NATIONALLY ACCREDITED SCHOOLModerated by: Displaced Legal Professional |
|
| Comments (1 to 50 of 55) |
Page: 1 2 Next » Last »
|
|
N23C in Orange, California 4 months ago |
Hello all,
|
|
Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida 4 months ago |
If the ABA program will accept her AA degree for it's pre-qual criteria, then I don't think she'll have a problem having her degree and ABA certificate recognized. She should try to join her local paralegal association as a student-member and start asking around as to what the local legal community recognizes for education credentials. This varies widely from region to region. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
Your wife is more likely to be taken seriously if her Associate's degree comes from an accredited college. She should find out if her community college will accept credits from her first school. Otherwise, she may have to complete the community college's entire program. Your wife is smart to obtain an ABA paralegal certificate. An ABA certificate will improve her chances of finding large firm employment. |
|
N23C in Orange, California 4 months ago |
Yea thats what I figure. I don't think they will accept her associates. Well better to find out now than later.
|
|
N23C in Orange, California 4 months ago |
Has anyone taken a course at a nationally accredited in paralegal and then tried to transfer that to a regionally accredited college. I know the certificate course at the regionally accredited college asks for an associates but im sure they won't accept hers, will they? |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
N23C in Orange, California said: I will also have her look into a local chapter and have her find more local infoSomething else she can do is review local paralegal biographies. Have your wife look at big firm websites in LA. Large firms frequently feature paralegal bios on their websites. After reviewing these paralegals' backgrounds, your wife will know more about the credentials she needs to achieve her goal. |
|
Paralegal in Carrollton, Texas 4 months ago |
You can get into an ABA program with any kind of associates degree, no matter what. At least you could at the ABA school I attended. Some of the students had associate degrees from proprietary secretarial schools now out of business and no way any of those classes would transfer to a "real" college. But, the ABA program accepted it. The ABA program was just for the certificate. No degree or diploma. The big worry is finding a job. |
|
n23c in Orange, California 4 months ago |
Now if she takes an ABA cert course, does she automatically become certified, or does she still need to take an exam |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
Section 6450 of the California Business & Professions Code sets forth paralegal regulations in your state. Section 6450 (c) states that one way to comply with the regs is to have an ABA paralegal certificate: Sec. 6450(c), Calif. Bus. & Prof. Code said: (c) A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following:In the meantime, some firms may also want paralegals to have CLA, RP or similar credentials. Some people regard these credentials as "certification," as opposed to a paralegal "certificate" earned at a paralegal school. But IMO your wife's ABA certificate would meet state requirements. |
|
n23c in Orange, California 4 months ago |
Wow thanks so much for the info! |
|
n23c in Orange, California 4 months ago |
Sec. 6450(c), Calif. Bus. & Prof. Code said: (c) A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following (2) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a
Would then given the description noted above her Associated from her nationally accredited school then be enough for her? Or do employers want the ABA certificate anyway? |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
Here's Section 6450(c) in its entirety: Sec. 6450(c), Calif. Bus. & Prof. Code said: (c) A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following: Continued..... |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
Continued.... Sec. 6450(c), Calif. Bus. & Prof. Code said: (3) A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, aContinued.... |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
Continued.... Sec. 6450(c), Calif. Bus. & Prof. Code said: (e) A paralegal does not include a nonlawyer who provides legalComplying with any one of (1) to (3) should meet Code requirements. Individual employers can certainly ask for other qualifications, such as an ABA certificate. For that reason, I always recommend obtaining an ABA paralegal certificate. ABA-approved paralegal schools meet ascertainable standards. An ABA certificate is a universal credential. It covers everything. Possessing an ABA certificate eliminates any doubt about one's training, and, in California (along with completing mandatory continuing legal education from time to time) ensures one complies with state paralegal laws. An ABA certificate does NOT guarantee one will be hired. No educational program can make that guarantee. IMO an ABA certificate gives one the best chance of being hired and advancing. |
