Ranked as one of the 20 best jobs in America by CNN.Money, the career path for paralegals (also known as legal assistants) is more diverse and lucrative than ever before. Rising legal fees and increasing case loads have prompted attorneys to delegate an ever wider array of tasks to paralegals. New paralegal jobs are continually created by employment growth, e-discovery initiatives and the expansion of traditional paralegal roles. For more information on the roles, skill-sets and job outlook for paralegals, review this paralegal career profile.
Formally trained paralegals have the best employment opportunities. While you can secure a two year associate’s degree in paralegal studies, paralegals with a four-year bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies (or related field) or a bachelor’s degree in any field combined with a paralegal certificate have the most career opportunities. Many paralegals are also obtaining professional certification in the field. Certification can enhance your employment opportunities and demonstrate a commitment to the profession and a mastery of certain skills and knowledge.
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