In Wisconsin, paralegal and legal assistants are in high demand as law offices shift the heavy research load from attorneys to their support staffs.

By Gabby Hyman
RWM Columnist
April 24, 2007

While Wisconsin attorneys assume legal responsibility for their clients in courts and corporate boardrooms, these days trained paralegals and legal assistants assume the growing burden of client research and litigation paperwork. Thankfully, Wisconsin legal and technical schools prepare students to take in-demand positions with law firms and government agencies.

Earning Paralegal Status in Wisconsin
Wisconsin vocational and technical schools offer paralegal and legal assisting programs at both the associate's and bachelor's levels. Paralegal hopefuls study the basics of legal research and writing, as well as client deposition, court petition and filing procedures, office management, billing protocol, estate documentation, wills, partnership agreements, and the preparation and filing of appellate briefs.

Get Certified
Many Wisconsin trade schools offer certification training for legal assistants and paralegals. Some schools offer preparation coursework for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALS) examination, which certifies individuals for legal assistant careers. The NALS exam tests students in written communications, office procedures, legal knowledge, ethics, human relations, and judgment. Graduates who pass the exam earn a legal assisting certificate that's valid for five years.

Making Your Way as a Wisconsin Paralegal
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), formally trained paralegals will have the greatest opportunities for employment as legal assistants. In a profession where employment is expected to grow faster than average in the coming years, the pay can get competitive. Salary.com reports that entry-level Madison paralegals and legal assistants with associate's degrees and up to two years of experience can earn between $36,932 and $50,145 a year. In Milwaukee, the average is slightly higher: between $38,234 and $51,914.

Advanced paralegals with bachelor's degrees and five to eight years of on-the-job experience can earn between $49,453 and $63,501 in Madison, or between $51,197 and $65,741 in the Milwaukee area.

If you're looking to get your foot in the door of the legal profession, Wisconsin is a great place to start. Check out Wisconsin trade schools today.

Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Paralegals and Legal Assistants"
Salary.com

About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.