Employers usually require formal paralegal training obtained through associate or bachelor's degree programs or through a certification program. Increasingly, employers prefer graduates of 4-year paralegal programs or college graduates who have completed paralegal certificate programs. Some employers prefer to train paralegals on the job, hiring college graduates with no legal experience or promoting experienced legal secretaries. Paralegals who work in the private sector are usually employed by law firms and corporations and often specialize in areas of law such as litigation, probate, real estate, corporate, taxation, domestic relations, or employee benefits. One of the best ways to find a paralegal job is through networking and paralegal association job banks.
Paralegal salaries vary.
Salaries depend on the education and experience the paralegal brings to the job, the type of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Generally, paralegals working for large law firms in metropolitan areas earn more than paralegals working for smaller firms or in less populated areas. Employers of the majority of paralegals provide life and health insurance benefits and pay the paralegal's professional dues. Legal Secretaries Legal secretaries perform highly specialized work requiring knowledge of technical terminology and procedures. They prepare correspondence and legal papers such as summonses, complaints, motions, responses, and subpoenas under the supervision of an attorney.