...of right now, I have entered into my final semester before graduating with my B.A. in Legal Studies, and currently in process of studying for the LSAT that I plan on taking this December in hopes of meeting the deadlines to apply at my selected law schools of Stetson, Barry, and FAMU. Ideally, I would like to get into either Stetson or Barry more, but given that I'm a single father, the FAMU part-time program they have instituted would cater to my needs much better, but the downside of utilizing that program would add an additional year in completing the course of study. As far as my professional career is concerned, I currently work as a server at Bahama Breeze, a Darden owned concept that does offer room to advance, but I plan to only work there when necessary. To help in assisting in gaining some experience in the legal field, I see myself working in a law firm putting my paralegal degree to some use. The fields of law that interest me the most are personal injury, worker's compensation, medical malpractice, and property and estate. My hope is to...
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...student loans. I must say this would have been a welcome site two years ago when I started with school at the age of 39. I could have been done and in my chosen occupation without the $30,000 in debt. 2. What did you think of the occupations O*NET suggested as matching your skills? Was the occupation you are in or preparing for among those listed? The number one suggested occupation was Chief Executive which honestly made me laugh. I have never aspired to be a C-Level Executive though I know I could do it, the pressure of those types of positions is not something I wish to introduce into my life. Number 13 (I realize they are not actually numbered) is Lawyer. I am a legal assistant working my way up to Senior Legal Assistant/ paralegal so that isn’t too far off from my goal. Being a lawyer is...
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...PhD in Criminal Justice – General Specialization • Personal/Professional Goals Each day I enter into a court room, I am reminded about the gift of the judicial system. This system teaches the importance of understanding one's rights. My daily contribution is evidenced by my passion for criminal justice and the understanding of my protective capacity. Being currently employed as a Family Court Paralegal (Child Support Division/Juvenile Delinquency) has prepared me for the next step of obtaining my doctorate. Daily I am collecting, retrieving, and analyzing information, drafting, filing, and serving legal documents such as discovery and motions as well as managing and organizing cases. Deciding to return back to school is never an easy decision, but I believe I can one day contribute to the future minds that wish to study criminology. I recently had a daughter and I often think about the society in which she is now a member. The other day I voted and I took my daughter along to witness our beautiful system of democracy at work. I am interested in graduate school to advance my career and to obtain the additional skills to empower a world unknown of its ability. In October of 2010, I had to honor to help the attorney I was working with in assisting her with a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) to present to the other attorneys for their quarterly training. In 2011 I was a recipient of the NYC Law Department Legal Assistant Achievement Award and Certified Commissioner of Deeds...
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...WHY MY EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME In the world today Paralegal is a dream for me. My reasons for this choice of a career is for that Paralegals get to work along the side of an attorney, and they end up learning a lot from the attorney about the law. I will be discussing about why my education is so important to me. And for one on who inspired me, my goals, dreams, motivation, and what also aspire me to keep on going to school help to do better for me and my family. The definition of a paralegal is a person trained in legal matters, who performs routine tasks requiring some knowledge of the law and procedures. A paralegal, like a lawyer, can be employed by a law office or work freelance. An unlicensed paralegal is supervised by a lawyer and cannot engage in the practice of law. Usually, paralegals have taken a prescribed series of courses in law and legal processes. Paralegals often handling much of the paper work in probates of estates, divorce actions, bankruptcies, investigations, analyzing depositions, preparing and answering interrogatories, procedural motions and other specialized jobs. First, I aspire to be the best I can be and to go through life without causing harm or distress to either myself or to others. I’m going to continue the human race and provide abundantly for my daughter and raise her to be thoughtful of others and to have aspiration. My dream has always been to support myself and my daughter...
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...Having a job and having a career means two different things to me. For the last three years I have held a job as a customer service rep. For me in this field I really don’t see much growth unless you are willing to be a very extreme and repetitive person. I have learned in the last two in a half years of being in this profession that it is not something I would continue to do. To compare what I am in school to do and what I have done over the last two in half years is a big difference. Far as the customer service field I can say that it is job security and that I have benefits but not much more. I don’t have leadership that is really driven for the best other than meeting quotas and stats. I have the repetitive and simplicity of the job and the same atmosphere. I have given my all and best to my current job and everyday grow to hate it more. For the most part the atmosphere is very open to any type of person to work in the field. There is not much that goes into screening for a customer service position. Which for me I feel makes for a not to safe environment. I have meet some great people who work at my current job but they are not happy with the overall working conditions either. The pay is not the best and not may incentives that are given to strive to be better. The opportunity for promotion is given not because of your job performance but more for if management feels that you are a good candidate or not. So for me this is not a good job or working situation for me at all...
