Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Paralegals and legal assistants keep law practices running efficiently, managing discovery, drafting documents, coordinating clients, and tracking deadlines. Continuing education is a key part of professional growth for paralegals, supporting certifications from organizations like NALA and NFPA and deepening expertise in substantive law. PBI offers on-demand courses and live programs in legal research, practice area specialties, legal technology, and professional responsibility to help paralegals stay current and advance their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Formal CLE requirements for paralegals vary by state and are generally not mandated in the same way they are for attorneys. However, professional certifications from organizations like NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants) and NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations) require ongoing continuing education to maintain credentials. PBI's courses can help satisfy these requirements.

The terms 'paralegal' and 'legal assistant' are often used interchangeably, and in most law firms the roles are functionally the same: substantive legal support work performed under attorney supervision. Some firms use 'legal assistant' for more administrative roles and 'paralegal' for those performing substantive legal work, but there is no universal standard distinguishing the two.

The best continuing education for paralegals depends on their practice area and career goals. PBI offers programs across all major areas of law, including family law, real estate, estate administration, business law, and legal technology. On-demand video formats are especially practical for working paralegals who need to complete coursework around their existing schedule.

Retain the certificate of completion PBI issues for each course, along with the date and credit hours. NALA and NFPA both require you to keep this documentation and may request it to verify recertification.