If you’ve ever dreamed of one day becoming a lawyer but you’ve been hesitant to take the plunge, a viable alternative would be a legal assistant or paralegal. Both are two peas in a pod and thus either one is probably as close as you can get to becoming a lawyer, without actually being a lawyer.

In addition, employment in this field is projected to grow much faster than average. The current trend of employers trying to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform duties formerly carried out by lawyers is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. As a result, employment opportunities are projected to grow much faster than average for the next 10 years or so.
From doing extensive research on various cases to helping create legal drafts and filing every important legal document, interested individuals can actually learn all that even in the comfort of their own homes through online paralegal training.

Online Training
From doing extensive research on various cases to helping create legal drafts and filing every important legal document, interested individuals can actually learn all that even in the comfort of their own homes through online paralegal training.

This is where you’ll actually get the basic knowledge that you’ll need in order to become a full-pledged legal assistant. However, be advised that law firms as well as other legal institutions are looking for highly skilled legal assistants who can outwit others with their keen sense of critical thinking.

Many online legal assistant and paralegal training programs will condense 27 subject units into 10 with 6 and 12-month certificate programs being offered. How you want to approach the training is really up to you and how the different options being offered best fit in your budget, schedule and how quickly you can master the subject matter.

Online paralegal training clearly has its’ perks with the obvious one being convenience.

One must always keep in mind that even though the paralegals or legal assistants’ primary function, whether working for a private law firm or government agency, is to assist the lawyers with their case loads. Duties include extensive case research and organizing all types of files, drafting contracts for clients, mortgages, drafting of separation agreements, tax returns, planning estates as well as other important legal duties.

However, there are actually some paralegals that do more than that. At times, they are also asked to organize and coordinate the schedules and activities of other employees in the law office, perhaps even to track law office financial records. Of course, this is clearly employer dependent and on the skill set each legal assistant brings to the table. On the other hand, it’s always best to be prepared for such tasks, which is why you never place limits on yourself and why you should always be looking for ways to obtain additional training. In other words, even after you earn a 6 or 12-month certificate online keep going.

A few simple ways to enhance your knowledge is by reading various law books as well as absorbing the legal environment by watching the news and keeping abreast of current events. One should always strive to keep themselves up to snuff with whatever is happening in the news and try to challenge yourself even further by coming up with arguments and other legal discussions concerning whichever cases you’ve been assigned to handle.

Online training boasts of some of the best minds in the legal profession. They can offer their expertise in creating drafts for whichever situation that they may have a use for it and basically just give legal assistant hopefuls the basic knowledge behind law.

Due to the current and projected abundance of work opportunities is one of the primary reasons why there’s been a literal mushrooming of online paralegal training sites popping up. Many of the traditional brick and mortar training schools and facilities are now offering online training.

Browse through all sorts of online paralegal training sites, compare training fees as well as how extensive their online paralegal training programs are. You’ll make a wise chose if you put the same effort into finding the right source to train you and as plan on putting into the learning process once you choose who to receive your training from.

A great place to research and find answers to everything “paralegal” is Total Paralegal. Simply click the Online Paralegal Training link in the resource box below.

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The career field of paralegals began developing in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s as lawyers began hiring the assistants to help them with paper work, case investigation and general duties. As more attorneys began hiring legal assistance, the American Bar Association formed the Standing Committee on Legal Assistance to help set the standard in the paralegal - attorney relationship, employment guidelines and other duties associated with the paralegal, or legal assistant. That committee was formed in the late 1960s and today is made up of both attorneys and professional paralegals. The American Bar Association offers a certification program to institutions that give courses in paralegal instruction which gives the bar association the opportunity to set standards in the education of legal assistants.

There are several major national professional organizations for paralegals in the United States, in addition to their representation in the American Bar Association. Some of those organizations have helped form the career field of the paralegal, or legal assistant.

Two professional organizations, the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), together represent more than 30,000 paralegals across the U.S. The organizations, while both working to serve the paralegal profession, have been competitive while determining the language that helps shape the profession. The NFPA prefers usage of the word paralegal while NALA prefers the term legal assistant.

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) is an organization of institutions and teachers of paralegal education programs. The organization strives for consistent paralegal education standards.

A new organization for paralegals began in 2003 and quickly began setting standards in the legal assistant field. The American Alliance of Paralegals serves individuals. Members in the American Alliance of Paralegals are required to meet certain educational or work experience guidelines in order to be a voting member. The organization was the first national organization for paralegals to become involved in setting minimum educational standards and guidelines.

If you are a paralegal hoping to gain membership in a national professional organization, do some research to see what type of associations are typical to your area. The national organizations will likely have state and regional groups meeting in your area, or a nearby area. Talk to other paralegals in your area to see if they have professional membership in one of these organizations. Ask about benefits and professional development training the organizations offer.

