Paralegals and Real Estate Law
December 14, 2010
Paralegals with a concentration in real estate law will find work in real estate agencies, law firms or title companies dealing in areas of residential, commercial or leasing purchase and sales. Duties will vary from office to office but most will include such responsibilities as:
- Preparation of leases
- Review of title reports
- Preparing closing documents
- Financing and leasing transactions
Most paralegal real estate jobs require a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in real estate or an associate’s degree in paralegal studies with real estate experience. Accredited paralegal schools typically offer concentrations in real estate practices but students should make sure that there are also opportunities for practical experience through a practicum specifically in this field.
In addition to what students will learn in their paralegal courses, there are certain skills that all those working in real estate law should possess. These are:
- Lease negotiations
- Real estate financing
- Lending procedures and documentation
- Superior communication skills; both verbal and written
Although all of the above areas are taught to some extent in most paralegal schools, a real estate concentration will place an emphasis on these and other subjects that are necessary for this field or work. Real estate paralegals must also be able to work on all aspects of related transactions from the initial contact with a client to closing.
Job prospects for paralegals are at an increase with the demand for real estate paralegals to be as much as twice that of the industry in general. Although salaries will vary from state to state as well as firm to firm, the average salaries range from $28,000 to $71,000 annually while about 80% falling in the $44,000 range.
Real estate law provides such a broad range of employment possibilities with many opportunities for advancement. Anyone who has an interest in starting a career in law and specifically in real estate law is wise to research paralegal schools that offer bachelor and associate degrees in this field. Once you have successfully completed all course and practicum requirements, graduates must also be prepared to take their paralegal certification exams. For more information about certification, prospective students can contact their state American Bar Association (ABA) for specific details.
Online Paralegal Studies
December 12, 2010
The number of accredited schools that offer online certificate and degree programs has grown steadily over the last several years and online paralegal courses are no exception. Going back to school on a full time basis is simply not an option for most people due to personal and financial commitments. Studying from home on your own time is an ideal solution for those who wish to attain a certificate or degree in order to advance in their careers or improve employment opportunities.
The goal of enrolling in online paralegal courses should always be with the view of attaining your professional certification. Although certification is not mandatory for working as a paralegal or legal assistant in the United States; it is highly recommended. One key factor that must be considered before choosing any of the paralegal schools is to find out if there is a provision for participating in an internship program. This will ensure students that they will receive important hands-on experience working in the field. This is also a critical component when creating a resume as most employers will require that applicants have experience working for a lawyer or law firm.
In the event that the online paralegal courses you have enrolled in do not offer internship opportunities, students are advised to contact law firms in their area to find ones that will accept practicum students. It is also important to understand the prerequisites and specific requirements necessary to take paralegal certification exams. There are several professional associations that offer certification and contacting them for more information regarding examination eligibility is an excellent way to find out if the courses you are taking will adequately prepare you for certification. A few of these certification bodies are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- National Association for Legal Professionals
- National Association of Paralegals
One may also contact their local state American Bar Association (ABA) for information on paralegal certification. Whether you decide to get a certificate or a degree in paralegal studies the two critical factors for securing employment will always be how much practical experience you will have as well as obtaining your professional paralegal certification.
Certificate or Certification – What’s the Difference?
December 8, 2010
Anyone who has successfully completed the required number of accredited paralegal courses is entitled to receive their certificate of completion. This simply means that a student has passed all their classes in one of the many available paralegal programs. Whether or not this will prove to be sufficient in getting a job will to a great extent depend on how thorough the programs was and if it covered all the topics that law firms are looking for when hiring paralegals. Also taken into consideration will be whether or not the student participated in a practicum which would have given them hands on experience working in a law firm.
While receiving one’s certificate is important, it is not a designation that an individual is certified as a paralegal. In order to receive paralegal certification, graduates must meet certain requirements such as:
- A specified amount of hands on experience in the field
- Pass qualifying examinations
- Must have attended and graduated an accredited paralegal program
The American Bar Association (ABA) approves paralegal programs or schools as opposed to certifying paralegals themselves. It is therefore critical that prospective students ensure that the paralegal programs they are considering be approved by the ABA before enrolling. Once all courses have been successfully completed, there are a number of organizations that graduates can turn to for certification, some of which are:
- Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
- The National Association of Paralegals (NALA)
- The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
There are also state specific organizations where one can apply to for their certification such as the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Simply check with your local ABA for information on state certification agencies.
