Q. What is a paralegal?

A. “Paralegals, sometimes called legal assistants, are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, paralegals have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.” (The American Bar Association definition)

Q. Where are paralegals employed?

A. Law firms of all sizes regularly employ paralegals. Government offices also employ paralegals, as well as many corporations. Paralegals who work in corporate counsel's offices sometimes even hire outside attorneys for the company.

Places where you are likely to find paralegals:
Law Firms
Corporate Legal Departments
Self Employed (Freelance)*
Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Healthcare Administration
Business Administration
Contracts Administration
Technology
Telecommunications
Education
Not-for profit associations
Insurance Companies
Claims Adjusters
Appraisers
Fraud Investigators
Title Companies
Title Examiners
Title Abstractors
Title Searches
Closing Agents
Real Estate
Mortgage Brokerage
Banks
Courts
Legislative aids
Federal Government
Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Social Security Administration
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Department of Homeland Security
State and Local Government
Welfare and Family Services
Health Services

Q. What other job functions in a law firm that paralegals may pursue?

Law Office Administrator
Law Clerk
Legal Investigator
Law Librarian
IT Professional
Legal Secretary
Administrative Clerk
File Clerk
Receptionist
Management Accounting

Q. What do paralegals earn?
According to Money Magazine, April 2007, Young and the Restless , Top 20 Jobs; Paralegal's and Legal Assistants earned the following:
National Median Salary $53,700
Five Year Projection $64,900 - $67,400
Tampa $39,927
St. Petersburg $40,013
Clearwater $39,628
Orlando $40,055
Miami $41,330

Q. Can paralegals own their own business?

A. Paralegals are not limited to only working for law firms. Paralegal skills are utilized in just about every area of business. However paralegals are not lawyers and so should be careful of how they offer their services directly to the public. Today there are many successful paralegals, who enjoy the freedom and financial rewards from having their own business. Here paralegal's"freelance" and offer their services to multiple law firms, banks, insurance companies and corporations.

Q. What kinds of work do paralegals do?

A. Paralegals analyze legal issues; investigate and evaluate facts; prepare pleadings, contracts, forms, legal memoranda, and other documents; interview clients; assist in case management; and assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services.

Areas of practice include litigation, business/corporate, real estate, trusts and estates, family law, criminal law, tax, bankruptcy, immigration, environmental law, collection, employee benefits, computer law, intellectual property, securities, entertainment law, and workers compensation.

Paralegals can be found interviewing clients or witnesses, preparing documents, conducting legal research, preparing exhibits for trial, probating estates, closing real estate transactions and an endless list of other activities. Just as there are an infinite number of ways to practice law, there are also an infinite number of ways to be a paralegal.

Q. What personal qualities should paralegals possess?

A. Paralegals should have strong reading, writing, and listening abilities, are disciplined workers, and are very attentive to detail. Computer knowledge is a necessity in most legal offices today. An interest in law and the legal process is important.

Q. What is the employment outlook for paralegals?

A. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that the paralegal profession will continue to be one of the fastest growing occupations.

Q. Why is paralegal such a growth field?

A. For hundreds of years, all law-related work was handled by attorneys. However, in recent times the amount of legal work has exploded. Lawyers had to become more efficient, using paralegals wherever possible. As lawyers continue to transfer legal tasks to paralegals there will be even more demand for qualified paralegals.

Q. How do you become a paralegal?

A. Today most paralegals are trained in college. (In the past, many paralegals were trained on the job.) The A.A. degree program contains general education courses, but is principally devoted to legal specialty courses. The B.A. degree program focuses on advanced specialty courses, involving critical thinking. Most employers look for paralegals who have graduated from one of these programs.

Q. Where can I find more information on the profession?

A. Try these websites for the two large national organizations: www.nala.org and www.paralegals.org. .....or find a paralegal and ask him or her about their job. Chances are they love it, and would be thrilled to talk about their career!

Q. Why should I enroll in Westbay College's paralegal studies program?

The simple answer is; we specialize in legal education. We have made the commitment to provide the best paralegal education available. We focus all our energies and resources exclusively towards preparing students to enter the paralegal profession. There are not many other schools that can make this claim.

Q. How much are the tuition and fees for the paralegal studies program?

For an accurate determination of tuition and fees for the paralegal studies program, please contact our admissions office or use this request information form.

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