|
Jane Do Girl in Pensacola, Florida 4 months ago |
Just to add to the info DLP has provided... the paralegal certificate is a minimum qualification (whether an ABA approved one or not). Obtaining Certification, on the other hand, is an advanced credential. One has to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible to sit for the exam, and then take the actual exam. The Certification is a different credential from 'certificate' altogether, and usually pursued once someone has obtained other paralegal education and experience and wants to advance further. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
Yes. A paralegal school certificate compares to, e.g, a high school or college diploma. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
One more point I just thought of. Your wife's paralegal school, which, I presume, will be in Cal, should address Cal paralegal regulations at some point. I should think she'll learn about them in class. In the meantime, she can look at local paralegal job ads in the Register, LA Times, online, etc. to see what other credentials she may need, if any, to be competitive. |
|
ptownrealtor in Pleasanton, California 4 months ago |
N23C in Orange, California said: Has anyone taken a course at a nationally accredited in paralegal and then tried to transfer that to a regionally accredited college. I know the certificate course at the regionally accredited college asks for an associates but im sure they won't accept hers, will they? Hi,,may I ask why she wants to transfer?? |
|
N23C in Orange, California 4 months ago |
ptownrealtor--- Its not that she wants to transfer, but she wants to take a certificate from an ABA approved program which is offered at the community college or the university located in a few UC schools locally, but they require an associates to enter the program. Im wondering if they will validate hers since its from a nationally accredited school, not regionally like the Colleges and universities are. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 4 months ago Moderator |
N23C in Orange, California said: Im wondering if they will validate hers since its from a nationally accredited school, not regionally like the Colleges and universities are.Have your wife take a transcript from her first school to her new school's registrar or director of admissions. Someone in either office can tell her if the new school will transfer any of her credits. I suspect it will not because her old school is not regionally accredited, but she won't know for sure unless she asks. |
|
carol warkman in Newport, Rhode Island 3 months ago |
I am in the process of choosing a college to attend this fall to begin my Paralegal certificate degree. I have three different options. Do law firms prefer ABA or Nationally accredited programs or does it matter? |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 3 months ago Moderator |
I think it does matter. ABA paralegal schools must meet American Bar Association standardized criteria. There will never be any doubt about your training if you attend an ABA paralegal school. As an entry paralegal, you need to present the best possible credentials For experienced paralegals, not having an ABA paralegal certificate is a deal breaker for many firms. Just be sure the college you attend is accredited by one of the accrediting bodies the Department of Education recognizes. In your area, that would be the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. |
|
carol warkman in Newport, Rhode Island 3 months ago |
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: I think it does matter. ABA paralegal schools must meet American Bar Association standardized criteria. There will never be any doubt about your training if you attend an ABA paralegal school. As an entry paralegal, you need to present the best possible credentials For experienced paralegals, not having an ABA paralegal certificate is a deal breaker for many firms. I am moving back to NY and will be attending 1 of 3 three schools on my list. NY Paralegal school is nationally accredited. I am waiting to hear back from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Suffolk Community college is ABA certified, however I am hesistant to attend a community that is not well known especially since I will applying for jobs in New York city. What do you recommend? I am interested in criminal law and that is why I looked into John Jay. Your advice is greatly appreciated! |
|
N23C in Orange, California 3 months ago |
