Steps Toward a Paralegal Career in Maine
Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
- Complete Paralegal Education in Maine
- Get Paralegal Work Experience in Maine
- Seek Certification as a Maine Paralegal (Voluntary)
- Look for Work as a Maine Paralegal
- Now That You’ve Become a Paralegal in Maine
Paralegal Job Description in Maine
Per the Maine Revised Statute (MRS), a paralegal or legal assistant has the education, training, or experience necessary to work for an attorney or corporation and perform substantive legal work, for which the attorney is responsible. If you present yourself as a paralegal in Maine and do not meet these qualifications, you may be fined up to $1000 for breaking Maine state law. Make sure you stay within the law and learn how to become a paralegal in Maine by reading this article.
Achieve Paralegal Education in Maine
Education is not mandatory for Maine paralegals, but most who employ paralegals in Maine will not hire a paralegal who does not have some education, training, or experience in the field. The American Bar Association (ABA) accredits some paralegal programs. At this time, no programs in Maine hold ABA accreditation.
Maine Paralegal Online and Campus Schools
Get Paralegal Work Experience in Maine
Completion of an internship, if offered at your Maine paralegal school, is a great idea, as it will give you the chance to see what the day-to-day duties are of a Maine paralegal. If your school does not offer an internship, you may still pursue paralegal work experience on your own, on a paid or volunteer basis. Much legal aid and legal services organizations welcome the help of new graduates or paralegal students. They may include:
- Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. in Portland
- Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project in Portland
- Money Management International – Maine – with offices in Auburn, South Portland, and Bangor
Seek Certification as a Maine Paralegal
Getting a certificate or degree from a paralegal school in Maine is not the same as seeking certification as a paralegal. Various national certification organizations exist, each of which offers certification programs for paralegals at different stages of their careers. No one certification organization is better than another, nor is certification necessary for Maine paralegals. If you wish to seek certification as a Maine paralegal, options include:
- Certified Legal Assistant or Certified Paralegal (CLA or CP) through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) – certification by passing an examination
- Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE) through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) – certification by curriculum/courses (credential issued if you pass is the CRP- Certified Registered Paralegal)
- Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) –certification by passing an examination (credential issued once you pass is the Registered Paralegal -RP)
Look for Work as a Maine Paralegal
Paralegals in Maine need not restrict themselves to searching for jobs within law firms or law practices. Many businesses, industries, corporations, government entities/agencies and non-profit organizations have a need for paralegals within their companies. Examples of potential Maine employers of paralegals are:
- Eaton Peabody – Portland
- Maine Department of Transportation – Augusta
- Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project – Portland
- McKee Billings, P.A. – Augusta
- LeBlanc & Young – Portland
- T.D. Bank Financial Group – Portland
- Atlantic Fund Services – Portland
Now That You’ve Become a Paralegal in Maine
Congratulations on becoming a paralegal in Maine! You have worked hard and your hard work has paid off in the form of a career as a Maine paralegal! You might be interested in these helpful resources for Maine paralegals: