As mentioned earlier, certification is not mandatory to become a paralegal in Texas. However, if you wish, you can work towards certification at the national level or by the State Council. Certification gives you a significant advantage when applying for paralegal jobs. Paralegals in Texas earn an average annual salary of $54,940, which is slightly higher than the national median salary of $50,410.2,3 A paralegal`s salaries can vary from company to company, depending on the paralegal`s level of experience and the field in which they are employed. The average cost of living in a given region can have a significant impact on average wages. The paralegal`s salary in Texas may also vary depending on the employer`s field of activity. Houston and Dallas are home to dense concentrations of large, diversified law firms, which keeps the demand for paralegals in virtually every area of legal practice, which can result in higher salaries. Texas Board of Legal Specialization – This organization offers the optional certified paralegal certification in the following six specialties for paralegals who wish to showcase their skills: There are many ways to find paralegal jobs in Texas. Houston is home to the highest density of large law firms in Texas and is home to firms such as Baker Botts LLP, Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. Baker Botts is prestigious and respected in the Lone Star State, offering a conservative work environment specializing in technology, complex litigation, white-collar crime, and appellate defense. At Dallas, Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international law firm that maintains a strong demand for lawyers and paralegals, particularly in global affairs. Haynes and Boone emphasizes a positive corporate culture based on internal teamwork and relies heavily on paralegal support on a range of legal issues. In San Antonio, De Mott, Mcchesney, Curtright & Armendariz LLP is a stable, and growing immigration criminal law firm that employs career-oriented individuals to assist their lawyers as paralegals and paralegals.
Major Texas-based companies include AT&T, American Airlines, Dell Computer, Michaels Stores, Inc., and Waste Management, Inc., all of which need a lot of support in their legal services. Newly certified or certified paralegals in Texas may also seek employment in various regional, state, and local government agencies. Texas was the first state in the country to officially recognize paralegals as an integral part of the legal community and created a paralegal division within the Texas State Bar. Subsequently, the state bar created a voluntary certification process for paralegals by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS). Texas` paralegal requirements at least d0 do not require a specific degree, but it is highly recommended in the legal profession that those who wish to pursue this career obtain an American Bar Association (ABA)-approved associate or bachelor`s degree prior to pursuing this position. “Factual legal work” does not include clerical or administrative activities. As a result, a court may refuse to recover paralegals for such non-material work. Ass`n v Int`l Supply Co., Inc., 759 S.W.2d 697, 705 (Tex.
App. Dallas 1988, action dismissed). Certificate programs are educational programs that offer a certificate of completion, but not a diploma. Their graduates are considered certified paralegals. Certificates can be useful for those who already have a degree in another subject and want targeted courses in paralegal studies to complement their previous training. Some certificate programs admit students without prior graduate studies who wish to take a course focused on paralegal studies. Currently, there are no mandatory licensing requirements for paralegal certification in Texas at the state level. However, the Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers voluntary paralegal certification in seven practice areas. In addition, completion of a paralegal degree program recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) and obtaining a national certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or similar organization can enhance candidates` marketing opportunities. The American Bar Association has officially approved 11 paralegal programs in Texas.5 The Paralegal Division of the Texas State Bar provides more information about employment opportunities and certifications in Texas. Open the doors to a career as a paralegal with an updated certificate that you can earn online through self-study. The Texas State Bar recommends that lawyers hire paralegals with formal training.
Degrees may be earned through an American Bar Association-approved program or an unauthorized paralegal program at an accredited college or university. Those who have a bachelor`s degree in any subject and a year of experience as a paralegal with hours of legal training are also competitive candidates. Our guide provides salary information and career resources that answer some of the most common questions about becoming a paralegal in Texas. Use the easy-to-navigate directory below to quickly find the section that works best for you. As if that were not enough, job growth is expected to increase at a staggering 29.8% by 2022. This is great news for those considering joining this rewarding profession. While there are no certification requirements in the state, there are several steps you can take to improve your chances of becoming a paralegal in Texas. Introduction to the Texas and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence, which govern civil procedure; Investigation of the role of the paralegal during investigation, preparation and trial with a focus on civil litigation in the courts of the State of Texas. Includes a legal writing lab. After completing the Texas Paralegal requirements and earning the Texas Paralegal certification, students must ensure that this license is published on their resume before applying for open positions. The Texas State Bar also updates jobs for all legal positions in the state of Texas, giving students the access they need to find competitive and reputable positions in the legal field.