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In the State of Georgia, there are no specific requirements to use the title, "paralegal". Legal Assistant or Paralegal are used more or less, interchangebly. However, education, experience, training, are major factors; legal assistants frequently can be thought of a 'case managers'. Lawyers, who are responsible for the work-product of the legal assistant, thusly get to spend more time with substantive issues, and the representation of the client before the courts, or administrative agencies. The State of Florida has recently established a registered paralegal program. See link following.

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βˆ™ 14y ago
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βˆ™ 8y ago

It depends. Some people train with comprehensive online courses. Other get a 2 year Associate degree, while others even get a 4 year Bachelor's degree. What most attorneys want to know is "can you do the job?" Paralegals make great money. Starting out, the higher your education, the more money you'll be offered. However, even if you started with training from an online school or program, after you've worked a few years as a paralegal, your pay will go up substantially anyway. A paralegal with several years of experience vs a new paralegal with a Bachelor's degree will probably make the same amount of money.

Some employers train paralegals on the job, hiring college graduates with no legal experience or promoting experienced legal secretaries. Other entrants have experience in a technical field that is useful to law firms, such as a background in tax preparation or criminal justice. Nursing or health administration experience is valuable in personal injury law practices. Some legal assistants take up online training programs which is available and accepted in most states nowadays.

Although most employers do not require certification, earning a voluntary certification from a professional society may offer advantages in the labor market:

  • The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has established standards for certification requiring various combinations of education and experience. Paralegals who meet these standards are eligible to take a 2-day examination. Those who pass the exam may use the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. NALA also offers the Advanced Paralegal Certification for experienced paralegals who want to specialize. The Advanced Paralegal Certification program is a curriculum based program offered on the internet.
  • The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. offers the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential, a voluntary certification program. Paralegals seeking the AACP certification must possess at least five years of paralegal experience and meet one of the three educational criteria. Certification must be renewed every two years, including the completion 18 hours of continuing education.
  • In addition, the National Federation of Paralegal Association offers the Registered Paralegal (RP) designation to paralegals with a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience who pass an exam. To maintain the credential, workers must complete 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years.
  • The National Association for Legal Professionals offers the Professional Paralegal (PP) certification to those who pass a four-part exam. Recertification requires 75 hours of continuing education.

Paralegals should stay informed of new developments in the laws that affect their area of practice. Participation in continuing legal education seminars allows paralegals to maintain and expand their knowledge of the law. In fact, all paralegals in California must complete 4 hours of mandatory continuing education in either general law or in a specialized area of law.

Because paralegals frequently deal with the public, they should be courteous and uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession. The National Association of Legal Assistants, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, and a few States have established ethical guidelines for paralegals to follow.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

There are certifications and training program readily available in a lot of places now. A paralegal career is not like other fields wherein you can only rely on an OJT or on the job training to be trained - you need a formal training for it. A paralegal career is a good fit for those interested in grammar, legal terminology, typing, listening, analyzing data, researching, writing documents, and continual learning. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for paralegals and legal assistants was $46,680 a year in 2010. Paralegals are employed in various organizations, such as Law firms, Corporate legal departments, Government agencies. Organizations need specialized employees to help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. These employees perform a variety of tasks from conducting legal research to drafting documents. Since these invaluable employees are needed to keep legal costs down, the growth outlook is this field is good. I am seeing training programs online that offers training for a paralegal career that is good for 950 hours. A lot of colleges, vocational school and online training programs already offer the training required for an individual to be working as a legal assistant or a paralegal.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

A lot of colleges, vocational school and online training programs already offer the training required for an individual to be working as a legal assistant or a paralegal. A paralegal career is not like other fields wherein you can only rely on an OJT or on the job training to be trained - you need a formal training for it. A paralegal career is a good fit for those interested in grammar, legal terminology, typing, listening, analyzing data, researching, writing documents, and continual learning. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for paralegals and legal assistants was $46,680 a year in 2010. Paralegals are employed in various organizations, such as Law firms, Corporate legal departments, Government agencies. Organizations need specialized employees to help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. These employees perform a variety of tasks from conducting legal research to drafting documents. Since these invaluable employees are needed to keep legal costs down, the growth outlook is this field is good.

