Become a Paralegal

If you want to become a paralegal and enjoy working in a rewarding, respected profession, Blackstone’s accredited paralegal training program can help you achieve your goals. Earning your paralegal certificate can provide the edge you need in your career as well as help you obtain professional certification.

Paralegals, sometimes referred to as legal assistants, are skilled professionals who serve in a variety of capacities in the legal community. They provide valuable services, typically while working under the supervision of lawyers. Paralegals are often responsible for conducting research, drafting legal documents, working with clients, and assisting in trial preparation.

Are there paralegal job opportunities out there? And what about job security?

When you become a paralegal, you’ll benefit from a high level of job security. A steadily increasing need for paralegals in the private sector as well as in various government offices means even when other elements of the economy slow down, the need for paralegals will continue to grow. This is because paralegals can provide many of the same services as lawyers, but at a lower cost.

In recent years, the number of new jobs in the national paralegal market outpaced the growth rate for most other jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates employment for paralegals will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018.

Choosing to become a paralegal opens up a wide range of employment opportunities at private law firms, large corporations, insurance companies, and government agencies. Some paralegals choose to work in community legal aid offices, helping to bring legal services to those who wouldn’t normally have access to such help.

What kind of salary could a paralegal earn?

You can expect to earn an attractive salary when you become a paralegal. According to the 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook, top paralegal pay was over $73,450 in 2008, while the middle 50 percent of paralegals earned between $36,080 and $59,310.

When I become a paralegal, where can I work?

Paralegals fill an assortment of positions in almost every locale in law firms and a multitude of other entities. Often, paralegals choose positions based on unique interests and skills, previous work experience, or future goals for specialization and advancement.

When you become a paralegal, you may work in a corporate legal department handling employee benefits and contracts, or performing necessary regulatory research and analysis. Or, you could work for a small law firm and use your knowledge of all aspects of law, or a large law firm where you will specialize in areas such as criminal law or real estate law.

Organizations that employ paralegals include:

• Banks; Savings and Loans
• Construction Companies
• Corporate Legal Departments
• Court Reporting Agencies
• Federal and State Banking Agencies
• Insurance Companies
• Internal Revenue Service
• Law Firms
• Legal Aid Societies
• Municipal, Trial, and Appellate Courts
• Private Investigators
• Sheriff’s Department
• Title Companies
• Unions

Paralegals also work for federal, state, and local government. Large numbers of paralegals work for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

No matter what your interests, the paralegal field—with its unlimited variety of employers, specialties, and positions—likely holds the perfect opportunity for you and your dreams for the future.

Are you ready to become a paralegal and enter a respected profession with a competitive salary, high job security, and rewarding job responsibilities? Get started now with Blackstone’s accredited paralegal training program.

Enroll online or call 1-800-826-9228 to speak with an admissions advisor.