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Can we just choose five traits as the most important paralegal traits that you must possess to succeed in a paralegal career? In my opinion, the answer is “no.” The paralegal profession has grown and expanded over the last few decades to encompass so many different positions and roles that it would be impossible to choose just five traits as the most important traits you need to have in order to be a successful paralegal. Furthermore, paralegals now work in numerous related fields that go far beyond a law firm. Therefore, the skills and paralegal traits a person needs to succeed depends more on the type of job, the industry, and the paralegal’s role than the standard definition of a “good paralegal.”

What is a Paralegal?

Before we can choose traits that define a “good paralegal,” we need to understand the definition of a paralegal. Two of the most commonly used definitions of a paralegal come from the National Association of Paralegals (NALA) and the American Bar Association (ABA). Both definitions are extremely similar.

NALA: “Legal assistants (also known as paralegals) are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training, and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law, which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.”

ABA: “A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”

Both definitions require a paralegal to have the training, education, and experience in order to perform their duties as a paralegal. Neither of these definitions explains what traits or characteristics make a paralegal successful. However, a simple internet search reveals hundreds of articles claiming to explain the traits and characteristics required to be a paralegal. In theory, paralegals possessing these traits or characteristics will be successful in their chosen careers. However, further examination of these traits reveals that most of them are really skills rather than traits or characteristics.

Some of the most common “traits or characteristics” listed in articles related to this topic include:

• Highly organized (this is on 99% of the lists you’ll find)
• Good communication skills (another popular “trait or characteristic” associated with paralegals)
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Ability to multitask
• Good computer skills
• Pays close attention to detail
• Works well independently
• Works well under pressure
• Maintains a professional attitude

When I look back through these “traits and characteristics,” I notice that all of them are skills that a person can develop or grow if they have the desire. You can take courses to learn and enhance your research, writing, and computer skills and there are numerous seminars that teach you how to be more professional, handle pressure, become more organized, and be more attentive to detail.

Yes, some paralegals will have a greater natural aptitude in some of these areas, and, yes, that probably does give those paralegals an edge on those of us who need to develop our skills.

5 Personality Traits of a Great Paralegal

Let’s go beyond the “canned” list of skills or traits that make a great paralegal and do a deep dive – what actually helps someone excel in the paralegal field?

I thought back through the many paralegals I have had hired (and fired) and those I’ve had the privilege to work with over the past 26 years. I found five personality traits that each of the paralegals who rose to the top of their profession had in common.

Good Judgment

Will Rogers said, “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” I believe this is true (I have learned many lessons from the bad decisions I have made during my career). I also believe that some people have a stronger ability to make good judgments because of their other personality traits discussed below (i.e. patience and logic) just as good judgment enhances other qualities of a great paralegal (i.e. ingenuity and persistence).

How Do We Define “Good Judgment?”  First, we must look at the definition of “judgment.” MacMillan defines judgment as “your ability to understand a situation well and make good decisions.” Merriam-Webster expands the definition of judgment to “the act or process of forming an opinion or making a decision after careful thought.”

When you break down those definitions and apply them to a paralegal, you can see that having good judgment is essential if you are to be a great paralegal.  Unfortunately, there is not a class on “using good judgment” that I am aware of that truly helps an individual comprehend when and how to use good judgment. A professor or coach can give you tips and examples of when and how to use good judgment. However, you either have the ability to make good judgments or you learn it through your mistakes (if you are humble enough to learn from those mistakes).

Going back to the definition of “judgment,” a great paralegal has the “ability to understand” a problem or situation and decide whether to involve the attorney or move forward independently. A great paralegal also understands the process and time involved in “forming an opinion or making a decision” only after careful thought and research. Paralegals who rush to a conclusion simply to finish the task or impress their boss often make poor or rash decisions that adversely affect the client and the attorney.

Let’s consider the following real-life example. A family law client was in a highly contested custody dispute. Both parents were pulling out all stops and slinging, in some cases manufacturing, as much mud at each other as possible to win custody. Our client confided in one of our paralegals that she had an affair years ago right after the couple was married. The client begged the paralegal not to tell anyone because it only happed once and it was a terrible mistake that caused him great embarrassment. The paralegal felt sorry for the client and used her own judgment to reason that the affair occurred roughly 22 years ago. If the spouse were going to find out about the affair, she would have done so by now so the paralegal never divulged this information to anyone until after the final hearing.

In this case, the paralegal’s assumptions were correct and the affair never did come up in the court proceedings. Did the paralegal use good judgment? Absolutely not. Paralegals are not attorneys – we do not have law degrees nor are we licensed to practice law. We support the attorney as they practice law in the representation of a client. As a paralegal we receive thousands of pieces of information that we must process. Some goes to the attorney but some does not. This paralegal didn’t use good judgment in this decision and that was a hard lesson to learn.

Ingenuity

Arlen Specter: “If you are going to have to play defense all the time, you cannot have the kind of ingenuity, assertiveness, independence, and intelligence which is what has made our country strong.“

Okay, you’re wondering what I believe this has to do with being a great paralegal. When we look at the definition of “ingenuity” it gives a clearer picture.

Merriam-Webster defines ingenuity as “the quality of being clever, original, and inventive.”

