There is a world of opportunities for someone with a background in paralegal services. Becoming a paralegal does not mean you can become a litigator nor will you get the chance to offer legal advice to clients and such, but a paralegal is still essential in any law firm. The pay can be great, too.
Also, with so many online courses for paralegal degrees, you can study from the comfort of your own home without having to give up your day job.
The advantages of online courses
Many individuals want to work in the judicial system as an attorney, but it takes time and money to become a lawyer. You would first have to obtain a college degree with a major in law or anything related to it. After that, you have to apply and be accepted in a law school and study for four years. Then, you need to pass the bar exams, which every attorney would tell you is not a walk in the park.
On top of all of that, it will cost you thousands of dollars just to obtain a license to practice law, which you might have to spend the rest of your life and career trying to pay back your student loans.
But if you study to become a paralegal, there are some courses that can help you get a degree in two years or even less. In addition, if you choose to study online, there are several online courses that provide great training for potential paralegals.
If you do some research, you will find that many online courses will teach you about intellectual property law, civil litigation, criminal law, dispute resolution and bankruptcy law.
An essential part of the judiciary
Even if you get your degree as a paralegal without stepping foot in a university, you can still work in any law firm as soon as you finish your course. Most states in the U.S. also do not require paralegals to hold a license. As soon as you finish your course, you can assist lawyers in their cases. This assistance can go as far as conducting research for their clients and not just taking care of the paperwork.
Working as a paralegal will certainly broaden your horizon and teach you tons of things about how the law works. You will get to work with your attorney’s clients and also the witnesses, and you will get to be an expert in the processes of the courts from filing appeals to writing legal documents.
If eventually, you feel that you can contribute more by practicing law, starting off as a paralegal is a good training ground for you. In fact, many paralegals who went on to becoming a lawyer are already adept at practicing their profession due to their extensive knowledge in law brought about by their experience working as a paralegal.
So, if you are thinking about becoming a paralegal, try out some of the online courses, and you just might discover that this is your true calling.
