90 percent of New Jersey’s population lives in an urban area, and every county is classified as part of a metropolitan area. Of these, 2,520 are employed in the Newark metro area. Certificate programs in paralegal studies offer a direct entry into the paralegal profession without many general education courses. New Jersey does not regulate its paralegals with respect to training and education. However, with an increased focus among employers on hiring qualified candidates and a competitive job market, increasing number of paralegals are choosing coursework in paralegal studies. The next step after finding work and receiving your paralegal degree is to study for and pass your New Jersey Paralegal Certification Exam. These programs provide a comprehensive education that covers all aspects of the profession … Paralegal Studies Certificate. A certificate … To qualify, NJCP applicants have to satisfy at least one of the following criteria: Paralegals are able to perform tasks authorized by their supervising attorney employer, who assumes full liability for their actions. NALA has developed a voluntary certification exam. Pursuing an education in paralegal studies is vital to your success as a paralegal or legal assistant. In addition to nationwide certification programs offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), New Jersey has its own unique certification: the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP). Earn certification from an ABA-approved curriculum and accrue three years of qualifying experience. Earn a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, obtain certification from an ABA-approved curriculum and then accrue one year of paralegal experience. In addition to creating the New Jersey Certified Paralegal credential, the SJPA offers regular educational meetings, continuing legal education (CLE), a mentoring program, scholarships and a lending library. Some positions may expect certification to demonstrate core competency. Find schools and get information on the program that's right for you. These qualified professionals take on a variety of tasks ranging from legal research to drafting legal documents in traditional law office settings and in the corporate, government, and public arenas. He has taught paralegal studies online and in the classroom … In 1999, the New Jersey Supreme Court denied a proposal for mandatory licensing, although it encouraged local associations to consider developing a credentialing system. Have a bachelor’s degree in any field and three years of qualifying experience. Jersey City has the second-biggest population in the state with 250,323 residents. The Trenton area has one of the highest average pays for paralegal jobs in the country at an average of $64,560. All rights reserved. This involves completing the application and mailing it with the documentation they require. On this page, you will find both American Bar Association approved** and non-approved programs in paralegal studies available in New Jersey. Paralegals have a wide range of responsibilities that attorneys, law offices, and even government agencies rely on every day. However, paralegals cannot perform activities that require “officers of the court,” and they cannot sign court documents legally except to serve as a notary witness. The capital of New Jersey, Trenton, is also the state’s fifth-most populous city with 84,899 residents. Online paralegal certificate programs can be found in a handful schools around New Jersey. Paralegals play a vital role in the legal profession. New Jersey has a number of large cities, but the city of Newark, which is just eight miles away from Manhattan, is the biggest with 277,540 residents as of 2011. As long as the educational institution is accredited, both types of degrees will prepare paralegals to become NJCPs in conjunction with work experience. It is designed as a benchmark for paralegals in the state. Not all programs meet ABA standards, so paralegals who desire to become NJCPs should research their program choices thoroughly. Paralegals in the Newark metro area almost as much: $62,680 a year on average. New Jersey Certified Paralegal (Optional) Developed by the South Jersey Paralegal Certification, the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP) credential is an optional credential for paralegals working in New Jersey. Formal training is a critical part of preparing for a career as a paralegal. Elizabeth’s 125,660 residents make it the fourth-largest city by population. The educational qualifications include American Bar Association (ABA) approved programs, associate and bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies, and national certification. The Paralegal Certificate Course © is the cornerstone of The Center for Legal Studies programs. These tasks may include legal research, law office … You will have to apply for certification through the state. As of 2015, 7,090 individuals are employed as paralegals in the state. Instead, certificate programs provide a focused education in paralegal studies. Students will be trained to interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, prepare legal documents, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation. Paralegal from Whittier pleads guilty to defrauding and stealing from immigration law firm clients, UC Clermont paralegal program free legal clinics; next one Dec. 1 | The Clermont Sun, Local Job Listing: Full Time Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Paralegal