Registered paralegals have completed a certificate program in paralegal studies. There are two types of certificate programs: those that offer certificates to people with no prior education and those that require applicants to have already earned a bachelor`s degree in any subject. Government offices and agencies in Georgia may also offer paralegal career opportunities in the civil service. In addition, several Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Georgia, including Home Depot, United Parcel Service (UPS), Coca-Cola, and Delta Air Lines, and these offices require a lot of paralegal assistance. LinkedIn is a good search resource where you can search by geography (Georgia or city level) for „paralegal“ to find networking opportunities and also businesses most often associated with users who identify as paralegals. The companies in Georgia with the highest number of LinkedIn users as paralegals are: The Georgia Association of Paralegals (GAP) has been working since 1974 to advocate for the paralegal profession while providing support and education to its members. As there are no government guidelines for paralegals, GAP has worked extensively with the NFPA to create voluntary guidelines to improve the training and professional reputation of paralegals in Georgia. These standards promote a minimum level of training for new paralegals, national certification for experienced paralegals, legal training for all paralegals, and a high code of conduct. Augusta Technical College – Augusta: Augusta Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies. The program helps students develop academic, technical, and professional skills related to paralegal work. Students will learn how to write effective legal documents; understand substantive areas of law, including family, real estate and criminal law; and follow ethical guidelines. The core courses of the program, which requires 69 credit hours, include criminal law and criminal procedure law; Tort Law; Management of law firms; and articling as a paralegal.
Graduates are prepared for entry-level work in a variety of contexts, including government agencies, law firms, and businesses. Follow the step-by-step process on how to become a paralegal: Law firms aren`t the only employer of paralegals in Georgia. Hospitals, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and other industries employ all paralegals in Georgia. For example, the following companies recently advertised available paralegal jobs in Georgia: Emory University: The Department of Continuing Education (ECE) at Emory University in Atlanta offers a post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate program for college graduates. Emory has the oldest postgraduate paralegal program in the state of Georgia, which has been around since 2005 and has seen more than 1,000 graduates. Courses for the Paralegal Certificate Program are taught by licensed lawyers who bring real-world experience to the classroom. The course includes a total of over 100 lessons with a flexible schedule on weekdays, evenings and Saturdays. The program also provides work placement assistance and access to local law firms and other potential employers.
Courses include civil litigation, contract law, insolvency law, intellectual property, and tort and personal injury law. The Associate of Applied Sciences in Paralegal Studies at the University of the South trains students to work as paralegals or paralegals. If you are enrolled in law school, you may be able to work during your studies. Certification as a paralegal is not a prerequisite for working in Georgia. The Georgia Association of Paralegals recommends the following national certification programs for those interested in paralegal certification. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) sponsors both: The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies course at the Athens Technical College allows learners to graduate through online sessions, morning or evening classes. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metropolitan area has one of the highest paralegal employment rates in the country.1 Aspiring paralegals can enter the workforce well prepared through a paralegal diploma or certificate program, and Georgia has several programs to choose from. There are courses offered on campus and online for two- and four-year degrees, as well as certificate programs. The skills and knowledge required for a paralegal degree can lead to lucrative and fulfilling employment prospects in Georgia and surrounding states. To improve your chances of professional success, consider working directly at a law firm or office to gain hands-on experience. As businesses rely on more paralegal assistance to save on legal fees, more options may be available. Some companies create paralegals in assistant or secretary roles and later promote them to higher roles.
Whether through an internship or formal on-the-job training, legal experience can set you apart among potential employees and help you build your network for your future career. In an effort to raise the profile of the paralegal profession within the Georgia legal community, the Georgia Association of Paralegals has established voluntary minimum standards for entry-level paralegals. Their recommendation is that a fledgling paralegal deserves one of the following: This page is your guide to starting a career as a paralegal or paralegal. Here you will find country-specific salaries and job opportunities, career resources, and information on how to become a paralegal in Georgia. There is no government legal requirement dictating who can be a paralegal. Most enter the field through a combination of on-the-job training and internships. The easy-to-navigate directory below gives you a roadmap to starting a paralegal career in the state. Although Georgia does not officially require any specific training to be a paralegal, many employers or law firms require all paralegals or paralegals to obtain a certificate, associate`s degree, or bachelor`s degree to be employed. Earning a bachelor`s degree in paralegal studies through an associate`s degree also increases graduates` salaries. In some cases, a four-year graduate can earn up to $2,000 more than a two-year program.
Bachelor`s degrees can also advance your career path for leadership or leadership positions, especially for graduates who wish to attend law school after graduation. It is possible for students to gain experience at a law firm prior to graduation if they volunteer at a legal aid office or volunteer organization. Georgia does not have laws governing how to become a paralegal, which can make it difficult to know how to enter the profession. Fortunately, with proper training and applying for national certification, you can easily become a paralegal in Georgia. The career path of paralegals or paralegals is very competitive in Georgia. Most high-end careers for paralegals are in major metropolitan areas of the state of Georgia.