Matching Job Expectations to Job Realities for a Paralegal Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind. Seneca (4 B.C.-65 A.D.) (528 views)
Truths in the Life of a Real Estate This kind of paralegal works with fixed forms among the many moving parts of the world of real estate law. This world can encompass foreclosures, closings, quiet title actions, and the realm of title companies. (By the way, title companies are hiring more and more paralegals because of their excellent awareness of the basic issues involved. Pay is increasing in some areas... (13 views)
Opting For Legal Research as a Possible Career Your effort to decide whether or not to become a lawyer has gotten a solid start. You've examined your motives for thinking about law as a career, you've reviewed some of the popular myths about law and lawyers, you've heard advice from various lawyers around the country, and you've evaluated your legal interests and skills. Now you're ready to go out and become a lawyer,... (17 views)
A Quick Insight to the Paralegal Profession Here are some definitions of "paralegal." According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "paralegals perform many of the same tasks as lawyers, except for those tasks considered to be the practice of law." The National Federation of Para legal Associations (NFPA) defines a paralegal as "a person qualified through education,... (67 views)
How much can you Earn as a Freelance Paralegal Basically there are two types of freelance paralegals, those who work on their own or in a loose association with a few other freelance paralegals, and those who run full-fledged paralegal services, with business addresses, advertising and a staff of employees. The first type of freelance paralegal, truly freelancers, are sometimes called independent contractors, a name... (7051 views)
Getting to Work as a Paralegal A number of career alternatives are open to a paralegal, from getting a job under and employer to alternative career tracks. In the first part of this article, we briefly mention alternative career tracks to a full job, and in the second part, we talk about finding your first job as a paralegal. (47 views)
Qualifications Needed to be a Freelance Paralegal There are few areas of the paralegal field more exciting and challenging than working as a freelance paralegal. As a freelance paralegal, you'll be able to be your own boss and chart your own course. An increasing number of paralegals are striking out on their own as freelancers, independent contractors, and entrepreneurs. What is a freelance paralegal? Who are the... (1249 views)
Alternatives to Law Firms for Paralegal Jobs When you work in the in-house legal department of a corporation, you will probably deal with some of the corporate law topics I talked about earlier and also with the law of the specific industry you are in. On the corporate side, you may assist the corporate attorneys with employee contracts and benefit plans, shareholder agreements, and stock option plans. You may send... (949 views)
Common Specialization Areas in the Paralegal Profession What area of the law you work in may depend largely on the specialty of the employer. In a small general practice firm, the area of the law pretty much depends on the problems of the clients who come through the door. Was your client arrested? Then you'll be researching criminal law. Does your client want a divorce? Then you'll bone up on family law. A will? Estate... (2909 views)
Law Firms as Employers of Paralegals Most paralegals work in private law firms. However, law firms may be comprised of a few lawyers or several hundred. Paralegals also work for corporations, the government, nonprofit employers, and a variety of other places. Almost every agency of the federal government employs legal assistants; the majority of them are at the Departments of Justice, Treasury, Interior, and... (270 views)
Legal Professionals Working As Corrections Officers Many corrections officers guard prisoners in small municipal jails or precinct station houses, where their responsibilities are wide ranging, while others control inmates in large state and federal penitentiaries, where job duties are more specialized. A relatively small number guard aliens who are being held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service awaiting release... (54 views)
Legal Professions as Court Staff Besides the obvious personnel you see buzzing around the courtroom-the lawyers and their staff and the judges- there are other key personnel who keep a courtroom running smoothly. Among these are court clerks, court reporters, and bailiffs. (22 views)
Want to Be a Legal Secretary? Legal secretaries are responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical duties that are necessary to run and maintain organizations efficiently. They schedule appointments, give information to callers, organize and maintain files, fill out forms, and take dictation. They may also type letters, make travel arrangements, or contact clients. In addition, secretaries... (25 views)
Career Choices for Legal Professionals Crime doesn't pay, they say, but that old saw is aimed at criminals. On the other side of the law, there is a vast array of careers for law-abiding and justice-seeking individuals-and they all offer legitimate paychecks. (23 views)
Security Guards and Their Legal Role Security guards, also called security officers, patrol and inspect property to protect against fire, theft, vandalism, and illegal entry. Their duties vary with the size, type, and location of their employer. (5 views)
Job Opportunities for Law Enforcement Officers For those interested in the enforcement side of the law, there are many avenues to explore. From police officer to FBI agent, from U.S. Customs official to homicide detective, you can find the kind of work that would appeal to you most. (77 views)
Choose the Law Job That Is Fit For You Each profession will likely require an initial time investment of low pay and a willingness to increase qualifications through education, training, and certifications. If you are an aspiring legal professional, you should consider whether your personal traits, habits, and characteristics lend themselves to a successful career. By the creation of a list of personal traits... (10 views)
Who Are Known As Legal Support Providers? Legal support providers include careers as bailiffs, insurance claims clerks and adjusters, bail bondsmen, process servers, law librarians, receptionists, runners, file clerks, translators and interpreters, and title researchers, abstractors, and examiners. Most of these professions are quite similar to other professions discussed in this article and require similar job... (1012 views)
Role of a Mediator in Legal Profession Mediators should assimilate and demonstrate the skills necessary to facilitate effective communication between disputing parties so that they can help others develop a mutually acceptable solution. Effective mediators will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. This includes the ability to be objective and not prejudge others. Mediators should exhibit... (61 views)
The Role of A Court Reporter After vocational school, and typing speed using machine shorthand, anyone can acquire a state certification in court reporting. With this certification, you can have a rewarding career in freelance or official reporting, making more money than many college graduates. Although court reporting requires hard work, concentration, familiarity with new technology, and attention... (838 views)
Political Consulting As a Career Political consulting is a career that has recently come of age, alongside web-based businesses and mediation. They comprise an extremely specialized niche of marketing and advertising professionals in the limited field of government and politics. One of the most rewarding aspects of political consulting is to get deserving candidates elected, and having an influence on... (416 views)
Why Choose the Role of a Legal Administrator Legal administrators address the same issues as managers in other industries, but should have training or experience in professional legal careers. As in other legal professions, the scope of responsibilities among legal administrators may differ. In this career, you will see that the highest degree of experience is required, but a college degree is not necessary. Most... (2500 views)
All about Legal Secretaries Legal secretaries are somewhat like mini-managers of the attorneys they work for, yet they are also subject to their control, supervision, and direction. On one hand, legal secretaries are eventually given broad responsibilities and control to handle all administrative aspects of their attorney's practice and expected to anticipate their needs; on the other hand, legal... (1072 views)
Experiencing Legal Profession before Taking It Up There are many ways you can become introduced to the rigors of the legal profession without necessarily making a career commitment. The best way to develop your own expectations is to take the advice in this article and temper it with actual experience, if you do not already have any. You can develop your own realistic expectations by gaining experience in the law or... (3 views)
The Evolution of the Paralegal Profession The Paralegal Profession: Heightened and Accelerated Evolution (2227 views)
Accounting & Timekeeping in Law Firms Accounting and the allied process of timekeeping are among the primary tools of management in law firms. As such, they have a place in all private practice situations, and also in the legal organizations of government and business corporations. These accounting functions should: (2154 views)
The Litigation Paralegal Do you understand what people are really referring to when they say ‘litigation’? They're not talking about practice areas are they? . . . They're talking about the process of settling the dispute, whatever that dispute is. Isn’t it? Yes it is. (337 views)
The Benefits of Being a Paralegal Paralegals handle paperwork, organize the office, maintain and update client files, monitor the calendar, and research, write, and read. They serve as a liaison with clients, witnesses, other case participants, and outside professionals by gathering and imparting information. They meet, inform, interview, and prod to action. In addition paralegals seek out people,... (2776 views)
Paralegal Profession and its Evolution Did you know that just a few years ago, the term "paralegal" did not even exist? Its evolution picked up speed recently. (248 views)
The Paralegal Profession One of the beauties of the paralegal profession is that it's in its infancy. Although many paralegals are doing high-level, fascinating work—in big, important cases—the field still has enormous entrance flexibility. The paralegal field is expanding so rapidly that there are as yet no "etched in stone" standards for entering it. While most paralegals have trained at one... (624 views)