Paralegal Studies




Posted by Admin

Paralegal Studies

Paralegals do, basically, the same work that an attorney does, with the exception of representing a client in court. However in the field of Workers’ Compensation, some paralegals are allowed to serve as hearing representatives in court. This is because Workers’ Compensation has its own legal system, separate from the courts that handle criminal, civil, family law and Probate actions.

A comprehensive program of paralegal studies should include the following sections:

Paralegals are widely used in Civil Litigation. Students becoming paralegals will be taught all of the time limits required in taking a case to trial and how to work within the civil court system. They will learn how to draft the Summons and Complaint to initiate the action. They will learn to draft and answer questions called Interrogatories. Paralegal students will learn all the court rules both statewide, federally and locally. Paralegals will learn how to take witness statements and how to summarize depositions. They also write Motions to the Court, which are very lengthy and have many strict time constraints. Paralegal students will learn how to fill out all of the forms for the civil courts, in addition to being taught the drafting of Mandatory Settlement and Trial Briefs.

Federal Civil Litigation includes the bankruptcy court. This is a very specific subsection of the law and has its own rules and procedures. Paralegal students will learn these and may even decide to specialize in Federal Law.

Paralegals students will learn about drafting court documents, instructing clients in bail procedures, taking witness statements and keeping up with criminal law time constraints and changes in the law.

Paralegal students will learn how to interview clients and obtain all of the details for a dissolution of marriage or custody proceeding. They will learn how to work with private detectives, how to draft court forms and briefs. They also will learn the many important time deadlines in family law and how to draft briefs.

The Probate courts handle distribution of a deceased’s property when there is no trust or will in place. Paralegal studies in this field will include how to write trusts and wills and how to probate an estate with the court. There are time limits, specific forms and trial briefs to learn about in the event of a will contest.

Paralegal students will be taught appellate procedures at the state and federal levels. Unlike other areas of the law, the appellate courts are even stricter than the state courts. It is the paralegal’s job to remain updated on every upcoming date and time constraint. In school, paralegal students will learn the differences between the state, federal and appellate court and how to maintain appellate cases.

Paralegals working in the field of Workers’ Compensation will find more expanded duties than in the other areas of law. Paralegal students learn how to create pleadings, briefs and court forms. They also may interview clients and have a caseload of their own, just like attorneys. Because of this, studies in Workers’ Compensation must cover how to handle as caseload from beginning to end, how to deal with clients at court and how to negotiate with other attorneys. A paralegal in some states can even try a case at court (under the supervision of a registered member of the Bar Association). Workers’ Compensation paralegals who act as attorneys are called Hearing Representatives.

Another important consideration in pursuing a paralegal degree or certificate is learning both sides of the law. For instance, the plaintiff side of a case is handled very differently than a defendant’s. In paralegal school, a student will learn the procedures for both sides.

Schools of Paralegal Studies:

Depending on what state a student resides in, he may attend an 18-month paralegal studies program at the junior college level and receive a Certificate or Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies. State colleges and Universities offer Bachelor Degrees in Paralegal Studies. Often a paralegal will get his paralegal degree, work for a law firm and eventually go to law school while working at the same law firm. If the paralegal is lucky, the law firm will pay for his law school, with a contractual promise that, when the paralegal finally gets his law degree and passes the Bar Exam, he will continue to work for that same law firm for a set number of years.

There are also private schools and private universities that offer paralegal studies programs for varying amounts of time from a year to four years  while others offer breadth classes in more general areas of the law and elective courses in, say, probate law, federal bankruptcy law and other subspecialties. Generally, in these schools, students take the required breadth classes and specialize in two elective areas of law. For example, some paralegals end up working for probate law firms. They come into the office once a week, pick up the files that need work and do the work at home. There are also online paralegal studies programs.

Whether your educational goal is to become a paralegal, or you would like to use your paralegal degree as a bridge to becoming a lawyer, the legal field always needs paralegals.

