The Silver Bot

Although not quite, “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma” the fact remains that a paralegal is still not required to pass any type of post educational exam (i.e. bar exam equivalent) in order to work in the field of law. Indeed, a surprising truth that after nearly 50 years of existence, the position of paralegal is still an unlicensed profession. However, common sense dictates that for those that do become certified comes better opportunities and increased status and therefore, more and more paralegals are taking one of the many certification exams available to them to help take their careers to the next level.

Pivotal criteria to remember when examining the caliber of any paralegal program:

1. Paralegal degree programs need to teach both legal concepts and theory alongside usable, hands-on job skills. A solid paralegal degree school curriculum should also stress a wide range of topics from legal contracts and litigation to legal writing, legal research, torts and ethics. The really exceptional paralegal schools will focus on the entire development of their students’ by refining and honing their critical thinking abilities and by offering them the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience through and internship or practicum.

2. Commitment by the faculty and the paralegal curriculum director to the importance of the paralegal in the whole legal system is a must. Additionally, they must have the proper academic credentials to be able to teach the subject. Ideally, the paralegal program director should have a law degree but if not, they should have some type of advanced paralegal degree. As for the instructors they should be experts in the subjects they are teaching. How they came to become an “expert” can be debated as to what is the best path but regardless of the journey they need to have the proper expertise.

3. An increasing number of higher educational colleges and universities are now making paralegal courses and/or entire paralegal degree programs available online via the internet. Potential students need to find out what type of delivery system will be used and how much training will be provided in using the system whether it’s all web-based, video based or a combination of the two. Another key factor for one must ask themselves is if they are properly suited for online learning because it takes a strong level of commitment and discipline.

A paralegal career is more than being an attorney’s flunky, much more. Paralegals are vital cogs in virtually every law office today because they are ones that make the office run like clockwork because they open up time for the lawyers to do their thing while the paralegals do the less flashy but equally important behind the scenes research and office work. Becoming a paralegal is a great career move; so procrastinate no more, get started on your paralegal degree today.