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( Paralegal)
A paralegal is a person with legal training and/or knowledge who works under the direct supervision of a lawyer. They are found in all areas where lawyers are — in criminal trials, in real estate, in government, in estate planning. Paralegals and legal document assistants (LDAs) are often mistaken for one another; however, in most jurisdictions, paralegals are not permitted to contract directly with consumers for the preparation of legal documents. Various legal organizations offer official definitions of a paralegal; these definitions typically have slight differences. Definitions offered by major organizations include In the United States, paralegals have taken many different paths to their careers. These paths comprise an array of varying levels of education, different certifications, and on-the-job-training. They work in government, for law firms, for corporations, for real estate firms, and for nonprofit organizations. Where they work and what they do often depends on what mixture of experience, skills, education, and certification they possess. Some paralegals have only on-the-job experience, while some paralegals have completed a two-year course or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. Others have completed a bachelor's or even a master's degree in another field, and quite a few of these people have also completed a regular or post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate. Many paralegals have completed all of their training before entering the profession, while others have completed their education while working their way up from the mailroom in a law firm. Many paralegals take Continuing Legal Education credits to fulfill the requirements of their firm, state, or association.
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