The CLA or CP credential has also been recognized by over 47 legal assistant organizations and numerous bar associations. 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.
Consider attending any of the colleges offering courses on paralegal studies. A bachelor’s degree in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal or successful completion of at least 15 semester hours of substantive paralegal courses. The Paralegal Certificate Course© will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the American judicial system. It will also teach you practical skills, including how to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation.
Participants have much freedom to focus on topics of interest, as the curriculum is tailored to their needs. Some students may choose criminal law, while others might want to focus on family law. The University of South Carolina was founded as South Carolina College in 1801, in wake of the American sidley austin career Revolution. Civil War, the University of South Carolina took a radical turn from its successionist parent state. It became the only Southern state university to allow African-American students to study, and to allow black folks on the Board of Trustees beginning in the late 1860’s.
These jobs are well-compensated, and the career outlook for all legal occupations is expected to increase 9% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations. All of these careers are available without the financial and time commitments of law school. With so many options, you can find the right position to launch a satisfying and lucrative non-lawyer legal career. Large and complex lawsuits require vast amounts of information that has to be readily available during the trial. Litigation support professionals help attorneys manage and organize that information so attorneys can use it effectively.
Payscale aggregates all employee salaries into experience and degree cohorts and charts out the average salaries accordingly. While this is interesting information, it is simply an indicator and should not be considered as a definitive accounting. At the state level, we simply sort the states from fastest growing to slowest within the particular career, or 1st to 50th. Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. The University of Cincinnati and all of its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
This university’s online Bachelor of Science in legal studies program encourages interaction with peers and focuses on on innovation, creativity and leadership. Students benefit from small class sizes and have access to both the University Writing Center and one-to-one tutoring. May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. The Idaho Association of Paralegals was established in 1980 with the goal of offering education, professional development, networking and growth opportunities for paralegals in Idaho.
Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed. Texas Christian University was established in 1873 by two brothers named Addison and Randolph Clark, both of whom were connected to the Christian Restoration Movement. Prior to founding Texas Christian University, they created what was known as the Male and Female Seminary of Fort Worth.
In the musical Dear Evan Hansen, Evan Hansen’s mother, Heidi, is studying to become a paralegal. Paralegals also act as Police Station Representatives if they are accredited, giving general advice to clients held in police custody. Legal work requires communication, research, strategy, and problem-solving skills. Gaining these tools will help you throughout your professional and personal life. Projected growth in paralegal and legal assistant occupations from 2020 to 2030. Communication Skills- Paralegals will use their communication skills on a daily basis to receive and give vital case information to clients on a regular basis.