Another word for ingenuity – resourceful. Great paralegals are resourceful and innovative. In other words, they play offense by having the “ingenuity, assertiveness, independence, and intelligence” to tackle issues and problems before being told to do so by an attorney. If you see something that needs to be done, be assertive and independent enough to tackle the problem before the quarterback hands you the ball.

Ingenuity goes a few steps further than simply grabbing the ball. Once you have the ball, run with it. Be resourceful and inventive when searching for solutions to the problem. If you can’t find a solution, use your other skills to develop a solution of you own to present to the attorney. However, use your good judgment to know when to stop running down the field and reset with the quarterback (attorney) to confirm the play is legal.

I hate to use tired, old clichés but great paralegals do think “outside of the box” rather than accept what is presented to them. This ability ties directly into the personality traits for being logical and having persistence.

Logic

Macmillan defines logic as “ connecting ideas or reasons in a sensible way.”  However, Albert Einstein said, ” Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

When we view the definition of logical in the light of Einstein’s quote, we conclude that a great paralegal can start at “A” and arrive at “B” using reason and careful thought. However, along the way the paralegal must use good judgment to avoid mistakes and may need some ingenuity to make “B” the outcome that the client and attorney desire.

Paralegals must deal with the abstract, complex, and ambiguous elements of the law. A great paralegal must be able to think logically and analytically to identify and evaluate key concepts and facts related to a specific case. This personality trait also enhances the paralegal’s ability to communicate facts and conclusions in a clear, concise manner to the attorney — a skill that is at the very core of being a great paralegal.

Again, paralegal courses and other educational or coaching courses can help a person develop their logic and reasoning skills. There are undoubtedly some paralegals with a natural “Sherlock Holmes” personality trait that makes them extremely analytical and logical. A paralegal who is able to use logic to carefully analyze the case, remove the irrelevant factors, and concentrate on what is truly important is an asset to the firm. In the words of Holmes, “Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth.”

Persistence

Merriam-Webster defines persistence as ” the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people.”

Eleanor Roosevelt said, ” It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”

Both of the above quotes relate to a paralegal’s ability to be persistent. Some people give up when they run into an obstacle (i.e. the dark). They refuse to continue to search for a key (i.e. the solution) because it’s too difficult. A great person will light another candle, and another candle, and ten more candles until there is sufficient light to locate the key. If the candles don’t work, they’ll try something else rather than give up.

It would be wonderful if everything had a quick “fix” so we could make it off our to-do list for the day. Clients would be thrilled if we could settle their cases in a day or two rather than a year or two. Paralegals who are always searching for the easy, quick way to handle a case or a problem often quit when things get really tough.

On the other hand, great paralegals keep going regardless of how tough it may seem right then. They don’t  “curse the darkness” because they are too busy lighting more candles to keep moving forward instead of standing still or retreating. Quitting is not in the vocabulary of a great paralegal who is persistent. If all else fails, a great paralegal will draw on their personality characteristics of logic and ingenuity to find other ways to solve the problem.

Persistence also breeds consistency and commitment. A great paralegal is one who is committed to the law firm, the attorney, and the client instead of being committed to the job. The job is what we do because we need to earn a living. A great paralegal consistently goes beyond the “job description” to make things happen while using good judgment to know when to involve the attorney or a supervisor.

Patience

“Able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people” is how Merriam-Webster defines “patient.” This is one of my biggest character flaws — I am highly impatient. People get on my nerves in general but difficult people are the worst.

As a paralegal, you will always deal with difficult people and their problems. That’s your job. From your attorney and other attorneys to your client, experts, witnesses, co-workers, and others (the list goes on forever), you will be dealing with difficult people. Think of how your own problems can drive you to lose your patience. Now imagine dealing with a client’s problems and the client is demanding and difficult. It’s easy to lose your patience but a great paralegal has the patience of Job.

Joyce Meyer said, “ Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” A paralegal who is patient doesn’t sit around waiting for a miracle to fall in their lap nor do they curse the problem. Job was patient but he did not curse what happened to him nor did he simply give up. A great paralegal will rely on their other skills and traits to continue working toward the ultimate goal. If they must be patient while waiting on the court to move or opposing counsel to make their move, they will do so while still working the case from other angles.  You can be patient without being angry or still.

Am I a Great Paralegal?

I admit that I saved the personality trait of patience until the end because I lack this personality trait. Even after 26 years of working with attorneys and clients, I still am not a patient person. I’m thankful I don’t use a video phone because the look on my face, the words I’m mouthing, my fingers strumming on my desk, and the stress-relieving ball I am hurling through my office are all strong indicators that I’m losing my patience with the person on the other line.

With that said, I’ve learned to control my reactions to others but I doubt that I’ll ever master being patient. Does that mean I’m not a great paralegal? Absolutely not. In fact, if you don’t have any of the above personality traits, you can still be a great paralegal. The wonderful thing about being human is that we can all learn and grow. It may be more difficult for some of us than others in some areas (I doubt I’ll overcome being impatient) but it can be done.

The other thing I ask you to remember is that the above personality traits aren’t required for every paralegal position. They’re general traits I have noticed as I worked with other paralegals for almost three decades now (oh that makes me sound ancient). The term “great paralegal” can and does apply to paralegals who are committed to their job and who have a love for what they do each day regardless of whether they have any of the above traits (my list or the other list).