If you are just entering a career as a paralegal or just beginning training for such a career, see if a professional membership can help you in your career plans. Perhaps an organization that offers various networking or job notice work boards would be of benefit to someone seeking to enter the field. Membership could be like having an insider pulling for you. Also, if you are a student planning to enter the paralegal field, a national organization might be able to hook you up with scholarship or other financial award information to help you complete your training. Contact all the paralegal organizations you can find to see if they have special information that might help you along your path to your legal career.

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Are you interested in legal work, but not law school? You might want to consider a paralegal degree.  Attorneys are ultimately responsibility for the legal services they provide their clients; paralegals – also known as legal assistants – help attorneys in almost every aspect of their work. Being one of the fastest growing careers nationwide, those with paralegal training will be able to find jobs in every part of the country.

The American Bar Association (ABA) defines the role of a paralegal or legal assistant as an individual that is capable by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Paralegals provide valuable assistance to attorneys by helping them prepare for closings, hearing, trials and corporate meetings. Paralegals also assist attorneys at trials, draft contracts and agreements, and assist in estate planning.  The valuable employees also maintain office financial records, and coordinate the activities of law office employees.    Their duties can also include researching legal documents, finding witnesses, getting affidavits, and tracking case files.  Depending on where you choose to work, your paralegal duties can vary widely.

The most common paralegal programs are associate’s degree programs offered at community colleges or specialized schools.  These are generally 2-year programs.   There are also certificate programs and online paralegal programs. Certificate programs are an equally popular paralegal training option. Most certificate programs are intended for students who have an associates or bachelor’s degree.  Some certificate programs only call for a high school diploma or GED for admission. Certificate programs are generally completed in several months. There are also a small number of schools that offer 4-year bachelors and/or master’s degrees in paralegal studies.

Paralegal degree and certificate programs usually include courses that introduce students to law and legal research methods.  Some students might choose to study a specialized legal area such as probate or real estate. Paralegals in small to medium-size law firms typically carry out duties that require general law comprehension.  Paralegals employed by large law firms, government agencies, and corporations, are generally likely to be specialized.  The legal assistant/paralegal occupation is expected to grow by 33% during the first 10 years of 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  With projections of growth, now is a good time to earn your paralegal degree.

What does it mean to make yourself marketable or sellable? Does it require that you quit your job, completely change careers or go back to school. Perhaps, but for this article it simply means making the most of your skills and abilities and continually looking for ways to improve.

Whether you just graduated or you’ve been a paralegal for many years, learning to market yourself is an essential skill in maximizing your potential. Both financially and in the opportunities that come your way.

If you are a seasoned paralegal you may want to sharpen your management skills, make the most of your client interviews or change your area of law. The most convenient and least expensive way to start your research is to go online. Reading articles on career and paralegal websites, like Total Paralegal is a great way to get ideas.

As you get into your online research you’ll find a multitude of resources. You will also realize that there are many others searching for the same information and the same answers as you.

If you realize through your research that you may need or want to take a class or two to strengthen your skill-set to better position yourself for advancement but you simply don’t have the time to travel to a physical classroom. No problem, because in today’s online world, taking an online course is not only practical but very smart.

The internet is also a great place to find other ways of getting to where you want to be, such as seminars and discussions for today’s paralegal professional.

Take baby steps while you’re working the daily grind. If you try to do to much you run the risk of driving yourself into the ground. And remember, it’s imperative that you are proactive in reconstructing your assignments and informing your supervisors of your interests, skills and extra effort. Let’s face it, our supervisors are involved with their own deadlines, their own court appearances and their own business worries. As a result, they don’t always notice extra effort because they’ve come to expect it. On the other hand, they always seem to notice our less than perfect work. Don’t fret, stop mumbling under your breath, complaining to your family and co-workers, simply let your boss know about your extra effort. In other words, “toot your own horn”.

If you are a recent graduate marketing yourself means making the most of your school experience. Use your professors, counselors and fellow paralegals to create an effective job search. Keep in touch with everyone because you never know if you’ll be working with or for them sometime down the road.

Inform everyone you know that you are actively seeking a “full-time paralegal position in a large firm in… the city of your choice” or a “part-time paralegal position in a small firm close to home.”

Whatever your situation, utilizing your personal contacts will make your search less stressful, time consuming and much more rewarding… as in a better, higher paying position. You may feel that you are at a disadvantage trying to qualify for many legal positions, but many employers would rather train someone to do it their way than re-train someone who does things their way.

I admire and encourage those of you seeking “second-careers” or for those of you who simply want to acquire new skills by going back to school. I went back to school, paid for it out of my own pocket and attended night classes. I can honestly say that I was a better student the second time around than when I was fresh out of high school.