Roundup: News, analysis and opinion published this week – The Lawyer’s Daily, Houston Judge Appeals Sanction for Allegedly Grabbing Paralegal | Texas Lawyer. Earn Registered Paralegal (RP) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credentials from a PACE-Registered curriculum — or any other national paralegal certificate — along with two years of experience. The Montclair State University Paralegal Studies Program is the first and only state college or university in New Jersey to receive American Bar Association approval. Earn certification from a non-ABA-approved paralegal program and accrue three years of qualifying experience. Paralegalism is one of the fastest growing careers in the country. The NJCP credential recognizes post-baccalaureate certificate programs that are ABA approved. Certification: New Jersey does not require certifications for someone to act as a paralegal, but employers may request certain certifications, and having a certification can also make you more competitive for higher-paying positions. New Jersey has many large law firms that employ paralegals. One way of becoming an NJCP is through national certification. Almost 7,000 people work as paralegals in New Jersey according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2011 survey. There are provisions in place through July 1, 2012, which allow for the grandfathering-in of paralegals who either who not have paralegal education or whose programs do not meet ABA standards. 146,427 people live in Paterson, New Jersey, enough to qualify it as the third-biggest city. Earn your Certified Paralegal Certificate at Rutgers! As professional certification is voluntary in New Jersey, paralegals may choose to enter the profession through on-the-job training or education. Some of largest law firms in New Jersey include: National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), Association for Legal Professionals (NALS), The Paralegal Association of New Jersey (PANJ), South New Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA), South New Jersey Certified Paralegal Plan, Degrees and Certification to Advance and Specialize, Top Post-Degree Certificate Programs (Post-Associate and Post-Bac), Top Entry-Level, Pre-Degree Paralegal Certificate Programs, Top Associate’s Degree Programs in Paralegal Studies, Top Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Paralegal Studies, Paralegal Studies Professors Interview Series, Bachelor's in Legal Support and Services - Paralegal Concentration, Online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Degree, Online Paralegal Associate’s and Post-Degree Certificate Programs. Hold an associate’s degree in any field and accrue four years of qualifying paralegal experience. In 1999, the New Jersey Supreme Court encouraged New Jersey’s professional paralegal associations to develop voluntary certification processes in order to “provide a means of recognizing qualified paralegals.” To this end, the South New Jersey Paralegal Association created the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP) credential. The exact duties of the paralegal will vary according to their office’s practice area and its specific labor needs. The SJPA works to increase opportunities for paralegals by raising paralegals’ level of competence and professionalism. Many more paralegals work in surrounding states, particularly New York. Accrue five years of qualifying paralegal experience. All the people and business activity means that the legal profession in New Jersey is a growing market for aspiring paralegals and legal assistance. New Jersey Paralegal Certification There is no mandatory certification or licensing of paralegals in New Jersey. Study and Pass the New Jersey Paralegal Certification Exam. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of paralegals to increase 15% between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the national average for all occupations. The instruction is practice-oriented and relates to those areas of law in which paralegals are in most demand. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs are available for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field and wish to complement that degree with specialized work in paralegal studies. A comparison can be found here. The PANJ provides educational and social meetings, a job bank and support for members who are working towards certification through NALA’s CLA/CP exam. Paralegals that live or work in New Jersey may choose to join one of its two professional paralegal organizations: The Paralegal Association of New Jersey (PANJ), which is affiliated with NALA, or the South New Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA), an affiliate of the NFPA. 2011 mean income for paralegals in New Jersey: October 2010, SJPA board of directors approves New Jersey Certified Paralegal Plan, MacElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP, Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP. The four exams are: Each national professional association has different eligibility requirements for its certification exam. Paralegals are trained specialists who, under the supervision of an attorney, perform a wide variety of legal tasks. Those who meet educational or work experience requirements are eligible to take one of the four exams currently offered by the national professional paralegal associations. 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