However, attorneys will be attorneys and they love paralegals with these traits, skills, and characteristics. They’ll consequently look for paralegals who display these types of skills and personality traits. Learning coping skills to tame my problem with patience improved my efficiency and quality of work, which helped me obtain my position as project manager.

The real trick to becoming a great paralegal is, to be honest enough with yourself to identify the areas where you need to improve. Take those necessary steps – that is a true sign of a great paralegal.

A leader is only as good as their team. And a team is a reflection of its leader. These two units work together to create success.

Running A Successful Law Firm takes dedication, persistence, and hard work. It also takes a great paralegal team.

But without proper paralegal training, your employees may not have the skills needed to take your law firm to the next level. Investing in paralegal training means investing in the future of your firm.

Read on to discover 11 reasons that making this investment is in your best interest.

The Importance of Paralegal Training

You can’t hire a new paralegal and expect them to know exactly what you need. Even with prior experience, your new employee won’t understand the specific techniques your law firm uses unless you train them.

Investing in paralegal training ensures that your team works within the law and your office policies. It also equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully fill their position.

Here are a few more reasons to sign your staff up for paralegal training.

1. Improved Communication

This goes for both communications between you and your paralegal, as well as between them and your clients. When it comes to important legal issues, Communication Is Key.

Misinterpreting even a few simple words can create chaos in the courtroom. Paralegal training teaches employees how to effectively communicate using the correct verbiage.

Paralegals will also learn the difference between urgent matters and those that are less time-sensitive. Clients can contact the law office via phone and email. Paralegals can field certain inquiries and pass pertinent information and other questions onto the lawyer.

Training will prepare your paralegals for communicating appropriately with clients and other attorneys if needed.

2. Portrays Professionalism

Your firm’s paralegal staff should carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. Training will help teach them what behaviors are and aren’t appropriate.

When dealing with clients, paralegals must stay neutral. Becoming personally involved with a client or case is unethical. Giving legal advice of any kind is illegal.

Your paralegal team should portray themselves in the same way you do. After all, they’re the voice and face of your firm when you can’t be. It’s also important they understand what information is confidential.

3. Understanding Their Role

Paralegals have a specific role in every law firm and proper training guarantees they understand their duties. There are certain jobs that, by law, paralegals cannot perform.

These include:

• Giving legal advice
• Negotiating legal fees
• Suggesting answers for trial or depositions

If a paralegal unknowingly preps a witness for trial or provides legal advice, both you and the accused will find themselves in hot water. This is considered practicing law without a valid license.

But there are many jobs that paralegals can perform and, when done right, will benefit your law firm. Here are a few examples:

• Report writing
• Organizing files
• Answering phone calls
• Fielding appropriate client questions
• Conducting research

Paralegal training courses teach new hires these skills and ensure they understand the difference between fielding client questions and offering legal advice.

4. The Ability to Take on More Clients

With more help in the office, your law firm can take on more clients. This will increase your workload, but the paralegal will help offset this. More clients also mean more income.

You can also offer paralegal on the job training which means the employee gets to learn the inner workings of your specific office. Every law firm uses different techniques and practices. The best way to train a paralegal to perform according to your standards is to provide the training yourself.

Once the paralegal is well-versed in your office etiquette, you’ll have an extra set of hands to help juggle more clientele.

5. Faster Turnaround Time

Like any other business, your clients expect fast results. And if there’s one process that can drag on for an eternity, it’s the legal one. Whether you’re handling divorce cases, accidents, or criminal cases, time is of the essence.

A properly trained paralegal can help research cases, file documents, make phone calls, and schedule appointments. This speeds up the process and could increase turnaround time, which benefits both you and your clients.

Most civil cases take between 2 and 3 years to settle. If appeals or other complications occur, some cases can take as long as 10 years to be resolved. Having a trained paralegal team means sharing the workload and, hopefully, closing cases sooner.

6. Provides a Solid Foundation

All paralegals enter the workforce with a Bachelor’s of Science in paralegal studies. This gives them a solid foundation for what the Position Of A Paralegal Requires. But more training never hurt.

The world of law is constantly changing. It’s important for paralegals to understand and adapt to these changes. A solid foundation is the perfect jumping off point.

Some paralegal training even offers information about new and upcoming changes to the current laws.

7. Teaches Other Useful Skills

A good paralegal has other skills outside of those related to law. A paralegal’s job requires interacting with clients, answering phones, understanding your filing and computer system, and research.

Through paralegal training, your hires will sharpen these additional skills and learn how to apply them at work. Taking notes, typing quickly and accurately, and learning new and efficient ways to Store And Dispose Of Files are all skills paralegals can benefit from learning.

8. Offers Guidance

As wonderful as it would be for you to walk your paralegal team through every one of your procedures, it’s just not practical. You have enough on your plate when it comes to trial prep and client meetings.

Sending your paralegals for training gives them guidance and direction. During training, paralegals can address any questions or concerns. This helps clear up confusion and reaffirms the knowledge they already have.

9. Reduces Confusion

Confusion equals mistakes. And you can’t afford to make mistakes. Not when someone’s money, life, business, or marriage is on the line.

