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Matt Zbrog
How to Become a Paralegal
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“I do just about everything my attorney does, but I do it backwards and in high heels. In my opinion, paralegals are as important to the legal world as attorneys are. Not a lot would get done without us.”Emily Walterscheid, Chief Paralegal at Matthew Harris Law, PLLC
Paralegals play a critical role in the legal system, supporting attorneys with research, drafting, case preparation, and client communication. They help manage case files, prepare documents for court, coordinate with clients and witnesses, and ensure that legal processes run smoothly. While they cannot provide legal advice or represent clients in court, paralegals are indispensable to law firms, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits.
There is no single pathway to becoming a paralegal. Professionals can enter this field with a variety of educational backgrounds. Some start with a desire to work in the legal field, or a certificate or associate degree, while others pursue a bachelor’s or even a master’s in paralegal or legal studies. Increasingly, certification has also become an important marker of professional competence, signaling both advanced skills and a commitment to ongoing education. Employers often look favorably on candidates with higher levels of education and nationally recognized credentials. This reflects a broader trend toward professionalization within the legal support field, where continuing education and certification are helping to set stronger standards.
For those who enjoy research and problem-solving, becoming a paralegal offers both intellectual challenge and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the legal world.
Meet the Expert: Emily D. Walterscheid, PP, CLP
Emily Walterscheid is a certified paralegal with nearly 20 years of experience supporting attorneys and clients across a wide range of practice areas. She currently serves as chief paralegal at Matthew Harris Law, PLLC, where she has worked since 2012. Emily earned her master’s degree in paralegal studies from National Juris University (magna cum laude) and her bachelor’s degree in legal studies from American Public University. She holds both the Professional Paralegal (PP) and Certified Legal Professional (CLP) designations.
An active member of the legal community, Emily has earned numerous honors for her professional excellence, including the State Bar of Texas Marion Gaston Award (2020) and multiple “Legal Professional of the Year” awards from the Lubbock Legal Professionals Association. She is a long-standing member of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Association of Legal Professionals, and the National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS), where she was elected to the national Board of Directors in 2025.
ForensicsColleges.com: What’s something you wish the public knew about paralegals?
Walterscheid: I do just about everything my attorney does, but I do it backwards and in high heels. In my opinion, paralegals are as important to the legal world as attorneys are. Not a lot would get done without us. Law offices need a good support staff behind them.
ForensicsColleges.com: How has the paralegal role changed over the course of your career?
Walterscheid: When I started nearly 20 years ago, we were filing paper copies of documents and running paper orders over to the courthouse for judges to physically sign. Today, nearly everything is electronic: filings, signatures, service. That’s made the process more efficient, with fewer surprises, and better access.
ForensicsColleges.com: What makes a good paralegal?
Walterscheid: A good paralegal is someone who’s willing to learn, adapt, and find new ways to make their attorney’s job easier. You can’t be afraid to try something different.
ForensicsColleges.com: What do you enjoy most about being a paralegal?
Walterscheid: I actually love discovery. A lot of paralegals hate it, but I enjoy digging through documents to find the one thing that changes a case. And in family law especially, I feel like I’m helping families every day: whether it’s an adoption, custody case, or even a divorce.
ForensicsColleges.com: Do you have any advice for someone considering a career as a paralegal?
Walterscheid: Learn how to use Word, Excel, PDFs, and other research tools, because so much of the job depends on it. But the most important thing, for me, is to get certified. Even if your state doesn’t require it, it sets you apart and keeps you current with continuing education.
ForensicsColleges.com: How do you see AI impacting the paralegal profession, if at all?
Walterscheid: AI can’t replace paralegals. You can’t fake the empathy or judgment it takes to draft a motion after listening to a client’s story. AI might help with simple letters or brainstorming, but it can’t capture the emotion or specificity that real cases demand.
Typical Responsibilities for Paralegals
While paralegals have some unifying responsibilities, their roles often vary by specialization and employer. Paralegals may specialize in areas such as family law, corporate law, criminal law, intellectual property, real estate, immigration, or litigation support.
Broadly, paralegals assist attorneys in preparing cases, transactions, and other legal matters, but specific requirements differ across practice settings. Their role is to streamline legal processes, increase efficiency, and ensure attorneys can focus on strategy and representation.
Common duties for paralegals include:
- Drafting contracts, pleadings, motions, discovery requests, and other legal documents
- Conducting legal research using statutes, regulations, and case law
- Managing case files, calendars, and deadlines to ensure timely filings
- Collecting and organizing evidence, exhibits, and witness lists for trial
- Communicating with clients, witnesses, and opposing counsel
- Filing documents with courts through electronic and paper systems
- Assisting with trial preparation, including organizing exhibits and preparing summaries
- Preparing reports, correspondence, and billing records for attorneys
- Maintaining ethical standards and protecting client confidentiality
Skills & Personality Traits of Successful Paralegals
In addition to their role’s typical responsibilities, paralegals need to demonstrate a unique blend of technical skill and personal touch. This is a profession that combines the strict codes of the legal world — process, format, precedent — with the human element of clients and coworkers.
