NCJ Number
79930
Date Published
1979
Length
158 pages
Annotation
This discussion of opportunities in paralegal careers covers work categories, history and future, education and training, compensation, current issues and controversies, and paralegals in the public and private sectors and as nonlawyer court personnel.
Abstract
The work done by paralegals is discussed under two categories: administrative support performed by an administrative assistant and legal assistance performed by a legal specialist. In examining the education and training of paralegals, the book advises that the many varieties of paralegal jobs require different types of training and experience. On-the-job training, training programs, evaluating a training program, and paralegals as instructors are the topics explored in this section. The variety of positions for paralegals in the public sector are identified, and job titles and responsibilities are presented. Opportunities for women and minorities as paralegals in the public sector, volunteer opportunities, and the use of paralegals in prisons and in helping ex-offenders are also considered as aspects of career opportunities for paralegals in the public sector. One chapter, devoted exclusively to careers for paralegals in government, discusses how to apply, salaries, responsibilities, experience and training, opportunities for the handicapped, and specific paralegal positions by State. Other chapters examine specicalizations of paralegals in the private sector, certification and unauthorized practice, and various nonlawyer court careers for paralegals. Listings of the locations for paralegal training programs and national paralegal associations are appended. A bibliography has six references.