Posted in Paralegal Education | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Way to a Paralegal Career is through a Paralegal Intership



Posted by Admin

Paralegal Internship Completes Education

If there’s one thing we can definitely say about the paralegal profession is that it is one of ongoing education. Sure, students may spend only a couple of years in school prepping for their careers, but when they actually reach the workforce they will spend as much time learning as they do working. The legal profession is such that its constant evolution presents educational challenges to paralegals. Those who continue their education through other means are the ones that rise to the top.

All that said, there is one particular educational tool that is almost a must for paralegal students engaged in their final year of studies. That tool is an internship. Internships offer the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills to work in a real-life setting while you’re finishing up your coursework. An internship makes you more employable upon graduation, gives you more confidence in applying for your first job, broadens your horizons, increases your network resources, and pretty much gives you a head start over your fellow classmates who choose not to do internships.

Seek and You Shall Find

Perhaps the most difficult thing about securing an internship is actually finding one. It’s not as though law offices and others are actively advertising for interns. For some reason, the legal field is one where professionals think they’re above such things. Yet the same time, many would jump at the chance to bring on an intern if they knew a bright, young, competent one was available. That’s why it’s up to you, as the paralegal student, to seek out your own internship.

According to national statistics, more than 80% of all paralegals work in private law firms or for local prosecutors and public defenders. That means the remaining 20% work for corporate legal departments, educational institutions, charitable organizations, government agencies, and a host of other institutions. As far as legal internships are concerned, you want to stick with law officers. They are the most likely to have need of your services and the most likely to be willing to give you an interview.

Write, Don’t Visit

Though it’s contrary to how we normally approach finding a job, searching for an internship is better done through writing letters than actually visiting law offices. If you take the personal this approach, you’ll most likely be stopped at the receptionist’s desk and not allowed any further. You may even sit in the waiting room for hours until someone finally has the courage to tell you to go home and wait for a phone call. This is no way to embark on a career as a paralegal. It is discouraging, unproductive, and a poor use of time.

To find paralegal internships you’re better off composing a professional letter, complete with a reference and the names of some of your professors, and sending it along to as many law offices if you can. This letter should explain who you are, why you’re looking for an internship, and what you believe you can contribute to a law firm. Make it as thorough and concise as you can without being long-winded and boring. If you include a resume, make sure it only contains things that pertain to the paralegal profession. A law office does not care that you were in the glee club during high school.

Once you do manage to land an internship, realize that it will set the stage for your future career. If you work hard to hone your skills, learn as much as you can, and develop the resources made available to you, your internship should prove to be very successful.

Posted in Paralegal Career | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tips for Paralegals



Posted by Admin

Five Tips for New Paralegals

So… you’re just a couple of months from completing your paralegal studies and graduating into the real world of work. Are you prepared for what undoubtedly waits outside the doors of school? Most people aren’t, so don’t worry if you find yourself a little worried about going to work. To help you as you get started in your brand-new career as a paralegal we surveyed some industry professionals for their ideas. Below are the five most common tips they gave us.

1. Perspective Is Everything – No matter how well you did in school the real world is not the same as the classroom. Many new paralegals find this out within the first couple of weeks of working; oftentimes in circumstances that can be quite stressful. Veteran paralegals recommend their new counterparts try to keep everything in perspective. Practical things you can do to help your perspective include leaving the office and taking a walk during your lunch break, getting involved in volunteer opportunities, and making sure you have quality time to spend with your family.

2. Don’t Be Shy – The attorneys you work for will most likely have dominant personalities, especially if you’re working in a firm that deals heavily in criminal or civil litigation. One of the best ways to feel as though you’re being walked over and underappreciated is to behave in a manner that is timid or shy. As a legal professional there’s no need for you to conduct yourself this way. You can be confident in your contributions without being obnoxious or pretentious.