Proper training for your paralegal team means clear and concise directions. Paralegals will learn exactly how you want things done and what your expectations are.

In time, your paralegal will learn the specific routines and procedures your law office follows. These may differ from previous firms they’ve worked in, making job-specific training even more important.

When your employees have a clear understanding of their job description and requirements, it means fewer questions, fewer mistakes, and fewer headaches for everyone.

10. Boosts Confidence

A Confident Employee is a productive employee. When your paralegal is confident in their abilities, it shows. Both in their work and in their interactions with clients.

And what better way to boost confidence that offering additional training and information? The more knowledgable your paralegal team is, the more capable they’ll be to handle the workload.

Confident employees are often happier and more positive, which makes for a pleasant work environment. Happy employees accept more responsibility, take on extra work, and are always eager to learn.

Through paralegal training, your employees will find confidence and abilities they never knew they had.

11. Makes Your Job Easier

One of the biggest complaints clients have about their lawyers (besides the cost) is that they don’t hear from them enough. Let’s face it, some clients need a lot of attention. They’re likely dealing with a life-altering situation and require lots of time and attention.

Unfortunately, these clients aren’t your only ones. Lawyers are swamped with preparing for trial, gathering information, giving legal advice, and networking. This makes it impossible to answer every client question and update them regularly.

This is where your paralegal staff comes into play. They can easily handle client inquiries about case status and relay messages between you and the client.

Knowing you have a trained, capable paralegal team at the helm, allows you to relax and turn your attention to the more rigorous, legal work.

Invest in Success

Offering paralegal training may seem redundant or unnecessary, but in the long run, its an investment in the success of your law firm. Your business is only as good as its employees.

Paralegals can apply their newfound knowledge and skills to the position, resulting in quality work and happy clients. This reflects positively on you and your office.

Giving your paralegal team the right tools and resources will only increase their chances for success.

Choosing your profession can feel like one of the most crucial decisions you will make. It’s understandable to second-guess yourself. Shows like Law and Order, How to Get Away with Murder or Better Call Saul may have piqued your interest in the legal realm, but is that interest enough to fuel a career?

Of all the potential courtroom jobs out there, a paralegal career is one of the fastest tracks you can take to your first day on the job. But the time it takes to gain the proper knowledge and training is still an investment. You want to be sure that it’s worth your time.

Take a moment to learn some of the gritty details of working as a paralegal—from the mouths of paralegals and the lawyers who hire them. Use this expert insight to help you make an informed decision.

But first, let’s cover the basics…

What does a paralegal do?

You’ve likely done some research on your own, but it’s always beneficial to have all of your information in one place. What does a paralegal do? Basically, they help their attorneys keep things organized and running smoothly by doing important legal legwork.

Those duties, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), can include assisting attorneys during trials, organizing case files, preparing trial notes, performing legal research, preparing legal briefs and sometimes conducting client and witness interviews.¹

“Most paralegal jobs require paralegals to work on contracts, real estate, civil lawsuits and other legal needs,” says Kirk Olson, a lawyer and instructor at Rasmussen University. “One case may require multiple areas of law. For instance, a divorce often requires a paralegal to obtain and review real estate, pension, insurance, business and estate planning documents, not just child custody studies.”

Paralegals are generally detail oriented, organized and efficient. Because duties can vary greatly based on the size of the firm or the supervising attorneys, they must also be adaptable.

How to become a paralegal

One of the most common concerns for anyone looking into starting in this field is the amount of education needed—as well as how long it takes to become a paralegal. The path to becoming a paralegal can look very different from one person to the next.

But the BLS states that the most common educational path that leads to work as a paralegal is an Associate’s degree, which can be completed in as a few as 18 months.^1,2 That said, if you’ve already earned a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in a different field, a Paralegal Certificate program can provide you with the specialized knowledge base you’ll need on the job without requiring more years of schooling—in fact, this Certificate program can be completed in as few as 8 months.²

What to expect from the Paralegal Certificate program

This program is designed to supplement education from a different field. If you already have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in any area, a Paralegal Certificate program can give you the legal basics a paralegal needs to know while building upon the foundation of general education courses you’ve already completed.

In this kind of paralegal program, you’ll take courses like Introduction to Legal Research, Legal Writing and Law Office Management. Ethical communication, interdisciplinary awareness and emerging technology are important objectives of this program.

What to expect from a Paralegal Associate’s degree program

A Paralegal Associate’s degree program will give you an essential basis for work as a paralegal (as well as other careers) with foundational classes in English composition, math and the humanities. But the bulk of your studies will focus on skill and knowledge areas specific to the legal world and the paralegal duties within it.

Courses like Torts, Contracts and Family Law zoom in on complex subjects in the legal realm, while other courses such as Computer Applications and Business Systems Concepts, Legal Writing and Legal Research help you build the critical skill sets paralegals need.

A Paralegal degree will provide you with the skills needed to succeed in the field, but there will be a host of things you won’t learn until you’re on the job. For some additional insights, we asked paralegal professionals to share the things they wish they’d known before starting their careers.

What is a paralegal career like?

“You will work hard and long hours, but it’s worth it,” says paralegal and Rasmussen University Justice Studies instructor Julia Gordon. Gordon explains that paralegals carry a lot of weight on their shoulders and every detail matters.

