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Gail Armatys Co-Founder & CAO Center for Advanced Legal Studies |
Interested in the legal field but also have a passion for business? Consider becoming a corporate paralegal. A recent article from Etera Consulting said, “the role of a corporate paralegal was compared to that of an air traffic controller.” Just as an air traffic controller is responsible for keeping several planes in the air without any one plane crashing and burning, the role of the corporate paralegal is to help their company’s lawyers juggle the many legal responsibilities they face each day without letting anything fall through the cracks. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about choosing corporate and business law as your paralegal specialty.
RESPONSIBILITIES 
In addition to assisting their attorney with research, interviewing, drafting documents, and administrative tasks, corporate paralegals have many other responsibilities unique to corporate and business law. Some of these responsibilities include:
- Preparing corporate documents
Corporate paralegals assist their attorney in preparing corporate documents. This includes organizational documents such as those required to form corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships, as well as meeting notices, license applications, stock certificates, merger and dissolution agreements, amendments, and withdrawals. In addition, corporate paralegals assist with creating and maintaining corporate minute books.
- Assist in closings and corporate transactions
During major corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and initial public offerings, paralegals work directly with their attorney in preparing and closing these transactions. In the case of mergers and acquisitions, corporate paralegals often conduct due diligence investigations.
Additional responsibilities include preparing audit letters, SEC filings, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) agreements. Corporate paralegals also work with the IRS to complete required business forms.
SALARY
According to Indeed, the average salary for a corporate paralegal in the United States is $50,000. Generally, corporate paralegals earn more in urban areas like New York, Los Angeles and Houston than in rural locations. A comparison of the salary ranges for corporate paralegals by location can be found here. There is a lot of room to climb up the ladder in this career track, with senior corporate paralegals earning an average of $71,000, according to Payscale.
If you are considering becoming a corporate paralegal, Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) will provide the education you need to obtain rewarding and competitive corporate paralegal positions. We offer both a Paralegal Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science Paralegal Degree that can be completed through our on-campus or online paralegal options. Our paralegal programs offer a thorough legal education in all areas of the law, as well as specialized corporate paralegal training with courses in corporate and business law. Our career placement services and externship opportunities enable you to get on-the-job experience in a corporate legal department before you graduate.
Below is a testimonial from Regina Poellnitiz, a CALS' graduate who established a successful career in corporate and business law.
"At Center for Advanced Legal Studies, I was able to gain an invaluable hands-on education in all areas of the law. The knowledgeable staff and instructors are committed to the success of each student both in the classroom and in the career field. The Center was an answered prayer and instrumental in my securing a position as a corporate legal assistant.”
There are many practice areas within the law in which paralegals may enter. If you have an interest in business and the law, like Regina, you may find paralegal training inclusive of corporate and business law classes can help lead you into the profession where you belong.
