How To Become a Paralegal: Steps, Jobs & Salary

The paralegal profession is competitive and exciting with a wide range of careers and specific fields from which to choose. Education and training requirements vary by region, field, and between companies, but usually involve a minimum of two years of post-secondary study, sometimes culminating in an associate degree, as well as experience. Students can also earn certifications, a bachelor's degree and even a master's degree in paralegal studies.This comprehensive guide includes information and data on education and training as well as key facts about salaries, job prospects and more.

Steps to Become a Paralegal

Step 1: Select a Specialty

Though most paralegals work as generalists in a legal firm, some choose to specialize for a particular employer or sector of law. For instance, corporate paralegals work with attorneys to handle contractual issues such as shareholder agreements, stock option plans and employee contracts. Litigation paralegals work with attorneys that take on cases through the civil or criminal trial system. Choosing a specialty as early as possible allows students to take courses that are relevant to career goals.

Paralegal specialties include:

• Corporate paralegal

• Litigation paralegal

• Estate planning and probate paralegal

• Family law paralegal

• Immigration paralegal

• Intellectual property paralegal

• Real estate paralegal

• Debt and bankruptcy paralegal

• Freelance paralegal

Step 2: Complete the Necessary Level of Education

Associate's Degree:The most-common educational path to becoming a paralegal includes an associate's degree. These two-year programs are offered through community colleges, universities, or online, and teach the basic skills and knowledge required of an entry-level paralegal or legal assistant.

Bachelor's Degree:A four-year bachelor's degree in paralegal studies may be a requirement for paralegal positions with major law firms, government legal departments or in corporate law. Those who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can consider earning a paralegal certificate, which can take several months to complete.

Master's Degree:If you want to take your studies further, some colleges offer master's programs in paralegal studies. Master's degree holders can find success in highly targeted fields, such as intellectual property law and certain specialties in corporate practice. Master's graduates can also become teachers of paralegal studies.

Step 3: Pass the Certification Exam

Though certification for paralegals is voluntary, earning one can distinguish individuals from other job applicants. Some employer may require certification. Regardless, national surveys consistently show that certifications such as Certified Paralegals (CP) and Certified Legal Assistants (CLA) are used to determine and measure applicants' abilities and skills.

Paralegal organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants offer the CLA and CP certifications, which require passing a test and then pursuing continuing education. The credentials have been recognized by the American Bar Association as a designation that marks a high level of professional achievement. The CLA or CP credential has also been recognized by over 47 legal assistant organizations and numerous bar associations.

Step 4: Intern with a Law Firm, Corporation, Nonprofit, or Government Agency

Individuals could also opt for an internship while pursuing a degree program to gain experience and have more opportunities for applying what they've learned. Many employers look favorably upon job applicants who take internships during their college years.

Step 5: Begin an Entry-Level Job

Students who apply for a range of positions and use their school's career placement services have an increased chance of finding work as a paralegal. Entry-level positions will give students an opportunity to begin practicing the techniques learned in school and allows for increased responsibilities down the road.

[dig-deeper title="What Does a Paralegal Do?" subtitle="Paralegal Career Basics" description="Many paralegals work full-time in private firms, government agencies or corporate legal offices. They handle a broad range of administrative and research duties under the supervision of attorneys. For example, during the course of a day, they may organize and maintain legal files or draft documents, deliver or retrieve documents from the courthouse and conduct intensive legal research in preparation for court. Paralegals also investigate the background facts of cases, organize evidence and documents for attorneys to review, accompany lawyers to court, and manage schedules with witnesses and experts. Specific responsibilities can vary greatly, depending on the department, office or firm in which a paralegal works. Those who work for large firms might handle only one phase of a case, while those in smaller firms could work a case from beginning to end." panel_subtitle="Paralegal Career In-Depth"]

Much like lawyers, paralegals can choose to specialize in a certain type of law, which can determine the actual tasks they will spend most of their time doing. Criminal law paralegals, for example, may prepare clients for trial, interview witnesses, research legal precedents pertinent to a case, and must have a wide knowledge of criminal legal issues.