“There is no room for error in tracking deadlines and working with court scheduling,” says Kevin Queenan of The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. “Mentoring legal assistants, I hear the same issue every time: I did not know you meant that detail oriented!” Queenan emphasizes that miniscule mistakes can have big consequences in the legal world. Having a bad day won’t cut it as an excuse if your mistake costs the firm a case, or worse, accusations of malpractice.

Yet, Queenan points out, people with the right personality can flourish in this position. Paralegals can take jobs with varied daily tasks and experiences if that is what they are looking for. “In a general civil practice … the legal assistant may be answering discovery [requests] one day and driving out to meet a new client the next day.”

“For those who like more structure or repetition, there are law practices involving cookie-cutter lawsuits and issues. I talked to a legal assistant yesterday, and her last position involved filing 1,000 credit card lawsuits per month,” Queenan explains.

“Don’t go into the job with rose-colored glasses,” Gordon says. You might picture working in an office full of driven individuals who want to help their clients fix injustices. But unfortunately, it isn’t always like that.

“Not all attorneys are nice, and not all attorneys are ethical,” Gordon says. “Be aware of your ethical rules and guidelines and never compromise your integrity. Nothing is worth losing your self-respect over. You have your clients’ lives in your hands. Treat the position with the highest reverence.”

What is the average paralegal salary?

While not every aspect of a paralegal’s work is considered glamorous, that’s really no different from most jobs. After all, there’s a reason you get paid to work. But is that pay enough to support you and your responsibilities? That’s up to you to decide.

The median annual paralegal salary in 2018 was $50,940, according to the BLS.² That’s $12,300 more than the national average of $38,640 for all occupations.² This is pretty encouraging for a job that doesn’t require a Bachelor’s degree or hazardous working conditions.

Which paralegal skills matter most?

In this legal career, certain personalities and particular skill sets are better poised for success than others. If you are considering work as a paralegal, make sure you fit the bill by the time you apply.

“An effective [paralegal] must be computer savvy,” Queenan says. She adds that good legal assistants don’t overreact under pressure, are highly organized and care about the small details.

“Being kind and helpful is a good start,” Olson says. But Olson emphasizes that helpfulness won’t land you the job. “Lawyers hire paralegals because a good paralegal will find flaws in documents and assist with billing and other detailed functions that keep a law office working. A good paralegal is a ‘deadline cop’ who keeps the law firm on track.”

Olson says paralegals are expected to catch errors made by others and remind everyone of important dates. “Finding and warning of a deadline that others missed may prevent a loss of a client’s case and may save a $10,000 deductible in a lawyer’s malpractice claim,” Olson adds.

All that detail checking includes spelling and grammar. Olson says paralegals correct citation mistakes, grammar errors and other inaccuracies. Fine-tuning your writing and editing abilities is vital for success as a paralegal—that, as well as technical proficiency.

“A person considering becoming a legal assistant should take the highest level of available training on Word, WordPerfect and Westlaw,” Queenan says. “A technologically proficient [paralegal] will wow their lawyers more often and command a higher salary and raises.”

How to stand out as a paralegal

If you are mentally checking off some of those skill boxes—that’s a great sign. While detail-oriented professionals with strong writing and computer skills are important in this profession, there are ways to stand out even more.

Queenan recommends seeking training in client interactions, etiquette and communication skills since presenting a professional image to clients is incredibly important. Pay close attention to verbal slip-ups—no one wants to hear their legal help sounding careless. You want to make sure you are representing yourself, your clients and, ultimately, your practice as best as you can. This includes being able to communicate in a professional manner.

Additionally, Queenan suggests learning more about research materials on the internet. “We are suing a major manufacturer, and my legal assistant found several articles that were helpful to our lack of warning claims. The information was free!”

Olson suggests asking for examples of finished case files when you take work as a paralegal to see samples of what completed and professional work looks like for that firm. “And be assertive. If something does not look right, insist that it be explained or fixed.”

Are you cut out to become a paralegal?

Paralegals play an integral role in a firm’s success. Every document filed, every interview conducted and every ounce of collected research matters.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to work in the exciting legal world you’re used to seeing on TV, the paralegal profession may be the perfect career choice for you. Not only can it help you pay the bills, but it will challenge you intellectually and provide you with valuable professional experience to reach your long-term career goals.

According to the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA), more than 12,000 paralegals have earned the professional designation “Certified Paralegal” (CP) since the organization began sponsoring the certification exam in 1976.

While obtaining a certified paralegal credential is a voluntary certification process that can improve a resume, it’s not an entry-level requirement to enter the field. So why should a paralegal consider becoming certified?

#1: Employer expectations

Becoming a certified paralegal can demonstrate to employers the commitment a paralegal has to the profession and represents mastery of certain skills and knowledge necessary for success in the industry.

While many employers don’t have a preference as to whether or not a paralegal be certified, it is usually best to check job descriptions and employer preferences to see if this could be a requirement to land a certain position.

#2: Competitive edge

Years ago, when the supply of paralegals was much smaller than the demand for them, entry-level paralegals could enter the field with no certification, degree, or even experience. But in the last couple of decades, competition in the field has increased dramatically.

