Propel your legal career

Success in any industry doesn’t just happen. Generally, success comes to people who work hard and have a clear career trajectory and target. Even for the most motivated people, it can be easy to lose sight of our goals and become comfortable and complacent in our jobs and everyday lives. To avoid this complacency, think about how you can continually propel your legal career. Consider these tips on how to give yourself the best chance of continuing your career success.

- Continue your wider education. Lawyers must undertake continual study and obtain accreditation points throughout their legal careers. But study doesn’t have to be restricted to the legal world. Learning technical or computing skills, for example, could increase your employability and attractiveness to legal firms interested in expanding their online presence.

Improved written skills could also help lawyers produce high quality legal articles

There are also ways of continuing your wider education outside of study. Attending conferences and lectures, and consistently reading legal journals and the news will help keep you abreast of all that is going on in the industry.

- Make the most of your legal association memberships. Almost all lawyers are members of their local or national law society and alumni. Make sure you make the most of these groups and organisations to network, meet other lawyers, and be involved in activities and conferences that will expand your knowledge and skill base.

- Mentor/Career advice. In any career, having a mentor or advisor can help you stay on track of your goals and learn more about where you are trying to get to. Whether you talk to legal career consultants or have a close relationship with one of your superiors, a mentor or career advisor can be a useful tool for keeping you on track, revisiting your goals, and helping you to achieve them.

- Know what’s out there. To improve your long term career prospects, keep track of what job positions are being offered at any time. Not only will this allow you to apply for any positions that interest you, but by reading job descriptions you’ll know what skills employers are looking for. If you’re in IP law, for example, using job specs to learn what skills are being required and demanded from employers will make you the best possible candidate when IP law jobs that you are interested in arise.

Actively pursuing your long term career is about doing the best in your current position while constantly looking forward to see what may be coming up, or what credentials will be needed should that dream job come along.

Legal Careers - How To Excel In Your Legal Career

Of the many career options available today law seems to be emerging on the largest scale. Not only has it become the first priority of many but also it is seeing the maximum competition today. If you have it in you to take up challenges and work hard with a firm resolve then there is nothing like legal career careers for you. The need for professionals in the legal scenario seems to be growing by the minute and this indeed is a golden chance for all law aspirants. Its no more about just being a lawyer but there are many non legal careers for lawyers.

There are a few criterions for getting into these legal jobs but none of them are unachievable. The first thing that you will require is excellent academic grades. So if you are now in high school and wish to concentrate on careers in law start concentrating on your studies from this very minute. There are many alternative legal careers available too now. Paralegal is a good example of a completely different kind of avenue for law aspirants. Now you will find a huge number of individuals who though they want to make a career in law are not very keen in being a lawyer. Being a paralegal is the best option available for them. They assist lawyers in field work and researches on cases.

However there are a few criterions that you must fulfil for being successful in legal careers. Firstly as I already said you will need to have excellent high school grades. You can go for any subject of your choice in high school but do a bit of research on what type of lawyer you want to be and a course which compliments it can be your best possible option. The graduation course that you do at a law school must also be finished with good grades.

Specializing in any particular field will help you become a specialist lawyer in the field you want to be in. Remember your learning does not end after leaving law school. Your actual education begins after instead. There is no end to the learning process and one must keep learning from experiences and research work. The more knowledge you posses the higher are your chances of becoming a good lawyer.

Do research work in places like your local library. A bit of research on previous cases particularly the complex ones increases your insight on the topics. Joining a business related course can also be a good idea to expand your knowledge. A bit of computer knowledge is also necessary in the legal scenario so you also might want to do a computer course.

Remember a career in law means a lot of sacrifice in your personal life; working till late hours and sometimes even on weekends. Your family and friends need to be understanding about this fact and you must explain your situation to them.

There is no alternative for work if you want to succeed in the legal careers.

Legal and Paralegal Schools - Career Study Options

Legal and paralegal studies allow students to train for the career they desire in the exciting field of law. Students can choose to pursue a variety of degrees. Degree levels that are available in this field include an associates, bachelors, and masters degree. Accredited legal and paralegal schools offer career study options that can provide students with the training and knowledge they need to pursue a variety of careers in the field. Students can train to become legal assistants or paralegals with a degree in this field.

