What are the best litigation paralegal qualifications and training to get ahead?

Host said: What is the best training for becoming a litigation paralegal? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective litigation paralegal?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

DON"T DO IT> I got my certification at UCLA last year and all I have to show for it is a student loan payment. Essentially the certification was created by the ABA when attorneys got sued for billing out thier assistants hours. So now you have to be ABA certified so that you are billable.
The paralegal certification is a racket and there is no guarantee that you'll get a job with it.
UCLA teaches, are you ready? NONE Of the software law firms want.
And if you dont' speak spanish in LA>...forget it.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: ---.

Yes.. litigation is demanding and attorneys can be difficult; however, it's part of the job and unless you stand your ground pushovers will attempt to intimidate you.

Same in any job, but more with a bully attorney..

I have never gotten that concept....standing up to your boss.

One small plead of "you've got to ease up on me boss" produced a "screaming banshee" boss who stood up behind his desk, arms gesticulating and screaming...."get out of my office, get out of my office"

Can someone please explain this to me.......

Cripes, once on a temp asignment...2 of us from same agency....the other gal was organized and tried, with a calm attitude and wording to keep her boss in check so that he was not overwhelming her so much.

Result - she was pulled of the assignment.

Even if it was a "direct hire" would have had the same result by this man (attorney) boss.

opps - CORRECTION - "pulled off the assignment

Mark in Los Angeles, California said: DON"T DO IT> I got my certification at UCLA last year and all I have to show for it is a student loan payment. Essentially the certification was created by the ABA when attorneys got sued for billing out thier assistants hours. So now you have to be ABA certified so that you are billable.
The paralegal certification is a racket and there is no guarantee that you'll get a job with it.
UCLA teaches, are you ready? NONE Of the software law firms want.
And if you dont' speak spanish in LA>...forget it.

It is the timing.......when you got out of school........economy crashed.....sorry to hear this......bites big time.

Mark in Los Angeles, California said: DON"T DO IT> I got my certification at UCLA last year and all I have to show for it is a student loan payment. Essentially the certification was created by the ABA when attorneys got sued for billing out thier assistants hours. So now you have to be ABA certified so that you are billable.
The paralegal certification is a racket and there is no guarantee that you'll get a job with it.
UCLA teaches, are you ready? NONE Of the software law firms want.
And if you dont' speak spanish in LA>...forget it.

Yeah, it is a racket with no guarantee of a job. A lot of "education programs" are like that.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Yeah, it is a racket with no guarantee of a job. A lot of "education programs" are like that.

And as DPL called it--the schools still use those behind the times Labor Bureau statistics....to lure you in..

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Yeah, it is a racket with no guarantee of a job. A lot of "education programs" are like that.

Nice to hear from you Mary....

I have worked for an attorney for almost 6 years. I started working for the firm in January of 2006. Is there a way that I can be grandfathered in and accepted as a Paralegal in the State of CA if the Attorney prepares and submits a Declaration on my behalf?