Paralegals who meet the admission requirements and pass one of the certification examinations offered by national paralegal associations become certified paralegals. Currently, the three professional associations offer four national exams to choose from: Currently, the state of Pennsylvania has no formal education or training requirements to work as a paralegal. A paralegal degree is the most useful educational option for anyone seeking a career as a paralegal. You need to make sure that any program you choose offers important paralegal courses such as legal research and legal writing. Some paralegal programs in Pennsylvania are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and others are not. The choice of program is up to you, the paralegal student. These paralegal programs in Pennsylvania have been approved by the ABA since January 2014: Another option for paralegals in the state of Pennsylvania is certification through the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal Program, a voluntary certification regulated by the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations (KAPA). Many Pennsylvania state law firms positively view applicants who are Pennsylvania Certified Paralegals (PaCPs) because they have completed the standardized training, education, and work experience required for the program. If you meet any of the above requirements, are currently employed as a paralegal, and can provide a letter of recommendation from a licensed attorney, you can obtain the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal. Although it is not mandatory in Pennsylvania, more and more aspiring paralegals are choosing educational programs in paralegal studies. Not only can a degree or certificate help differentiate candidates in a competitive job market, but they can also prepare paralegals to become Pennsylvania Certified Paralegals (PaCPs) or nationally certified paralegals. Employers, KAPA and national paralegal associations offering certification may wish to have a paralegal program or diploma obtained by an institution accredited or approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). It is important to research these criteria before choosing a program.
The training requirements to become a PaCP are as follows: The average annual salary for paralegals and paralegals in Pennsylvania is reported by the BLS to be $54,080.3 This median annual salary of $53,910 is fairly close to the national median salary for paralegals and paralegals.2 The high number of existing paralegal positions, especially in urban areas of the state, shows the strong presence of paralegal employers. These employers are likely to see the national trend of paralegal expansion and create new jobs across the state. Overall, the outlook for Paralegal`s salary in Pennsylvania is positive for the coming years. Formal training and certification will continue to benefit paralegal candidates as the profession grows. To be eligible for the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal (P.P.P.) program, you must work as a paralegal and possess one of the following characteristics: K&L Gates, based in Pittsburgh, is one of the largest law firms in Pennsylvania. The internationally active full-service law firm has offices in many U.S. cities. This network of offices provides paralegals with a degree of geographic flexibility, as well as the ability to obtain detailed information on several legal services.
Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP is another international law firm with a large contingent of Philadelphia-based lawyers. This firm offers continuing education programs for newly hired paralegals with mentorship programs based on the legal field. Both firms may have good opportunities for paralegals looking for a large-scale international business environment. Other large companies that regularly list legal jobs in Pennsylvania include Comcast, Sunoco, Rite Aid, United States Steel, Aramark, and Erie Insurance Group. In addition, various government agencies and financial organizations may offer positions to newly certified paralegals who wish to gain experience and engage in various areas of law. Many people in Pennsylvania are interested in a legal career, and one of the most attractive and accessible legal professions is becoming a paralegal. Paralegals are legal advisors, which means they help lawyers with their day-to-day legal tasks such as writing documents and finding cases. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to pursue a career in the legal field as a paralegal in the State of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania state law does not currently regulate the education, training, or employment of paralegals and paralegals. In Pennsylvania, paralegals and paralegals are classified as paralegals and are allowed to perform certain legal duties under the direct supervision of a qualified attorney.
Paralegals and paralegals cannot act as lawyers in any capacity.