Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Georgia Paralegal

By Catherine Hill


Young people just graduating from college and high school haven't always decided what they want to do with their lives. They know they want good paying jobs that are interesting. It can be difficult to decide which fields are on the rise and which are waning. Some professions are always in demand however, and anything to do with law is one of them. If this is a field that interests you, becoming a Georgia paralegal could be a good choice.

Paralegals are not lawyers. They do not handle cases, give legal advice, or represent clients in court. Paralegals do assist lawyers though. They conduct interviews, do research, collect evidence, and draft documents. A good paralegal is invaluable to a law firm and the attorneys who work there. They are often as familiar with a complicated case as the lawyer who is in charge of it.

You probably won't get rich working in this field, but the job does provide a steady income. Most paralegals can expect to earn somewhere in the range of fifty thousand dollars and, in certain areas of the country the median income is higher. New Jersey, Washington, D. C., and California paralegals are among the highest paid. The more qualified you are however the more likely you are to earn a salary in the upper range.

Law firms are looking for certain kinds of individuals for their paralegal positions. You must be smart, confident, and able to calm even the most distressed client. You will be interacting with individuals who are in trouble of some sort. They can be difficult, demanding, and emotional. It will be your job to remain professional while assuring them they are in good hands. Not everyone has the right personality for this challenging career.

Although there are no federal or state licensing and certification requirements when it comes to this position, those who have an associate's degree in paralegal studies or have served as an intern in a law firm, will probably have an edge over the competition. Some law firms do require applicants to have an associate's or bachelor's degree in a related subject in order to be considered.

Some law firms look for certified paralegals when they are hiring however. Individuals who have certifications have passed rigorous testing in the areas of federal law, ethics, communication, writing skills, and legal terminology. They can often command higher salaries than those without the designation.

If you have an interest in furthering your education and are curious about pursuing law studies, you might consider taking steps to become a lawyer yourself. If you have an associate's degree in paralegal studies, some of the credits may go toward a law degree. You will have to get a four year bachelor's degree and go on to law school though.

You don't have to be a lawyer to have a lucrative career in the legal field. You can become a professional legal assistant and make a good living researching interesting cases. You never know what you will be doing from one day to the next.




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