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Corporate legal assistants work as assistants to lawyers
within a corporate environment. For example, corporate legal assistant work
might involve keeping up to date with government laws, preparing financial
reports, helping prepare employees' contracts, shareholders' agreements,
employees' benefits plans, filing of annual reports, or preparing forms if the
company seeks to borrow money. If you aspire to become a corporate legal
assistant, you will generally need a college degree and specialized paralegal
training.You have two educational options if you seek to become a corporate
legal assistant. One option involves earning a bachelor's degree in paralegal
study from a paralegal program accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Another option involves earning a bachelor's degree in any subject and then
attending a paralegal certificate program accredited by the ABA. Paralegal
curriculum typically includes courses such as legal research, civil procedure,
and computer applications. Also, practicum experience is usually required where
you work for a few months under the supervision of an attorney. If you are
aspiring to become a corporate legal assistant, you will typically do a
practicum in a corporate setting as opposed to other types of work settings
because being supervised and trained in a corporate setting will likely enable
you to function more successfully as a corporate legal assistant after
completion of your education. You will typically apply for a legal assistant job
in a corporate setting upon completion of your paralegal education and
practicum. The career services department of your college can be helpful in
assisting you to find a corporate legal assistant job. In some cases, your
practicum supervisor may be able to offer you a job. Getting certification is
not required; however, certification can be helpful, as it demonstrates your
knowledge of law-related topics and your dedication to your career. You can earn
certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Certification requires attainment of paralegal education and successfully
passing a test on your knowledge of legal principles. Of note, if you want to
become a corporate legal assistant, it is helpful to have good communications
skills in addition to having the necessary legal skills. Also, being competent
in computer use and legal research is important because corporate legal
assisting involves a lot of computer use and legal research. In addition, being
willing to work overtime hours can be helpful particularly during times of year
when deadlines must be met, such as when annual reports are due or when there
are other important corporate events. To become a corporate legal assistant, you
must work hard and get the necessary education. It is not an easy process.
Granted, if you are willing to do the necessary work and if you are able to
learn fast on the job, you can be a corporate legal
assistant. |