Now, certification is becoming the standard that can improve professional credibility. If you’re looking for a way to set yourself apart when it comes to applying for jobs, a paralegal certificate can help you highlight why you are the better choice for the job.

#3: Enhanced marketability for the firm

The most marketable law firms have a culture of thought leadership and don’t just hire qualified lawyers and paralegals—they especially value thought leaders. A law firm that employs only certified paralegals can market itself as such, advertising that both their attorneys and paralegal staff possess the specialization and experience necessary to handle the most complicated cases and legal issues.

Pointing this out to your supervisor can even help if you are hoping to convince your law firm to help pay for the certificate program, or if you want to ensure that you will be allowed flexible hours.

#4: Increased client satisfaction

Certified paralegals have demonstrated that they have the level of competence required to pass a certification exam and maintain the credential. This ability is not lost on clients, who want their matters handled by experienced professionals.

Attorneys also know the value of keeping clients happy and meeting their expectations as efficiently as possible. They understand that certified paralegals have additional training on how to handle clients and keep them coming back. Not to mention making clients more likely to elicit referrals, the backbone of any successful law practice.

#5: Higher income potential

Another advantage of paralegal certification is the potential to earn a higher income, both in salary as well as benefits – an average salary increase of $4,880, according to NALA. This increase is due in part to the very fact that a paralegal certification is not required, and so is considered additional knowledge obtained voluntarily. Which inherently makes a certified paralegal more valuable and an asset to a law firm or legal department.

#6: Sharpening their skills

While achieving paralegal certification is a challenge on its own, in order to maintain this credential, certified paralegals are required to continuously update their knowledge. NALA requires paralegals to undergo recertification every five years, and to be eligible, they must:

• Complete a minimum of 50 clock hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
• Obtain at least five hours of ethics training (included in the 50-hour CLE requirement)
• Affirm that they have not been convicted of a felony
• Pay a recertification fee of $125

Since recertification renewal requires multiple training courses, certified paralegals are continually refreshing their knowledge and staying up to date on developments within the legal industry.

#7: Staying ahead of the curve

Although paralegal certification is a voluntary process, as laws change and the legal industry continues to grow, states are expected to begin to require certification. Becoming certified prior to any future legislation could save time and money and reduce the inconvenience of such mandates. Paralegals who have earned certification will likely be ahead of those who need to return to school or obtain certification should it become mandatory in their state.

#8: Preparing to move on

For paralegals who plan to eventually attend law school and become attorneys, passing a paralegal certification exam is a step ahead that will require them to gain in-depth knowledge of certain practice areas and prepare them to take the rigorous Law School Admission Test (LSAT), before law school.

Contact us for more information.

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Choosing your profession can feel like one of the most crucial decisions you will make. It’s understandable to second-guess yourself. Shows like Law and Order, How to Get Away with Murder, or Better Call Saul may have piqued your interest in the legal realm, but is that interest enough to fuel a career?

Of all the potential courtroom jobs out there, a paralegal career is one of the fastest tracks you can take to your first day on the job. But the time it takes to gain the proper knowledge and training is still an investment. You want to be sure that it’s worth your time.

Take a moment to learn some of the gritty details of working as a paralegal—from the mouths of paralegals and the lawyers who hire them. Use this expert insight to help you make an informed decision.

But first, let’s cover the basics…

What does a paralegal do?

You’ve likely done some research on your own, but it’s always beneficial to have all of your information in one place. What does a paralegal do? Basically, they help their attorneys keep things organized and running smoothly by doing important legal legwork.

Those duties, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), can include assisting attorneys during trials, organizing case files, preparing trial notes, performing legal research, preparing legal briefs, and sometimes conducting client and witness interviews.¹

“Most paralegal jobs require paralegals to work on contracts, real estate, civil lawsuits, and other legal needs,” says Kirk Olson, a lawyer, and instructor at Rasmussen University. “One case may require multiple areas of law. For instance, a divorce often requires a paralegal to obtain and review real estate, pension, insurance, business, and estate planning documents, not just child custody studies.”

Paralegals are generally detail-oriented, organized, and efficient. Because duties can vary greatly based on the size of the firm or the supervising attorneys, they must also be adaptable.

How to become a paralegal

One of the most common concerns for anyone looking into starting in this field is the amount of education needed—as well as how long it takes to become a paralegal. The path to becoming a paralegal can look very different from one person to the next.

But the BLS states that the most common educational path that leads to work as a paralegal is an Associate’s degree, which can be completed in as few as 18 months.^1,2 That said, if you’ve already earned a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in a different field, a Paralegal Certificate program can provide you with the specialized knowledge base you’ll need on the job without requiring more years of schooling—in fact, this Certificate program can be completed in as few as 8 months.²

What to expect from the Paralegal Certificate program

This program is designed to supplement education from a different field. If you already have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in any area, a Paralegal Certificate program can give you the legal basics a paralegal needs to know while building upon the foundation of general education courses you’ve already completed.

In this kind of paralegal program, you’ll take courses like Introduction to Legal Research, Legal Writing, and Law Office Management. Ethical communication, interdisciplinary awareness, and emerging technology are important objectives of this program.