3. Admit Your Mistakes – One of the biggest sources of friction in any office comes from employees unwilling to admit they have failed or made mistakes. In the legal profession, this is one of the quickest ways to find yourself out the door. When you make a mistake be sure to own up to it and then set about correcting it. This demonstrates to your superiors that you are a man or woman of integrity. It also goes a long way in helping you maintain a proper attitude.

4. Never Stop Learning – The paralegal career is a vast one which covers a seemingly endless number of topics. Whether you work in a law office, a corporate legal department, or a government agency, the law continues to evolve on a daily basis. That means you’re learning must never stop. Read legal journals, pay attention to pertinent cases relevant to your field, even take continuing education classes when they become available. The more you learn the more you’ll be able to contribute to your office.

5. Find What You Love and Do It – While you’re consumed in your paralegal studies it may be hard for you to comprehend the fact that the paralegal profession extends well beyond the typical law office. There are so many different types of law practice that we couldn’t list them all here in such a limited space. The point is, if you find yourself working next year in a field that neither excites you nor meets your expectations, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere. One of the most important pieces of advice in any career path is find what you love and do it.

Once you complete your studies and earn your certification you will be embarking on a great adventure. Make it your own. You live in a country that still allows you to be whatever you want to be, so pursue your career with all the passion and diligence you can muster. You’ll be glad you did!

Posted in Paralegal Education | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Paralegal Certification Options



Posted by Admin

Lots of Options with Your Paralegal Certification

If someone asked you where paralegals work what would be your response? Most people would say law firms, and with good reason. Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) indicate that nearly 80% of all paralegals work for a private law firm, district attorney, or public defender’s office. As for the other 20%, they’re scattered throughout the music and publishing industry, manufacturing, research and development, and any other number of industries. But did you know you can use your paralegal education for something not directly related to the legal profession? It’s true.

The BLS lists more than 100 different occupations, outside of traditional law, where those with paralegal certification find work. We won’t list them all, but some of the more intriguing ones include:

  • compliance officer
  • grant writer
  • mortgage processor
  • real estate agent
  • tax preparer
  • virtual assistant

Real Estate Careers

Believe it or not, paralegals thrive in the real estate industry because of the similarities in the types of tasks both professions demand. Paralegals do extensive research for lawyers; real estate brokers do tremendous amounts of research into properties. Paralegals must be familiar with the law and legal terminology in whatever specialty they’re involved in; real estate agents must know real estate law and terminology inside and out. Paralegals must compile the information they glean into a usable form; real estate agents must process all the information they’ve compiled in a way that’s understandable to clients.

The similarities between the two types of work are almost endless. The fact is, real estate agents must be well-versed in the law that pertains to them, as well as knowing how to communicate with people, do research, and generally “make a case” to clients.

Paralegals as Virtual Assistants

One of the first things they teach you in a paralegal studies program is how to get organized and stay that way. That’s because it is often the job of the paralegal in a law office to keep lawyers on track. They are often responsible for scheduling, making sure a meetings are attended, ensuring that deadlines for legal documents are met, and so on. All of these same skills are necessary for the virtual assistant; a position which requires the individual to make sure her bosses in the corporate world stay on track. If you can be a successful paralegal, you can almost always be a successful virtual assistant.

Grant Writing and Advocacy

Grant writing is a unique skill which requires the ability to organize thoughts coherently and convince grant makers of your cause. Grant writing in general requires many of the same skills you learned in a paralegal certification program. When you add the element of advocacy into the equation, you’re also adding the” human” element that motivates some individuals to embark on a paralegal career to begin with. Grant writing requires good research skills, good communication skills, and knowledge of appropriate law and/or regulations, and the ability to present a good case for your clients.

We’ve only touched on a couple of the different possibilities for using your paralegal certification in a non-law career. If you’ve pursued paralegal because you love the law profession, and you’re certain you want to work in a law office, that’s great! But if you’re getting near the end of your studies and you’re not so sure a law office is for you, consider your other options. Take some time to stop and think of the other possibilities. Then be as creative as you can while scanning job listings and paralegal databases.

Posted in Paralegal Career | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment