Legal assistants may earn an associate`s degree or bachelor`s degree in a related field. Many employers will train them in the workplace and provide them with the necessary skills. You can also apply for an internship to gain experience before applying for a position as a legal assistant. In this article, we will define a paralegal and a paralegal, discuss the skills required for a paralegal, and give examples of other professions. As a legal assistant, you will have transferable skills that will make you suitable for other similar jobs. Here`s a list of related jobs, possible career transitions, and alternative careers based on the skills you likely possess. Law assistants can search for information for their employers and should know the best sources for finding data. You may need to find phone numbers or addresses, help a lawyer prepare for a trial, or gather information from clients. Like paralegals, all certifications for paralegals are voluntary. Some organizations issue certifications for paralegals and paralegals. NALS – Association for Legal Professionals offers exams for the qualifications of Professional Legal Secretary / Certified Legal Professional (PLS/CLP) and Professional Paralegal (PP).
To qualify for the exams, PP must have five years of professional experience; PLS/CLP takes three years. PYP candidates also tend to have more education. To learn more about how law firms are using legal freelancers – such as Independent Legal Assistants – to become more efficient and profitable, watch our webinar recording on Embracing the Freelance Legal Professional. While paralegals can find employment without a college degree or prior experience, education and training in this field can make a candidate more attractive to employers. Legal assistants typically work full-time in law firms. However, some work for government agencies or legal departments in corporate offices. Paralegals may work long hours or overtime during cases or to meet deadlines. You may be able to travel outside the office to collect or deliver documents or assist lawyers during the process.
Training requirements for paralegals and legal assistants have evolved in response to an increasingly competitive labour market. Paralegals can only be employed with an associate`s degree. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says many employers prefer paralegals to have at least a bachelor`s degree. Depending on where you want to apply, you may want to consider a bachelor`s or master`s degree in law, such as an online master`s degree in legal studies. A paralegal is a legal professional who does preparatory work for cases, such as researching laws, drafting legal documents, and helping lawyers prepare for court proceedings. You can bill clients for services provided in the same way as lawyers. Computers: Legal staff store and organize important documents and information in electronic databases. You should also have strong computer research skills. Most companies maintain online scheduling systems, so paralegals should be able to keep a detailed electronic calendar. Requirements: Administrative assistants often have a high school diploma or GED, while some pursue bachelor`s degrees to increase their earning potential. You can take computer software courses to learn skills such as spreadsheets and word processors. You can also take classes at community colleges to learn office procedures.
Many administrative assistants are trained after starting their work. The average salary of a legal assistant varies depending on the size and type of law firm, the experience of the person, and the location of the firm. Since paralegals are typically entry-level employees, employers often pay by the hour. Most legal assistants are full-time employees, although some may find part-time or contract positions. Because paralegals take on more legal work on behalf of lawyers, they often gain more formal training or certification. However, many states do not require formal paralegal education or training. The ABA outlines training opportunities and certifications for paralegals. You may be surprised to learn that no state offers a permit to become a paralegal. However, some employers may refer to national or state paralegal certifications when interviewing candidates, such as National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) certifications. These standards include obtaining the Chartered Paralegal (CP) exam and completing an ABA-recognized paralegal training program. All certifications to become a paralegal are voluntary, but may be recommended. From the tasks that paralegals typically take on to the advice for hiring and working with paralegals, this blog post covers the main benefits lawyers can gain from working with paralegals.
With a better understanding of what a legal advisor can actually offer, you can make more informed decisions when considering adding legal counsel to your team. Graduate as a paralegal. Employers are usually looking for paralegals with some level of formal training. This can range from a two-year associate degree in paralegal studies to a four-year bachelor`s degree. Not all institutions offer degrees in paralegal studies, so you can pursue a related degree such as public policy or political science. Finally, if you plan to study law, you must first obtain a bachelor`s degree. If you are interested in legal careers, you should explore other options. Learn about the differences between a legal assistant and a legal assistant, including educational and professional responsibility. Part of this process may involve finding a legal assistant with certain skills and characteristics. These skills and traits may be slightly different from what you`re looking for when hiring another lawyer. Consider the following key qualities when hiring a legal assistant: Simply put, a legal assistant is a lawyer who does the work – usually administrative – on behalf of a lawyer. While these rules are good general guidelines, specific codes and rules for working with paralegals may vary from province or territory to jurisdiction.
With that in mind, it`s important to review your state`s rules and regulations and comply with how lawyers can work with paralegals (and the tasks they can assign). While paralegals certainly have a lot to offer law firms, they fulfill a different role in a law firm. Paralegals focus on substantive legal work on behalf of supervising lawyers. Conversely, although legal assistants also work on behalf of lawyers, they focus more on administrative support tasks. This distinction is more important than it seems at first glance. Law firms that don`t recognize the unique roles of paralegals may miss out on the value paralegals can bring to a law firm. In addition to education and training, here are some of the skills needed to be a paralegal: Main tasks: An administrative assistant often serves as the first point of contact for an office. They answer phone calls and receive messages, facilitate communication between external parties and the team they support, and manage office operations. These support professionals can work in a variety of industries and office environments.
Paralegals may earn more than paralegals because of training and hiring standards. According to the NFPA, a four-year apprenticeship is the hiring standard for paralegals in many markets. Salary may vary by location, education, industry and employer. BLS data shows the median salary of paralegals and paralegals in these industries: A legal assistant performs the necessary routine tasks on behalf of a lawyer. The work often involves elements of administration, customer service and coordination.