March 2010

What Exactly is a Paralegal?

If you ever stay up late watching television—or happen to watch TV in the middle of the day for some reason—you’ve probably seen an ad about getting your degree from a home study program. They usually list a bunch of different careers, from medical transcription to veterinary studies. I think it’s wonderful that so many people—particularly working families who don’t have the time or money to attend a regular university—can get such an education from home in this way (that is, if it’s legit).

That said, I’ve always heard them include the term “paralegal,” and I’ve never known exactly what that means. I’ve always just figured it meant a lawyer’s aid, which is still a pretty vague explanation. Having planned on being a lawyer at one point, I should already know, right?