What Paralegal Program Fits Your NeedWritten by Sara Jenkins
If you enjoyed doing research and writing up its results, possesses good communication and organization skills, you will be good in paralegal profession. And with right paralegal education, paralegal training as well as good background of experience, professional paralegal status may be just achieved. As paralegals become more and more in demand because of apparent escalation in workload of law firms, organization, government agencies, and even non-profit organizations, more paralegals are seeking different path to grow faster in terms paralegal careers. Different paralegal schools are also in proliferation to aid these individuals who need to nourish their basic knowledge in legal matters. A paralegal position may seem a simple and easy job, these, however may not seem so uncomplicated. More and more lawyers and attorneys convey their job to paralegals or legal assistants. Though, they are not allowed to do legal practices, still their job is job that needed sharp skills and formal paralegal training in order to obtain and carry on with tasks on their shoulders. Different paralegal programs offered by different paralegal colleges and universities in country can only enhance such knowledge an expertise in paralegal matters. These institutions provide services that meet important factors in evaluating a paralegal program. First, reputation of institution must hold up with general public and legal community for higher education information. Another factor to consider is how these services are being provided. The paralegal program should have proper orientation, excellent tutoring, academic counseling as well as career information counseling, financial aid, and placement assistance. Also, they should have information ready regarding placement rate and job satisfaction of alumni of such paralegal institution.
| | Paralegal and Paralegal CertificateWritten by Sara Jenkins
Paralegal or legal assistant is “a distinguishable person who assists attorneys in delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, legal assistant has knowledge and expertise regarding legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under supervision of an attorney.” In United States, there are more than 120,000 paralegals that have received paralegal certificates that do tasks and become vital members of legal community. Paralegal are either hired by lawyers, law firms, corporations, governmental agency, or other groups of same manner. Paralegals, as a legal assistant have limited task. They could mot represent a client in court not give legal advice. They cannot set fee or accept a case. In short paralegals cannot assume duties that are set for legal officers only. However, paralegals can perform tasks under supervision of attorney. These can be, but not limited to, conducting client interview without bridging gap between paralegal and attorney. Paralegals can also conduct survey, investigations, and research whether statistical or documentary. Paralegals can also summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony. They can also attend hearings and trial with attorney. And with legal assistance, paralegals can author and sign correspondence but does not include legal opinions. But becoming must have a formal education about profession. The Associate Degree Programs, Bachelor Degree Programs, and Master’s Degree Program are some of this. There is also what we can Certificate Program that is offered to various educational institutions that can be between 16-60 semester units.
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