Paralegal Job Description in Tennessee

According to Tennessee Labor Market Statistics, as of 2012 the average paralegal in Tennessee earned $38,790 annually. The majority of paralegal and legal assistant jobs in Tennessee were in the Davidson County area (which includes the metropolitan area of Nashville), followed by Shelby County (including Memphis) and Wilson County (includes Murfreesboro and Lebanon). Education for paralegals in Tennessee is not mandatory, but the state houses many well-recognized paralegal studies programs. If you would like to learn more about becoming a paralegal in Tennessee, keep reading.
 

Tennessee does not order paralegals who want to work in the state to complete a proscribed course of education, training or experience. Increasingly, however, paralegals looking for jobs in Tennessee are finding that specialized paralegal education is the best route to employment in the state.

Tennessee Paralegal Online and Campus Schools

Tennessee’s paralegal programs may be approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) but do not have to be. Other paralegals obtain degrees in related fields like criminal justice, then accrue the necessary paralegal work experience or learn skills on the job.
Tennessee paralegal programs with ABA accreditation include:

• Walters State Community College – Morristown
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Volunteer State Community College – Gallatin
• Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – Chattanooga
• Bachelor of Science in Legal Assistant Studies
• University of Memphis – Memphis
• Bachelor of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies
• Southwest Tennessee Community College – Memphis
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• South College – Knoxville
• Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Roane State Community College- Harriman
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Pellissippi State Community College – Knoxville
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Kaplan Career Institute- Nashville
• Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• General Practice Paralegal Certificate
• Chattanooga State Technical/Community College – Chattanooga

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Most likely, if you attend an ABA-accredited paralegal studies program in Tennessee, you will be required to complete a paralegal studies work experience internship. If you are not, or if you desire additional work experience, consider contacting one of the following Tennessee legal aid organizations. These organizations work with less fortunate Tennesseans and could use the help of a volunteer paralegal student:

• West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc.- Jackson
• Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.-Memphis
• Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands- Nashville
• Legal Aid of East Tennessee- Knoxville

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The Tennessee Paralegal Association recommends national certification for paralegals in the state, but it is not a requirement in order to work there. As it is part of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., the Association recommends certification from this organization. Their basic certification is the Certified Paralegal (CP) (also called Certified Legal Assistant, or CLA). The exam tests the following major areas of study and knowledge paralegals should know at the entry level:

• Legal research
• Analytical ability and judgment
• Communications
• Ethics
• Substantive law, including:
• Civil litigation
• Business organizations
• Contracts
• American Legal System

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Not all paralegal jobs in Tennessee are found within law firms. Corporations, non-profit organizations, government entities, and other organizations often hire paralegals in Tennessee. Examples of recent paralegal employers in Tennessee include:

• Lend Lease – Nashville
• Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, Inc. – Knoxville
• Life Point HSC – Brentwood
• Batson Nolan PLC - Clarksville
• Butler Snow- Nashville
• Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC - Chattanooga
• Office of the Solicitor – Nashville
• Graham Corporation - Knoxville
• City of Franklin – Franklin
• Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP – Nashville
• The Boyd Firm – Knoxville

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Well done! You have made it through the necessary education, training and experience and are now a paralegal working in the Volunteer State! Think about joining a paralegal association near you that offers networking opportunities and advancement in your career, such as:

• Greater Memphis Paralegal Alliance
• Smoky Mountain Paralegal Association
• Middle Tennessee Paralegal Association
• The Tennessee Paralegal Association

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