“Older” employees bring a lifetime of experience, expertise and skills to any position and are a good role models for younger employees. Studies have shown that mature workers have lower job turnover, better overall attendance and fewer on the job accidents than do younger workers! Studies have also found that the ability to learn remains constant throughout most of our lives.

Regardless of your current situation. You CAN make it happen… where there’s a will there’s a way and there’s always room for challenges and the accompanying mental and spiritual growth that will inevitably occur when you stick your neck out and go for it.

Would Becoming A Freelance Paralegal Be A Good Option For You?

When you are thinking about a new career as a paralegal, there are a number of options which you can consider. You might decide that being a freelance paralegal is the way that you wish to pursue this field. You can begin by weighing the pros and cons of this exciting new way of working in the paralegal field; and you may decide that it is the best option for you.

If you are the type of person who is less than thrilled with the prospect of working in the same office, day after day, eliminating this form of routine is one of the most important highlights that you can receive from freelancing. When you hire yourself out as a freelancer, each and every job assignment that you take on will be a new adventure. Not only will the work environment vary, but you will also have the opportunity to meet many more interesting people. This factor alone is one of the main reasons why many paralegals prefer freelancing over committing themselves to one specific workplace.

Freelancing can also result in a big “plus” regarding your income. Instead of having to settle for the specific salary that is offered by the one law firm that you work, you have a great deal of leeway in setting your own pay rates. This factor can result in considerably more money for you.

When you elect to freelance, you will also be in charge of your own schedule. Instead of being bound to the nine-to-five work day of most law offices, both your daily schedule and your calendar as a whole will be largely up to you. Whether you need to take time off, or whether you wish to take on a heavier workload, freelancing will meet your needs.

There are, of course, some negative points to freelancing. One important point is that if you work as a freelance paralegal you will not be eligible for the types of benefits that you would have in working for a law firm or a private attorney. If you feel that such “perks” as general health insurance and other such benefits are essential, freelancing will not give you these benefits.

If job security is high on your list of priorities, this is another factor that is not provided by freelancing. Many people need to be assured of steady income, at a rate that they can count on, in order to keep their bills and everyday living expenses up to date. Freelancing will not provide the job and income security that you would have from being on the staff of a law firm.

In order to be successful with freelancing, it is necessary to be self-disciplined, motivated, and organized. If you elect to take the route of freelancing, you will need to be able to seek and obtain prospective jobs, be very effective in scheduling your time, and have good math skills for the purpose of billing and taxes.

Working as a freelance paralegal has factors in its favor, and factors that are negative to some people. If a sense of adventure and excitement in your work life is what would suit you the best, freelancing could be a great option for you!

For many who are not familiar with the paralegal field, the general consensus is that the person’s role in the law office consists primarily of menial tasks. These are people who have never worked as a paralegal, and probably do not know anyone who has been in the field.

Although a paralegal’s role is considered to be in terms of assisting the supervising attorney, there is quite a wide range of responsibilities and duties that actually fall into the category of “assisting”! As the main purpose of a paralegal is to lighten the workload of the attorney, it is more a matter of delegating important, relevant tasks, rather than doing the meaningless tasks that the attorney himself simply does not want to do.

One example is in a case process. It is often the paralegal who has the task of locating the most current codes of law and procedure that are the most relevant to the case the attorney will be working on. As many of these are subject to frequent changes, the paralegal must determine not only what is relevant but what is the most up-to-date.

Interviewing clients and prospective clients is another task common for paralegals who work in a law firm. She is also often given the task of interviewing witnesses. In addition to successfully completing paralegal coursework, it is essential that the paralegal have excellent communication skills, in both written and verbal forms.

In specialized fields, the paralegal may also be present in court. Whether she is directly dealing with witnesses in a court case, or simply taking care of all of the necessary paperwork, it is easy to see that a paralegal has a vital role in the legal system. As you can see, the role of a paralegal consists of much more than simply keeping the law office running smoothly. While this is a part of it, of course, it is by far not the largest part of a paralegal’s average work day.

Thinking a paralegal to be little more than a glorified secretary or a “go-fer” is quite a disservice and quite untrue. Both in overall knowledge and the duties one is expected to perform on a routine basis should make such a person’s professional standing very clear.

First, the qualifications of assisting an attorney means a paralegal must have a full overview of the legal system, including the specifics, in order to carry out these responsibilities without having to turn to others with questions about what is needed and what must be done.

Second, she must also be able to carry out all of the necessary tasks, often in the attorney’s absence. Even though a paralegal is working for an attorney, there are many duties that she must fulfill without his actual presence.

Whether a paralegal is working for an individual attorney in his private practice, or whether she is a part of a large law firm, it should be clear that her role is that of an essential function, both inside and out of the office.