Paralegal Job Description in Pennsylvania

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States Department of Labor says that in May 2012, paralegals and legal assistants working in Pennsylvania earned an average mean wage of $53,220. This is a fairly high annual salary, considering that education is not mandatory (but is recommended) for paralegals in Pennsylvania. For paralegals with the right combination of education, experience and certification, the sky’s the limit when it comes to salary. Pennsylvania paralegals earning in the 90th percentile averaged $75,960 per year. Keep reading to discover how you can become a paralegal in the Keystone State.
 

There are no criteria set forth by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania regarding mandatory education for paralegals in Pennsylvania. However, if you plan to seek certification (see Step 3), you must have the proper education to qualify.

Pennsylvania Paralegal Online and Campus Schools

Some paralegal programs in Pennsylvania are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and others are not. The choice of program is up to you, the paralegal student.

These paralegal programs in Pennsylvania hold ABA approval as of January 2014:

• Villanova University – Villanova
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Pennsylvania College of Technology – Williamsport
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Post-Secondary Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Peirce College – Philadelphia
• Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Northampton Community College – Bethlehem
• Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Manor College – Jenkintown
• Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate
• Lehigh Carbon Community College – Schnecksville
• Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies (with Kutztown University)
• Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies (with Kutztown University)
• Harrisburg Area Community College – Harrisburg
• Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Gannon University – Erie
• Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Duquesne University – Pittsburgh
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Delaware County Community College – Media
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Community College of Philadelphia- Philadelphia
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Clarion University of Pennsylvania – Oil City
• Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Central Pennsylvania College – Summerdale
• Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
• Bucks County Community College – Newtown
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Associate in Arts in Paralegal Studies

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You will likely become exposed to the paralegal profession through a work experience internship or externship as part of your paralegal education program in Pennsylvania. If you do not, or desire more experience, consider working as a volunteer for one of the many legal aid agencies in Pennsylvania, such as:

• Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.- Washington
• Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center- Philadelphia
• Northwestern Legal Services- Erie
• North Penn Legal Services, Inc.- Pittston
• Neighborhood Legal Services Association- Pittsburgh
• MidPenn Legal Services, Inc.- Harrisburg
• Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania- Norristown
• Laurel Legal Services, Inc.- Greensburg
  

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The Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations in Pennsylvania does offer a certification program for paralegals, the Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal (PaCP) Program. This program is strictly voluntary and not necessary in order to work as a paralegal in Pennsylvania. Holding the PaCP credential sets you apart from other non-credentialed paralegals in the state and may help when you are seeking a paralegal job in Pennsylvania. You must meet the following qualifications in order to become a PaCP:

• Be a legal U.S. resident
• Satisfy one of the following educational criteria:
• Have a bachelor degree in paralegal studies from an ABA approved paralegal program and one year of paralegal work experience, OR
• Have a bachelor degree in any field and an associate degree or certificate from an ABA-approved paralegal program and one year of paralegal work experience, OR
• Have a bachelor degree in any field and three years of paralegal work experience, OR
• Have an associate degree in paralegal studies from a paralegal program and five years of paralegal work experience, OR
• Have a certificate from a paralegal program and five years of paralegal work experience, OR
• Hold a national certification credential such as RP, CP or CLA and two year of paralegal work experience
• Have consecutive years of substantive paralegal work experience, where applicable
• Submit a declaration with a licensed Pennsylvania lawyer in good standing with Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court. The declaration must attest to the lawyer’s knowledge of your skill level and paralegal work
• Be currently employed as a paralegal

If you meet these qualifications, you must submit the proper fee ($50 for members of a Keystone Alliance Member Association or $200 for a non-member) along with a completed PaCP Application to Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations, P.O. Box 344, Pittsburgh, PA 15230. You will be notified of your certification status within 30 days.

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Paralegals in Pennsylvania work for more than just law offices and law firms.  Title companies, real estate offices, brokerage houses, governmental agencies and corporations are just a few of the many employers of paralegals in Pennsylvania, as are:

• Aetna- Blue Bell
• WestingHouse Corporation – Cranberry
• Stryon LLC – Berwyn
• Teva Pharmaceuticals - Horsham
• Campbell, Campbell, Edwards & Conroy – Berwyn
• Fulton Financial Corp. – Lancaster
• Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, P.C.  – Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
• Heckscher, Teillon, Terrill & Sager, P.C. – West Conshohocken
• Sunoco Logistics – Philadelphia
• Johnson, Duffie, Stewart & Weidner – Reading
• Armstrong Group of Companies - Butler
  
  

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Great job! You are now a paralegal in Pennsylvania! Think about joining one of the many paralegal member associations across the state, like:

• Philadelphia Association of Paralegals
• Pittsburgh Paralegal Association
• York County Paralegal Association
• Montgomery County Paralegal Association
• Lycoming County Paralegal Association
• Lancaster Area Paralegal Association
• Chester County Paralegal Association
• Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association
• Bucks County Paralegal Association
• Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations

If you are a PaCP, remember to complete your continuing legal education (CLE) as necessary. Every two years, you must complete 12 CLE credits (2 of these in ethics courses) and maintain records of this CLE to report to the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations when you renew your certification.

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