Kind of Paralegals There Are
As there are many types of specialized lawyers, paralegals have different job experienced based on the type of law practice you are employed by. There are large law firms, small firms, one lawyer shops and even the government. There are also many types of law practices, specializing in accident and injury, copyright, corporate, criminal law, and real estate law.
Requirements
A paralegal is effectively a lawyer’s assistant. It requires no 4 year or advanced degree. Some legal firms however, will require that a prospective paralegal have a degree. Good communication skills are a must to be a paralegal, both written and verbal. Your job involves interacting with lawyers and clients, and a strong self-confident personality type is a plus.
Salary
Paralegals start at an average of $21.5K a year in the US. Overtime is common though, as lawyers often work crazy hours and weekends too. In major markets, paralegals get time and a half for overtime. Double overtime is also possible for working past 3 o’clock in the morning or Sundays and / or Holidays. This can boost your salary significantly based on how much overtime you work, but bear in mind that if it occurs on a continual basis it can be nerve wracking and intrude on your personal life.
Work Shcedule
The typical work week for a paralegal is Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 5:30, with an hour for lunch, but as mentioned above, overtime is common. If you are in a corporate environment where no overtime occurs, this can be a very nice job, working 35 hours a week, and you miss the rush hour by half an hor which can make your commute a little easier.
Getting Started
If you are still in high school, talk to your guidance counselor and get advice on whether you should pursue a four year college degree or instead enter a paralegal school. If you are going to go to a paralegal school instead of college, be sure the school has an approval from the American Bar Association (ABA). Some don’t and you should avoid these. It may reduce your chances of getting some jobs. If you want to work for a large company, a four year degree is probably better for you, while working for a small practice or a one man shop it might not be as important.
Become proficient in online computer research and legal software programs. A good portion of your work will be done in front of a computer screen.
Plan to eventually become certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) through a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) designation. This will put you on a faster career track. Visit the NALA Web site (nala.org) for certification information. Note: Don’t confuse this with a certificate program offered in a school.
