Paralegal Job Description in Kansas

The Kansas Paralegals Association adopted a formal definition of the term “paralegal” in 1987. In Kansas, a paralegal is defined as a person who is qualified through training, work experience or education and is employed by an attorney, government agency, law office or other entity and performs substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney. This work requires great knowledge of legal concepts and the law and would normally be performed by an attorney in the absence of the paralegal. If you would like to discover how to become a paralegal in Kansas, this passage will explain the process in detail.
 

Kansas does not require paralegals or legal assistants to have any mandatory education beyond a high school diploma. However, most paralegal employers in Kansas expect paralegals to have specialized education.

Kansas Paralegal Online and Campus Schools

This education may be a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), a non-approved program, or education in another field. Likewise, ABA accreditation of a paralegal program is not a requirement of paralegals working in Kansas.

The following paralegal program in Kansas holds ABA accreditation:

• Johnson County Community College – Overland Park
• Associate of Arts – Paralegal
• Paralegal Certificate

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Some paralegal education programs in Kansas require that you complete a work experience internship while still a student, while others do not enforce such a requirement. If your school does not require an internship, you should look for volunteer work experience as a paralegal on your own. Many groups in Kansas work with low-income clients on a pro bono basis and would welcome the help of a paralegal student. They may include:

• Kansas Legal Services, Inc.- Topeka
• Mid-America Arts Resources Legal Information Project – Lindsborg
• Midland Mediation and Settlement Services – Topeka, Wichita
• Kansas Legal Assistance Office of Emporia- Emporia
• Wichita Lawyers Care - Wichita

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Certification is an option pursued by some paralegals in Kansas. Again, this is not mandatory in order to work in Kansas. Some employers may seek paralegals who hold certification or with credentials behind their name. There are many options for certification for paralegals who desire it in Kansas. A few are:

• Professional Paralegal (PP) by the National Association of Legal Professionals – earned through passing an examination designed for paralegals with at least five years of experience, a bachelor’s degree, or a graduate of an ABA approved paralegal program
• Certified Paralegal (CP) by the National Association of Legal Assistants – earned through passing an examination on specific subject matter used by paralegals

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Once you have your certificate or degree and hold some experience, you are ready to search for a paralegal job in Kansas. Law firms are not the only employer of paralegals in Kansas. Businesses, corporations, and non-profit organizations are just a few of the options available for employment for Kansas paralegals. Examples include:

• Kiewit – Lenexa
• Bombardier- Wichita
• Waddell and Reed – Overland Park
• Triplett, Woolf & Garretson, LLC - Wichita
• American Academy of Family Physicians – Leawood
• National Guard – Wichita
• Associated Wholesale Grocers – Kansas City
• Netsmart Technologies – Overland Park
• Payless Shoe Source Headquarters – Topeka
• The Specialists Group, LLC - Wichita
  

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Congratulations on working hard and earning the title of paralegal or legal assistant in the great state of Kansas! You may wish to network with an organization of like-minded individuals, such as the ones listed below:

• Kansas Paralegal Association
• Kansas Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals
• Kansas Bar Association
• Wichita Bar Association
  

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