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I am a legal assistant now and have started thinking about switching and going to school to become a paralegal. But school is 28,000 for two years at Sanford Brown so I want to know what the differences are and if it will be worth it. So what I am wanting to know is what exactly do you do at your job, how much do you make, and do you like your job?
In many law firms the two terms are interchangeable. I know that they shouldn't be, but the reality is that they are. Frankly I wouldn't spend that type of money to get a paralegal degree.
If you really want the degree, most community colleges offer an AA in paralegal studies for about $5K total--sometimes less.
I'm also hearing that there are so many out of work lawyers and recent law school grads who can't find jobs that they are getting many of the paralegal jobs.
paralegal here. and yes, just like attorney and lawyer, legal assistant and paralegal or usually interchangeable.
I agree with annerk. I wouldn't shell out that much money. I know of a class that is around $2000 for a 6 month course that gives you a certificate and allows you to sit for the CLE, which is about $300 - so you can become a certified paralegal/legal assistant for about $2300 in 6 months or so.
as someone that's been in the legal field since I was 16 and a paralegal since I was 21, I have to ask how long you've been a paralegal/legal assistant. I'm trying to get out of the field (too long of a story) and I would like to know what makes you want to move into a paralegal role.
Where did you find the 6-month classes at? I checked the c. college and the tech schools and none have anything that fast. But I have been an office asst. for a few years and a legal asst. for 3. And I want to move more into a paralegal role in a real law office because I really do like what I do and I think I'm good at it. Plus where I work now the pay really sucks but I'm worried I wont get in a real law office w/o some sort of formal training.
Lord have Mercy, don't spend that kind of money for a paralegal certificate. What a total waste. Around here there is absolutely no difference between a Legal Assistant and a Paralegal. None. Same job, different titles. Some firms use one term and others use the other. Makes no difference. Are you really more of a Legal Secretary or something?
I would never advise anyone to become a paralegal or legal assistant. It's a horrible career choice.
Lord have Mercy, don't spend that kind of money for a paralegal certificate. What a total waste. Around here there is absolutely no difference between a Legal Assistant and a Paralegal. None. Same job, different titles. Some firms use one term and others use the other. Makes no difference. Are you really more of a Legal Secretary or something?
I would never advise anyone to become a paralegal or legal assistant. It's a horrible career choice.
I am a legal assistant now and have started thinking about switching and going to school to become a paralegal. But school is 28,000 for two years at Sanford Brown so I want to know what the differences are and if it will be worth it. So what I am wanting to know is what exactly do you do at your job, how much do you make, and do you like your job?
I'd be vary wary of doing such a program unless you are sponsored by your employer or can do it at very low cost.
The legal profession is hit really hard by the recession. Paralegals make the lawyers work more efficient because they handle a lot of the time consuming stuff and lets the lawyers concentrate work that they can bill clients at a high rate. Well, that work has really dried up and lawyers are scrambling to find work to do and don't really need paralegals to make their work more efficient. The end result is that law firms are laying off paralegals and other staffers like crazy. It's so bad right now, just about every firm is even laying off attorneys and some have started de-equitizing partners.
It's not a good time to be a paralegal. Even if a firm is doing well, there are a ton of unemployed attorneys out there that would be willing to do quasi-legal work for low pay on a contract basis. So you have to compete with both paralegals, unemployed lawyers, and recent law schools graduates. It isn't a pretty situation unless you have contacts or people you know that highly value your work.
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