*Legal Assistant

Students can gain the necessary education to become legal assistants with an accredited degree program. With a variety of learning options students can enter into the program that best suits their individual needs. With an accredited education students can find employment in a number of areas including:

Civil Litigation
Immigration
Criminal Justice
Employment Law

Students can choose to earn an associate's, bachelors, and master's degree.

With a degree in legal assisting students will have the opportunity to learn various subjects related to their desired career. Courses may vary but can include the study of:
Legal Terminology
Computers
Stages of Litigation
Sociology

With an accredited degree training program students can obtain the degree they need to find the employment they desire. Job duties for legal assistants include a variety of tasks such as researching, interviewing, preparing statements, answering phones, drafting agreements, and much more. Students who choose to pursue an education in this field can start their career as a legal assistant, by training in law.

*Paralegal

Students looking to obtain a degree in paralegal can do so through a variety of accredited schools and colleges.

Training programs in this area of the field are available at an associate, bachelor, and master level of career study. Curriculum will vary from program to program but may include criminal justice training, legal analysis, court rules, arbitration process, and more. Students can learn all these subjects and much more to prepare them for their desired career as a paralegal. Accredited educational programs prepare students for employment working in:
Private Law Firms
Government Agencies
Insurance Firms
Corporate Legal Departments
Public Defenders Offices

Students will obtain the knowledge and skills to become the professional paralegal they need to be in order to start their career. Paralegals are in charge of coordinating research, summarizing legal documents, preparing forms, performing legal research, and much more. Paralegal professional's daily tasks will vary depending on where they work, the level of degree they hold, the training they complete.

With an accredited degree training program in the field of legal and paralegal students can enter the workforce prepared for the job. Agencies like the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) are approved to accredit a number of schools and colleges. Accreditation provides proof that the best quality education will be received. Students can learn more by requesting information about legal and paralegal schools in the programs of their choice.

 

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Brief Overview of Legal Nursing Career

These days, nursing is no longer limited to working in hospitals and long-term care facilities. There are now a number opportunities available for those who are looking to go into the nursing field. One that is becoming increasingly popular is legal nurse consulting.

A legal nurse consultant provides an expert medical opinion in legal proceedings. They assist legal professionals on health care issues and provide insight into medical procedures and terminology.

Most civil and criminal court cases involve some type of medical concern, including malpractice suits, personal injury claims, and worker's compensation disputes. A legal nurse consultant helps attorneys and judges understand complicated medical information as it pertains to such legal matters. Consultants rely on their extensive practical nursing experience to investigate and interpret medical records from a legal perspective.

If you are interested in applying your medical expertise in the practice of the law, then legal nursing is the right career choice for you. You will be working with attorneys, insurance companies, and risk management divisions of hospitals, or you may even operate your own independent consulting practices.

Your duties in the field of legal nursing may include analyzing medical records, preparing medical reports and providing testimony as an expert witness. Legal cases involving medical malpractice, worker's compensation, health insurance fraud, patient abuse might benefit from your analysis and testimony.

Since most lawyers and judges do not have extensive medical backgrounds, they rely on you to help them understand technical details and educate them on medical matters. Similarly, a physician might need help from a legal nurse consultant to understand court charges and proceedings. You will also be called upon to help attorneys prepare official statements and determine the most appropriate lines of questioning to use on witnesses and defendants.

A legal nurse consultant is a licensed registered nurse. In the US, this means that you have been granted a certificate by your state allowing you to practice nursing. In order to become a legal nurse consultant, you have to have at least three years of experience in working in a medical center. That includes doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.

To become a legal nurse consultant, it is important that you are able to speak well and express your thoughts and opinions clearly. You may be called on the witness stand to give expert testimony on healthcare issues. A clear presentation of the facts of a case can make you a more credible expert witness.

 

Career Opportunities in Law and Legal Field

 

Law career offers various job opportunities in India. If you wish to make your career in law field, there are some excellent positions available for law graduates in Government of India like Assistant (Legal), Superintendent (Legal), Assistant Legal Advisor, Deputy Advisor, Additional Legal Advisor, Joint Secretary & Legal Advisor and Central Govt. Advocates in Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta.

Law examination takes place periodically as when the vacancies occur. A candidate has to fill up an application form with a certain amount of application fee. The examination is conducted by the State Public Service Commission.

