Advantages of Pursuing Online Legal Assistant Training
There are a number of benefits of pursuing a legal assistant training program online, including flexibility, accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Students who pursue their legal assistant training through a distance-learning program have total flexibility. While the student must attend the on-campus portion of the program, most of his or her work can be done in the comfort of home, according to the student’s schedule. Distance-learning students can schedule their education around their careers or other commitments. For example, a student who is working in a law office may have difficulty attending classes on-campus, so she can earn her legal assistant certificate online, taking the majority of her classes at night and on weekends. Accessibility is a huge factor when it comes to pursuing legal assistant training programs online. Students can easily pursue different programs from across the country , without dealing with travel or relocation issues. This greatly expands the options for each individual, allowing you to find the right program for you based on its reputation, curriculum, faculty members and other important factors. Cost-effectiveness is another benefit of online legal assistant programs. It’s very difficult for many people to manage a full schedule of work, family, social obligations – and classes on top of that. It’s not at all unusual for the student to increase her workload to pay for tuition and living expenses, on top of juggling her course schedules. Pursuing legal assistant programs online saves money in all these areas, allowing the student to work around her schedule. Students can even use their earned legal assistant degree or certificate to secure better-paying jobs on a part-time basis, further increasing their financial stability.
Essential Skills Taught in Legal Assistant Courses
The top online training programs for aspiring legal assistants offer students a comprehensive introduction to the legal field by covering key skills taught in courses focused on preparing for this profession. These important skills include:
How to conduct legal research in order to gather information on case law and statutes, which is essential for preparing documents submitted to the court or attorney.
How to prepare various types of legal documents (such as memoranda, pleadings, complaints, answers and interrogatories) using the proper industry formats.
How to prepare for trial by compiling information such as evidence, witness lists and exhibits.
How to draft wills, trust documents and all of the forms needed for real estate and bankruptcy transactions.
How to prepare complete, detailed discovery documents, such as interrogatories, document requests, subpoenas and depositions.
More important skills, such as successfully completing all types of legal forms, tracking calendars and deadlines, operating office equipment and preparing for administrative hearings.
Significance of Accreditation and Certification
Accreditation is the confirmation that a legal assistant program meets or exceeds the educational standards put forth by an independent body or association. Some employers may specify that a hiring candidate have graduated from an accredited school. Graduating from an accredited school, such as an American Bar Association (ABA) approved legal assistant program, could increase your chance of higher initial pay. Certifications are credentials awarded to legal assistants who meet certain employment and education requirements. As an example, those already employed in certain legal assistant positions can take an examination to prove legal knowledge and gain certification. Specifically, the National Association for Legal Assistants offers the Certified Legal Assistant and the Certified Paralegal examinations to legal assistants with two years experience. The increase in employability and salary earned by those who hold certifications can be substantial.
Leading Online Education Platforms for Legal Assistant Courses
Program availability varies among the sites we have chosen to highlight here. Some of them focus specifically on legal assistant training, while others carry a broader range of degree programs in multiple disciplines. All of the platforms feature several types of programs available to potential legal assistants.
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Division of Professional and Continuing Education offers a paralegal certificate program that can be completed in as few as 11 months. The fully online course includes 30 quarter-units of study focused on the skills necessary for entry-level employment in the legal environment.
Penn Foster holds a number of endorsements from recognized accrediting organizations in the field of online education in the U.S. In addition to a general associate degree in paralegal studies, Penn Foster offers a specialized paralegal studies program focused on domestic law. Students can earn their diploma by completing nine courses covering such topics as contracts, tort law, and trusts and estates.
Central Maine Community College offers a legal assistant certificate program that takes about a year to complete. Recent expansions to the curriculum have improved the certification offerings for students. Online courses are offered through the University of Maine , which is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and offers a number of degree programs online.
University of Phoenix is another accredited university that offers a general associate degree program in paralegal studies. The 60-credit program has been designed to provide a broad-based business perspective and will prepare you for entry-level employment in the field of law. A less detailed curriculum for a certificate program in paralegal studies is also available.
Professional organizations for paralegals are another source of online courses related to law. For example, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) lists several accredited educational institutions on its website that offer paralegal programs rated by graduates. NFPA also provides access to two roundtables devoted to analyzing hot-button issues for paralegals active in the workforce.
Train-based certifications are also available. The National Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegals (NALA) offers a legal assistant competency exam. A passing score on NALA’s exam is considered a qualification for individuals working in the field.
Legal assistants and other legal training providers can learn more about industry developments at web-based sources such as the National Paralegal Reporter and the Paralegal Today Weekly E-Newsletter, which incorporate articles and commentaries from industry professionals.
Selecting the Best Online Legal Assistant Course
How to Choose the Right Online Program For You
When looking for the right program, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost is the content of the coursework; does it cover the necessary skills and knowledge? The next thing to consider is who the actual instructors are. Their educational credentials and law-related experience will tell you a lot about the quality of their instruction. The last factor to consider is the reviews of past students, a positive experience with the program is essential to getting the most out of a legal assistant program.
Career Prospects post-Training
Aspiring legal assistants who have completed online training can look forward to a wide range of career opportunities. Having completed their studies, they are ready to secure work in the lucrative and fast-paced legal sector. The demand for well-trained legal professionals is strong and so job seekers can look forward to an exciting and dynamic work environment.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 275,000 legal assistants and paralegals in the United States and this figure is expected to grow by 15% or more through 2026. There are also opportunities for them to specialize according to the sector of law they prefer, such as criminal, environmental, intellectual property or immigration law, to name a few.
Legal assistants have a wide range of duties that enable them to work closely with lawyers. Their scheduled meetings and interviews mean they have face-to-face contact with clients, while their role as case managers requires them to have strong organizational skills.
Common job duties and responsibilities include:
Typically, legal assistants will work 40 hours a week, but those working in larger firms may be called upon to work overtime in order to meet deadlines. Some lawyers may hire legal assistants to work from home , thanks to advances in technology.
The salary for entry level positions for legal assistants is around $40,000 per year, but this can rise to $70,000 or more annually for those with experience. Legal assistants can start in support roles and move into management or executive roles as they gain more experience. The BLS found that the top 10% of legal assistants made a median annual salary of $82,000, so the potential to grow and earn high wages is definitely present.
Legal assistants typically work in law offices, but they may also choose to work in the corporate sector or in government agencies. Other career paths include the following:
An aspiring legal assistant will have completed a diverse array of subjects and modules during training. The legal assistant training programs they complete will enable them to work effectively and professionally with attorneys and judges, while managing and organizing all types of legal information. There are many opportunities for them to apply the skills they have learned during training to a wide range of settings.
After they have completed their studies, aspiring legal assistants can look forward to a bright future and a rewarding and fulfilling career.