Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
Legal assistants and paralegals in West Virginia currently average a yearly salary of $43,650, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. .
West Virginia has yet to mandate education for paralegals. The West Virginia Legislature proposed in 2010 a bill entitled the “Certified Legal Assistant Act,” which would set educational and other standards for paralegals in West Virginia. Although the bill did not pass, some employers in the state are using its criteria when making hiring decisions for paralegals and legal assistants in West Virginia. In order to qualify for Certified Legal Assistant status under this bill, you must meet one of the following criteria:
West Virginia 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
There is currently one ABA-approved West Virginia paralegal program:
If you need to accrue more paralegal work experience than what your paralegal education program in West Virginia offers, you might want to contact a Legal Aid or Legal Assistance agency. These agencies work with low income West Virginians who are in need of legal help, and often welcome the assistance of a paralegal student or aspiring paralegal. They include:
As mentioned in Step 1 above, one way to fulfill the proposed paralegal standards of the West Virginia Legislature is to become a Certified Paralegal through the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA). This involves passing an examination that will test your knowledge of substantive legal issues, the American legal system, civil law, contracts, business organizations, legal research, ethics, communications and your judgment and analytical ability. Passing this national exam allows you to use the credentials CP (Certified Paralegal).
Paralegals find jobs in West Virginia corporations, businesses, educational institutions, law firms, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and more. Some paralegal employers in West Virginia include:
Kudos to you! You have studied hard, worked hard and this dedication and hard work has been rewarded with a paralegal job in West Virginia! Now, you should think about joining a membership organization consisting of paralegals and/or other legal professionals in West Virginia, such as:
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