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...My Ideal Career My ideal career lies in the law field. I have not decided on one particular law career yet because I do not yet know enough about the different types of law, but the ones that I think do sound interesting are mediation, family law, and paralegal. A paralegal can work in any area of the law. They can work in family law, criminal law, etc, and also in the mediation field. What made you interested in the law in the first place? I think mediation sounds interesting because a mediator helps people settle their disputes outside the court room in a peaceful way. Mediators need to have excellent reasoning, problem-solving, and peace-making abilities (The Princeton Review, 2012). This appeals to me because I am more of a peaceful person and do not really like conflict or arguing, though I can stand my ground if I need to. According to the Princeton Review, a good mediator is honest, neutral, encouraging, listens well, and has excellent communication skills (The Princeton Review, 2012). I have all of these skills, especially the honest part, down well. In fact, my dad is always telling me I am too honest and I could never get away with doing anything wrong when I was little because I would always give myself away. hahaha Family law is interesting because I like the idea of helping families through the hard parts of life. Family court lawyers handle divorce, guardianship, prenuptial agreements, adoptions, parental rights, custody cases, and the financial and tax...
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...applicable, the area of specialization. One of the jobs I would like to obtain would be a family law paralegal. Family law paralegals typically work for private firms or government agencies that deal with domestic relationships, such as marriage, children, and parents. Family law encompasses such matters as prenuptial agreements, same sex domestic partnership, divorce, adoption, establishing paternity, child custody, child welfare and domestic violence. The second job title would be Real Estate paralegal. Real estate paralegals work alongside lawyers, helping with any preparation regarding property sales. Real estate paralegals are responsible for preparing documentation necessary to any case, including real estate purchases or sale closings. This may also include reviewing amendments, leases, subleases or purchase assignments. It is important for paralegals in this specialty area to be able to accurately work on items such as title insurance and tax bills. In addition to working with lawyers, real estate paralegals may also coordinate with landlords, housing managers or other real estate personnel. 2.List the skills needed for the job, taken both from the job description and your own analysis of the job. Be sure to list at least five skills, three of which are specific skills in the legal profession. The skills needed to work within Family and Real Estate start off with a Paralegal basic background which includes an associates or certificate. Certain electives are to work directly...
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...Paragraph 1 My pending degree in Paralegal studies, along with my solid ability to express myself persuasively, verbally and in writing would enable me to add value to a positon as a litigation county clerk with the City of San Antonio Municipal Court. This position seems tailor-made for my education, experience, and career interest. I’m ready to augment your organization’s team with my enthusiasm, industry savvy, and work ethic. I have a strong desire to assist my fellow paralegals in the quest for excellence. I have spent countless days preparing myself for the qualifications to obtain my career of choice. I’ve had my share of mentors in life who have helped me discover my strengths, talents, passions, and often to find my path. There is one woman in particular whose name is Sharon Cassidy. She has been the most influential women in my life. What she provided for me was a standard- a high one. In doing so, I’ve stretched my capabilities, helping me to also stretch my boundaries and explore our world. I’m in a better path, with increased confidence and skills, which will surely qualify me for the position I’m looking to obtain. Paragraph 2 Dear Jane, It is with great pleasure that I’m recommending Greg Swanson Motor Company in San Antonio, Texas. I have been employed with this company for 8 years. They are currently seeking a reliable assistant for Mr. Swanson, and I’d think you’d be great. As a personal assistant you’ll be helping out with Mr. Swanson’s needs,...
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...Prior to returning to college, I worked as a paralegal in various areas of law. The majority of my paralegal career was focused on family and criminal law. My views have changed and evolved over time in how I see individuals that get caught in the legal system. The longer I worked in the field the more I saw how punishing people for issues in their lives, that they had no more control over than their eye color, is cruel and unproductive. Eventually, the unproductive legal circle became exhausting and I found myself burnt out, but I still wanted to help the clients I worked with. Consequently, when I considered going back to school, I knew that I wanted to make changes in how our legal system works, especially with juveniles. I believe there is a gap in how clinical therapists and the courts view the best interest of a child. The therapeutic view and the legal description of “best interest of a child” are often very different and often that interest seems to not be served in legal proceedings. I would like to help bridge that gap with my previous legal field experience and as a social worker, because I do understand both views of the best interests of a child. I also want to serve my community by advocating for social justice issues that help strengthen and educate the members of our community about prevention and rehabilitation with regard to mental illness, self-medicating and...
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...Profile Process on Zara Aquino {NAME OMMITTED} Devry University Profile Process Piece on Zara Aquino I. Defining Topic, Angle. Purpose A. A profile of Zara Aquino, a paralegal who specializes in real estate and lives in my neighborhood, is my topic. B. Aquino began her path to becoming a paralegal 15 years ago. She started as a regular secretary at a law firm. She then received her bachelor’s degree in law, and moved up to legal secretary. After a couple of years of on-the-job training, she then became a paralegal. My unique angle is that I will be writing about someone who started at low position in her field and then moved up. C. The purpose of this piece is to describe how Aquino earned her position and what it took to get her there. I want the readers to know that it takes hard work and dedication to advance in your career. Some readers might think that if they schmooze the boss, it’ll get them somewhere. Others just try to wish upon a star for the promotion they were vying for. My goal is for the readers to aspire to push their limits and find a way to advance in their career. They have to feel that everyone gets what they want when they work for it. II. Reader Profile Background: Hollywood, Florida is a unique city within itself. It's no South Beach, but it is tolerable. Most are areas within the city range from good to okay to bad. Hollywood houses many people and their cultures. The city has a life within its residents, who...
