Specializing in Law: Paralegal Careers

If you have always been interested in the law or just newly turned on to the idea of delving into the law, but don't have enough money to attend law school then think about specializing in law through paralegal careers. A lot of people believe being a paralegal is simply a career as a glorified secretary. I have news for you; it can be so much more than secretarial duties. Paralegals can practice in the areas of law they love, just like lawyers do, but you don't have to go to law school for 3-4 years and owe several thousand dollars to do it.

On average paralegals start their careers earning anywhere from $35,000 to $40,000 a year. After ten years you could be earning as much as $75,000 a year dependent upon the specialized area of law you choose. The best part of all, interested and eager paralegals can do what they love most by specializing in a specific area of law.

Make your career as a paralegal more of a hobby by practicing what you love most. Paralegals can practice in the fields of law that they find most intriguing. For example, paralegals can practice in the fields of personal injury, product liability, real estate, trial presentation, finance, environmental, litigation and trial work, family, labor and employment law, and so much more. Being a paralegal is not only a job, but rather a career full of opportunity unlike any other career.

Even though paralegals are not lawyers paralegals are delegated multiple tasks in the areas of law they practice. In fact, paralegals perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. The only things that paralegals cannot do are practice law, setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases in court. Everything else can be done by a paralegal, which leaves a wide open world of opportunities.

I have been a paralegal for over seven years now and am currently making close to $60,000 a year. I have enjoyed my profession immensely and would not ask for any other career. I have worked in the fields of tort law, criminal law, international law, personal injury law, property damage law, civil law, and contract law. So don't just take the advice from anyone, take it from a paralegal; specialize in law with a paralegal career of your dreams.