Some key skills and personality traits of successful paralegals include:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Organizational ability and attention to detail
- Research and analytical skills
- Ethical judgment and discretion
- Technological proficiency
- Problem-solving and persistence
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegals enter the profession through a variety of educational and professional routes. While there is flexibility in how to qualify, most aspiring paralegals follow a sequence of steps that combine academic preparation, practical training, and professional development.
Step 1: Graduate from High School (Four Years)
The first step toward a paralegal career is earning a high school diploma or GED. Strong performance in English, government, and history courses can help build the writing and analytical skills needed in legal work.
Step 2: Pursue Paralegal Education (One to Four Years)
After high school, most candidates enroll in a formal paralegal education program. Options include certificates (typically 1 year), associate degrees (2 years), bachelor’s degrees (4 years), and even master’s degrees in legal or paralegal studies (1–2 years). The American Bar Association (ABA) approves many programs, and graduating from one of these is often viewed favorably by employers. Coursework typically covers legal research and writing, ethics, litigation, contracts, and specialized practice areas.
Step 3: Gain Hands-On Training (Concurrent or Post-Education)
Practical experience is an essential part of paralegal education. Many programs include internships or externships, giving students exposure to real casework, client interaction, and the use of legal research tools. Even after graduation, entry-level paralegals often start in support roles that allow them to develop technical skills and professional confidence.
Step 4: Consider Professional Certification (Timeline Varies)
Although not required by law, certification is increasingly seen as a mark of professionalism in the field. Organizations such as the National Association of Legal Support Professionals (NALS), the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), and the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI) offer respected credentials that can set candidates apart in a competitive job market. Certification exams and application processes vary but may take several months to complete.
Step 5: Complete Continuing Education (Ongoing)
The legal field is constantly evolving, and paralegals who stay current through continuing legal education, additional certifications, or advanced degrees remain the most competitive. Professional associations provide opportunities for networking, specialized training, and leadership roles. Over time, experienced paralegals may advance into supervisory positions or develop niche expertise that enhances their career prospects.
Guide to Professional Certification for Paralegals
While it is possible to work as a paralegal without certification, many professionals choose to earn credentials that demonstrate competence, dedication, and commitment to ongoing education. Certification can make candidates more competitive in the job market, open opportunities for advancement, and establish credibility with both attorneys and clients. The leading national organizations that certify paralegals include the National Association of Legal Support Professionals (NALS), the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), and the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI). State-level certification may also be an option — and in some jurisdictions, it’s a requirement.
National Association of Legal Support Professionals (NALS)
NALS offers several certifications, including the Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) for entry-level staff, the Professional Paralegal (PP) credential, and the Certified Legal Professional (CLP). These certifications test competencies in substantive law, communications, ethics, and office procedures. Requirements vary by credential but often include a combination of education and work experience. Continuing legal education is required to maintain certification.
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
NALA administers the Certified Paralegal (CP) designation, one of the most widely recognized credentials in the profession. To qualify, candidates must typically hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, graduate from an ABA-approved program, or combine a degree in another field with paralegal work experience. Those without formal education may also qualify with significant years of substantive legal experience.
The CP exam tests knowledge of communications, ethics, legal research, and substantive law. After achieving CP status, paralegals can pursue the Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) credential by completing specialized coursework in areas such as family law, contract management, or discovery. Maintaining active certification requires completing 50 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) every five years, including five hours in ethics.
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
NFPA offers two levels of certification. The Core Registered Paralegal (CRP) is aimed at entry-level professionals and requires passing the Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE). Eligibility may include an associate degree in paralegal studies, a bachelor’s degree with a paralegal certificate, or a combination of education and experience. For experienced professionals, NFPA offers the Registered Paralegal (RP) designation, earned through the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE).
To qualify, candidates generally need a bachelor’s degree plus several years of paralegal experience, or an associate degree with even more years of substantive legal work. Both CRP and RP certificate holders must meet annual CLE requirements to maintain their credentials.
American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI)
The American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential emphasizes both experience and education. Applicants must have at least five years of substantive paralegal work and one of the following: a bachelor’s degree, a bachelor’s in any field plus a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved or AAfPE-member program, or an associate degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved school.
Unlike other credentials, the AACP does not require an examination, but certificants must complete 18 hours of CLE every two years, including at least two hours in ethics, to remain in good standing.
State-Level Paralegal Certifications and Requirements
In addition to national certifications, some states have developed their own guidelines for paralegal practice. These vary widely and may include registration requirements, title restrictions, or voluntary state credentials.
For example, California defines the title ‘Paralegal’ by statute and requires paralegals to complete a combination of formal education and continuing legal education (CLE) in order to use the title. Texas has a voluntary board certification program for paralegals through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS), which recognizes advanced competency in areas such as family law, civil trial law, and criminal law. Other states, such as Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio, have professional associations that administer state-specific paralegal certifications or designations.
While these state-level requirements are not uniform, they demonstrate the broader trend toward professionalization of the paralegal role. Aspiring paralegals are encouraged to review the rules in the state where they plan to work to determine whether additional certification or registration may be required.
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about the increasing digitization of investigations, the growing importance of forensic science, and emerging areas of investigative practice like open source intelligence (OSINT) and blockchain forensics. His writing and research are focused on learning from those who know the subject best, including leaders and subject matter specialists from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS). As part of the Big Employers in Forensics series, Matt has conducted detailed interviews with forensic experts at the ATF, DEA, FBI, and NCIS.