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...Paralegals are one of the fastest growing careers in the United States. Regardless of this growth, many individuals who do not work in the legal field, and even those who do, are confused by the paralegal’s role. The volume of responsibility an attorney has on their caseload may overshadow the lawyer’s ability to handle all parts of the cases personally. Behind the scenes, a paralegal achieves a lot of functions that attorneys could not complete independently. In her article Haworth, NFPA and the Paralegal Profession- a Partnership explains that paralegals are in demand and have a positive outlook for the future and employment of paralegals is to rise by 20 percent into 2020. As law firms try to decrease costs and increase the effectiveness of legal services, they are expected to hire more paralegals. Haworth discusses that with the partnership between the...
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...The Paralegal Profession Ruth Keith Everest University According to Paralegal Today (2011), a paralegal is “a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work, for which a lawyer is responsible” (p. 3). This paper will show the various duties of the paralegal. It will also prove what a valuable asset they are to the legal profession. Paralegals mostly work for law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. They do a variety of tasks to support lawyers. They conduct legal research, draft documents, and organize and maintain files (Unknown, 2012). Interviewing clients, witnesses, and conduct legal investigations are also part of the job description. The specific tasks vary depending on the size of the office, the type of law the firm practices, and the amount of experience the paralegal has. Even though they gain a great deal of knowledge in the law, they are not authorized to give legal advice (Miller &Urisko, 2011). As a paralegal, I would like to find a position in a family law office. Working for an attorney who helps clients in either adoption proceedings or child custody cases would be the most intriguing for me. Knowing that I had a hand in helping a couple receive a child that they so desperately deserve, or removing a child from an abusive situation, would be...
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...organizations out there for an individual to join or become affiliated with. Each would benefit every individual differently according to their education and/or work field. Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association (HMPA) is amongst one of these organizations. The (HMPA) was founded in 1973 it was formerly the Houston Legal Assistants Association. The Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association (“Association”) is a professional organization maintained for the benefit of its members, the legal profession and the general public. (http://houstonparalegals.org/page.asp?p=About%20Us:%20Code%20of%20Ethics. (HMPA’s) goal is to promote the professional advancement of legal assistants in Houston. Members of this organization have dues that they would pay. Being a member of this organization would have a great deal of benefits. A law firm, student studying to be a paralegal, or a legal assistant can be a member of this organization. Keywords: Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association (HMPA), legal assistants, paralegals, CLE’s, membership, attorney, benefits, law office Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association According to the State Bar of Texas of Directors, and the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas, adopted a new definition for “Paralegal:” a paralegal is a person, qualified through various combinations of education, training, or work experience, who is employed or engaged by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity...
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...LEGAL ASSISTING (Paralegal Studies) Associate in Science Major Code 2172 P rogram Description The Legal Assisting (Paralegal Studies) Associate in Science Degree, offered at the South and North Campuses, is a program designed for students seeking a career in a lawrelated field as a paraprofessional. This program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to work under the supervision of an attorney and perform many vital functions as a legal assistant (paralegal). Legal Assistants may be responsible for interviewing, investigation, research, document preparation, and other tasks. They cannot, however, engage in the actual practice of law by doing such activities as giving legal advice, setting fees, negotiating, or representing clients in court. Legal assistants work in law firms, legal departments of major corporations, government agencies (federal, state and local), real estate departments of large businesses, trust departments of banks, brokerage houses, and insurance companies. E ntrance Requirements • • HS Diploma or GED PERT The PERT test places students into preparatory level reading, writing and math courses designed to prepare them for college-level coursework. Recent ACT or SAT score may also be used for placement. For more information, see http://www.broward.edu/testing/. Students who test into college prep courses must successfully complete all of the required...
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...Ethics and Professional Responsibility Study Unit By Michael Wilson, Esq. Reviewed By Brian Bastyr, Esq. About the Author Michael Wilson is a freelance writer and college instructor who has had wide legal and educational experience. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Kentucky in 1976 and three years later received his law degree from the same school. He has been a partner in a law firm, a solo practitioner, and has done work in General and Family Mediation. He has also been a fulltime instructor in Paralegal Studies at Sullivan College, Lexington, KY, where he has taught such classes as Legal Research, Advanced Legal Writing and Appellate Practice, and Wills and Estates. He was given the “Teacher of the Year” award in 1997. Mr. Wilson has also had a number of papers published on legal topics in both scholarly and popular journals. About the Reviewer Brian Bastyr is a senior attorney editor for West Group, a legal publishing company. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is currently a member of the Illinois bar, and has published a number of articles in legal journals. All terms mentioned in this text that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Use of a term in this text should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service...
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