Become a Paralegal in New York

• Number of New York Paralegals: 22,340

• Median Paralegal Salary: $54,840**

• Length of Paralegal Study: 1 to 4 years

• Almost 75 percent of paralegals work for law firms

• Largest Law Firms in New York: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; White & Case*

New York has not established formal licensing requirements to become a paralegal. However, the Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations (ESAPA) recommends that New York paralegals hold an associate's degree, bachelor's degree or post-bachelor's certificate from a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.

Most New York paralegals enter the field with at least an associate's degree. If you plan to build a paralegal career in New York, earning your degree from one of the many paralegal schools in New York can provide you with in-depth knowledge of state and local law, which will enhance your resume and make it easier to find a job.

For paralegal salaries by city, check the chart below:

Currently, New York does not have certification requirements for its paralegals. But many employers prefer to hire certified paralegals. You can get national paralegal certification through the following organizations:

• National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
• American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI)

To maintain your national certification, you must complete a certain number of hours of continuing legal education within a specified period of time. Continuing education can include courses at paralegal schools in New York, traditional colleges and universities, bar associations, and professional organizations.

Among the career resources for New York paralegals are the following organizations:

• Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations
• New York City Paralegal Association
• Paralegal Association of Rochester
• Western New York Paralegal Association
• New York State Bar Association

And don't forget to check the websites of law firms and companies you'd like to work for to see if they're hiring paralegals (martindale.com).
_{Sources:
**www.bls.gov/ (2011)
*National Law Journal}