The career I have chosen to pursue an education in is paralegal studies and upon completion of my education I intend to become a paralegal or commonly known as a legal assistant. I will be writing about the responsibilities, growth trends and salaries that paralegals have. I will also give information about how to enter the paralegal field and how to be promoted in it as well as the lifelong learning opportunities you can gain by choosing a career in the paralegal field. I will also give information about what expertise is required for success in the paralegal field as well as a self-evaluation of what I feel my current level of knowledge in regards to the paralegal field is.
There is an abundant amount of responsibilities and duties required to be a paralegal. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) states that those responsibilities are to conduct client interviews and maintain general contact with the client, locate and interview witnesses, conduct investigations and legal research, draft legal documents, summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimonies, and to attend executions of wills, real estate closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings and trials with the attorney. Although the amount of requirements it takes to being a paralegal are many there are very rewarding aspects to becoming a paralegal.
One of the benefits of earning an education to become a paralegal is that employment opportunities are growing. Traditionally law firms are the main employers to paralegals but government agencies and also large corporations have started to hire more paralegals due to the fact that they are cheaper than lawyers. (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012) Paralegals are expected to have an 18% employment gr...
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...nervous to say the least. I thought that I had taken on something that was going to be entirely too hard for me to accomplish. Although I had my doubts in the beginning I am not more than ever confident in my decision to become a paralegal. I am very eager and ready for the rest of my education.
Works Cited
1.) (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bryantstratton.edu/degrees/aas-paralegal 2.) (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.studentscholarships.org/careers_salary/117/education/paralegal_and_related_occupations.php
3.) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm
4.) http://www.nala.org/AboutParalegals.aspx 2008 National Association of Legal Assistants 1516 S. Boston, #200, Tulsa, OK 74119
I think that one of the most important parts about this job it that it helps people, probably not in the way most people would like it, but it can help certain people. It helps especially in trials, when the prosecutor or defender needs evidence against the criminal to prove his or her innocence.
A paralegal must have good investigation skills that include interviewing, legal research and discovery management. These three skills are necessary for a paralegal to be successful in their career. When a paralegal utilizes these three skills they will prove to be valuable to their employer and the clients they are helping to represent.
Small law firms offer the paralegal a chance to work in many different areas of law and allow them to provide many different services while working on...
There are many duties and work tasks that a victim advocate must complete. They do everything from educate the victim of his or her rights, help victims with their safety plans, help victims find transportation and shelters, and fill out paperwork and reports to law enforcement about the crime committed against them. A victim advocate also is a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear to the victim. They help the victim get through the questioning, the court appearances, the testimony they give, and notify
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Wednesday, January 8, 2014. April 3,2014 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-5
Their faith in me allows me to push forward, and drive me to stay on track , so I can reach my goals. In addition, without my passion to want to help others none of my goals I want to achieve would be possible.
My major is Paralegal Studies and I expect to graduate with an Associates of Arts degree in December of this year. Many years ago, as an investigator for both a private company and a county agency, I was introduced to the legal field. Recently, I was awarded the opportunity to attend college, so I decided I wanted to reenter the legal profession as a paralegal. The paralegal profession appeals to me, because I enjoy the processes of developing a case, as well as its legal aspects. A paralegal is involved in a case from the beginning to the end; from the initial client interview to assisting the attorney during the client’s trial or the settlement process. My goal is to become a paralegal for a solo practitioner or a small firm in my local area who represent clients in different areas of the law.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Social Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm (visited May 02, 2014).
Professional nursing organizations (PNO) such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) represents and protects the interest...
I have chosen to use a criminal defense lawyer as my primary legal career for this discussion board. A criminal defense lawyer, is a lawyer who specializes in defending an individual or a company that has been charged with a crime. Criminal defense lawyers have to deal with many different circumstances. For instance, arrests, criminal charges, investigations, sentencing, appeals, and even post-trial issues. However, a lot of criminal defense lawyers will choose to specialize in a certain type of criminal defense. For instance, drug defense, or even DUI defense. Criminal defense lawyers often have to work out substantive issues in connection with their clients supposed crime. Many times criminal defense lawyers will be helping a client even before charges have been filed against them by
Professional development is a lifelong journey. In order for one to examine his/her individual skills, qualities, needs, and opportunities, one must be able to identify future goals. Part of identifying future goals is being able to recognize weaknesses, use of time management, and different ways to invest in oneself to make the most of his/her future. Creating a professional development allows an individual to create an action plan based on his/her values, beliefs, and experiences to advance oneself in a career situation.
“Summary” Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Actuaries, 5 Apr. 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Actuaries, 5 Apr. 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
NALA have available for paralegals the options of CLE (Continuing Legal Education). This program is live educational, online self-study programs, and publications which is overseen by the association’s Continuing Education Counsel. The council works with Headquarters staff, professional writers, and others in planning and developing educational programs. The three areas I have chosen for CLE are Real Estate, Social Security Representation, and State and Federal Administration Law. The three areas mentions are my areas of interest, becoming a member of NALA, will allow me the opportunity to participate in CLE to give me the necessary knowledge to better and myself and know the law behind it. For a paralegal to participate in this...
The job market for the medical field is very high. Positions in the medical field are very sought after. The current status of the job market is excellent. ¨growth occurs for a number of reasons including increased emphasis preventative care, growing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand from the baby boom population, as the live longer and more active lives¨