Paralegal Studies Program

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The American Bar Association defines a legal assistant or paralegal as a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Paralegals belong to one of the ten fastest growing occupations in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) reports that the national salary average in 1997 was $35,514, a 9.5% increase from 1995.

 

According to Legal Assistant Today, March/April 2004 issue, the national average salary is $44,808 which is up 3.1% from 2002.

 

Paralegals work under the supervision of lawyers to provide legal services. They have more responsibility than legal secretaries and theoretically can do any type of legal work except advising clients or representing them in court. Paralegals might prepare probate inventories of an estate and fill out inheritance tax forms, or take depositions, or attend legislative hearings and agency meetings. They are increasingly involved in developing computer systems to meet the needs of the legal profession.

 

Paralegal professionals must combine a blend of general and technical knowledge with the skills needed for solving problems, dealing with people, and planning, organizing, and managing law offices. They must also have an awareness of the role of law in society and of trends in legal proactive, as well as an informed concern for the actual quality of legal services.

 

The paralegal studies program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is the only 4-year ABA approved program in Illinois. Practicing attorneys teach all of the class. Internships are offered and recommended to prepare graduates for professional success.

 

Careers in Paralegal Studies
We've already mentioned the strong growth forecast for the paralegal profession. Most of the opportunities exist in the larger law firms, often located near major population areas. With one to two years of experience the median is $56,000, According to the Illinois Paralegal Association - 2005 Survey of Salaries and Benefits.

Some large law firms have instituted a tier system of responsibilities and rewards that allow their paralegals room for professional advancement. The Paralegal Studies degree provides a solid foundation for law school.

Paralegals have been employed in law offices, private corporations, government offices, and prisons. There are also increased opportunities for paralegals in banking and insurance fields.