The various posts filled through the above examinations are those of the Magistrate, Munsif/Sub-Magistrate, Public Prosecutor and the like. Description of functions/duties related to these posts is as follows:

Magistrate: Magistrate presides over criminal court, decides cases and delivers judgment on judicial matters filed in or transferred to his court.

Public Prosecutor: Govt. Pleader/ Govt. Council represents State in sessions courts and lends advice to officers in districts in all legal matters when called for. He studies records of case sent to Sessions Courts by Trial Magistrate and ensures against Emissions and Commissions and irregularities, which might vitiate proceeds in Court.

Solicitor: Generally advises the Government on legal matters and submits statement of important cases to Attorney-General of India for his opinion or appearance in the Supreme Court as necessary.

Attorney General: Attorney General of India is appointed by the president. He holds office during the pleasure of the President. By qualifications he must be fit enough to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court. His duties include advising the Government of India on such legal matters as may be assigned to him by the President. He has the right of audience in all courts of India. He can also participate in the proceedings of Parliament without the right to vote. Attorney General is a tested by a solicitor General and Additional Solicitor General in the proper performance of his duties.

Advocate General: Similar to the post of Attorney General at Centre each State has an Advocates General appointed by the respective State Governors. He has all those duties and rights in the State, which his senior counterparts enjoy in the Centre.

The Notary, Oath Commissioner: A Notary is a legal practitioner of at least ten years standing in the profession. He is appointed on application Central State Government to draw, verify authenticate certify and attest the execution of any deed by virtue of his office. Similar to the Notary, there is another established authorized called the ‘Oath Commissioner’. An Oath Commissioner is also authorized to attest the various type of document by charging some fee duly permitted by Law.

 

Legal and Paralegal Schools - Career Studies

Students that want to work in law but don't necessarily have the desire to become a lawyer can take another popular path. Several education options are available to students inside legal and paralegal career studies. Legal and paralegal schools offer career studies to become a lawyer's assistant.

As an assistant students should expect to work with lawyer's to prepare for meetings and trails. Work duties regularly consist of researching facts, writing reports, drafting legal documents, and more. Assistants learn to do everything lawyers do short of actually practicing law, which can only be gained through a law degree. Through the concentrated legal and paralegal studies students can enter a career where they are completely immersed in the field of law.

The first option, which takes the least amount of schooling, is working through a certificate program.

Most programs take less than seven months and the majority of programs are for students that already have an associate's or bachelor's degree. The reason behind this is that certificate programs only have students taking courses that pertain to legal and paralegal work. Education stresses teaching students how to perform legal research and draft legal documents. Curriculum introduces students to all traditional areas of law. Areas of study include:
Contracts
Criminal Laws
Torts
Civil Legation
Legal Terminology

Students also have the option of entering a post-baccalaureate certificate program. The curriculum is very similar to an undergraduate certificate program. The only major difference is that students are required to have a bachelor's degree prior to admission.

Students that don't plan on continuing education often complete an associate's degree.

The coursework completed is sufficient to work inside a lawyer's office or firm. An associate's degrees should include study on legal terminology, legal writing, research, litigation, and family law. The skills to think logically and apply learned knowledge to each specific case is gained when students complete a program. Students should expect education to last two years. Another option is to gain a specialized degree in paralegal business. Students work through much of the same curriculum but also take specialized courses in criminal justice that allow them to aid a lawyer further. Schooling in this type of degree program is focused on teaching students to provide professional advice with issues in the office and courtroom.

Completing a bachelor's degree is the highest option available to students before entering law school. Much like an associate's degree program, a bachelor's degree program focuses on all areas of law and prepares students to assist lawyers. Curriculum topics cover studies in real estate, immigration, business law, and more. Students learn all the legal parameters in which they will work. Preparing case summaries, organizing notes, investigating facts, and helping a lawyer set legal fees are all learned skills. Having a bachelor's degree helps students advance inside the industry and allows them to enter law school later if desired.

Working side-by-side with lawyers on cases is an exciting career that can be entered. Enroll in legal and paralegal schools that are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) for full accreditation and start the educational process needed to work inside the legal industry.

 

Legal and Paralegal Schools - Career Preparation Options

Enrolling in an accredited school or college can allow you to obtain an education in the legal and paralegal field. Education can be gained at various levels and allows you to choose the educational path that is right for you. You can become the legal or paralegal professional that you dream of becoming. Career preparation options offered by legal and paralegal schools can provide the quality education that you deserve. You can begin the path to a new career by finding the program that fits your needs and learning more.

