Steps Toward a Paralegal Career in Iowa
Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
- Progress Through Paralegal Education in Iowa
- Gain Paralegal Work Experience in Iowa
- Become Certified as an Iowa Paralegal (Optional)
- Discover Paralegal Jobs in Iowa
- Now That You’ve Become a Paralegal in Iowa
Paralegal Job Description in Iowa
In order to become an effective paralegal or legal assistant in Iowa, you should possess some basic skills and abilities. These include basic computer skills, analytical and critical thinking skills, technical writing skills, communication skills, and reading skills. Additionally, having education in paralegal studies is desirable, though not required, for Iowa paralegals. Experience and certification can help you to further your career as a paralegal in Iowa. If you want to learn more about becoming an Iowa paralegal, read on.
Progress Through Paralegal Education in Iowa
You need not attend any mandatory education for paralegals in Iowa, as there is no such mandate. The best paralegals working in Iowa, however, have progressed through paralegal education and have earned a certificate, associate or bachelor degree.
Iowa Paralegal Online and Campus Schools
Paralegal programs in Iowa may or may not carry accreditation through the American Bar Association (ABA). The choice of an accredited or non-accredited paralegal program in Iowa is yours, as the state does not require paralegals to be graduates of any type of institution, accredited or not.
Iowa paralegal programs carrying ABA accreditation include:
- Kirkwood Community College – Cedar Rapids
- Associate in Arts – Liberal Studies – Paralegal Concentration
- Des Moines Area Community College – Des Moines
- Associate in Science – Paralegal Studies
- Certificate – Paralegal Studies
Gain Paralegal Work Experience in Iowa
Your paralegal education program in Iowa will likely offer you the opportunity, or stipulate a requirement, to work in a paralegal internship for a period of time. If it does not offer you this work experience, you should pursue it on your own. One of the following Iowa pro bono organizations may welcome the chance for you to work there as a paralegal on a volunteer basis:
- Iowa Legal Aid, in the following offices:
- Iowa City
- Des Moines (Central Iowa)
- Cedar Rapids
- Mason City (North Central Iowa)
- Dubuque (Northeast Iowa)
- Sioux City (Northwest Iowa)
- Council Bluffs (Southwest Iowa)
- Ottumwa (Southeast Iowa)
- Waterloo
- Legal Aid Society of Story County, Nevada
- Probono.net/Iowa, which can put you in contact with:
- Iowa Legal Aid Volunteer Lawyers Project
- Pro Bono Project of HELP Legal Assistance and the Scott and Clinton County Bar Associations
- Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
Certified as an Iowa Paralegal (Optional)
You do not have to seek national certification if you wish to work as a paralegal in Iowa. The Iowa Supreme Court stated in 2003 that it is preferred that Iowa paralegals seek voluntary national certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). This is strictly optional, however. Certifications available through NALA include:
- Certified Paralegal (CP)– an exam-based certification for entry-level paralegals.
- Advanced Paralegal Certified (APC)– a curriculum-based certification involving taking courses. This certification is designed for experienced paralegals.
Discover Paralegal Jobs in Iowa
Paralegals in Indiana do not only work in law groups or law firms. They are also found within businesses, corporations, non-profit organizations, and other institutions. The following are examples of potential employers of Indiana paralegals:
- Franklin Electric- Ft. Wayne
- Simon Property Group – Indianapolis
- Remy International – Pendleton
- Faegre Baker Daniels- Indianapolis
- Allstate Corporate – Indianapolis
- Springleaf Financial Services – Evansville
- Liberty Mutual – Carmel
- Krieg Devault – Indianapolis
- CBS Office – Indianapolis
Now That You’ve Become a Paralegal in Iowa
Kudos! You are now a paralegal working in the Hawkeye State! Ponder contacting one of the organizations listed below. They can put you in touch with other paralegals, attorneys, and those in the legal profession in Iowa: