Paralegal Blog

We are excited to announce that the Commencement Ceremony scheduled for August 20, 2016 will be streamed live via Livestream beginning at 10:00AM Central.

Earlier this month, I wrote an article discussing the demand for paralegals in the U.S. as well as their growing salaries. Clearly, we weren’t the only ones to notice the steady trend in paralegal and legal assistant jobs across the United States.

Since publishing our last article looking at the statistics of income and education for paralegals across the US, the data has changed slightly. In those four years, the average income for paralegals has risen, the demand for paralegals and legal assistants has remained steady, and the education paralegals are receiving has improved.

Originally in our 2012 article, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) had reported salary ranges for paralegals between $29,000 and $75,000 per year, with the median annual salary at right around $49,700. Today, the BLS reports that those salaries have risen, and the salary range for paralegals across the US is now $30,670 to $79,010. The BLS also reported that the average annual salary for paralegals has risen to about $52,390 per year.¹

California employs more paralegals than any other state, and the demand for qualified paralegals in California continues to grow.¹ Job demand isn't the only reason many decide to become a paralegal. Those who are attracted to the legal professions often hope to find a challenging and rewarding career in which they can make a difference. Being an attorney may be their ultimate goal, but becoming a paralegal first can prove to be a very wise decision. Compared to law school, paralegal programs take less time, are far less expensive, and tend to focus more on pratical matters such as conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and investigating the facts of a case. So, what are the requirements to work as a paralegal in California?

Jim Wiedemer is a real estate lawyer, teacher and writer.

“Yes, but which one is your favorite?” I ask. He can’t decide; he likes them all.

“Working as a lawyer helps me see how things actually work, which makes me a better teacher; teaching helps me fine-tune how I present a concept. The best writing comes from teaching because you get immediate feedback, and the writing makes me a better lawyer.”

Jim is a well-rounded individual.

Long-time Favorite Teacher

He was the second teacher hired by Center for Advanced Legal Studies in 1987, four months after the Center opened its doors. He has taught most legal classes, but these days, as he does in his practice and his writing, he focuses on real estate law.