This article is relevant for those who want to be a Paralegal. It describes what paralegals do, how to become a paralegal, the additional training to perform well as paralegal, where they work, and expose the dangers to be a paralegal. Everybody that want to work as a paralegal must read this article to have a complete overview of the paralegal profession and know the advantages and the challenges of this job. As far as I am concerned, I write this article because Paralegal Technology is my field of study. This article confirm what my teachers told me during my training and prepare me for what to expect in this job especially my career prospects when I get many years of experience.
What paralegals do depend on where they are working and the field of law in which they are working. Those who work in law firm, in litigation, usually work with a lawyer. Most of the time they do research in law and help the lawyer at trials by researching case law relevant to their cases. They also study the file of clients, write a report and submit it to lawyer who have to decide to the orientation of the file. They also write a draft of court application project. Those who work in companies and real estate draft contracts, mortgages, separation agreements estate planning. In addition, those who work in companies prepare employee benefit plans, shareholder agreement and stock options. Paralegals who work in public administration do legal monitoring. They update the legal articles used by the administration and by the public. Those who work in legal service aid do administrative tasks by classifying files and do research. They also offer legal services to those who do not have the money to have a lawyer for their own.
Paralegals could work in many places. They work with lawyers in law firms, in public administrations, Companies and legal aid services.
There are several ways to become a Paralegal. In one hand, a Paralegal generally complete a training approved by American Bar Association (ABA) or are on the job training. Those who are on job training have a degree in liberal arts majors and work an as legal assistant after their diploma in University because this field is very competitive and many people are interested. In the other hand four years program in a famous school and the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) increase the job opening. In addition, Paralegals who have computer and investigation competencies have a great future in this field.
It is relevant for a paralegal to have computer and investigation competencies. After ten years of professional experience, a paralegal must keep his knowledge update by following advanced training courses.
A new paralegal with less experience work faces many challenges because he has to acquire an experience and be familiarize with his new job. He has fewer responsibilities but have a heavy workload. He could work 90 hours in a week. A new paralegal works under pressure and cannot take any initiatives itself. He does his work under the supervision of a senior paralegal who gives him the tasks he has to do. Most of the time he does research in law libraries, browse exhausting documents, prepare reports for presentation. They also do administrative duties. The work could be difficult but with perseverance, he will be able to do it. To have a work experience, a paralegal could work 90 hours in a week. He also works under pressure because his word is supervised. He does not have any independent in his work. Most of the time his tasks are not easy and less interesting.
I am at the end of my study in Paralegal Technology. I have registered for the internship for the winter session 2021. I will start it in the middle of January in a legal service of a public administration. I can't wait to start and I'm ready to take on the challenges of this job. I would like to continue my studies in law at university after two or three years experience as a paralegal.
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Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
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