Paralegal Job Description in Minnesota

According to data provided by the Legal Services Corporation, in 2012, legal aid services in the state of Minnesota closed 19,246 cases. A total of 32 paralegals helped make up the workforce of the legal aid services in Minnesota that year, and they served 50,789 Minnesotans. This is just one of the many areas of legal service in which paralegals in Minnesota may work, and perhaps the most rewarding area. Becoming a paralegal in Minnesota means that you, too, can realize the challenges and rewards of this exciting career.
 

Paralegal education in Minnesota is not required under the law, but, without it, you will have a difficult time performing the duties of a paralegal.

Minnesota Paralegal Online and Campus Schools

Programs for paralegals in Minnesota may be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), or by no organization. Accreditation does not matter per se, as paralegal education is not mandated under Minnesota law. Students who choose accredited programs may do so with later career advancement or certification in mind.

• Minnesota paralegal programs accredited by both the ABA and AAfPE are:

  • Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights
  • Associate in Science-Paralegal
  • Postgraduate Paralegal Certificate
  • Hamline University, Saint Paul
  • Bachelor of Science-Paralegal
  • Postgraduate Paralegal Certificate
  • Minnesota State University, Moorhead
  • Bachelor of Science-Paralegal
  • Winona State University, Winona
  • Bachelor of Science-Paralegal
  • Paralegal Certificate
  • North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park
  • Associate of Science-Paralegal
  • Paralegal Certificate

  Minnesota paralegal programs accredited solely by the AAfPE include:

  • Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria
  • Associate of Science-Paralegal
  • Broadview University, Woodbury
  • Associate of Applied Science-Paralegal
  • Bachelor of Science-Paralegal
  • Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, Woodbury
  • Associate in Applied Science-Paralegal
  • Bachelor of Science-Paralegal
  • Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate
  • Lake Superior College, Duluth
  • Associate of Applied Science-Paralegal Studies
  • Associate of Science- Paralegal Studies
  • Certificate- Paralegal Studies

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Your paralegal program in Minnesota may offer you the opportunity, or the requirement, to complete a paralegal work internship. This internship will provide you with invaluable experience in the field. If your school does not have such an offering, you may wish to pursue volunteer or paid work experience in the paralegal field on your own. Organizations to contact about this include:

• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc.-St. Paul
• Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota Corporation-Moorhead
• Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota-Duluth
• Central Minnesota Legal Services, Inc.-Minneapolis
• Anishinabe Legal Services, Inc. –Cass Lake

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Paralegal certification is Minnesota is wholly optional and a personal choice. Although paralegals in Minnesota need not become nationally certified, some choose to do so to further their careers. If you decide to pursue certification, the Minnesota Paralegal Association recommends the following certifications for Minnesota paralegals:

• National Federation of Paralegal Associations:
• Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) - Registered Paralegal (RP). The Minnesota Paralegal Association offers PACE scholarships to members.
• Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE) - Certified Registered Paralegal (CRP).

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Paralegals in Minnesota may find work with law groups and agencies, government agencies, nonprofit agencies, and companies/businesses. Potential employers of paralegals in Minnesota include (but are not limited to):

• State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense – Hastings
• Faegre Baker Daniels - Minneapolis
• Pine River Capital Management – Minnetonka
• Yost & Baill - Minneapolis
• Medtronic – Fridley
• American Family Insurance – Eden Prairie
• Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company – Bloomington
• Fafinski, Mark & Johnson, PA – Eden Prairie
• Allianz Life – Minneapolis
• Terry, Slane & Ruohonen - Bloomington
  

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You have made it! Your years of education and hard work have been rewarded, and you now have a career as a paralegal in Minnesota! The following organizations of paralegals and legal professionals in Minnesota offer members opportunities for networking and continuing education:

• Red River Valley Paralegal Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Minnesota Paralegal Association
  

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