Any attorneys/paralegals know if Emory Univ. paralegal certificate programs is very highly regarded?

[CAMademoiselle]

Originally Posted by shania

Thanks to all for their opinions on this. While I obviously am very familiar with the legal process, both criminal law and civil litigation, having worked in the courtroom for the last 9 years, I'm also aware that I haven't been the one preparing the documents, just reviewing and filing them. I'm looking into UCLA's six month program, which also requires a B.A., but is ABA-approved. Then, coming to Georgia, I would need to obviously become familiar with Georgia Civil Procedure, either by just studying it, or taking a class.

The problem with taking the paralegal courses at a local college is that usually they are 2 year programs, the closest one to ATL I've found that's ABA-approved is in Athens, and I assume I'd have to pay out-of-state tuition. I also don't want to tie up 2 more years of my life at this point, especially when I can get the certificate within six months in California.

As far as starting at entry level, I can handle that, just as long as I can make enough to pay rent and basic expenses. Just want to make sure I can find a job before I leave the one I have.

Sounds like you have a really solid plan there, girlie. I have to become familiar with Georgia stuff too, which is my only set back since I already am so set into how we do things here up north.

With your experience, do you think you could find a Case Assistant job in GA that would pay for your paralegal program, or maybe even one here in CA? I have worked at firms that pay for education as long as it's in the legal field. That might be something to check into too.

[shania]

Originally Posted by CAMademoiselle

Sounds like you have a really solid plan there, girlie. I have to become familiar with Georgia stuff too, which is my only set back since I already am so set into how we do things here up north.

With your experience, do you think you could find a Case Assistant job in GA that would pay for your paralegal program, or maybe even one here in CA? I have worked at firms that pay for education as long as it's in the legal field. That might be something to check into too.

That sounds like a good idea. I honestly have never heard of the term "case assistant", haven't ever seen a job opening with that title, but I'll check out that angle, thanks.

How are you going to become familiar with Georgia law? Just get the Georgia CCP and memorize it?

[CAMademoiselle]

Well, at my firm now it's called Case Assistant. Other firms it's File Clerk or something like that. At our firm, depending on the practice group, they act like Paralegal Assistants doing work the paralegals can't bill for. It's a great position (at least at my current firm) for someone who wants to start learning paralegal work. You should check that out.

In terms of learning GA rules, I am just going to get the big blue book. I mean, I don't know every CCP here, so I use mine here occasionally when if I've had a brain fart and can't remember if something is court or calendar days, or whatever. Since I already know how to find the answers, I think it should be pretty easy to learn that stuff. I mean, I didn't already know it when I started working as a paralegal here. lol...

I saw one firm in Atlanta that has a continuing eduaction program for paralegals, but I can't remember which one. Some of the larger firms have their open positions on their website and will probably say whether or not they have some type of continuing education program.



Some.

[shania]

Originally Posted by CAMademoiselle

Well, at my firm now it's called Case Assistant. Other firms it's File Clerk or something like that. At our firm, depending on the practice group, they act like Paralegal Assistants doing work the paralegals can't bill for. It's a great position (at least at my current firm) for someone who wants to start learning paralegal work. You should check that out.

In terms of learning GA rules, I am just going to get the big blue book. I mean, I don't know every CCP here, so I use mine here occasionally when if I've had a brain fart and can't remember if something is court or calendar days, or whatever. Since I already know how to find the answers, I think it should be pretty easy to learn that stuff. I mean, I didn't already know it when I started working as a paralegal here. lol...

I saw one firm in Atlanta that has a continuing eduaction program for paralegals, but I can't remember which one. Some of the larger firms have their open positions on their website and will probably say whether or not they have some type of continuing education program.



Some.

Thanks for explaining what a case assistant is for me...I have seen the listing for file clerks (in L.A.) and that might be a good way for me to get my foot in the door. I do feel that one thing I do have to offer is my knowledge of legal procedure and my courtroom experience, but it would probably be more useful if I was getting a legal job in California. I'll check out the continuing education angle. That's a great idea.

[gea12345]

Originally Posted by shania

Are there any attorneys or paralegals on this site that can tell me if the paralegal certificate program offered through Emory University's extended education division is very well regarded? It's a 6 month program that requires a B.A. to participate, but it's not ABA approved.

Don't go for non - aba approved schools. Accreditation is worth something and a school that works at it, has added something to your degree!

i graduated from an aba paralegal school and that was my primary criteria besides cost! good luck.

you also want to go on the bureau of statistics website, since Georgia is probably low paying. i was making 42, 000 after 1.5 years and i was just a legal secretary.

[Hexagonal]

If you're willing to work your butt of (= no kids), you can still make a ton of money at one of the big law firms with offices in town. They are cutting back, but the turnover is pretty high so they might need you if you contact them on the right day. In fact, before you sign up for a certificate program maybe you should just contact the HR folks at the kind of places you want to work at, and ask them if what kind of certificate you should get.

[Perry3]

I have been looking at Kennesaw State's Paralegel Program on top of Emory's. If you are really looking for an ABA approved program in Georgia check out Clayton State. From the research I have done a certificate from a respected program and experience is really what matters. I chose not to go with them because their name does not hold a lot of weight personally. However, the cost of the program is cheaper at the universities that offer the program. In addition to the incentive of a lower cost, you also decide your completion date of the program. You can finish a university program in a year on your own time for a cheaper cost. (Doesn't sound that bad if you ask me. That is if you presently have a job and steady income.)

[graylin12]

Which program would you go with for Paralegal?

Emory or Kennesaw