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βˆ™ 13y ago

It is possible for people coming from many backgrounds to become paralegal professionals. Some two year schools offer associates degrees in the area of paralegal studies. Many pre- law students, who have obtained a bachelor's degree work as paralegals while awaiting acceptance to law school. Liberal arts degrees with a pre-law concentration provide adequate qualifications for an aspiring paralegal.

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βˆ™ 13y ago

In the United States, the licensing of paralegals is a state matter. Schools exist to train paralegals. Since a lot of your work could be with people unable to write a sentence in correct English, you will need excellent communication skills. Can you talk to someone who is totally confused and pull out the facts? Can you then write down those facts in correct English?

That is main skill you would need. Paralegal school will teach you which of those facts are important to write down.

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βˆ™ 15y ago

a paralegal needs to have good computer skills and language skills and needs to be able to handle job stress or pressure

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βˆ™ 14y ago

At least an associates degree.

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Q: What is the education and training requirement for a paralegal?
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Where can I go to school to become a paralegal?

You can become a paralegal by enrolling in a community college, university, or online institution that offers a paralegal studies program. Look for programs accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or approved by the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) for a quality education. Additionally, some schools also offer certificate programs for aspiring paralegals.


is it a good idea to do paralegal training online?

It is possible to get the training online, but if you have the opportunity to do paralegal training in a classroom setting, this is the better option to take.


Can I get advice on how to become a paralegal?

To become a paralegal you must go to paralegal training. The basics of the legal system are taught.


Can I get Paralegal Training online?

You can get Paralegal Training online. There many colleges and schools which offer paralegal training and certification course online. You can contact schools like 'The Center for Legal Studies, which offers 14 week online program.


What are some places that offer paralegal training online?

There are many online websites that offer training for becoming a paralegal. They are not cheap as they are priced 500 dollars and up. Sites offering paralegal training and certification include http://www.legalstudies.com/ and http://nationalparalegal.edu/


What training does a personal injury paralegal need?

A personal injury paralegal should be prepared to interview people, gather reports and records, create and file needed documents, among other duties. To get the education, you must pass the CLA exam.


When did the Philadelphia Institute of Paralegal Training Close?

The Philadelphia Institute of Paralegal Training closed in 2013 after more than four decades of operation. The closure was due to financial difficulties and declining enrollment. The Institute had been a respected institution in the field of paralegal education, offering high-quality training programs for aspiring paralegals.


Who has transcripts from American Institute of Paralegal Studies which was accredited by the Accrediting Commission for business Schools?

The American Institute for Paralegal Studies is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). I have transcripts and a Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies from the school, as well as a Certificate of Completion with a Specialty in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation. Why are you asking?


How much training or education would you need for paralegal?

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for paralegals.Most entrants have an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Some employers train paralegals on the job.Education and training. There are several ways to become a paralegal. The most common is through a community college paralegal program that leads to an associate degree. Another common method of entry, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is earning a certificate in paralegal studies. A small number of schools offer bachelor's and master's degrees in paralegal studies. Finally, some employers train paralegals on the job. There are also available online training programs nowadays and most of them is accepted in a lot of states - if you choose to train this way, make sure that the online training will be accepted in your area.Associate's and bachelor's degree programs usually combine paralegal training with courses in other academic subjects. Certificate programs vary significantly, with some taking only a few months to complete. Most certificate programs provide intensive paralegal training for individuals who already hold college degrees.For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.


Can you become a lawyer in Ghana by going through online training college online paralegal training?

No.


Do I need to go to a paralegal school to become a paralegal?

While attending a paralegal school can be beneficial for gaining the necessary skills and knowledge, it is not always required to become a paralegal. You can also become a paralegal through on-the-job training, certification programs, or obtaining a degree in a related field. It ultimately depends on the requirements of the employer and the jurisdiction in which you plan to work.


Do I need to go to school to become a paralegal?

Yes, you will need to go through some type of school and/or training to become a paralegal. Here are some sites that you can find the best schools: nationalparalegal.edu/ and also www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com/legal.../paralegal/paralegal.