Levels of Education

Pursuing an education in legal and paralegal studies can be done by completing an accredited training program. Options available include earning various certificates and degrees. Educational programs offer training at the:

Certificate
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree

...levels to provide a range of educational options.

Training will vary in length depending on the specific career and education level being pursued. Certificate programs can take anywhere from several weeks to one year to complete. Associate degrees require two years of accredited career training to obtain, and bachelor degrees can take four years to earn.

Coursework

Preparing for a career as a legal or paralegal professional can require that various coursework be completed. Course topics vary according to the level of training and the career being pursued. Courses may consist of training in criminal justice, legal terminology, computers, legal analysis, court rules, arbitration process, sociology, and other similar topics.

By gaining knowledge in these fields you will be ready to seek employment and enter into the workforce prepared for a successful career. Training will cover all necessary coursework to help you prepare for the career you dream of.

Possible Careers

There are many careers that can be entered once an accredited certificate or degree is obtained. Enrollment in an accredited school or college will help you begin the path to an exciting new career. Training in law or legal and paralegal will help you to prepare for employment in:

Civil Litigation
Immigration
Criminal Justice
Employment Law
Workers Compensation
Personal Injury
Family Law

...and much more. You will have the opportunity to find employment as a legal assistant or paralegal working in law offices, courts, and much more. Accredited career training is available to you in the legal and paralegal field to help you gain the quality education required to start your desired career.

Accredited schools and colleges can offer you the educational training you need to enter into a successful career. There are accrediting agencies like the American Bar Association (ABA) that are approved to provide accreditation to legal and paralegal colleges that provide students with the quality education they need to pursue successful careers. You can prepare by researching programs and enrolling in the one that fits your needs and goals. Start preparing for the job of a lifetime by finding an accredited paralegal program and enrolling today.

 

Online Legal and Paralegal Career Training Courses

Becoming a legal and paralegal professional is possible when students complete detailed courses inside a training program. Many online schools and colleges offer students the needed information by teaching them how to assist and support lawyers.

Online training courses are specific to what students will encounter inside the professional industry. When working alongside an attorney students need to be able to help prepare for a trail, which includes writing reports, preparing legal documents, and understanding different laws. Some online courses that students can expect to take may include:

*Torts

Students will examine the torts that correspond to personal injury or property damage. The complete rights of the injured client are examined as students learn about the defenses, laws, and principles of the injured. The liability of the individual at fault is also learned.

*Contracts

Contract drafting is learned when students enter this course.

The breach, resolution, and safeguarding of contracts is explored as students learn the principles of consideration and acceptance in connection to a contract.

*Civil Litigation

The foundational concepts of civil litigation are presented as students study the procedures followed in the professional workplace. This basic course introduces students to the laws and regulations for submitting evidence in a case.

*Legal Writing and Research

Professionals are constantly expected to write and draft legal records, documents, and more. Subjects focus on teaching students about research memorandas and points. The goal is to train students to correctly and efficiently conduct research.

Advanced courses have students preparing multi-week research and writing assignments.

*Ethics

The duties of legal and paralegal professionals are explored based on the responsibilities placed on them. Common course areas include learning about conflict of interest between clients. Client confidentiality is learned to ensure students understand how to protect information during representation.

*Family Law

Online topics cover the law regarding domestic relations. Students learn what can be done legally in disputes that involve child support, divorce, child custody, alimony, reconciliation, and more. Gathering information and understanding proceedings are included areas of study.

These courses are integrated into multiple degree options that can be obtained online. An associate's degree is the most common earned degree. Bachelors degree programs teach students advanced legal concepts to prepare them for managerial positions in legal and paralegal departments. Further education is gained in post-bachelor's certificate programs and master's degree programs. Both prepare students for advanced careers in law firms and private organizations.

Online education through introductory and advanced courses is required of students that want to pursue legal or paralegal careers. Accredited education can be entered at several levels, which gives students the ability to choose the program right for them. Fully accredited programs can offer the quality education that students deserve and need to succeed. Agencies such as the American Bar Association (ABA) are approved to fully accredit online legal and paralegal schools and colleges that meet certain criteria. Students should research the field and start the process of entering the law industry.