Becoming a paralegal is a great way to start a career in law. The legal profession includes a diverse range of specialties. A paralegal is an assistant to one or more lawyers. A paralegal may talk to clients, draft pleadings, write letters, organize exhibits and do other tasks designed to help the lawyers get ready for trial.
A paralegal in a litigation firm is very involved in getting cases ready for trial and may work directly with more than one lawyer in the firm. Sometimes, law firms assign each lawyer their own paralegal for assistance on cases. Large law firms frequently handle business litigation and bill their clients by the hour, with another hourly rate set for their paralegals.
Another option for a paralegal is to work for a solo practitioner. Many solo practitioners specialize in one area of law such as divorce or personal injury, while others have a more general practice and handle cases in multiple different specialties.
Being a paralegal offers the opportunity to work in the exciting field of law, and there are many opportunities to specialize in a specific area such as environmental law. Many current lawyers once started out as paralegals in order to get their feet wet in this field.
A paralegal is an unlicensed legal professional, meaning that a paralegal cannot give legal advice and must work under the direction of a licensed legal professional. A paralegal also cannot make arguments in court in front of a judge or jury. However, many paralegals do attend trials or depositions in order to assist the lawyers they are working for by taking notes, making sure exhibits are ready and keeping files organized.
To become a paralegal, it is a good idea to take a course on it. While former training or licensing is not required to work as a paralegal, having a good educational background can give paralegal applicants an edge over their competition. The International Career Institute offers training for those interested in becoming a paralegal.
Taking a course to become a paralegal can help a person learn what the job will likely inquire and provide an introduction to what most lawyers and law firms expect. Paralegal training will give students an opportunity to see what real cases look like, and they will learn skills such as writing business letters for law firms, what types of exhibits may be used at trial, and how act professionally in a law firm environment.
Becoming a paralegal is a great way to start a career, and there are many opportunities for advancement in the legal field if you decide to further your legal The need for paralegals is growing, as the need for high-quality legal work grows. Even if you have no desire to become a lawyer, becoming a paralegal will give you a chance to work in an interesting, professional environment.
Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.
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