| In the grand scheme of the field of law, paralegals | | | | law firm clients receive services from qualified, well |
| play an important behind the scenes role in the day | | | | trained professionals. Opponents argue that regulation |
| to activities that result in settlements, cases going to | | | | is moot point as the statutes disallowing the |
| trial and all manner of litigation. Long considered the | | | | unauthorized practice of law provide sufficient |
| backbone of the legal field, their work is often | | | | safeguards. |
| unheralded though an integral part of the success of | | | | Voluntary certification is offered from the National |
| any given lawyer or law firm. Paralegals are well paid | | | | Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National |
| for their efforts, and unlike in many other fields, can | | | | Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and other |
| count on above average earnings and a favorable job | | | | groups who offer nationwide examinations. In |
| market. | | | | addition, some states have regulations in place that |
| What truly separates paralegals from those who hold | | | | would fall under the category of required compliance. |
| positions in other industries, however, is the | | | | California and Arizona, among others, require state |
| exceptionally favorable ratio of education to earnings | | | | certification of anyone who prepares or assists in the |
| that they enjoy. Most paralegals complete a two | | | | preparation of legal documents. Other states require |
| year associate level program and are ready to enter | | | | continuing education criteria that must be met and |
| the profession through a federal, state agency or | | | | reported to governing agencies in order for paralegals |
| private practice. Compared with the earning potential | | | | to remain employed. |
| for most other two year programs, the contrast is | | | | In truth, the most effective form of competency |
| apparent. | | | | assurances should be offered by paralegal employers. |
| Perhaps because of this, recent years have yielded | | | | The lawyers who use their services must be able to |
| several attempts by legislators and other entities to | | | | rely on accurate, well documented information that |
| govern the credentials of working paralegals. Select | | | | will stand up to the rigors of the legal system. |
| consumer protection and some paralegal groups have | | | | Without the ability to perform their duties effectively, |
| petitioned congress for mandatory licensure of the | | | | those who wish to remain paralegals will find it |
| profession under the premise that it would assure | | | | extremely difficult to do so. |
| uniform standards of practice while guaranteeing that | | | | |