Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
New Mexico is one of the few states to set qualifications that must be met by persons who wish to become paralegals. You must fulfill certain educational, training or experiential criteria before you may work legally as a paralegal in New Mexico. The ways in which you can become a paralegal in New Mexico will be explored below.
New Mexico paralegals are not required to complete any sort of mandatory education, by law. However, with the vast knowledge and skills needed by paralegals, it is virtually impossible to become employed as a paralegal in New Mexico without completion of a paralegal education program.
New Mexico Paralegal Online and Campus Schools
Featured Programs:
Purdue University Global - Online Bachelor's in Legal Support and Services - Paralegal Concentration
Regent University - Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Arizona State University Online - Earn Your Master of Legal Studies in as little as one year.
Washington University School of Law, Top-20 law school - 1-Year Online Master of Legal Studies, No GRE/LSAT required.
Post University - Online Associate and Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Rasmussen University - Online Paralegal Associate Degree and Post-Degree Certificate Programs
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law - Online Master of Legal Studies Program, Bachelor's Required
American University - Online Master of Legal Studies- No GRE/ LSAT Req'd, Five Concentrations Available, Bachelor's Required
One route to becoming a paralegal in New Mexico is through post-secondary education. If you choose this route, you can fulfill the requirement in four ways:
Examples of New Mexico programs fulfilling these requirements include:
As the final two routes to paralegal certification do not involve education per se, they will be explored below:
If you chose a route in Option 1 above that requires substantive law-related experience attained under the supervision of a licensed attorney, you may choose to fulfill this requirement through volunteer or pro-bono work. There are many such organizations across New Mexico that would welcome your assistance. Just make sure that a licensed attorney supervises your work and can attest to the State Bar of New Mexico that you performed substantive legal work for the necessary time. Organizations include:
Another way in which you can become a paralegal in New Mexico is through national certification. The State Bar of New Mexico recognizes certifications bestowed by the following organizations:
Once you have fulfilled the State Bar of New Mexico’s criteria to become a paralegal, you are ready to look for work. Paralegals in New Mexico do not only work in law firms or private law practices. They are also found in academia, non-profit organizations, businesses and corporations. Potential employers of paralegals in New Mexico include:
Congratulations! You are now a qualified paralegal working in New Mexico! You might want to consider joining the State Bar of New Mexico- Paralegal Division, as New Mexico does not have a voluntary association of paralegals. The division can help you in finding appropriate continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities and advance in your career. If you are nationally certified, remember to also meet the CLE requirements of your national certifying body.
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