Being that I have done plenty of research since my wife is taking her courses, and going to start looking for wor, I would highly recommend the ABA certified Community College. The conclusion I have come to is that there will be no negative fallout from you attending a course like that. It is ABA certified and thats what you need. Not to mention that it will cost a whole of a lot less $$$ than a nationally accredited school. Pretty much the other schools can not beat this program |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 3 months ago Moderator |
I don't know either school. Quick research reveals Suffolk County CC is part of the SUNY system and is on Long Island. For those reasons one would think the school is known in NYC. You can try researching criminal firms in NYC. Firms often post paralegal bios on their websites. Look at the paralegal schools that turn up in the bios. If one or two schools predominate, you would be wise to check out those schools. |
|
Donald_ in New Jersey 3 months ago |
carol warkman in Newport, Rhode Island said: I am moving back to NY and will be attending 1 of 3 three schools on my list. NY Paralegal school is nationally accredited. I am waiting to hear back from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Suffolk Community college is ABA certified, however I am hesistant to attend a community that is not well known especially since I will applying for jobs in New York city. What do you recommend? I am interested in criminal law and that is why I looked into John Jay. If your going to be in NYC, don't bother becoming a paralegal. Unless you have years of experience or can speak a foreign language, it is very unlikely you will find a job here. I'm looking in NYC and am finding the job search very difficult since I don't have any experience and can't speak a foreign language. The only thing I have is a Bachelors degre in paralegal studies from a regionally accredited, non-ABA university. Even if you get an ABA approved degree, I seriosuly doubt it will make a difference. Do yourself a favor and get an accounting degree and become a CPA. |
|
Paralegal in Carrollton, Texas 3 months ago |
People! People! There are no [good] paralegal jobs!!!! Sure, there are $8-10/hr legal jobs working for solo attorneys with no benefits, but you don't need a formal paralegal education for that. Listen to me. There are no paralegal jobs and plenty of experienced paralegals out of work looking for jobs. The legal industry is changing. Even attorneys can't find jobs. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 3 months ago Moderator |
It's true. At least around here, paralegal jobs have always been tight. Entry positions have always been few and far between. At the moment paralegal openings are extremely tight because of the recession. Although Fed Head, Ben Bernanke, expects slow recovery by year's end, don't expect paralegal jobs to recover especially fast. Law firms will find they like making money by doing more with less. They won't want to restaff that quickly. They won't want to spend money on more salaries and healthcare premium expenses. |
|
Donald_ in New Jersey 3 months ago |
Back when I enrolled in my paralegal program, I thought it was a good job because the Bureau of Labor Statistics website said that the profession is expected to grow faster than average. Plus, I figured with everyone always suing and the thosuands of attorney commercials flooding the airwaves, there has to be a demand for paralegals. I was definitely wrong. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 3 months ago Moderator |
Donald_ in New Jersey said: Back when I enrolled in my paralegal program, I thought it was a good job because the Bureau of Labor Statistics website said that the profession is expected to grow faster than average.The BLS has said that for years. Of course, paralegal schools were quick to jump on that palaver. They've used it ever since to recruit students. After graduating, students find out quickly that getting paralegal jobs is hard. In fairness, most any new vocational school grad in any industry finds out quickly it's hard to find a job. Also, the BLS could not have possibly anticipated the depth of this recession when it concocted its statement. Donald_ in New Jersey said: I figured with everyone always suing and the thosuands of attorney commercials flooding the airwaves, there has to be a demand for paralegals.Most attorneys who advertise on TV are PI and Comp attorneys. PI and WC attorneys comprise a significant portion of the bar, if not the bulk of it. Nonetheless, the demand for paralegals is not nearly as great as schools lead one to believe. In the meantime, the public has a grave misconception about lawsuits. Not as many lawsuits are filed as the public believes. The public thinks people sue because of the publicity surrounding what really is very few lawsuits. Ethical attorneys sue when other settlement attempts fail. They'd rather not sue, because suits often lead to trials, and trials are expensive. Blame it in part on recalcitrant insurance companies. At least a couple of major auto insurers, State Farm and Allstate, require plaintiffs to institute suit before they'll discuss settling cases seriously. |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
