How to Become a Paralegal
Do you want a career in law without the long and costly education that you’ll need to get a law degree? Then a job as a paralegal may be just right for you.
What is a paralegal, exactly? As the term “para” (alongside”) implies, paralegals work with lawyers, helping them with research and paperwork. As a paralegal, you can specialize in a field that interests you, and find jobs in a variety of different settings, including in a court, for a law firm, or at a non-profit.
Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to know about what a paralegal does, how to become a paralegal, and how to find jobs as a paralegal.
What Is a Paralegal?
Paralegals are legal professionals who help lawyers with their work. They work under the supervision of lawyers and share some job responsibilities but can’t advise or represent clients. They can, however, be in contact with clients on behalf of the supervising lawyer, for example to gather information.
Paralegals are needed across different fields of law. Here are some examples of law fields you could work in as a paralegal:
- criminal defense law
- corporate law
- family law
- immigration law
- litigation
- labor law
- real estate law
What Does a Paralegal Do?
Paralegals often work for law firms, but they can also work in other settings with legal departments, for example a non-profit, a government agency, or a corporation. They spend most of their time conducting legal research and creating drafts of legal documents, but they also perform administrative duties.
Paralegals have more responsibilities, pay, and education than legal secretaries, who primarily perform general administrative tasks, although some paralegal duties can overlap with those of legal assistants and secretaries, especially in a smaller office.
So what does a paralegal do day-to-day? Here are some examples of typical paralegal duties you’ll be expected to perform:
- Draft pleadings, contracts, briefs, and other legal documents
- Organize electronic documents and paperwork
- Gather information for cases by interviewing clients and witnesses
- Research legal issues
- Schedule appointments
- Write reports and memos
- Review legal files
- Manage calendars
- Gather evidence, such as medical records
- Respond to legal inquiries, such as discovery requests
- Communicate with clients, courts, and other stakeholders
- Prepare items for trial, for example exhibits and appendices
Learn more about what paralegals do in Monster’s job description of paralegals.
How to Become a Paralegal
What are the requirements to become a paralegal?
You’ll spend a lot of time researching and writing legal documents as a paralegal, so should have a firm grasp of reading and writing. You’ll also need excellent attention to detail and organizational skills, as well as verbal communication skills. You’ll gain the specific legal knowledge that you need to be a paralegal through coursework or on-the-job training.
Do You Need a Degree to Become a Paralegal?
Most states don’t have any specific paralegal requirements for education since paralegals work under the supervision of lawyers and do not have to pass the Bar. This means you won’t have to get a license or certificate to be a paralegal, although it can make you more competitive on the job market. You will, however, need a degree.
Jobs will differ in their degree requirements for paralegals; some will require an associate degree in paralegal studies, while others will want you to have a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, philosophy, or a related field. If you already have a college degree in another field, consider a paralegal certificate program, which is meant to bridge this gap.
A degree from an educational program certified by the American Bar Association can make you stand out from other applicants. Just keep in mind that the association certifies the school, not individuals, so you cannot claim that you are certified. You can search for programs on the American Bar Association’s homepage to see if they’re certified.
If you want to be able to say that you are certified, you can pursue an optional certification after your degree. These are some of the most common ones:
- Certified Paralegal from the National Association of Legal Assistants
- RP Certification through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) by taking the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE)
- CRP Certification by taking the Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE) from the NFPA
How Long Does It Take to Become a Paralegal?
It takes about 2.5 to 5 years to become a paralegal. The exact time it will take depends on your educational path. Here are some of the most common ways to become a paralegal and how long they typically take:
- An associate degree in paralegal studies: about 2 years
- A bachelor’s degree: about 4 years
- A paralegal certificate program: about 6-12 months, depending on the school
How Much Does a Paralegal Make?
The median national paralegal salary is $46,160. Search Monster’s salary data to find out what paralegals typically get paid in your city. Then, you can use this essential information as the starting point for a paralegal salary negotiation, while also considering your level of experience and education.
How to Become a Paralegal: Finding a Job
Once you have the education you need, it’s time to start applying to jobs. But make sure you have a strong job application first. Law firms and other legal employers look for applicants who have a strong writing, organization, and persuasion skills. Your job application is a great place to show off your skills and present the evidence for why they should hire you.
Whether you’re new to the job market or have previous experience, most resumes and cover letters can be improved with some simple tweaks. Get some ideas for how to create a strong application by reading our paralegal resume sample and cover letter for paralegals.
Once you’re ready, browse job openings for paralegals.
And if you’re looking to make a move, consider finding jobs in one of these states where paralegals are in high demand:
Or, check out one of these cities with tons of paralegal job listings:
Make a Case for Yourself on Monster
With a strong job application and the information you need on how to become a paralegal, you’re off to a great start in finding a job. But to get the right job, you need a chance to state your case. Upload your resume to your Monster profile so recruiters and employers in the legal field can find you. We’ll also send you new paralegal job postings for your area along with career advice that will help you in your law career.