var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); });
device = device.default;
//this function refreshes [adhesion] ad slot every 60 second and makes prebid bid on it every 60 seconds // Set timer to refresh slot every 60 seconds function setIntervalMobile() { if (!device.mobile()) return if (adhesion) setInterval(function(){ googletag.pubads().refresh([adhesion]); }, 60000); } if(device.desktop()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.tablet()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.mobile()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } googletag.cmd.push(function() { // Enable lazy loading with... googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ // Fetch slots within 5 viewports. // fetchMarginPercent: 500, fetchMarginPercent: 100, // Render slots within 2 viewports. // renderMarginPercent: 200, renderMarginPercent: 100, // Double the above values on mobile, where viewports are smaller // and users tend to scroll faster. mobileScaling: 2.0 }); });
Download App | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
 Upload Your Resume   Employers / Post Jobs 

Paralegal Careers - 7 Steps to Studying to Become a Paralegal

  1. Legal Jobs
  2. Legal Articles
  3. Legal Staff
  4. Legal Staff Career Choices
  5. Choosing a Legal Staff Career
  6. Paralegal Careers - 7 Steps to Studying to Become a Paralegal

published July 13, 2011

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left
Published By
( 11 votes, average: 4.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Paralegal jobs are suitable for people who want to be associated with the legal profession, yet do not have a degree in law. Being a paralegal qualifies you for almost all the duties of a lawyer, except for fighting cases in court. The job is satisfactory in every way offering high job satisfaction and a very good pay because you are in close contact with a variety of interesting legal cases and can observe raw legal action at close quarters. The exposure that you get working as a paralegal is also very useful in case you are studying to be a lawyer.

There is a reason for the recent boom in paralegal jobs. The state of the economy is one of them. Most law firms are cost cutting nowadays, and increasing the number of paralegals in the firm rather than hiring lawyers help them reduce costs in the form of the exorbitant lawyer fees. Many big firms are shrinking their attorney staff and using paralegals to fill the void. The same goes for clients. Most people, in their efforts to reduce the lawyer’s fee support the practice of maximizing the paralegal staff rather than attorneys.


The advantage of a paralegal job is that one can be secured without a formal degree. However if you want to continue to practice as a paralegal there are several steps that you can take to train yourself in order to become successful at your profession. The job market for paralegals has become competitive as it has improved in outlook thus you need that something extra that will set you apart from the crowd.

If you are interested in bagging a paralegal job, there are various training programs that you can enroll yourself in.
 
  • First and foremost it is important that you secure a college degree. A bachelor’s or master’s course in any relevant field will be helpful for you in the future.
  • Once you are certain that you want to be a paralegal, enroll yourself in a course which specializes in paralegal training. Paralegal training programs are available in community colleges. Once the course work has been completed you will receive a certificate.
  • Paralegal training is also offered at law schools and other two year schools. Try to get into a school that has been approved by the American Bar Association. This will make you eligible for the top paralegal jobs.
  • Once your formal training is complete, you can improve your credentials further by seeking for certificates from any of the three national paralegal associations. This includes the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAPI)
  • Next you can try your hand at internship that will let you learn the ropes of the profession.
  • To be successful as a paralegal you should alos cultivate other skills such as writing abilities and personal skills.
  • Make sure that your resume has all your qualifications and other skills along with a cover letter.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
  1. Legal Jobs
  2. Legal Articles
  3. Legal Staff
  4. Legal Staff Career Choices
  5. Choosing a Legal Staff Career
  6. Paralegal Careers - 7 Steps to Studying to Become a Paralegal

published July 13, 2011

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left
( 11 votes, average: 4.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Related

Paralegal Related Jobs

Junior Conveyancing Paralegal

Junior Corporate Paralegal

Junior Family Paralegal

Junior Fraud Paralegal

Junior Immigration Paralegal

Junior Industrial Disease Paralegal

Junior Insurance Paralegal

Junior Intellectual Property Paralegal

Junior Ipo Paralegal

Junior Legal Assistant Paralegal

Only LawCrossing consolidates every job it can find in the legal industry and puts all of the job listings it locates in one place.

Popular Questions

Do you want a better legal career?

Hi, I'm Harrison Barnes. I'm serious about improving Lawyers' legal careers. My only question is, will it be yours?
  1. Legal Staff
  2. Legal Staff Career Choices
  3. Choosing a Legal Staff Career