The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of paralegals is set to increase by 28% between 2008 and 2018 – much faster than average. As costs rise around the world, many businesses now employ paralegals to work on tasks formerly done by lawyers; meanwhile, lawyers themselves are increasingly delegating tasks to paralegals and legal assistants. This can be a well paid and fascinating career path for someone who is interested in law and has an organized and analytical mind.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal will equip you with a solid foundation of law expertise, as well as giving you the practical skills you need for paralegal work. Paralegals carry out a wide variety of tasks, including helping lawyers to prepare for trials and drafting legal documents, motions and pleadings. With this in mind, you will study litigation preparation and document supervision as well as becoming fully au fait with the general proceedings of a legal office. Legal research and legal writing skills will be an important part of your Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal too.
Once qualified with a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal, you should be able to find employment in a private law firm, business law department, insurance company or in a government, state or local agency. There has never been a better time to pursue this kind of career, as opportunities look set to continue to expand well into the next decade.
More Paralegal degrees:
Resources to help you evaluate a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal and a paralegal career:
- Best of the Web: Paralegal Education
- Best of the Web: Paralegal Organizations
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook – Paralegals and Legal Assistants, 2010-11 Edition
- American Association for Paralegal Education
