What makes a great paralegal

Are you one of those people who proofreads a paper countless times before turning it in? If so, you would likely make a good paralegal. While attorneys look at the big picture, it is the paralegal who ties all the little details together.

In fact, some cases are won or lost because one party does not supply the required legal documents needed for the case. A good paralegal must be able to review complex documents and accurately pull important information to summarize for the attorney.

A paralegal may be called upon to schedule an appointment, interview a client and conduct legal research all within the course of an hour. It is important that a paralegal be able to prioritize and manage the demands of multiple projects at the same time, as well as handle the accompanying stress. While you do not need to be a computer analyst by any means, it would be helpful to have basic computer skills. Paralegals spend a lot of time preparing documents, and the faster you can pull together the information, the better.

Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and how to conduct an internet search are also helpful skills to have. While this list summarizes some of the qualities needed to be a good paralegal, intangibles like drive, determination, and love of the law ultimately will help bring you success. A good paralegal takes pride in the work accomplished and how it helps their attorney succeed. Paralegals work with attorneys to determine the best way in which the information should be presented or how documents should be drafted to meet their clients needs and to serve the needs of the organization for whom they are working.

Paying attention to details is an invaluable skill for a Paralegal. So you like the law, are well spoken and write well, are detail oriented and like working with a variety of people.

If this sounds, like you, then a career as a Paralegal may be the right career move for you. Now the question is: How do I get started? It is important that when searching for good paralegal programs, you choose a school that will provide you with training in the various areas of law, such as family law, real estate law, general law, criminal law, torts, and here in Florida Immigration Law.

The legal field is very broad, and many firms specialize in specific types of law. Being able to learn the specifics and intricacies of each specialized law field will not only prepare you for a well-rounded career and thus more work options, but it will also help you determine which area of law you have an interest in and are best suited to work in. Another important factor that should be considered when choosing a paralegal program is whether or not the school requires students to partake in an externship as part of the program.

An externship is a wonderful opportunity for an aspiring paralegal to receive valuable on-the-job training. During your externship, you will be able to shadow an experienced paralegal, receive career tips and advice, and network with other professionals in the field and potential future colleagues. If you are thinking about becoming a paralegal, then contact us today and one of our helpful Admissions Staff will be sure to help get you started on your new journey to becoming a paralegal!

Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at West Gaines Street, Suite , Tallahassee, FL , toll-free telephone number Apply Now. You have excellent communication skills both written and verbal Working with the law requires one to both write and speak effectively.

However, either you are born with the ability to make good judgments, or you learn from your errors if you are humble enough to learn from those mistakes. Paralegals who rush to a conclusion to complete work or impress their supervisor are more likely to make incorrect or impulsive decisions that harm the client and the attorney.

A family law client was involved in a contentious custody battle. To obtain custody, both parents were pulling out all the ends and slinging, and in some cases fabricating, as much mud as they could. Our client told one of our paralegals that she had an affair shortly after the couple married years ago. The client pleaded with the paralegal not to tell anyone because it had just happened once and was a dreadful mistake that had caused him a great deal of embarrassment.

The paralegal felt terrible for the client and applied her logic to figure out that the incident happened about 22 years ago.

If the mate were going to find out about the affair, she would have found out by now. Therefore the paralegal never told anybody about it until after the final hearing. Certainly not. Some people consult an attorney, while others do not. This paralegal acted without sound judgment in this case, and it was a difficult lesson to learn. Resourcefulness is another synonym for creativity. Paralegals who excel are resourceful and creative. Moreover, if you notice anything that needs to be assertive and self-sufficient enough to take care of it before the quarterback tosses the ball to you.

Aside from simply grabbing the ball, ingenuity goes a step further. Some careers need a bit more patience than others. This is one of them. You may come across a not-so-pleasant client, or find yourself buried under books in the law library for hours, but the satisfaction that comes with discovering the truth and helping people is all worth it in the end. Just have some patience and faith.

Do you have all of these qualities and want to make the most of them? If so, check out Fremont College of Legal Studies and gain the knowledge you need to make your skills stand out.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Alumni Apply Request Info Programs Offered. Military Students. Apply Now.