How To Become a Paralegal

If you’re ready to make an impact in the legal system, becoming a paralegal is one way to get started. Paralegals don’t actually practice law; they work alongside attorneys¹ in law firms, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, providing critical legal support that keeps cases moving. As a paralegal, you may conduct legal research, draft legal documents, prepare correspondence, and apply legal analysis to real-world issues.

Unlike lawyers, paralegals focus¹ on the operational and investigative side of law, handling the details that ensure cases stay on track. This can mean reviewing documents for procedural compliance, verifying facts through client or witness interviews, or organizing case files and deadlines.

Paralegal Job Duties and Responsibilities

A paralegal position typically involves a broad set of responsibilities that support the work of attorneys and the legal system.

Some key job duties may include:¹

• Conducting legal research: Paralegals use public records, case law databases, statutes, and legal publications to gather relevant information and support legal analysis. This research may include verifying facts, checking legal precedents, and preparing summaries for attorneys.
• Drafting legal documents: From contracts and pleadings to motions and discovery documents, paralegals are typically responsible for accurate document drafting that follows procedural and formatting requirements.
• Legal writing and correspondence: Preparing clear legal correspondence, memos, and briefs is a core responsibility. Strong legal writing skills are considered important for conveying complex information to attorneys, clients, or courts.
• Interviewing clients and witnesses: Paralegals collect factual information, organize it for case preparation, and document statements in line with ethical and procedural standards.
• Supporting trial preparation: This includes organizing evidence, coordinating exhibits, preparing trial binders, and sometimes assisting with courtroom procedures under attorney supervision.

Many paralegals choose to specialize² in areas like family law, criminal law, intellectual property, or estate planning, allowing them to develop a specialized skill set. Specialization may involve handling sensitive information, interpreting substantive law, and applying procedural law to complex legal situations.

Paralegal Programs at Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University provides a route for those seeking to become a paralegal through its Paralegal Certificate and Paralegal Associate’s Degree online programs.³

The Paralegal Certificate can be completed⁴ in as few as eight months and includes online learning with campus support and resources. It is intended for students who already have an associate or bachelor’s degree and want to advance their education online to become a paralegal. The program is designed for those interested in all phases of the legal system and assisting attorneys, and it is intended to help prepare students for roles such as paralegal, legal secretary, legal assistant, court administrative assistant, court clerk, and file clerk.

The Paralegal Associate’s Degree can be completed⁵ in as few as 18 months, includes online learning, campus support, and field experience. It is intended for students without a prior degree who want to advance their education in paralegal studies. It is also designed for those interested in all aspects of the legal system and assisting attorneys and is intended to help prepare students for the same range of paralegal and legal support roles.

Gaining Practical Experience as a Professional Paralegal

Hands-on experience is a critical part of paralegal education and career readiness.

Rasmussen University’s Paralegal Certificate program⁴incorporates practical, hands-on experience through its capstone course, which simulates a law office environment in an online setting. Students engage in tasks that mirror real-world legal responsibilities, such as conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, preparing legal materials for hearings or corporate meetings, and managing case-related information. This applied learning approach may help students develop skills that are immediately relevant to roles as paralegals, legal assistants, legal secretaries, or court administrative staff. While the program is fully online, the capstone ensures that students gain exposure to practical scenarios within a structured, simulated legal workflow.

Rasmussen University’s Paralegal Associate’s Degree includes⁵ practical, hands-on learning opportunities, most notably through its virtual capstone course. In this course, students simulate a law office environment, engaging in day-to-day operations and handling simulated client cases. Through these activities, students practice conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, managing case files, and applying legal analysis in realistic scenarios that may help them develop practical skills that are relevant to roles as paralegals, legal assistants, or other legal support positions. While the program is fully online, it integrates field experience elements that allow students to apply knowledge from core coursework in a structured, applied setting.

Professional Development for Paralegals

When preparing to become a paralegal, professional development opportunities start at the educational level at Rasmussen University.

The Paralegal Certificate program⁴ may prepare students for the Certified Paralegal Exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants^® (NALA^®).⁶ This credential supports professional growth by demonstrating core paralegal competencies to employers. Courses also focus on legal research, legal writing, and document drafting, which are critical skills for ongoing professional development.

Beyond preparing students for the NALA^® certification, the Paralegal Associate's Degree program⁵ highlights the development of transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, digital fluency, information literacy, and ethics and professional responsibility, which are all key for professional growth and continuing development within the legal field.

Professional development is an ongoing part of a career in the paralegal profession as well. Paralegals can access workshops, webinars, conferences, and online courses through paralegal associations, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations^® (NFPA^®),⁷ and the American Bar Association^® (ABA^®).⁸

Paralegal Professional Career Opportunities and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals and legal assistants held approximately⁹ 376,200 jobs in 2024.

The largest employers of paralegals and legal assistants were:⁹

• Legal Services: 74%
• Local Government (excluding education and hospitals): 5%
• Federal Government (excluding postal service): 5%
• Finance and Insurance: 3%
• State Government (excluding education and hospitals): 3%

The BLS also projects⁹ that the paralegal field is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034, with most openings expected to result from replacing workers who transfer to different occupations or leave the workforce.

Professional Paralegal Resources and Networking

Participation in the legal community and paralegal associations helps students and graduates stay connected and informed.

Key resources may include:

• National Association of Legal Assistants^® (NALA^®):⁶ Offers continuing education, professional development opportunities, and networking events.
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations^® (NFPA^®):⁷ Provides workshops, guidance, and resources for paralegal professionals.
• American Bar Association^® (ABA^®):⁸ Offers conferences, webinars, and workshops relevant to paralegals.
• Local paralegal associations: Check with your local community to see what resources or regional networking events are available.

Engaging with these organizations may be a way to stay current on legal developments, maintain professional relationships, and help expand expertise in areas of substantive law.

Next Steps for Aspiring Paralegals

For those looking to become a paralegal, Rasmussen University’s programs³ integrate practical skills, legal research, legal writing, and professional development. Completing a Paralegal Certificate or Associate’s Degree may help equip students to participate effectively in a paralegal position and contribute to the legal system.

Gaining experience through hands-on, practical work as a legal assistant may be a starting point to help students develop a specialized skill set and become familiar with the workflow of law firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Participation in paralegal associations and continuing education may be a way for students to remain informed on current legal issues and can refine practical skills throughout their career.

By combining formal education, practical experience, and ongoing professional development, you may be prepared to pursue opportunities in the legal field and engage in professional development within the paralegal community.

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, athttps://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm#tab-2 (accessed October 1, 2025).
²Law School Admission Council, “Fields of Law,”https://www.lsac.org/discover-law/types-law-programs/fields-law (accessed October 1, 2025).
³Rasmussen University, “Paralegal Degree Overview,”https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/paralegal/ (accessed October 1, 2025).
⁴Rasmussen University, “Paralegal Certificate,”https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/paralegal/certificate/ (accessed October 1, 2025).
⁵Rasmussen University, “Paralegal Associate Degree,”https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/paralegal/associates/ (accessed October 1, 2025).
⁶National Association of Legal Assistants^® (NALA^®),https://nala.org/ (accessed October 1, 2025).
⁷National Federation of Paralegal Associations^® (NFPA^®),https://www.paralegals.org/ (accessed October 1, 2025).
⁸The American Bar Association^® (ABA^®), https://www.americanbar.org/ (accessed October 1, 2025).
⁹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Work Environment, athttps://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm#tab-3 (accessed October 1, 2025).