What to expect from a Paralegal Associate’s degree program

A Paralegal Associate’s degree program will give you an essential basis for work as a paralegal (as well as other careers) with foundational classes in English composition, math, and the humanities. But the bulk of your studies will focus on skill and knowledge areas specific to the legal world and the paralegal duties within it.

Courses like Torts, Contracts, and Family Law zoom in on complex subjects in the legal realm, while other courses such as Computer Applications and Business Systems Concepts, Legal Writing, and Legal Research help you build the critical skill sets paralegals to need.

A Paralegal degree will provide you with the skills needed to succeed in the field, but there will be a host of things you won’t learn until you’re on the job. For some additional insights, we asked paralegal professionals to share the things they wish they’d known before starting their careers.

What is a paralegal career like?

“You will work hard and long hours, but it’s worth it,” says paralegal and Rasmussen University Justice Studies instructor Julia Gordon. Gordon explains that paralegals carry a lot of weight on their shoulders and every detail matters.

“There is no room for error in tracking deadlines and working with court scheduling,” says Kevin Queenan of The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. “Mentoring legal assistants, I hear the same issue every time: I did not know you meant that detail-oriented!” Queenan emphasizes that minuscule mistakes can have big consequences in the legal world. Having a bad day won’t cut it as an excuse if your mistake costs the firm a case, or worse, accusations of malpractice.

Yet, Queenan points out, people with the right personality can flourish in this position. Paralegals can take jobs with varied daily tasks and experiences if that is what they are looking for. “In a general civil practice … the legal assistant may be answering discovery [requests] one day and driving out to meet a new client the next day.”

“For those who like more structure or repetition, there are law practices involving cookie-cutter lawsuits and issues. I talked to a legal assistant yesterday, and her last position involved filing 1,000 credit card lawsuits per month,” Queenan explains.

“Don’t go into the job with rose-colored glasses,” Gordon says. You might picture working in an office full of driven individuals who want to help their clients fix injustices. But unfortunately, it isn’t always like that.

“Not all attorneys are nice, and not all attorneys are ethical,” Gordon says. “Be aware of your ethical rules and guidelines and never compromise your integrity. Nothing is worth losing your self-respect over. You have your clients’ lives in your hands. Treat the position with the highest reverence.”

 

What is the average paralegal salary?

While not every aspect of a paralegal’s work is considered glamorous, that’s really no different from most jobs. After all, there’s a reason you get paid to work. But is that pay enough to support you and your responsibilities? That’s up to you to decide.

The median annual paralegal salary in 2018 was $50,940, according to the BLS.² That’s $12,300 more than the national average of $38,640 for all occupations.² This is pretty encouraging for a job that doesn’t require a Bachelor’s degree or hazardous working conditions.

Which paralegal skills matter most?

In this legal career, certain personalities and particular skill sets are better poised for success than others. If you are considering work as a paralegal, make sure you fit the bill by the time you apply.

“An effective [paralegal] must be computer savvy,” Queenan says. She adds that good legal assistants don’t overreact under pressure, are highly organized, and care about the small details.

“Being kind and helpful is a good start,” Olson says. But Olson emphasizes that helpfulness won’t land you the job. “Lawyers hire paralegals because a good paralegal will find flaws in documents and assist with billing and other detailed functions that keep a law office working. A good paralegal is a ‘deadline cop’ who keeps the law firm on track.”

Olson says paralegals are expected to catch errors made by others and remind everyone of important dates. “Finding and warning of a deadline that others missed may prevent a loss of a client’s case and may save a $10,000 deductible in a lawyer’s malpractice claim,” Olson adds.

All that detail checking includes spelling and grammar. Olson says paralegals correct citation mistakes, grammar errors, and other inaccuracies. Fine-tuning your writing and editing abilities is vital for success as a paralegal—that, as well as technical proficiency.

“A person considering becoming a legal assistant should take the highest level of available training on Word, WordPerfect, and Westlaw,” Queenan says. “A technologically proficient [paralegal] will wow their lawyers more often and command a higher salary and raises.”

How to stand out as a paralegal

If you are mentally checking off some of those skill boxes—that’s a great sign. While detail-oriented professionals with strong writing and computer skills are important in this profession, there are ways to stand out even more.

Queenan recommends seeking training in client interactions, etiquette, and communication skills since presenting a professional image to clients is incredibly important. Pay close attention to verbal slip-ups—no one wants to hear their legal help sounding careless. You want to make sure you are representing yourself, your clients, and, ultimately, your practice as best as you can. This includes being able to communicate in a professional manner.

Additionally, Queenan suggests learning more about research materials on the internet. “We are using a major manufacturer, and my legal assistant found several articles that were helpful to our lack of warning claims. The information was free!”

Olson suggests asking for examples of finished case files when you take work as a paralegal to see samples of what completed and professional work looks like for that firm. “And be assertive. If something does not look right, insist that it be explained or fixed.”

Are you cut out to become a paralegal?

Paralegals play an integral role in a firm’s success. Every document filed, every interview conducted, and every ounce of collected research matters.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to work in the exciting legal world you’re used to seeing on TV, the paralegal profession may be the perfect career choice for you. Not only can it help you pay the bills, but it will challenge you intellectually and provide you with valuable professional experience to reach your long-term career goals.

