Do you have your sights set onbecoming aparalegal?
This career is perfect for people who have a strong interest in the law as well as business. The road to becoming a paralegal is relatively short compared to many legal fields, and there is plenty of room to hone your skills.
However, you still need to be prepared to study hard and dedicate several years to higher education. It is also important to check out the different areas of specialization and choose the right fit for your talents.
So, let’s take an in-depth look at how to become a paralegal and more about what this career involves.
What Does A Paralegal Do?
Paralegals typically work full-time hours in a private legal firm, corporate legal office, or government agency. This role involves a wide range of administrative duties for members of the company’s legal team. This includes organizing and maintaining legal files, retrieving documents from the courthouse, and drafting documents.
Another key duty involves conducting research to support different legal cases. This includes investigating the facts of a case and organizing documents and evidence for attorneys to review. Paralegals also manage case schedules with experts and witnesses and accompany attorneys to court.
How To Become A Paralegal – Essential Skills
It is necessary to have a range of soft skills to perform your duties well. Paralegals also need to have a specific set of character traits to allow them to embrace their duties. It is important to make sure you have the right soft skills for the job before beginning your education.
Customer service skills
It is important to be polite and friendly at all times when interacting with clients. You need to be prepared to go the extra mile to make sure clients have everything they need. This includes being willing to answer questions in detail and providing important information.
Strong research skills
It is essential to be able to find the necessary case details quickly and efficiently. This can include conducting investigations and interviews with potential witnesses and experts. You also need to be able to analyze and evaluate different law sources and apply the principles to cases.
Communication skills
It is necessary to have excellent written and verbal communication skills to do this job. You will need to be able to create clear, concise, and accurate legal documents daily. You also need to be able to explain complicated legal information clearly and simply.
Active listening skills are also valuable when you are interacting with clients and interviewing witnesses.
Academic writing skills
It is essential to understand the correct legal language to use when creating legal documents. There are set academic frameworks in place for drafting correspondence, legal memorandums, motions, and other types of documents. It is essential to master the art of concise and clear written correspondence as part of a paralegal role.
Technology skills
A lot of your daily duties will involve using different types of technology. You are likely to work with special databases when conducting research into different cases. You will also work with spreadsheets, word process software, and telecommunications on a regular basis.
Organizational skills
It is essential to be able to keep all the documents for different cases properly labeled and organized. If an important document or piece of evidence goes missing, the case could easily be lost. You need to be able to sort, categorize and index all types of information so that they are easy to access.
Multi-tasking
You are likely to assist with the preparation of more than one case at the same time. It is important to be able to keep a close record of your tasks and prioritize work. This helps to ensure that every task is thoroughly completed before the set deadlines.
Teamwork
You will work closely with a large number of different people during your paralegal duties. It is important to establish and maintain a positive working relationship with each member of the legal team. You also need to be able to collaborate with clients, experts, vendors, and even the opposing counsel.
Attention to detail
You need to be able to focus on the tiniest details of a case and make sure that everything is in order. Even the tiniest mistakes or inconsistencies in legal documents can make them invalid for submission. Tasks that require a strong attention to detail include cite-checking, checking budgets, and exhibit management.
Observation skills
You need to be able to pick up on body language clues when interviewing witnesses. This will help you to determine whether or not they are providing true and accurate information. You must be able to pick up on things that are not said to accurately evaluate the situation.
Different Paralegal Specializations
One of the most important steps on your career path is choosing a specialization. It is best to do this as early as possible to make sure your education fulfills the needs of your specialization. Here arethe main types of paralegal specializationsthat you can choose from.
Corporate
This specialization involves working for a single organization and ensuring that all state and federal laws are adhered to. This includes researching various regulations, reviewing contracts, and checking for business impropriety.
This role mostly focuses on research, and interacting with clients is kept to a minimum. While you are unlikely to spend much time in court, corporate law allows you to help large groups of people.
Estate Planning and Probate
This area of law involves helping people prepare their wills and contest wills when necessary.The main tasks for a paralegalin this field involve planning estates, writing wills, distributing property, and working with probate deeds and pleadings. It is necessary to have strong interpersonal skills to work closely with people who are grieving and in pain.
Estate planning and probate paralegals spend a lot of time completing different types of administrative duties. This includes recording deeds and helping clients to manage inheritance taxes. You are likely to work closely with certain clients and need to be able to establish a rapport with them.
Family Law
When clients visit the legal practice with a custody dispute, paralegals help attorneys to prepare the case. This includes organizing files, preparing pleadings, drafting correspondence, and sending files to the opposing counsel on request. You would spend a lot of time keeping clients up to date with the details and progression of their cases.
Custody disputes can be very emotionally charged, and many clients are likely to be distressed or angry. It is essential to have a lot of empathy to work in this field of law. You also need to be able to detach from the emotion of the case to focus on your tasks.
