Thinking of changing careers.

[BigDaddyFin]

I'm thinking of becoming a paralegal.  Anyone have any advice as to the easiest way to go about this?

I have a 4year degree in broadcast communications and an English minor.  Do I need additional schooling? 

Any advice would help.

[Dave Gray]

I found this link with a quick "Google".  http://howtoall.com/Educationfiles/howtobecomeaparalegal4.htm

It sounds like you don't need a degree at all, but having some kind of degree helps.  They recommend that you get certified.

[Buddhagirl]

Depending on what state you're in, you might have to to take a couple of classes (to understand how to read cases and stuff like that. A generic paralegal course should do that.) and then get certified.
I'm actually considering getting my certification since I'm a liberal arts major with emphasis in law.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Buddha may live in state with some sort of requirement for a paralegal, but I would expect that to be a rarity.   I can't imagine why a state would have such a requirement.  The lines between paralegal, legal secretary, and general office help is pretty blurry and varies from office to office. 

Bottom line is the paralegal signs his/her name to absolutely nothing and the atty is responsible for everything.  A paralegal might write the brief or motion but atty is the one who signs it.  If there is an error, in the eyes of the court, it is completely and solely the responsibility of the atty.  Who if egregious enough could face discipline including disbarment and is the one who would be sued for malpractice.  "My paralegal messed up" is never a valid excuse.  Granted if a paralegal frequently messes up they are gonna get fired, but that is no reason for a need for certification.

However, an atty isn't going to hire a paralegal that doesn't know how to do legal research.  Without some sort of training the best you can hope for is a job working the copy machine or answering phones or taking dictation.  And some paralegals, have started that way and by getting informal training from other paralegals worked their way into becoming a paralegal.  But that is a long and slow way to do it.

[Landshark]

A paralegal certificate might be a good idea if you already have a degree.  That way you just take a few classes on the legal field and you can go right into it.  Certificates are good for people who want to change careers or enhance their careers.  I am Black Belt Six Sigma certified. 

[Buddhagirl]

A paralegal certificate might be a good idea if you already have a degree.  That way you just take a few classes on the legal field and you can go right into it.  Certificates are good for people who want to change careers or enhance their careers.  I am Black Belt Six Sigma certified. 

That was more my thinking. A certificate would just show that you have done a bit of legal work and possibly get you in the game a bit quicker.

[Landshark]

That was more my thinking. A certificate would just show that you have done a bit of legal work and possibly get you in the game a bit quicker.

Exactly right.  Because he already has a degree, this is the fastest way to go.  The biggest mistake people make is to get certified without getting a degree.  That does them no good.

[BigDaddyFin]

Is it like the LSATs where you just take the test and bang you're certified or do you have to take a class then take the certification?

[Buddhagirl]

Is it like the LSATs where you just take the test and bang you're certified or do you have to take a class then take the certification?

From my understanding you can just take the test.

[SportsChick]

When the certification began in Florida I was working as a legal secretary and we were told that it was pretty easy if you had legal knowledge.

[BigDaddyFin]

hmmm.... Interesting