how long does it take to become a paralegal?
487025
In the United States, JD (Juris Doctor) is the graduate degree you earn from law school, and has nothing to do with becoming a paralegal.\n\nMost paralegal programs are around 30-40 credits, so roughly one year if you already have an undergraduate degree (associates or bachelors). If you don't many schools offer an Associates degree as a Paralegal, adding in the general education requirements (math, english, oral communications, social studies, etc.) \n\nCertified Paralegal is a special status that comes from one of two professional associations. National Association of Legal Assistants, and National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
916902
First, you need to need a bachelor's degree (or undergraduate degree).  Then need to get accepted into law school  (graduate degree).  You'll spend a total of 6 to 8 years past your high school diploma.\n\nMost law students have an undergraduate degree in Pre-Law, History, Criminal Justice, or Political Science; however, this isn't necessary to get excepted into law school.
142947
there are two levels of license, an agent and a broker. It varies by state but they are all pretty close. You need to take classes that amount to 180 hours or so. Then you take a test and work for a brokerr. To become a broker you need lots of experience. You will also need refresher usually 15 hour courses every year to keep your license.
994087
www.nala.org is the website for the National Association of Legal Assistants, and it will have a lot of resources and information.  Look at colleges around you for a Legal Assisting or Paralegal Certificate program.  You can usually complete the program in a year.
1150534
I am very sorry to burst your bubble, but it takes a lot of brains and determination to get through law school. First you absolutely must have a firm grasp of the English language, and even with a spell checker your question is full of errors. If you don't do well in school, why would you want to sign on for 7 or more years of it? \nTo attain a law degree, first you must earn a Bachelor Degree. Then you have to test into law school and go through three harrowing years. Then you have to prove your competency by passing a bar exam.\nIf you like the idea of working in law, maybe you should look into other options within the field. If you're just interested in the money, you can find money in a more reachable field. \nTry to give yourself an honest assessment. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Chose options that fit with those strengths and weaknesses and be happy. Now that's zen. :)
924055
In the UK, you can work your way up. You could start out as a clerk or a paralegal, or even as a legal secretary, and study part-time to become a legal executive.  A legal executive carries out much of the same work as a solicitor, and you don't need a degree to qualify for the course. It is even possible to go to university later to do the Legal Practice Course (1 year) and then start a training contract to become  solicitor.
1061447
Know? Lots and lots. Most of the required knowledge is covered through the professional degree of Juris Doctor (JD). To earn the JD, in the US you need to get into, attend, and pass law school. Most states require an ABA-accredited school, which is a 3-year program (some do it in as little as 2.5, some 4+).\n\nThen, after graduating, you need to study for and pass the bar exam (one per state that you intend to be licensed in). This is a 2-3 day substantive test that makes sure you know how to think like a lawyer. The specific subjects vary by state, but most of them (though not all) will be subjects you have taken in law school. Most people (including me) spend 2-3 months full time after graduation just studying for the bar. \n\nMost states also require you pass a Professional Responsibility (ethics) test, which separately tests your knowledge of the ethical duties of being an attorney. Most states also require a moral character determination, where you have to convince the state you are ethical, and that your friends think you are ethical.\n\nAs far as general knowledge, public speaking is necessary for litigators and those who want to practice in a court or to teach. Writing and research are essential, and school only covers the rough edges of this. One of the reasons I spend so much time on Yahoo Answers (while studying for the California Bar in July) is to practice my writing abilities. Any practice helps.\n\nBut most importantly, to be a good lawyer (not to pass the bar, but to actually succeed), you need to be able to separate your emotional reactions from your logic. You need to be able to look at issues from many different perspectives, including those you may be personally opposed to. This gives you the ability to prepare not only your side, but to prepare against the other side.\n\nThe same skill applies when representing a client whose views you may not agree with. This is less of an issue in the corporate world, but even there you need to be able to explain to friends and co-workers that your represent the company, not them, and that anything they tell you can be disclosed to the company.\n\nLawyers operate under strict ethical requirements, including absolute loyalty to your clients, candor (truthfulness) to the court and in all business proceedings, and constant studying. Violation of these requirements is grounds for being disbarred, which means potentially never practicing law again. Sadly, many of these ethical constraints get muddied bent and often broken as attorneys practice, largely because that's what other lawyers do and following the rules with integrity puts you at a tactical disadvantage.\n\nIt's a difficult profession, and a long road. Many who graduate from law school use their degree for something else, like politics or corporate compliance, or undergraduate teaching. But the law is like the sea -- some people may hate it, but for others it gets into your blood. Even those of us who hate litigation find other ways to practice, such as being a corporate attorney. It's not for everyone, but at its core it is a noble profession.\n\nGood luck.
