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I ask because I need a better career. Now that my animal situation is closing, I need to find something else to do that's respectable and pays decently. I am scoping out "how to become a paralegal" articles on the web but I'd like to hear from anyone who is or has been a legal assistant as to what I need to do and also to please tell me about the pros and cons of having this kind of job.

I understand I can take a 2 year college course or I can take a certificate program that ends in a few months. I don't understand the catch involved in that. How can one learn in a few months what two years requires?

Thank you.

No I'm not, but you'd know that already. I do have a thought though. Advice appropriate to urban US doesn't hold for rural US, and you're "small town Arizona". If you tap in your Zip code to http://www.azbar.org/legalresources/findlawyer.cfm and email a couple of practices in your own town, or in a commuting distance you're comfortable with, ask them what they'd look for when taking on paralegal staff (and say you're not asking whether they have vacancies!). I'd hope they'd be polite enough to send back a useful paragraph which points to the best way forward. You needn't give your resume or ask what other qualifications they'd insist on, the examining body they refer you to will have all that detail.

Spot that's excellent advice. Thank you. I'll do that this week.

I have a friend that is a Paralegal. She never worked for a law firm though. She's worked for the Land Title Company, then she moved to Dallas to work for a larger company and gets to work from home. But I think the majority of time Paralegals type of contracts and do lots and lots of research.

I worked for an attorney for a year and a half, a Real Estate Attorney. I worked as a Settlement processor, basically got all of the paperwork ready for the Attorney for the closings and dealt with the Lenders and the Realtors...etc.

I loved the job, it was high maintenance and stressful at times. Spots' advice was GREAT!! I would also suggest that you become a Notary if you aren't already, that is usually a MUST for anyone around legal documents.

Thanks Sheryl. That's one of the reasons I thought I'd be good at this, because I enjoy researching stuff and hunting for needles in haystacks. Does your friend make a reasonably good living? Do you know if she went to school for it?

WonderWendy3;669431 wrote: I worked for an attorney for a year and a half, a Real Estate Attorney. I worked as a Settlement processor, basically got all of the paperwork ready for the Attorney for the closings and dealt with the Lenders and the Realtors...etc.

I loved the job, it was high maintenance and stressful at times. Spots' advice was GREAT!! I would also suggest that you become a Notary if you aren't already, that is usually a MUST for anyone around legal documents.


How cool Wendy! I didn't know that about you. I'm glad I posted this thread, I'm getting good advice. Thanks- I will remember about becoming a notary.

She got an Associates, can't remember exactly the title. But it was only for two years. She's not rich, but she's a single mom and doing well for her and her son while living in Dallas(which is not cheap)

RedGlitter;669434 wrote: How cool Wendy! I didn't know that about you. I'm glad I posted this thread, I'm getting good advice. Thanks- I will remember about becoming a notary.


ha ha, I'm not just another pretty face!! :wah::wah:

You are welcome!! Good luck with the new Career!:):)

Thank you!

She got a Associates in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. I'm looking at the college catalog now. Do you have a junior college near you? If so make an appointment and talk to one of the advisors. They would really help you out.

I have a paraboots if that will help you.

YZGI;669446 wrote: I have a paraboots if that will help you.


I gotta a paramittens on a string

minks;669448 wrote: I gotta a paramittens on a string
Imagine that from a Canadian.:wah:

:wah: You guys.

YZGI;669450 wrote: Imagine that from a Canadian.:wah:


yep we run around yanking on one side making the other side slap ya in the face... good clean Canadian fun I tell ya.

RedGlitter;669451 wrote: :wah: You guys.


oooo more attention

My first ever job was as the outdoor clerk in a Sydney legal firm. I am not sure what 'paralegal' means, but I had to do bankruptcy and trade name and property searches and deliver documents to the various courts. I wore out a lot of shoes traispsing round Sydney, but it was totally great! Good luck, RedGlitter!!

AussiePam;669545 wrote: My first ever job was as the outdoor clerk in a Sydney legal firm. I am not sure what 'paralegal' means, but I had to do bankruptcy and trade name and property searches and deliver documents to the various courts. I wore out a lot of shoes traispsing round Sydney, but it was totally great! Good luck, RedGlitter!!


Thanks Pam! Paralegal is the fancy name for legal assistant. They do research and prepare documents, locate witnesses, etc. for the lawyer. I have a cousin who has done it for years but we are not in touch so there's no asking her about it. But thanks!