These expert insights should answer many of your lingering questions about becoming a paralegal. If you’re thinking this is the career for you, take a closer look at the paralegal programs that can help you get there. The Rasmussen University Paralegal Certificate and Associate’s Degree page can explain more of how to get your legal career underway!

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [accessed March 2020] www.bls.gov/ooh/. The information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
²Time to completion is dependent on accepted transfer credits and courses completed each quarter.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in June 2014. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2020. Expert insight remains from the original version.

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When you receive a traffic ticket, your first response may be just to pay it. The truth is that you can fight the ticket if you believe that you’ve been wrongfully given it. Here are some of the top reasons why it makes total sense to hire a traffic ticket lawyer to defend your case.

 

They Know The Law

When it comes to understanding NY Traffic Tickets and how to fight them legally, traffic ticket lawyers are key. They know the legal technicalities that can dismiss specific types of traffic tickets. They know the best way to handle each type of traffic ticket to give you the best chances of having your case dismissed. If you’re like most average citizens, you don’t have this in-depth knowledge of the New York legal system.

 

They Can Help Reduce Your Charges

One of the major benefits of hiring a traffic attorney is that you can learn of the various ways you can reduce your charges. For instance, most citizens don’t know that they can opt for traffic school instead of having a conviction put on their record. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in speaking with the judge and convincing them to give you traffic school over a conviction.

 

They Can Negotiate Points

Every driver has a driving record that can include points for negative driving instances. A traffic attorney can help to negotiate with the judge to lessen or even omit the traffic points from hitting your driving record. Various NY traffic tickets offer different points ranging from one to three. If you get more than four points in a period of twelve months, you may face suspension of your license or even probation. Therefore, it’s necessary to do everything possible to avoid having points added to your driving record.

As you can see, hiring an attorney to help fight your case is a necessity. They provide you with many benefits that are hard to gain when you’re fighting your case alone. Next time you get a traffic ticket, make the great decision to hire a traffic lawyer to fight for your case.

In case you want to hire the services of a San Diego Criminal Defense Law Firm, you need to consider several things at first. While consulting with the firm, make sure to inquire questions regarding the experience of the attorney in question, how they will be able to evaluate and deal with your case, and also what will be their service charge. Here, we have thrown light on what to ask a criminal defense law firm before you hire one.

It is essential for you to attend the interview prepared beforehand. Moreover, you might be asked by some criminal defense attorneys to fill out a form before the meeting. You might also be required to show any document which has been requested by the lawyer. It is essential to bring several items which will aid the lawyer to evaluate your case including:

Any document which you have received from the court that showcases your charges and also the subsequent date of the court appearance.

 

The bail papers.

If your property had been searched, any paperwork was given to you by the cops.

A police report copy if feasible.

 

Apart from these documents, you might also consider providing a list of victims, witnesses, and any other defendant. Moreover, it will be a prudent decision to bring along with you a list of questionnaires which you can ask the law firm as well. We’ve provided several suggestions in this article, and you need to pick those which will come of use.

 

The experience and background of the criminal law firm

 

While visiting the firm for the first time, it is vital to figure out whether it has got sufficient experience in defending any similar charge as that of yours. In case you have been charged for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, you will not require anyone who is an expert in the field of felony murder suspects. You can ask some questions to the firm like the following:

 

How long have they been practicing in this field of criminal law?

What is the frequency of their appearance in the court where my case is going to be handled?

Do they negotiate the agreements frequently with the office of the prosecutor? How can your relationship with the prosecutors be described?

How frequently their clients go to trial?

How much familiar they are with the charges which are against me? What is the percentage of their practice when it comes to representing clients with identical charges?

Do they belong to any professional organization or Bar Association? If it is so, which are the ones?

 

Evaluation of your case

 

You might be charged with a crime in your state, county, or federal court. In that case, you’d like to take the help of a criminal defense law firm to provide you with a solid idea of what can be expected. In such a situation, you can ask these following questions:

 

What exactly are my legal alternatives? Would they suggest me any plea agreement, a guilty plea, or simply a trial?

 

What prospective issues do they predict in my case?

What features of my case will work in my favor?

What can be expected at the various phases of the process including the filing of motions, arraignment, motions hearing, trial, and disposition?

 

Case management

 

By the term “case management”, we refer to how it is possible to handle a cases logistics. It is vital to comprehend what is going on in the background with your case so that there’ll be no misunderstanding whatsoever. Here you can ask the following queries:

 

Will they be available for representing me?

Will, anybody else work along with the lawyer appointed by the firm? If it is so, can I meet him?

In case I have any queries, can I call them? If not, then whom can I call?

Will they represent me in the court personally or hand over the responsibility to somebody else? If it is so, then who?

How can I contact them as well as their colleagues? How promptly will they answer me?

 

Legal fees

 

The majority of the criminal defense law firms out there will be charging by the hour. But, some can also ask for a flat fee as well. In this case, it will be sensible to ask the firm the following questions:

 

Will they charge an hourly rate or flat fee?

In case you are being charged by the hour, what would be their rate? Will it be essential to pay any retainer fee? If it is so, then how would it work?

What are the other expenses I need to pay apart from the fee? Is it possible for them to give me an estimate?

After asking all these queries to the criminal defense law firm, it should not be difficult for you to hire an experienced and trustworthy attorney to win the case in your favor.