i want to find out some stuff about a paralegal. is there anybody who is one on here? but anyway my friend was trying to give me a rundown of the job but n-e ways i was wondering does a paralegal interview the client and stuff like that but what if the client was in jail would i have to go there and conduct an interview??? thanks for the help
2007-10-09 05:33:17 · 4 answers · asked by the one and only 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Law & Legal
ow and what kind of schooling do i need like college and so on
2007-10-09 05:38:54 · update #1
The paralegal's duties can vary depending on where they work. I am a paralegal. I do not interview potential clients, the attorneys take care of that themselves. I do research, write briefs and memos, draft pleadings, and track cases. To become a paralegal, you can go to an ABA (American Bar Association) accredited institute, you can find a list on the ABA's website, or you can start working as a legal secretary and work your way up.
Edit: An accredited paralegal program will take about two years to complete.
2007-10-10 12:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by ♥New Mommy♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a paralegal. I didn't have any specific schooling for the job. The attorneys here prefer to get us "raw" and train us the way they want us to work. Ususally though, you need at least a Paralegal certificate or quite a few years of experierce. We are a small law firm with only 3 lawyers and 2 paralegals. The paralegals here do not interview the clients. We type the all the letters, legal documents, etc for the attorneys, correspond with the clients over the phone, and occasionally assist the attorneys in preparing for trial or actually in the court room. Email me if you have anymore questions. I'd be happy to help! =)
2007-10-09 05:41:19 · answer #2 · answered by Cristy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You do have to go to school to be a paralegal. The paralegal can interview the client but doesnt always do so. They are preparing the paperwork for the atty. If you have to conduct an interview at a jail there are places that you can use that are safe but usually its the atty that visits the client.
2007-10-09 05:42:23 · answer #3 · answered by Diane M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At present in most states they do require ABA approved paralegal certificate. You can get one only in a Paralegal program school.
And yes, paralegals do handle many interviews, not necessarily in jail (only if you work in Criminal Law area).
2007-10-09 05:48:28 · answer #4 · answered by Somewhere in Time 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