If you are considering a career as a paralegal, you’ve made a smart choice. If you are still uncertain, consider looking over these links, which not only explain what to speak of the career, and who would best fit into it, but also gives advice to established paralegals on how they can improve their work and perhaps transition into a specialization or work as a freelancer. Whatever your goals in the paralegal profession, whether you want to get into it or are already in it, these links will help you further your knowledge on the subject.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/3379/Tips-for-Becoming-a-Successful-Paralegal/
This article is a good starting place for those curious about or interested in the paralegal profession. Paralegal recruiter Cierzan is interviewed about what sort of people would make good paralegals, and why one would choose the paralegal profession rather than being a lawyer. Cierzan also offers some interview pointers, and some surprising insight to the sort of pay range a paralegal can expect.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/4351/Qualifications-and-Responsibilities-of-a-Paralegal/
Are you considering becoming a paralegal? This article is another great place to look when considering whether to get into the profession: what sort of schooling is involved? What responsibilities does a paralegal hold? What sorts of things will a paralegal do on his or her daily job? Questions of certification are also addressed.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/2860/Male-Paralegals-Is-There-Really-a-Glass-Elevator/
This article notes that as the job market has been shaken in recent years, more men have considered transitioning to jobs traditionally worked by women, such as being a paralegal. Would this be a smart choice? The author says yes, many men will encounter a glass-elevator effect, finding advancement and promotion quicker than their female counterparts because the addition of men to the team balances and diversifies the field.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/1301/In-a-Pink-Collar-Profession-Male-Paralegals-like-Wal-Mart-s-Robert-Stephens-Find-Profit/
Now that more men are joining the paralegal profession, what does the career look like for them? How does working a career that has traditionally been dominated by woman work out for those men interested in joining? There are many good reasons for a man to join, and this article makes a good case for why it is worth considering.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/4906/Becoming-a-Paralegal-Do-You-Have-It-in-You/
Not everybody should become a paralegal. Should you? This question details the sorts of people who will thrive as paralegals, such as those who have a passion for research and strong organization skills, and those who won’t, such as the shy, introverted, or socially awkward. After assessing what personalities do best, the article addresses the next step to take: getting a paralegal certificate at an ABA-approved paralegal education program.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/4320/10-Good-Reasons-to-Become-a-Paralegal/
Uncertain whether to become a paralegal? Still figuring it out? Read through this concise article which lists 10 great reasons why the paralegal profession could work for you. With the number one being “You’ll always be in demand,” we are off to a great start, and by the time you get to number ten, you will feel more confident in knowing if this career is for you.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/1280/How-Important-is-ABA-Approval-for-Paralegal-Programs/
This article addresses how relevant ABA approval is for paralegal programs. Is it worth your while to sign up for the more expensive or remote program, just to secure that ABA approval status? This article explains what reasons you might go the extra mile, and in what circumstances you don’t have to bother.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/1291/Online-Paralegal-Programs/
Can you get your paralegal degree online? If so, would you want to? This article interviews a few who found success with such programs, and points out where one can sign up, and what you should expect. The question of whether the paralegal programs are approved are not is also addressed, with some comparisons between schools.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/1020/Practical-Billing-Tips-for-Paralegals/
This article explains why careful billing practices matter, and how to do them right. Concision, accuracy, and diligence are recommended of course, and this comes with being a paralegal, but some specific tips and methods are detailed here that will empower you to enhance your skills.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/706/Bills-Bills-Bills-Recovering-Paralegal-Fees/
Recovering paralegal fees may be tedious, but knowing how states manage this and making it work for you can benefit not only clients, but also paralegals and firms in many ways. This article gives tips on how to do this, and explains why such recovery of fees can give all sorts of benefits.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/618/Paralegal-Licensing-and-Regulation-Part-I-The-Pros/
Now that efforts are being made to regulate the paralegal profession, should we celebrate or complain? This article, part one of two, addresses the pros of regulating the industry. Starting out with a few terms on what is meant by licensing and regulation, the article then explains the benefits for regulation, how it helps the public and paralegals both.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/643/Paralegal-Licensing-and-Regulation-Part-II-The-Cons/
In response to the increasing regulation for paralegals, many in the profession feel stifled, naturally enough. This article explores such sentiments, and lists other reasons why efforts at regulation have caused unrest and needlessly complicated the field.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/1322/Freelance-Paralegals-Do-it-for-Themselves/
Ever consider being a freelance paralegal? It offers many benefits, including a hot market from firms who need some extra help. If you have a flare for independence and want a self-determined schedule, you should consider freelancing. This article considers the good and bad of such a choice, and how to get into it.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/4306/Be-a-Freelance-Paralegal/
There are many good reasons to be a freelance paralegal, and many approaches on how to be one. This article explores both topics, explaining why freelancing would be a good idea, and also, the different ways you can be a freelance paralegal. Perhaps you’ve been working in-house too long, or would like some more freedom, with the advent of a marriage, family, or for some other reason. Now might be a good time to consider that you could re-structure your career.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/5468/Various-Types-of-Paralegal-Jobs/
If you are interested in becoming a paralegal, consider that you could specialize in one of many ways. This article gives five examples of specific types of paralegal jobs, describing the unique responsibilities and emphases of each one. Looking over the characteristics of each could steer you into a specific facet of this fascinating career.
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/1685/Steering-Clear-of-UPL/
Now that the scope and range of paralegal involvement to the legal process has expanded, the thorny issues of unlicensed practice of law has taken sharper meaning. How much do UPL issues affect paralegals, and how can you avoid them adversely affecting you?
http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/2246/Celebrating-Paralegals/
Paralegals have revolutionized the legal profession, and their role has been especially important since the 2008 recession, which the legal sector has since been staggering from. This article by Charisse Dengler explains why we should be celebrating paralegals with a specific day that both appreciates and inspires them. The article gives a brief history of the states who have recognized the value of having a paralegal day, and what the governors of those states said about its importance.