A paralegal education provides graduates with the skills to join what is both a challenging and rewarding field. According to American Chronicle, paralegals - or legal assistants as they are also known - provide vital administrative support to lawyers and attorneys. There are a range of education programs available across the country to train for the profession, all of which offer a mix of legal theory and practical skills. Individuals studying to become a paralegal can expect to learn about the organizational structure and workings of law practices, professional responsibilities and the ethical requirements of legal assistant jobs. Courses may also cover criminal law, civil litigation, conducting legal research and interviews and writing case analysis. The Department of Labor said this broad foundation is needed as, although lawyers take ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate tasks to paralegal professionals. It added that around 1,000 colleges, universities and law schools currently offer formal paralegal training and there are around 260 American Bar Association-approved legal assistant courses. Figures for 2006 show there were 238,000 paralegals working in the United States. In May of that year, average median earnings for the profession including bonuses were $43,040.  |