751878
in order to be a judge or something of that position, as far as I know need to have a Juristic doctorate degree by first abtaining  a 4 year degree in pre-law and a masters of juristic or a juristic doctorate degree in a 3 year law course after 4 years in pre-law.
529395
I would check with the school you trained at.  even if it is not from the same area, they should know NYC law firms to refer you to. \n\nalso, ask the law firms if you can talk to a couple paralegals to get their opinion.\n\ngood luck.
424496
It usually takes 4 years instead of 3 and you get both your law degree (the JD) and a Master's Degree In Business Administration (MBA). You have to take all the law classes required, but your electives will all be related to business, and therefore they will carry over and count towards your MBA. There are also additional core classes you will have to take for your MBA. It's like killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
448407
It depends on where you live.  I was a paralegal for 21 years and in Arkansas (where I live) you don't get much better than a really good legal secretary gets.  I live in a University town and there are too many law students willing to work for low pay so the attorneys around here don't pay much for paralegals.  I'm old enough to have been lucky to only have to  pass a state test (after being a legal secretary several years) and become a paralegal in Arkansas--that has changed now and you must attend a paralegal program.
439094
Not too hard, but very demanding... i took the courses for a year and i am now a paralegal. You just have to be determined. It will be a lot of work, but it is not hard....
577366
do you have any secretarial skills?  they help you get a paralegal position.  Also, some employers do not want to hire a person not finished with education.  They expect you will leave them for better job when you finish.
1055987
hi ive been a paralegal for about 15 years\n\nthe job is ok.  you are in a air conditioned office all day, generally you get paid pretty well, benefits are great where i work and your hours are usually pretty reasonable about 8 hours a day, most firms pay overtime\n\nthe job can either be really boring at times like if you work in asbestos or other toxic tort law, bankruptcy, or non litigation fields like real estate or corporate transactions\n\nive always worked in civil litigation, much of what i do involves finding out what the law says on a given legal problem and providing the attorney with a plan of attack, we then assist in drafting and preparing pretrial motions, assist with trial preparation, prepare witnesses, get experts involved to support our side and a ton of other things\n\nthe downsides of the job are that 1. you have to keep track of everything you do in tenths of an hour and you usually have a billable quota of time to meet each month, mine is about 130 hours 2. the work can be stressful when preparing for trial because you have so many things to do at once 3. it can be difficult to learn the job as a beginner because it requires a knowledge of the process of litigation 4. attorneys are usually high ego people and can be difficult bosses
203664
Law School takes three years if you attend full time.  You cannot enter Law School until you have earned a Bachelor Decree from College which typically takes four years.
939994
A number of occupations call for specialized knowledge of the law but fall short of the need for a lawyer. Should a paralegal become disenchanted with his or her career, there are possibilities in law enforcement or as an insurance claims adjuster, occupational safety and health officer, patent agent, and title examiner. And there is always the option of ultimately becoming a lawyer.
468184
Yes, I did many many years ago. I bought a book that was very detailed and gave me checklist, forms etc.. for the state I lived in at the time. I would suggest going to to the library first and do some research on it. Then when you find the right book, go to the book store and buy it. You can find out if a paralegal would be willing to help you as another option.