Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Lake Forest California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Lake Forest CA and begin your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic options are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both hold the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Lake Forest CA attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with trial logistics or transferring documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and adhere to a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their everyday tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching related cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger number of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in Lake Forest CA is by earning a certificate, which may take just six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help increase your job opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the field are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more prevalent and can be a good option for students living in Lake Forest CA searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can often be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the right choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But because there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Lake Forest CA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must learn what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other critical factors to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Lake Forest CA law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Learn what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Lake Forest CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while attending school. They can also present a means for students to begin creating contacts within the Lake Forest CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in California or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first look at those colleges that are within the Lake Forest CA region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help minimize part of the cost, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Lake Forest CA. Naturally if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Lake Forest CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Finally, inquire what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Lake Forest
Choose the Best Lake Forest Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the right paralegal studies training school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Lake Forest home. Paralegal education programs are offered in numerous lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Lake Forest California.
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