A litigation paralegal helps prepare cases for trial, including crafting legal arguments and preparing witnesses. They typically need at least an associate’s degree and may require certification. Paralegal education programs and certification can provide an advantage, and knowledge of technology is important. The area of law a potential employer practices in should be considered when seeking employment.
A litigation paralegal helps an attorney prepare a case for trial. They can prepare exhibitions, essay notebooks and jury instructions. They also sometimes assist in crafting legal arguments and help prepare witnesses for testimony. They often accompany supervising attorneys at hearings, pre-trial conferences, and can assist attorneys during trials, especially with technology-related tasks in the courtroom. To become a litigation paralegal, an individual usually needs at least an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree in law can give an applicant an advantage over less qualified applicants. Some employers may also require paralegal certification. Litigation paralegals can usually find work at independent law firms or as part of a paralegal team at a large corporate law firm or government office.
An individual who wants to become a litigation paralegal usually gains formal paralegal training. Paralegal education programs can include associate’s degree, bachelor’s and even master’s programs. Paralegals can also apply for programs online. A paralegal education should adequately prepare a graduate to become a litigious paralegal, although competition for jobs can be tough. Selecting a paralegal program that is approved by a respected national organization, such as the American Bar Association, can give someone who wants to become a litigation paralegal an advantage. Taking classes in civil and criminal procedure, evidence, and the appeals process can also be helpful.
Paralegal certification may also be recommended, although it is generally not required. Paralegals can be certified by testing through various organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) in the United States or the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) in the United Kingdom. Choosing to be tested in civil litigation or criminal law and procedure can be a good way for a paralegal to choose to specialize in litigation to gain valuable knowledge. Advanced Paralegal Certification Credentials in Practice Testing may also be available.
Anyone who wants to become a litigation paralegal should also be comfortable with technology. Lawyers who litigate often use some form of case management software and often utilize courtroom trial support technology. Typically, legal research is required to prepare cases for trial. More and more legal research is done online and with the help of desktop research products.
When looking for employment, a paralegal might consider the area of law in which a potential employer practices. A lawyer’s specialty logically also becomes his attorney’s specialty. A paralegal who wants to become a litigation paralegal should ask a potential employer if the company regularly tries court cases. Some law firms resolve most of their cases or handle matters that rarely require litigation, such as real estate and banking. On the other hand, public prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers regularly go to trial. Personal injury attorneys also litigate cases that cannot be resolved out of court.
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