Steps Toward a Paralegal Career in Alabama
Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
- Get Your Alabama Paralegal Education
- Acquire Work Experience in Alabama
- Seek Paralegal Certification in Alabama
- Find Paralegal Employment in Alabama
- Now That You’ve Become a Paralegal in Alabama
Paralegal Job Description in Alabama
Per the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2022, the 3,770 paralegals and legal assistants working in Alabama averaged an annual mean wage of $51,130. Those working in the Birmingham-Hoover area made a great deal more than the state’s average salary, averaging $57,580. Paralegals working in Huntsville also averaged higher annual salaries than those working in the rest of the state, at $51,570. Becoming a paralegal in Alabama requires specialized education, skills, and experience. If you would like to learn how to become a paralegal in Alabama, keep reading.
Complete Your Alabama Paralegal Education
Under the law in Alabama, lawyers licensed to work in the state must supervise paralegals. They need not hold any specialized education. Nevertheless, if you seek a job as a paralegal in Alabama, holding post-secondary education can only benefit you.
Alabama Paralegal Online and Campus Schools
The American Bar Association (ABA) approves some paralegal education programs. While it is not necessary that you attend an ABA-approved paralegal education program, some employers prefer the ABA accreditation. The following paralegal educational programs in Alabama hold ABA approval:
- Samford University – Birmingham:
- Certificate – Paralegal Studies
- Gadsden State Community College – Gadsden:
- Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies
- Faulkner University – Montgomery:
- Paralegal Certificate
- Associate of Science-Legal Studies
- Bachelor of Science – Legal Studies
- Auburn University at Montgomery – Montgomery:
- Paralegal Certificate Program
- Bachelor of Science – Justice and Public Safety- Legal Studies track
- Master of Science – Justice and Public Safety – Judicial Administration track
Acquire Work Experience in Alabama
Most paralegal jobs in Alabama require that you have some type of experience in the criminal justice or legal fields. Therefore, the next step in your quest to become a paralegal in Alabama is to acquire work experience. This may be incorporated into your paralegal certificate or degree program or maybe pursued outside of your education.
Volunteer and pro bono work is often the best way to gain experience in the paralegal field prior to finding a job. Examples of Alabama groups that you might want to contact to see if they could use your help include:
- Legal Services Alabama – headquartered in Montgomery but works statewide- offices include:
- Tuscaloosa
- Selma
- Opelika
- Montgomery
- Mobile
- Huntsville
- Dothan
- Birmingham
- Anniston
- South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program – Mobile
- Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program – Huntsville
Seek Paralegal Certification in Alabama
Certification for Alabama paralegals is voluntary but recommended by the ABA and its approved paralegal schools in Alabama. There are many options for certification. Some of the most popular in Alabama include:
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- Certified Paralegal (CP)- you must pass an examination on these subjects:
- Ethics
- Communications
- Legal Research
- Judgment and Analytical Ability
- Substantive Law:
- Business Organizations
- Contracts
- Civil Litigation
- American Legal System
- Tests are given at PSI Premier PLUS Test Centers, which in Alabama include:
- Mobile
- Huntsville
- Birmingham
- Montgomery
- Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP)- for those who already hold CP certification- you must choose from the following courses for this curriculum-based certification:
- Business Organizations – Incorporated Entities
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Trial Practice
- Social Security Disability
- Discovery
- Contracts Management and Administration
- Business Organizations – Noncorporate Entities
- Family Law- Division of Property and Spousal Support
- Real Estate Principles
- Family Law- Child Custody, Support, Visitation
- Commercial Bankruptcy
- Criminal Litigation
- Land Use
- Personal Injury
- Trademarks
- Certified Paralegal (CP)- you must pass an examination on these subjects:
Alabama Paralegal Employment Information
Well done! You have studied hard and worked hard and are now an Alabama paralegal! Consider becoming a member of one (or more) of the following organizations in Alabama that can help to advance your professional goals:
- Protective Life Corporation – Birmingham
- Army National Guard – Enterprise
- Regions Financial Corporation – Birmingham
- BBVA Compass – Birmingham
- Burr & Forman, LLP – Birmingham
- Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles PC – Montgomery
- Hand Arendall LLC – Mobile
- Lanier, Ford, Shaver & Payne PC – Huntsville
- Rosen Harwood PC – Tuscaloosa
- Adams, Umbach, Davidson & White LLP – Opelika
Now That You’ve Become a Paralegal in Alabama
Well done! You have studied hard and worked hard and are now an Alabama paralegal! Consider becoming a member of one (or more) of the following organizations in Alabama that can help to advance your professional goals:
- Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc.
- Alabama Association of Legal Professionals
- Mobile Legal Professionals Association
- Birmingham Legal Secretaries Association
- Baldwin County Association of Legal Professionals
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Paralegals and Legal Assistants reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2023.