Paralegal Studies Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Lake Forest California
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Lake Forest CA and begin your journey that will result in a rewarding career in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably understand, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic options are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about finding the right program with so many options? Some potential students begin by trying to find schools within driving range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals help Lake Forest CA attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is normally billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular tasks may involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very challenging. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to take on a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Lake Forest CA is by obtaining a certificate, which can require just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and get a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in California to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative 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 students who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online could be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Lake Forest CA area, as well as 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 degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important issues to research as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Lake Forest CA law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact a few Lake Forest CA law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Keep in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Lake Forest CA legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ among states, it might be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to create relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Lake Forest CA region.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be available to help reduce part of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Lake Forest CA. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Lake Forest CA, make certain classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you enroll in provides that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Lake Forest
Choose the Right Lake Forest Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Lake Forest residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in various lengths and formats. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Lake Forest California.
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