The origin of the paralegal dates back to the late 60s and early 1970s. The position was created to free-up time for lawyers to focus more of their time on key aspects of their clients’ cases like trial preparation. Although paralegals now perform many duties once only performed by lawyers they still cannot do things like give legal advice or present a case in court.
Intrinsic fundamental yardsticks to be aware of when assessing any paralegal program:
1. Paralegal degree programs need to teach both legal concepts and theory alongside usable, hands-on job skills. A solid paralegal school curriculum should also stress a wide range of topics from legal contracts and litigation to legal writing, legal research, torts and ethics. The really exceptional paralegal schools will focus on the entire development of their students’ by refining and honing their critical thinking abilities and by offering them the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience through and internship or practicum.
2. Who are players behind the scenes? Who put the paralegal curriculum together and who is teaching it? Do the staff and the paralegal schools program director have top notch credentials? The paralegal teaching staff should have field experience in the subject they are teaching be considered an “expert” on that subject. The curriculum director should have an advanced degree in a related field at worst but preferably they have a law degree or a bunch of paralegal work experience and an advanced paralegal degree.
3. Online learning, also called distance learning has become the latest craze in the pursuit of paralegal degree excellence but an important question to ask your-self before taking the online plunge is is it right for me? Pursuing a paralegal degree online is obviously different than campus learning because regardless of how the material is delivered (video or web-based content or tele-courses, etc.) the entire teacher / student relationship is much different and you need to decide if you can learn that way. If yes, go for it because there are many benefits; if not, then you need to find the nearest campus based paralegal school.
Even if long term you have aspirations to become an attorney, beginning your career in law as a paralegal is a smart first step. Becoming a paralegal will enable you to get your foot in the door of the legal field, which will open up additional opportunities whether you decided to pursue your law degree or continue to work as a paralegal. Regardless, a paralegal career offers countless opportunities.
