Paralegal Job Description in Nebraska

The Nebraska Paralegal Association has been in existence since 1976. Today, it consists of more than 200 paralegals, legal assistants, attorneys, educators and company representatives, all of whom provide services to Nebraska’s legal community. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics says that in May 2012, Nebraska paralegals and legal assistants averaged a yearly salary of $43,680. If you would like to learn how to become a legal assistant/paralegal in Nebraska, keep reading.
 

Nebraska’s legislature does not require that paralegals working in the state complete any formal educational program. However, becoming a paralegal in Nebraska is almost impossible without the right training and education. While some training may be experienced on the job, much of it must come from a paralegal education program in Nebraska.

Nebraska Paralegal Online and Campus School Programs

Paralegal programs in Nebraska may hold American Bar Association (ABA) approval or not. Again, ABA approval is not vital to a program’s success or to your acceptance as a graduate of either an approved or a non-approved paralegal program.
ABA approved programs in Nebraska currently include:

• Metropolitan Community College – Omaha
• Associate in Applied Science-Paralegal Studies
• College of St. Mary – Omaha
• Post-bachelor’s Paralegal Certificate
• Associate in Arts – Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor in Arts- Paralegal Studies

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Your paralegal education program in Nebraska may give you the chance to experience paralegal work first hand through an internship. This is a great way to learn the daily duties and expectations of a paralegal in Nebraska. If your school does not provide this type of opportunity, you may still pursue work experience on your own by contacting a volunteer legal aid service in Nebraska. While this work will most likely be unpaid, the experience it will provide you is priceless. Examples of agencies that may welcome the assistance of a paralegal student include:

• Legal Aid of Nebraska- offices in:
• Scottsbluff
• Omaha
• North Platte
• Norfolk
• Lincoln
• Lexington
• Grand Island
• Bancroft
• Legal Aid of Nebraska Native American Program – offices in
• Indian Center, Lincoln
• Ponca Tribe, Lincoln
• Ponca Tribe, Omaha
• Ponca Tribe, Norfolk
• Santee Sioux Nation
• Omaha Tribe
• Winnebago Tribe

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Certification as a paralegal in Nebraska is not necessary in order to start a paralegal career in the state. Some employers, however, will hire a certified paralegal over a non-certified one, or will offer certified paralegals higher starting salaries than non-certified paralegals. The most common certifications in Nebraska that paralegals pursue are through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA):

• Certified Paralegal, or CP, indicates that you have passed an examination on substantive legal subjects of importance to paralegals
• Advanced Paralegal Certified, or APC, indicates that you already held the CP designation and have passed a specialized 20-hour program in at least one of the following legal specialty areas:
• Bankruptcy
• Criminal litigation
• Real estate
• Trial practice
• Social security disability
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Business organizations
• Personal injury
• Trademarks
• Land use
• Family law

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Paralegal jobs in Nebraska are not just found within law firms. Corporations, non-profit organizations, academic facilities and other institutions often have vacant paralegal jobs in Nebraska. Examples of recent employers in Nebraska hiring for paralegals include:

• Catholic Health Initiatives – Omaha
• University of Nebraska – Lincoln
• Saint Francis Medical Center – Omaha
• National Guard – Grand Island
• Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company – Omaha
• Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson & Oldfather, LLP – Lincoln
• Fraser Stryker PC, LLO- Bellevue
• Kutak Rock LLP - Omaha
  

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Congratulations! Your dedication and determination have paid off, and you are now a paralegal working in Nebraska!  Think about joining an association of legal professionals in Nebraska such as the following, which can offer you continuing legal education opportunities as well as networking and career advancement:

• Nebraska State Bar Association
• Nebraska Paralegal Association
• Omaha Bar Association
  

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