Nyu Paralegal Program (2024)

FAQs

How difficult is the certified paralegal exam? ›

With that said, it is a rigorous and highly demanding exam that will require extensive preparation. So make sure you have a game plan ready to ensure that you'll succeed on this exam and in your career.

While the work can be intensive, getting a paralegal certificate altogether is not difficult. Becoming a paralegal can happen in several ways. Each state has its own requirements for becoming a paralegal.

Unfortunately, regardless of what role a paralegal plays within a law firm, most attorneys only want to hire paralegals who have previous experience in the work force. They remember law school – it was great for teaching them about the law but did very little about teaching them how to practice law.

Positive reputation. The public generally respects and values people in the legal field for their depth of knowledge and significant responsibilities.

Passing scores are not provided as the Certifying Board has determined “Pass” is sufficient to designate successful completion of the Exam.

National surveys consistently show Certified Paralegals are better utilized in a field where attorneys are looking for a credible, dependable way to measure ability.

Lower salary: The average paralegal's salary is much lower than the average lawyer's, even with a lot of experience. Limited responsibility and control: Paralegals do the grunt work for lawyers, but they don't have autonomy with cases or control over their workload.

Paralegals often work long hours and may experience high levels of stress. They may have to work overtime to meet deadlines, and they may have to deal with difficult clients or complex legal issues. Your ability to work late into the evening or even on weekends may be put to the test as a paralegal!

Degree candidate students are required to attend a paralegal orientation or a counseling session and complete the English and Math Placement Testing and Group A General Education requirements prior to entering LAW C105, LAW C118, LAW C121, LAWC390 and/or any major elective with a "LAW" designation.

One of the top reasons for paralegals leaving the field is the result of a toxic work environment. The field of law is a high-pressure environment that can quickly wear down a paralegal. Cases are frequently won or lost on a technicality, and a paralegal can unwittingly introduce an error that causes a loss.

Is being a paralegal harder than a lawyer? ›

Lawyers require more training and education than paralegals. They're under higher ethical and professional standards, and face pressure to perform for their clients.

Several skills and qualifications can help a paralegal to be a success. These include excellent written and verbal communication skills, a high-level organizational ability to track several deadlines. Strong attention to detail and the skill to prioritize tasks and manage their time effectively can also be helpful.

Paralegals vs.

That said, paralegals are in high demand due to their advanced legal knowledge and lower pay rates. They also do not carry the burden of student debt that is often associated with law school, a factor that can impact attorneys for years after completing law school.

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) administers the Certified Paralegal (CP) examination to assess the core competencies of prospective certified legal assistants (CLA). Since the CLA and CP designations are generally interchangeable in the legal profession, we will refer to the CP designation here.

The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) is a standardized testing initiative in United States higher educational evaluation and assessment.

Although there are no legal requirements for the education of paralegals in Florida, the Florida Association of Paralegals reports that most law firms will only hire paralegals with a degree. Additionally, many want their new-hires to have passed the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam.

Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP)

The CLA/CP certification is offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). It is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates a high level of professional achievement and signifies proficiency in paralegal studies.