An attorney, also called a legal secretary, is employed to assist lawyers during legal proceedings and to prepare for the law school exam. Legal assistants prepare, compile, and document legal documents, prepare briefs and other legal documents for lawyers, prepare court reports and prepare briefs for the courts. They conduct research and collect court information and prepare opinions for clients.
There are several types of duties that legal assistants perform. They may prepare letters for their clients, conduct research on cases, prepare and distribute legal advice, and compile case information. Legal assistants may also prepare and distribute pleadings, make depositions, conduct interviews, and make and distribute decisions. Other responsibilities are to train attorneys, prepare client notes, perform clerical work, and prepare financial statements for the clients.
Most law schools require legal assistants to take a minimum number of classes at their law school. Students must pass their exams in order to advance to the level of legal assistant. Law schools typically do not grant scholarships for this profession, however, so most students must rely on government-funded programs.
To become a legal assistant, students must meet certain criteria, including a high school diploma and completion of a state-approved law school exam. An accredited college may also grant financial aid to a student in need.
The US government offers free federal grants and loans to eligible individuals for the purchase of an attorney’s license, tuition, and legal aid. These programs do not apply to students who will be working on their own private practice. To qualify for these federal grants, a student must demonstrate financial need, must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, and should be employed as a legal assistant before they enroll.
Many state governments have their own programs available to grant money to law students, although these are not tax-free. Legal assistants are responsible for paying back the loan and taking a state approved exam. To become a licensed professional public defender, which allows him or her to practice law full-like a lawyer, a student must take a state approved exam. Once he or she is a professional criminal defense lawyer, he or she can ask to take an additional state required exam.
Students must also complete state-approved training on their chosen field of law and complete community service, to further their legal education and prepare them for the state law school exam. Although there is no requirement to hire an attorney for legal work, some states require lawyers to be registered and bonded while working for their employer.
The cost to attend a law school exam and to get a law license varies greatly depending on location, the school, and the state. The fees vary from as low as a few hundred dollars at some private schools to several thousand at some state universities.
Online legal schools are often the best choice for many people because they allow the individual to pursue an associate’s degree from home. It is possible to earn a bachelor’s degree without ever leaving your office, which makes it possible for many students to work on the law after graduation with the hope of obtaining a law license.
Many students will receive additional degrees in their chosen field of study in order to enhance their employment prospects after graduation. There are some online degree programs that allow students to earn both an associate’s degree and a doctorate in order to specialize in a particular area of the law. These additional degrees are usually offered through community colleges.
In addition, online degree programs usually offer many scholarships and grants for students who need financial aid. Law schools will often offer students a chance to work as interns or teach-in-the-classroom after their initial degree program.