Immigration Law
This legal specialization is typically practiced in a law office or a large corporation. You would work closely with an immigration lawyer as well as their immigrant clients. You need to prepare legal documents like visa petitions and applications and criminal background checks.
This paralegal specialization gives you the chance to make a real difference in the lives of immigrants. It will be helpful to be fluent in at least two languages so that you can interact more easily with clients. This role can be very fast-paced, especially when you are working on time-sensitive cases for clients who are facing deportation.
Litigation
This paralegal specialization is ideal for anyone who craves drama and excitement. You are likely to spend a lot of your time in courtrooms and need to have plenty of stamina. Some cases can be very stressful as well as fast-paced, and it is essential to be able to manage stress well.
This branch of law relates to all types of legal action and can cover a wide range of subspecialties. Some of the most common areas include personal injury, intellectual property, corporate property, and bankruptcy. If you are working on a high-profile case, you will help the lawyer to manage and control public perception of the case.
Real Estate
If working on the minutiae of real estate contracts appeals to you, this could be your ideal specialization. Real estate paralegals work closely with clients who are buying or selling real estate. You would help clients go through all the necessary documentation and review and file the various documents.
Real estate deals can take several months or even longer, and it is essential to be able to remain focused. You will be charged with keeping all parties informed on the latest developments of the deal. If a case goes to court for any reason, you will also inform clients of their options and provide advice on request. Obtaining a real estate agent license will make it easier to findwork as a real estate paralegal.
How To Become A Paralegal – The Necessary Education
There are several different routes you can take to gain the right education and qualifications. It is important to assess the different options and choose the one that best meets your needs. Here are the three main education options that can set you on the road to success.
Associate’s Degree
This isthe most common type of degree for paralegals. There is a wide range of two-year programs that teach the knowledge and skills you need to secure an entry-level role. You can complete a course at a university or community college or opt for an accredited online paralegal course.
Bachelor’s Degree
It typically takes four years to complete a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, you simply need to earn a paralegal certificate. A bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies will give you access to a paralegal role in government legal departments.
Master’s Degree
Completing a master’s program in paralegal studies will give you access to an advanced role in a prominent legal firm. A master’s degree is often necessary if you want to choose a paralegal specialty such as intellectual property law. This advanced degree will also allow you to teach paralegal studies if you wish.
Pass the Certification Exam
Earning a paralegal certification can help make employers sit up and take notice. There are several valuable options, such as the Certified Paralegal certification and Certified Legal Assistant. Both of these certifications are available through theNational Association of Legal Assistants.
In order to gain certification, you need to pass a test and continue higher education. Each certification comes with renewal requirements that need to be followed. It is also important to choose a certification that is recognized by theAmerican Bar Association. This helps to show employers that you have specialist skills and knowledge that make you a valuable asset.
Complete an Internship
It is possible to complete an internship in a law firm or government agency while you are working on your degree. Most internships run for two or three months and can teach you valuable skills while you gain work experience. If possible, choose an internship that supports the area of law you want to work in.
Secure an Entry-Level Role
Once you have completed your education and training, you are ready to apply for your first job. Applying for roles as early as possible will help to increase your chances of success. If you made a strong impression during your internship, you might be able to secure a role at that organization. At the very least, you can ask for a reference that can help to open doors.
Taking Your Paralegal Exams Soon?
Well then, you’ll want to take a look at theParalegal Study Guide 2021-2022: Comprehensive Review with Practice Test Questions for the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE), theLegal Research and Writing for Paralegals (Aspen Paralegal), theCLA/CP Exam Secrets Study Guide: CLA/CP Test Review for the Certified Legal Assistant & Certified Paralegal Exam, all excellent study guides.
Furthermore, I recommendTrial Prep for Paralegals: Effective Case Management and Support to Attorneys in Preparation for Trial (NITA), theParalegal Practice & Procedure Fourth Edition: A Practical Guide for the Legal Assistant, and theNALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants: A General Skills & Litigation Guide for Today’s Professionalsall available online in 2022.
If you’d like more info, check out myParalegal Job Description, along with myCan A Felon Become A Paralegalif you have a criminal record and are thinking of pursuing the career.
How To Become A Paralegal – Final Thoughts
Working as a paralegal can be very rewarding, and this job can also be the foundation of a career in law.
While the role involves a lot of administrative work, it also gives you an insight into legal processes. Helping clients when they are in distress can also be very satisfying and allows you to make a real difference.
Theaverage salary for a paralegalis around $53,000 per year. Once you have gained work experience, your salary could easily rise to at least $85,000 per year. Specializing in a particular area of the law and gaining special certification can significantly boost your career prospects and salary.
All the very best in your newcareer as a Paralegal!
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