So your saying there aren't any paralegal jobs no where? Well I live in FL and every week in the classifieds I always see at least 7 paralegal openings. Down here most of the paralegal jobs are in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Tampa, Hollywood, West Palm Beach, Gainsville, Plantation, Orlando, and Tallahassee. I'm almost finished with my Asoociates in Paralegal Studies your saying I should switch majors or just go for the Bachelors in PS? If there really aren't any decent positions once I'm finished I would like to know ahead of time. I dont want to dish out exta $$$ for nothing. I'm looking into Respiratory Therapy, Criminal Justice or Nuclear Medicine for back-up plans. |
|
I hate being a paralegal in Sacramento, California 1 month ago |
I recommend respiratory therapy. From what I understand, the pay is good, as well as nuclear medicine. Paralegal pay is mediocre. Working for attorneys stinks. Ask around - anyone who does this for a living will tell you. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 1 month ago Moderator |
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida said: I'm almost finished with my Asoociates in Paralegal Studies your saying I should switch majors or just go for the Bachelors in PS?I would definitely go for a Bachelor's, but not in paralegal science. A Bachelor's in Paralegal Science would be redundant. Finish your Bachelor's with a different major. |
|
Paralegal in Dallas, Texas 1 month ago |
Ms. Gucci in Hollywood, FL - could you post the job openings you are seeing in the classified section? I'd like to see what they say. |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
This position is open as of 10/5/2009. Paralegal - Litigation - Plaintiff Personal Injury Paralegal - Litigation - Personal Injury If you are a Paralegal with Personal Injury Litigation experience, please read on! We are a fast paced law firm with an immediate need for an experience pre-litigation paralegal to join our team. What you need for this position: - Personal injury paralegal experience
What's in it for you: - Competitive pay and benefits
So, if you are a Paralegal with Plaintiff Personal Injury Litigation experience, please apply today!
Required Skills --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are a good fit for the Paralegal - Litigation position, and have a background that includes: Litigation, Paralegal, Personal Injury, Spanish/Creole, WordPerfect, MS Office and you are interested in working the following job types: Legal, Executive, Management Within the following industries: Legal
Compensation: $44,000 to $50,000 per year Busy litigation law firm seeks a plaintiff personal injury litigation legal secretary with 3 years of experience handling litigation cases in State and Federal Courts; calendering; dictation; scheduling; etc. This firm offers a great work environment. Located in major markets throughout North America, Robert Half Legal is the premier provider of legal professionals on a full-time, project and temporary basis to law firms and corporate legal departments. We offer our candidates challenging assignments, competitive compensation and benefits,and skill |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
(Continued)
PARALEGAL NORTH MIAMI BEACH Commercial & Civil Litigation, 3-5 yrs exp. a must, domestic exp. & Multi-lingual a+ GREAT BENEFITS INCLUDE: Â? Medical Â? Life Â? Dental Â? Simple IRA and more Â? No parking costs Â? Great work environment Come join our fast-paced law firm. This one doesn't show a pay rate(sorry about that). Compensation: $15 to $25 per hour PARALEGAL WITH CAYMAN ISLAND CITIZENSHIP & 2 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE NEEDED . . . Paralegal will work with legal department of a corporation in the Cayman Islands and will have a lot of contact with the local court system. Long term temporary assignment for qualified candidate, 20-40 hours per week, and competitive pay.
|
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
The pay rate for the very first one I posted is Pay: $45k - $55k/year. |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION PARALEGAL Miami law firm seeks top notch dedicated paralegal. Must have 5+ years experience in state and federal courts in Florida, paralegal certificate and/or 4-year college degree. In order to be considered, candidate must have experience working on commercial litigation matters and also: Be fully familiar with rules of court for Circuit and Federal Courts;
Salary up to 70K depending upon experience. Full benefit package. If you meet the qualifications and are interested in this position, please submit your resume to Bill Karp right away.
