Online Legal Degree"Great schools here offering an Online Legal Degree!" When we think about people who have law degrees, we envision lawyers arguing cases in courtrooms full of drama and publicity, grilling witnesses and arguing with the judge. In reality, for every hour spent in the courtroom, many more are spent doing research, conducting interviews, or writing documents in preparation for litigation. Most of these tasks are NOT performed by lawyers. Paralegals and legal assistants are important parts of today's justice system! They often help lawyers in a number of ways, by researching precedents and investigating the facts of a case, preparing written reports, and helping prepare legal arguments, drafts or motions to be filed in the court. They also draft contracts, mortgages, separation agreements and other legal documents. They may be responsible for running the law office. If you have a detail-orientated mind and enjoy researching and analyzing, training for a career as a Paralegal or legal assistant might be the perfect choice! 
Salary Information The salary of legal assistants and paralegals can vary greatly, depending on education, experience and the exact nature of the firm they work for. Usually paralegals or legal assistants who work for large law firms or for the federal government earn significantly more than those who work for a small law firm, although many paralegals or legal assistants receive bonuses in addition to their salaries. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual earnings, including bonuses, for paralegals and legal assistants was $39,130 in May of 2004. The middle 50 percent earn between $31,040 and $49,950, with the bottom 10 percent earning less than $25,360 and the top 10 percent earning more than $61,390. Education Requirements While there are several paths that legal assistants and paralegals can use to train for their careers, the most common is through a formal paralegal program, community college, certification program or specialized school. The better schools often offer career placement services and may include internship possibilities. American Bar Association-approved programs may enhance career opportunities. Voluntary certification can also offer advantages. Or you can choose the best method – get your Online Legal Degree! Growth Statistics According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities for legal assistants and paralegals are expected to grow much faster than average through 2014. This means that employment is expected to increase 27 percent or more during that time period, with a number of job openings available to qualified and educated applicants. "I'm earning a lot more money with my Online Legal Degree!"
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