Paralegals assist lawyers in preparing for court proceedings and for other events requiring legal representation.
Paralegals in Illinois assist lawyers with research and administrative tasks associated with legal proceedings such as trials, hearings, business closings and company meetings. With certification, paralegals can perform research to identify supporting material for court cases, analyze data and prepare reports lawyers use to determine the best course of action. To become a paralegal in Illinois, professionals must complete a paralegal certification program while obtaining an associate degree, or they may complete an advanced certification program for holders of a bachelor's degree.
Instructions
1. Obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent. This is mandatory to obtain an associate or bachelor's degree, the first requirement for paralegal certification.
2. Determine the paralegal certification program that meets your education level. According to the Bureau of Labor, most paralegal programs offer two types of curriculum tracks for aspiring paralegals. For students who have not completed a bachelor's degree program, associate degree programs exist that include paralegal coursework leading to certification. For students who have a bachelor's degree in another field, an advanced paralegal course is available to obtain certification. Some bachelor's and master's degree programs offer certification for paralegals, but these degrees are not required to enter the profession.
3. Select and enroll in your desired paralegal certification program. For better employment prospects, consider a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). These programs have been reviewed by the ABA and provide curriculum that gives paralegals an understanding of the position and the legal process. Visit the ABA website to access a directory of approved paralegal programs in Illinois, and determine the school that fits your geographical and educational needs.
4. Complete the paralegal certification requirements for your school. The time required to complete the program varies according to your previous education history, whether you are studying fulltime or part-time and the number of semester hours the school requires for paralegal study. The College of Lake County in Illinois, for example, features a paralegal program for associate degree holders that can be completed within a year. The post-baccalaureate paralegal certification program provided by Loyola University in Chicago takes approximately eight months to complete.
5. Obtain national certification to receive the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Although completing a certification program at a college legally qualifies you as a certified paralegal, a national certification may enhance your career prospects. National certification is available through the NALA and is open to paralegals who have completed a paralegal program approved by the ABA and have an associate or bachelor's degree. National certification is obtained by passing an assessment examination offered at a local test site. To review the process and to apply for consideration, visit the NALA website.
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