prepare forms to secure loans for the corporation. Corporate paralegals often monitor and review government regulations to ensure that the corporation is aware of new requirements and is operating within the law. Increasingly, experienced corporate paralegals or paralegal managers are assuming additional supervisory responsibilities such as overseeing team projects.

Employment Situation

Employment of corporate paralegals is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average. Despite projected rapid employment growth, competition for jobs is expected to continue as many people seek to go into this profession; experienced, formally trained paralegals should have the best employment opportunities.

Corporate legal departments will increase their hiring of corporate paralegals. Insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks also hire paralegals. Corporations are expected to increase their in-house legal departments to cut costs. Because they can perform a wide range of tasks, paralegals are also increasingly employed in small and medium-size establishments of all types.

Education Outlook

Most employers do not require certification, but earning a voluntary certification from a professional society may offer advantages in the labor market. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has established standards for certification requiring various combinations of education and experience. Paralegals who meet these standards are eligible to take a two-day exam. Those who pass may use the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. NALA also offers the Advanced Paralegal Certification for experienced paralegals who want to specialize. The Advanced Paralegal Certification program is a curriculum based program offered on the Internet.

The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. offers the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential, a voluntary certification program. Paralegals seeking the AACP certification must possess at least five years of paralegal experience and meet one of the three educational criteria. Certification must be renewed every two years, including the completion 18 hours of continuing education.

Salary Expectations for Corporate Paralegals

Salaries for corporate paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time corporate paralegals at corporations received a median annual salary of $52,220.

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The duties of paralegals that work in the public sector usually vary by agency. In general, litigation paralegals analyze legal material for internal use, maintain reference files, conduct research for attorneys, and collect and analyze evidence for agency hearings. They may prepare informative or explanatory material on laws, agency regulations, and agency policy for general use by the agency and the public. Paralegals employed in community legal-service projects help the poor, the aged, and others who are in need of legal assistance. They file forms, conduct research, prepare documents, and, when authorized by law, may represent clients at administrative hearings.

Employment Situation

Employment of public sector paralegals is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average. Community legal service programs, which provide assistance to the poor, elderly, minorities, and middle-income families, will employ additional public sector paralegals to minimize expenses and serve the most people. Job opportunities also are expected in Federal, State, and local government agencies, consumer organizations, and the courts. However, this occupation attracts many applicants, creating competition for jobs.

Education Outlook

Paralegals must be able to document and present their findings and opinions to their supervising attorney. They need to understand legal terminology and have good research and investigative skills. Familiarity with the operation and applications of computers in legal research and litigation support also is important. Paralegals must stay informed of new developments in the laws that affect their area of practice. Participation in continuing legal education seminars allows paralegals to maintain and expand their knowledge of the law. In fact, all paralegals in California must complete four hours of mandatory continuing education in either general law or in a specialized area of law.

Salary Expectations for Public Sector Paralegals

Salaries for corporate paralegals depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Paralegals who work for large law firms or in large metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms or in less populated regions.

In May 2006, full-time public sector paralegals in the federal government had median annual earnings of $56,080. Those working at the local government level had median annual earnings totaling $42,170, while those in state government received a median yearly income of $38,020.

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