This comprehensive certified paralegal course will equip you with the essential skills
and knowledge required to excel as a paralegal—in just 12 months! Whether you want
to work in a traditional law office, corporate, government, or public arena.
You will learn how to conduct legal research, legal interviews, and legal analyses,
among other important tasks. Additionally, you will receive soft skills training to
enhance your workplace effectiveness, which is essential for a successful career in
the legal profession.
The paralegal course concludes with a capstone project, where you will create a complete
litigation file that includes a legal analysis brief, an investigative report, a client
interview checklist, an intake memo, a complaint, legal research, and an interoffice
memorandum of law. This project will help you showcase your skills and give you a
comprehensive understanding of the paralegal's role in the legal process.
As a bonus, you will also receive membership and access to NALA's Certified Paralegal
(CP) Exam Review courses through our partnership with the National Association of
Legal Assistants (NALA). This paralegal certification course offers enrollment with
or without a voucher. The voucher is prepaid access to sit for the CP exam through
the NALA upon eligibility. Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for paralegals will grow
by 4% through 2032. On average, around 38,000 jobs for paralegals are expected annually.
Salary.com reports that the average salary for a paralegal in the U.S. is between
$60,300 and $121,420, depending on your law specialty and experience level.
U.S. News & World Report ranks paralegals#7 in the “Best Social Services Jobs” and #74 in the “100 Best Jobs.”
FAQs
What does a paralegal do? Paralegals perform many duties that attorneys also perform themselves. Paralegals
can conduct legal research; draft contracts, pleadings, and other legal documents;
answer client questions; and help prepare for trial.
Can paralegals specialize? Yes. Paralegals can choose to specialize in different types of law, such as criminal,
family, immigration, real estate, etc.
Is a paralegal the same as a legal secretary? No. Paralegals are responsible for performing many of the tasks an attorney would
do otherwise, such as conducting legal research or preparing a case file. They are
often viewed as an extension of the attorney. Legal secretaries fill a more administrative
role within the law firm.
Can paralegals work in any state? Yes. Paralegals can work in any state because, unlike attorneys, paralegals are not
bound to a specific state licensing board. In other words, a paralegal certification
is valuable nationwide.
Can you go from being a paralegal to a lawyer? Yes, you can go from a paralegal to a lawyer. Starting as a paralegal can provide
great insight into how the legal system works. However, you will need a bachelor’s
degree before you can apply for law school and pass a state bar exam.
Course Objectives
Learn the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system
Master how to perform legal research and interviews
Prepare yourself to take the Certified Paralegal certification exam through the National
Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Understand the basics of litigation communication skills
Soft skills for workplace effectiveness
Learn the necessary skills required to thrive within the legal industry
Learn legal research skills with access to Westlaw
Prerequisites and Certification Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school
diploma or GED equivalent to start a career as a paralegal. It is also recommended
that you have basic computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office
suite and fundamental keyboarding skills. A strong grasp of English grammar conventions,
such as spelling, punctuation, and composition, is also recommended.
To meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam,
you must meet one of the following requirements: You must have 60 semester hours, of which at least
15 hours* (225 clock hours) are from paralegal studies or hold an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or
a bachelor's degree in any field, or have seven years of experience as a legal assistant
under the supervision of a member of the Bar. Please review the exam requirements
before enrolling in this course.
Certification Requirements
If you plan to pursue the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified
Paralegal (CP) credential, you must meet one of the NALA Certification Eligibility
Requirements. We recommend determining eligibility before enrolling in this course.
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, a Legal Secretary course will prepare
you for an entry-level legal career that can build up to the paralegal role. Please
review the certification requirements before enrolling in this course by visiting
https://nala.org/certification/eligibility-requirements/
Instructor
Casey Thompson
Casey Thompson is a licensed attorney in Texas. Before he started teaching, his major
areas of practice were business and corporate law, entertainment law, and intellectual
property rights. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech
University and holds a law degree from the Texas A&M School of Law. Along with his
online paralegal courses, Thompson also teaches in the areas of state and federal
government at the college level
