Contribute to a Firm as a Paralegal

Paralegals are often thought of as just support for lawyers, but what the job lacks in prestige, it makes up for with training and contributions to a firm or company that has a legal team. The job, after all, requires great determination, knowledge and practical understanding—characteristics that can also pave the way for a career as an attorney or consultant.

The Contributions You Can Make as a Paralegal

A paralegal is a sought after job in law firms, insurance companies, financial consultancy firms, hospitals or clinics and other similar industries. Job descriptions vary depending on the needs of an organization.

Paralegals work directly under lawyers and acts as a legal administrative assistant. They draft legal documents, prepare retainers, interview prospective clients and file motions for their firms. If you work for litigation firms, you will likely spend hours researching cases. The type of job you will do in this profession will depend on the specialty of your chosen organization.

If you choose to work in real estate, you will fill out paperwork on purchase disclosures and contracts to make sure that a transaction follows all the legalities in a state. Corporate paralegals who work in consulting or insurance firms must cross-reference claims to prevent fraud and research about different cases before recommending an approval or denial.

Before acceptance in a job as a paralegal, you must share certain skills with lawyers, including great attention to detail, good organization skills, grace under pressure and understanding of the law and its applications. To prepare you in your chosen career, getting a certification gives you an advantage. With programs from institutions such as CLS by BARBRI, you are a step closer to achieving your goals.

CLS by BARBRI: Become a Paralegal

CLS by BARBRI provides a variety of courses that prepare you for an integral role in any organization’s legal department. The programs we offer enable you to gain the knowledge and skills you need to land a job in a firm or prepare you for the rigors of law school.