Experienced Commercial Litigation Paralegal
|
|
Paralegal in Dallas, Texas 1 month ago |
Interesting, thanks for posting the job listings. The multiple language need is a pretty typical requirement for plaintiff's personal injury attorneys. That eliminates a lot of candidates though, as does the Cayman citizenship requirement. The Robert Half job you have to be suspicious of as they post fake ads in order to collect resumes (the sales people have a quota) and then they will actually interview you (again, a sales quota), but there may not be any actual job. |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
$45,000/year
Will be responsible for moving 100+ files and MUST have Florida experience. Duties include, but not limited to; preparing Legal Documents such as Complaints, Motions, Notice of Hearings, Affidavits, Defaults, and Notice of Actions. Will review Title Reports, Title Issues and prepares Title Claims as well as Letter to underwriter. Will prepare responses to Attorney pleadings such as Motion to Dismiss, Extension of Time, Vacate Motion for Default, etc. Will schedule Hearings with Judicial Assistants and coordinates dates with opposing Counsels. Must be proficient with preparing files for Final Summary Judgment of Foreclosure Hearings and calculation of the final judgment totals as well as provide Service Delays, Judgment and Sales results to client and also provide client with foreclosure fees and costs. Will work M-F from 8:45-5:00 (36.25 hour work week) and paid for any overtime. Excellent benefit package and opportunity for growth. Only local candidates will be considered.
|
|
Paralegal in Dallas, Texas 1 month ago |
The commercial lit job is pretty typical. The "be flexible on OT" means you have to be able to stay every single day with no notice. That's tough on a lot of folks with children. It also doesn't state the OT is paid overtime. The research and shepardizing is not typical of paralegal work, at least where I have worked. That's associate work - 1st year attorney work. I was not aware the Blue Books were used to shepardize cases. Westlaw and LexisNexis is what we use. Blue books are used for general court information you can now find on the internet. We don't even keep Blue Books in the office anymore. But then again, a Blue Book in Texas (where I am) may be a different beast altogether than a Blue Book in Florida. |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
$32,000-$35,000/year
$40,000-$50,000/year depending on experience
|
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
I think in some instances they would use the Blue Book. That's what we use in school along with Black's Law Dictionary. I got both of those in my Intro to Paralegal class. |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
What do you think of the job postings as far as pay rate and experience goes? |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
To DLP:
GENERAL EDUCATION CORE (18 Credits)
MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS (43 Credits)
PLA 2931 Legal Seminar: Ethics 1 Credit + Pre-Req PLA 2003, PLA 2104, PLA 21 |
|
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida 1 month ago |
PLA 2932 Legal Seminar: Computer Assisted Legal Researh (CALR) 1 Credit + Pre-Req PLA 2003, PLA 2104, PLA 2114
I have a few more classes to go and the seminars then I'll be on my way!
|
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 1 month ago Moderator |
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida said: Why not get a BA in PS?]As I wrote, above, it's not necessary if you studied paralegal for your first two years in school. You've learned what you need to know through the courses you've listed, above. A straight Bachelor's in Paralegal Science won't take you any further than a Bachelor's in another major. You would be better off taking courses in fundamental skills that can help you OTJ, such as English, computer science and, perhaps, business and accounting, as opposed to a Paralegal Sciences major. Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida said: [W]ould it be good to take some health courses to be a Nurse Paralegal or Legal Nurse Consultant[?]You need to be a nurse, preferably, with experience, to be a nurse-paralegal. Simply taking health courses won't cut it. |
|
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado 1 month ago Moderator |
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida said: PARALEGAL WITH CAYMAN ISLAND CITIZENSHIP...........very suspicious.................... Just to add to what I've written, above, foreign language ability may give you an advantage, especially if you are fluent in the language(s). |
|
kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 1 month ago |
Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: It's true. At least around here, paralegal jobs have always been tight. Entry positions have always been few and far between. At the moment paralegal openings are extremely tight because of the recession. It has been recently announced that the Unemployment Rate is already at 10% now.
|
|
kmm in Wilmington, DE in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 1 month ago |
Ms Gucci in Hollywood, Florida said: This position is open as of 10/5/2009. |
Your Reply
change location - create a profile
Subscribe to this discussion as an RSS feed.
