Q.
1)
What are the rewards of being a paralegal? Being able
to create a thesis from a situation and see it come it
fruition when an argument is made on behalf of your attorney's
client.
2) What would you say are the advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages: very
challenging and keeps you thinking, if you are in the
research and investigative part
of para work, you work side by side with attorney(s) on
interesting cases in an
exciting profession. Disadvantages: can be long hours,
very demanding.
3) What kind of advice do you have for me? Look
for team offices who believe in
continuing education.
4) What kind of things should I be ready for when I become
a paralegal? Be ready
to learn ALOT quickly. Be ready to be professional.
5) Have you ever had to present a case in court? I found
in my research that
sometimes they do that. I personally never have, but
I know a bankruptcy para
who does it often WITH HER ATTORNEY. We cannot represent
a client in
court or set fees or give legal advice.
6) What kind of salary do they get paid? Paras in
NJ with some experience
usually make approx $35,000+
7) What kind of education should I have? It is my
opinion that you should have
graduated from an ABA accredited school (since it may
be a requirement some
day) in a school who offers job placement and internship.
Internships are
valuable experience for learning what kind of law you
like, what you don't and if
you like large or small firms....
Q. A Paralegal Profession seems exciting and
rewarding. Do you recommend any special schooling
for me? A.
You are right, the paralegal profession can be exciting
and rewarding. When searching for schooling, I
recommend an American Bar Association (ABA) approved
curriculum. Regulation may be underway for NJ
paralegals and you would be ahead of the game if you
completed a program approved by the ABA. For info
on becoming a paralegal and looking for a school
directory go to: http://www.njparalegal.com/WantobePL.htm
For
general information about the paralegal profession and
responsibilities, salary, etc... visit this website:
Job Outlook Department
of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook updated June
2001
National Academy of Paralegal Studies
Q:
I'm not sure if you can help me. I have been trying
to contact National Academy of Paralegal Studies another
phone number or website. Could you please tell
me if this school still exists, and if so could you
possibly give me a phone number or e-mail address of
someone I can contact to request information?
A:
This school no longer exists, however thanks to the
President of the Legal Assistant's Association of New
Jersey who is a plethora of information, we found the
name of the attorney who has records: Michael Manna,
Esq., 61 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 447-2800,
contact his office for transcripts, etc...
New
Jersey State Certification/Regulation
Q.
My Fiance is a Paralegal, Specializing in real estate.
She's
applied for positions in numerous places here in New
Jersey and has been
asked many times if she has been Certified by the state
as a Paralegal,
( Usually asked that question by the office manager
or office paralegal during
the pre interview process ) Thus far, we are
not aware of any State Exam
for certification in the state of New Jersey and to
make effort for other
paralegals in search of employment.
A.
You are correct, there is no State regulation or
certification by the State of NJ.
However, NJ paralegals were pioneers almost a decade
ago introducing regulation
and/or certification of paralegals. If you would
like to become involved in this movement
contact a paralegal association such as LAANJ
or SJPA. NJParalegal.com will keep you
informed of updates regarding this issue that concerns
us all!
Changing
over to a Paralegal Career/Finding a Paralegal School
Q.
I am presently a staff accountant in a public CPA firm.
I have recently
decided I would like to change careers and work as a
legal secretary/paralegal.
Since I will be "starting over" by beginning
a new career, I will be taking a
major pay cut, so It may take a while for me to actually
go back school.
In the mean time, I would like to get my feet wet and
work for a law firm.
The only problem is 99% of the positions being offered
through the
paper require experience. Any suggestions?
A.
I would suggest that you enroll in a paralegal program
at night and begin
your education. Perhaps in one year you will have
made enough contacts and
gained enough knowledge to get a job at a law firm at
least part time. Starting
over can be a frightening thought, however, if you want
this as a career, you
must be flexible and request that others be flexible,
too. I am sure you will find
a way to make your dreams a reality. Also, an
ABA approved school is a good idea since employers do
look for candidates with curriculum approved by the
American Bar Association. Click
here for a list of Paralegal Schools in NJ.
Good Luck!
Becoming
an Independent Paralegal/Ethics Issues
Q.
I would like to know where I can go to find out a list
of tasks a paralegal
can perform as an independent/freelance paralegal who
has their own company
for example what type of document can they draft I heard
about wills, leases, but what else
please respond.
A.
Paralegals can perform most duties an attorney does,
in lieu of setting fees and
court appearances. Keep in mind paralegals cannot
perform legal work except
under the direct supervision of an attorney!
Doing so is the unauthorized
practice of law in the State of NJ. If you would
like some insight as to being
an independent paralegal, Dorothy Secol, CLA of Paralegal
Services wrote an
article for Paralegal Press last fall.
You may view it here: http://www.njparalegal.com/Septart.htm
|
