Steps Toward a Paralegal Career in North Dakota
Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
- Paralegal Education in North Dakota
- Attain Paralegal Experience in North Dakota
- Seek Paralegal Certification in North Dakota, If Desired
- Discover Paralegal Jobs in North Dakota
- After Becoming a Paralegal in North Dakota
Paralegal Job Description in North Dakota
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that, statewide, the most jobs for paralegals and legal assistants are found in the Fargo area. Other areas of the state in which more paralegal and legal assistant jobs were found include Bismarck and the west Nonmetropolitan area of North Dakota. In May 2022, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that the average statewide salary for paralegals in North Dakota was $54,090. Please read on to learn how to become a paralegal in North Dakota.
Paralegal Education in North Dakota
In the North Dakota Supreme Court Rule 5.3, the Court suggests guidelines for the training of paralegals and non-lawyer assistants in the state. It says that a North Dakota paralegal should meet one of the following educational, experiential or certification standards:
- Be a graduate of a paralegal program that is at least 60 semester hours long, 18 of which are substantive paralegal courses
- Have a bachelor degree in any field plus 18 semester hours of substantive paralegal courses or a year of employer training
- Complete a national certification examination (see Step 3 below)
- Have seven years of experience as a paralegal working under the supervision of a lawyer
North Dakota Paralegal Online and Campus Schools
Currently, no ABA-approved paralegal programs are found in North Dakota.
Attain Paralegal Experience in North Dakota
If your North Dakota paralegal educational program does not offer an internship or work experience opportunity, you may still attain such experience on your own. Tribal and legal aid groups across North Dakota work with those with little to no income in need of legal services. These groups would likely welcome your assistance. They include:
- Legal Services of North Dakota, Bismarck and New Town
- Migrant Legal Services, Fargo
- Legal Aid Outreach – Red River Valley Community Action, Grand Forks
- Legal Aid Outreach – Spirit Lake Sioux Reservation, Fort Totten
Paralegal Certification in North Dakota, Optional
Certification is not necessary for paralegals in North Dakota. Some paralegals choose to become nationally certified, however, in order to stand out from the rest of the crowd when seeking a paralegal job in North Dakota. The following certifications for paralegals are popular in North Dakota:
- Certified Registered Paralegal (CRP), which is attained by passing the Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE) administered through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA)
- Registered Paralegal (RP), which is attained by passing the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) administered through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) –
- Certified Paralegal (CP) , attained through passing an exam administered through the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA)
- Advanced Paralegal Certified (APC), attained through passing an exam administered through the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA)
Discover Paralegal Jobs in North Dakota
Paralegals work in various milieus in North Dakota, not just within law offices. They are found in corporations, nonprofit organizations, academia, government agencies, and other operations, including:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota – Fargo
- Bolton & Menk, Inc. – Fargo
- North Dakota State Government – Minot
- Strand Development Company – Dickinson
- North Dakota State Government – Minot
- CJ Energy – Williston
- Robert J. LaBine and Associates – Grand Forks
- Minn-Dak Growers Ltd – Grand Forks, Dickinson, Drayton, and Donaldson
- Severson, Wogsland & Liebl, PC – Fargo
After Becoming a Paralegal in North Dakota
Great job! You have plowed through your years of education, experience, and/or certification, and are now a paralegal working in the state of North Dakota! Think about becoming affiliated with an organization of like-minded paralegals and legal assistants in North Dakota such as:
- Red River Valley Paralegal Association
- Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants
- State Bar Association of North Dakota
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Paralegals and Legal Assistants reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2023.