Homeland Security and Paralegal Profession

Homeland Security:

People who have earned a homeland security degree can work in a variety of fields including security, immigration, cyber-security, intelligence, fraud detection and other areas of the Homeland Security Department of the United States Government.

A homeland security degree is a good preparation degree for law school, education, and a variety of other fields that require potential employees to have completed a good, well-rounded bachelor’s degree program.

Management recruiters in large corporations are always on the look-out for applicants with homeland security degrees. This degree would also be a good degree prerequisite for working in law enforcement by starting as a police officer or sheriff and working into a management law enforcement position.

Paralegal:

A paralegal does exactly what an attorney does, with the exception of appearing in court. In the Workers’ Compensation area of law, paralegals are allowed to be hearing representatives and make appearances at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board under the direction of a practicing attorney.

Education:

There are different types of paralegal programs. One is a four-year paralegal studies degree from a university. From there, a paralegal can work in the legal field, go to law school to become an attorney or both.

Another type of paralegal degree is from a community college. This program is generally 18 months to two years in length. At the end, the student will have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. This degree will provide many inroads to working in the legal profession as a paralegal.

There are also private and online programs in paralegal studies that can be undertaken. It is best to have had experience in the legal profession before pursuing a paralegal certificate from a private or vocational college.

Employment Outlook for Paralegals:

In all big cities, paralegal jobs abound. Most paralegals pick an area of law they enjoy and look for work in that area.

Civil Litigation:

The legal specialty of civil litigation hires paralegals to do the preparation work for trials. The paralegal will interview witnesses, prepare deposition summaries, complete court forms and pleadings and send out, receive and answer all forms of discovery paperwork.

In the field of civil litigation, time limits are vitally important. A paralegal would coordinate with a secretary and an attorney to ensure that all time-sensitive pleadings, such as motions for change of venue or motions for a new trial, are filed and served on the opposing side within the court-mandated deadlines.

Probate Law:

Paralegals are prevalent in probate law. A paralegal will probate an estate from start to finish. All the attorney has to do is appear at court.

Family Law:

Paralegals can prepare all of the documents and pleadings for divorces, adoptions, motions for increased child support and contested matters.

Bankruptcy Law:

Paralegals usually prepare all of the paperwork in a bankruptcy case.

Legal Research:

A big part of being a paralegal is researching cases and laws. They also research science journals and other publications for information to substantiate the position an attorney is taking in a case. People who love learning make excellent paralegals, especially in the area of legal research.

Salary:

Paralegal salaries vary greatly depending upon the city they work in, educational background and work experience. A beginning paralegal with a four-year degree could expect to make between $36,000 and $46,000 per year. Salaries go up based on the length of time working.

Advanced Degree:

Many paralegals end up going to law school and becoming attorneys. A paralegal who becomes an attorney has an edge over a new attorney who has never worked in the legal field. Because paralegals are so adept at legal research and trial preparation, a firm may hire a brand new attorney who was previously a paralegal.

Homeland Security and Paralegal Profession