Paralegals working in a corporate setting will assist in legal business transactions for companies, compose employee contracts, prepare financial reports and maintain benefit plans. Immigration paralegals typically work for government organizations, but can also be employed by a firm. They obtain foreign documents, research immigration case laws, prepare paperwork for citizenship and deportation, and handle client concerns. Specialists in labor law review and prepare contracts between companies and their employees, handle litigation from disputes in the workplace, and help to represent businesses or workers.

[/dig-deeper]

Paralegal Salary Per State

Paralegals work full-time and earned a median wage of $52,920 in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 percent of paralegal jobs pay $85,160 or more per year. Those who work for larger firms or in larger cities tend to earn more than paralegals who work for small firms. The highest annual wages were found in the federal government, followed by finance and insurance, then local governments.

Top 5 Highest Earning States/Areas for Paralegals

The map below shows details of the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile earners for each state.

Advanced Education

The educational options available to students after they achieve a bachelor's degree include earning a post-baccalaureate certificate, a graduate certificate, or a master's degree in paralegal studies. While it is not always necessary that paralegal professionals complete education beyond a bachelor's, each advanced program offers different credentials and skills and prepares graduates for increased opportunities and responsibility.

Type of Certifications

Skills Gained at the Graduate Level

Paralegal Credentials

Paralegal positions don't require a standard set of credentials. Instead, paralegals can pursue a handful of voluntary certification programs throughout the nation. Some of the most common certification programs for paralegals include (but are not limited to):

National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

NALA offers the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential program, which signifies that a paralegal can provide high-quality services to firms and corporations.

National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)

The NFPA offers two paralegal certification programs:The Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE): A certification for new and early-career paralegals with a bachelor's degree in a related field.The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE): A certification for paralegals further along in their careers who want to further advance their careers.

Association of Legal Professionals (NALS)

The NALS offers several different certifications for paralegals and aspiring paralegals:Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) is for students and entry-level professionalsProfessional Legal Secretary (PLS) and Certified Legal Professional (CLP) are for paralegals with at least three years of legal work experienceProfessional Paralegal (PP) is for students graduating from an ABA-approved legal studies program or those with five years of experience

Considerations for Paralegal School

Skills of a Successful Paralegal

Certain skills and character traits make some individuals naturals for a career as a paralegal. In addition to solid legal knowledge and understanding, a successful paralegal will have the necessary credentials and be proficient in using the tools and technologies utilized by law firms and legal departments.Being responsible for such a wide variety of tasks requires paralegals to be very organized and skilled at multitasking. Those who have an extreme attention to detail and who enjoy working as part of a team, often behind the scenes, are ideal candidates

• Excellent research skillsProfessionals must be able to effectively conduct research as well as evaluate and analyze law sources in order to apply theories and principles to issues and cases. Research often also includes conducting interviews and investigations.
• Communication skillsIn addition to research and analysis, paralegals must also be able to draft correspondence and legal documents in a clear, concise and accurate manner. Additionally, paralegals interact efficiently and sometimes assertively with many different people, from lawyers to clients to witnesses to court personnel.

Tools and Technology for Paralegals

Some paralegals also function as office managers, conducting various administrative tasks to ensure that everything in a law office or firm runs smoothly on a daily basis. In order to do this, paralegals should have knowledge of legal administrative systems, billing practices and accounting systems. Computer literacy is also important as law offices become increasingly reliant on electronic databases, legal forums, and legal software for administration and conducting legal research.Below are just some of the technology systems paralegals may encounter in the workplace.

Related Public Service Careers

When you choose to become a paralegal, you will gain skills and education that could serve you well in related job opportunities. Related occupations such as claims adjusters, occupational health and safety technicians, secretaries and administrative assistants, or social workers performing as witness advocates could be a perfect fit for those who choose a career path similar to that of a paralegal. The average salaries and projected job growth for these related occupations according to the BLS are as follows:

What Do Related Occupations Make?

Understanding what related occupations earn can help current and potential students and graduates get a better idea of what they can expect to earn if they pursue a career as a paralegal or transition to another field. Related occupations will perform similar administrative duties as paralegals such as document preparation, filing, and organization in legal settings such as:

• Law offices
• Corporate legal departments
• Courtrooms
• Government agencies

Below are the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile for wages of jobs related to and including paralegals.

Paralegal and Related Job Salaries

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Related Careers at a Glance

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