The fast-paced excitement of a career as a paralegal or legal services provider is dramatically portrayed on popular and syndicated television shows such as Boston Legal and Law and Order. Meanwhile, the local and national news and court and justice television programs have reported on high-profile court cases and trials that have made big headlines in recent years. With such easy access to justice and legal action thanks to the American media, it’s no wonder so many young Americans aspire to go to law school or get admitted to the bar every year.
Like any career portrayed in the media – medical, business, advertising and so on – real law and legal careers do not always embody the excitement portrayed on television. However, they are consistently interesting and engaging and require workers to focus on their careers. To begin an entry-level legal or paralegal career (these terms are used interchangeably throughout the article), a prospective associate typically needs to have a degree—or have completed law degrees or a paralegal certification.
The entry competition for any career, including the legal profession, can be tough. Students who have earned a paralegal certificate or degree are typically considered stronger candidates to enter a legal career. This is because the completion of an education shows that a student is mature and responsible enough to handle the day-to-day workload of legal advice. Many schools across the United States offer paralegal degrees to prepare students for a range of exciting legal careers. Some of the stronger programs are also approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Law studies or paralegals: what do the students learn?
The most important skills that a paralegal or paralegal will use are good reading and writing skills. Most of a paralegal’s job is reading and writing, and some legal documents or court records can contain quite complex language and concepts. In addition to English reading and writing courses, many paralegal degree programs require students to take specialized courses in legal research and legal writing.
Strong research and documentation skills are other important components of a legal education. Upon completion of a paralegal certification or legal studies career training program, students must be able to quickly and accurately locate and interpret federal, state, and local laws, research legal precedents set by previous hearings or adjudicated cases , and track down evidence to support this case. Since the career opportunities for paralegals and paralegals are very diverse, students have to study several areas of law in many legal courses. Many schools accredited by the ABA offer courses in criminal law, family law, property and estate, tort, and civil procedure.
Many schools offer internships for students pursuing a paralegal or legal services major. These student-centric career resources can include resume writing workshops and cover letter coaching, as well as job leads and career placement. This internship is often sought in the area of the country where the university is located. For example, a Los Angeles college might offer placement assistance to students in Long Beach, Huntington, Irvine, Cerritos, or another city in Los Angeles County, California. Students interested in law or legal careers are most successful at the entry-level level when they take advantage of all the resources their school or college offers, including career counselors and paralegal or paralegal employment committees.
Training after studying law: What do paralegals and paralegals do?
After completing a course of study and professional training, law students enter jobs with different descriptions and tasks. Paralegals perform many direct duties for the rest of the legal team. A paralegal or paralegal may be assigned to an attorney or team of attorneys. For example, a paralegal could assist the legal team in preparing for the trial, which includes collecting and organizing evidence and court documents; Researching and writing briefs for the case and even preparing court arguments or evidence.
Some of the documents a paralegal will write depend on the area of law in which he or she works. Paralegals for probate and trust companies are likely to assist in the drafting of wills and financial contracts. Paralegals specializing in family and divorce law can help with the preparation of divorce settlements, custody records, and hearing summaries, or work with the courts to obtain testimony about child abuse. Financial and corporate paralegals can create tax forms, work in regulatory compliance, or write business contracts.
A paralegal can also be employed in the public or private legal field. Paralegals and paralegals can take notes in meetings, help prepare employee tax and benefit forms, and file records and important papers for the law firm. Some employees may also have more opportunities to conduct more extensive legal research. Other employees may be responsible for determining whether individuals are eligible for meal stamps, housing benefits, Social Security benefits, and other benefits.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for paralegals and paralegals is expected to grow at above-average rates through 2014. This is partly because Americans live in a society that is increasingly prone to litigation, and partly because it is more cost-effective for law firms to hire legal assistants to perform the work of an attorney. A thorough education in legal concepts and applications from an ABA approved or accredited paralegal or certificate program, a thorough search for a legal career after college, and a desire to work hard to take on increasingly challenging professional responsibilities make it possible for a law student Embark on a fulfilling legal career.
Thanks to Jane Muder | #Paralegal #Studies #Careers #Providing #Critical #Legal #Services