Continuing on to receive paralegal certification after graduation is important as the ABA does encourage lawyers in promoting continued education and higher levels of excellence for all paralegals that they employ. Paralegals that have passed their professional certification exams open themselves up to greater employment opportunities and also helps in ensuring both attorneys and clients that they have a more in depth understanding of their duties and are highly competent in their work.
Freelancing Careers for Paralegals
December 5, 2010
Law firms and solo practice lawyers are increasingly realizing the financial value that paralegals have within their practices. With this heightened demand and their continued popularity, paralegals have begun to offer their services on a free lance basis. As this trend continues to grow, legal assistant firms are now becoming an integral part of law practices all over the country. Even well established law firms who employ paralegals on a full time basis often find the need for additional help on an occasional basis. Where available, most lawyers prefer to contract for services from a legal assistant firm rather than the broader temporary employment agencies to ensure the highest level of the paralegal’s qualifications and experience.
The cost savings to law firms using these services as opposed to employment agencies is tremendous. In addition to the hourly wage, firms are generally also required to pay agency fees when hiring temporary employees. By utilizing a legal assistant firm, lawyers pay only for the services they are contracting for. In addition, paralegals then have the option to set a flat rate or to request an hourly rate depending on the work that is being requested of them. This system is proving to be a win/win situation for both the paralegal and for the lawyer.
Since paralegals are not able to provide any service that is considered to be practicing law or to set fees, legal assistant firms only provide their services to law firms or independent lawyers. Issues around ethics and the unauthorized practice of law must be a high priority for all freelance law firms since they do not have the luxury of depending on the ethics of the firm they work for. Anyone one or firm providing freelance paralegal services has an obligation to an even higher standard of ethics than those who are employed by lawyers.
Graduates who have just completed their paralegal certification and students who are enrolled in paralegal programs also benefit from the experience that these firms can offer. Students enrolled in online paralegal courses can gain a tremendous amount of experience which will greatly enhance their resumes, improving any future employment opportunities. The possibility of working as a freelance paralegal is certainly an area that deserves serious thought for both the seasoned professional as well as those who have recently graduated or are about to graduate from paralegal schools.
Paralegal Jobs: Writing Your Resume
December 2, 2010
Whether you have just completed your paralegal certification or have already been working at paralegal jobs for a while and looking for new career opportunities, your resume will determine if future employers invite you for that all important interview. Your paralegal courses may have gone over the basics on how to craft a resume; here we will give you tips to make sure your resume is concise and all inclusive without overpowering the reader.
Recent Graduates
First, the obvious; Your personal information such as name, home address, phone number and e-mail address should be at the top of the page. Always use traditional fonts such as Times New Roman in 12 point font however; your name, etc can be in bold with a slightly larger font. Keep in mind that prospective employers often receive hundreds of resumes making it important for yours to stand out and should be kept to a single page. You can use separate sections to highlight each topic. The most common and accepted sections in the order that they appear include:
Career objective – Since this is the first section it is important to let the reader what your career objectives are. You might say something like, “To work in a cooperative environment utilizing my exceptional research and organizational skills.”
Education – This section is especially important for recent graduates of paralegal programs. Include your degree/certification along with the college you attended and your major as well as when you graduated. Also include specific courses that reflect the skills being asked. With limited experience you can point out any academic activities, leadership skills and organizations that you are or were involved with. Any academic achievements are also important such as making the Dean’s list or contributions to the college newspaper, etc.
Experience – This will be the crux of your resume. Even without previous full time employment there are other things that qualify as experience. Internship programs you completed is an important point as they will bring to light the skills you obtained as well as the responsibilities and duties you performed.
Finally, it is important to state on the bottom of the page, “References available upon request”. Make sure that you have three references available and that you have contacted each one asking them if you can use them as references. When you do receive an interview, bring along any letters of recommendation that you might have.