Steps Toward a Paralegal Career in Wisconsin

Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:

Commence Paralegal Education in Wisconsin
Acquire Paralegal Work Experience in Wisconsin
Become a Certified Paralegal in Wisconsin, if Desired
Secure a Paralegal Job in Wisconsin
After You’re a Paralegal in Wisconsin

Paralegal Job Description in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s WorkNet service projects that between 2010 and 2020, jobs for paralegals and legal assistants in the state will increase by 16.9 percent, or a total of 1110 jobs. The median annual wage for paralegals in Wisconsin as of 2010 is $41.690, WorkNet says. Not bad for a profession in which education is not mandated, and those who do hold degrees usually hold certificates or associate degrees. Read on to discover how you can become a paralegal in Wisconsin.

Step 1

Commence Paralegal Education in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has yet to regulate paralegal education in the state. As of 2014, aspiring paralegals may enter the Wisconsin workforce in any manner they choose – through education, experience, or a combination of the two.

Wisconsin Paralegal Online and Campus Schools

Featured Programs:

Paralegal Work Experience in Wisconsin

A paralegal internship is a requirement of most ABA-approved paralegal programs in Wisconsin. If your school does not require you to complete a paralegal work experience internship, you may seek volunteer work experience on your own by contacting one of the many legal aid and pro bono agencies throughout Wisconsin, such as:

Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. in Wausau
Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. in Milwaukee
State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Program in Madison
SeniorLAW of Wisconsin in Milwaukee County
Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc. in Wausau

Step 3

Become a Certified Paralegal in Wisconsin

Paralegals need not become certified through any program at the state or national level in order to work in Wisconsin. Many such programs are available, with the most popular being the Certified Paralegal through the National Association of Legal Assistants, and the Registered Paralegal through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. Both of those certifications are available by passing an examination and meeting educational criteria. Another certification program popular with many Wisconsin paralegals is through the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. Their American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) program is found in all 50 states, and requires that paralegals meet the following criteria:

Hold a bachelor degree in any field, or
Hold an associate degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-approved or American Association for Paralegal Education-approved program, or
Hold a certificate from an ABA-approved or American Association for Paralegal Education-approved program

Step 4

Secure a Paralegal Job in Wisconsin

Paralegal careers in Wisconsin may be found within corporations, law firms, educational facilities, health care facilities, nonprofit organizations, government locales and more. Examples of recent employers of paralegals in Wisconsin are:

Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee
IOD Incorporated, Green Bay
Advicent Solutions, Milwaukee
Travelers Insurance, Brookfield
Johnson Controls, Milwaukee
Dobberstein Law Firm, LLC, Brookfield
Gendlin, Liverman & Rymer, S.C., Milwaukee
Lin, Liebmann, Wied LLC , Allouez
Drake & Co, Madison
Carthage College, Kenosha
Sparta Business, Sparta
CDI, Sun Prairie

Step 5

After You’re a Paralegal in Wisconsin

Congratulations! You are now a paralegal working in Wisconsin! Remember to maintain any credentials you have earned through certification by completing the proper continuing legal education (CLE), if applicable. Also, check into the following membership organizations for legal assistants and paralegals in Wisconsin: