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- Paralegal Job Description – Dallas, TX
- General Guidelines for Texas Paralegals
- Paralegal Schools in Dallas, TX
- 1 Dallas College at El Centro
- 2 Arlington Career Institute
- 3 Southern Methodist University
- 4 Tarrant County College
- 5 Collin College
- 6 Texas A&M University - Commerce
- Schools Summary Table
- Paralegal Salary in Dallas, TX
- How to Become a Paralegal in Dallas
- Top Paralegal Certifications
- Find Paralegal Programs by State
- Find Paralegal Programs by Metro Area
If you are thinking about becoming a Paralegal or advancing your Paralegal career in Dallas, TX, this is the guide for you!
Dallas Paralegals are highly skilled legal professionals who provide front-line support for area attorneys, courts, clients, and legal officials.
While a few optional pathways are available for becoming a Paralegal in Dallas, all pathways require making a personal commitment to getting the right training and education to become eligible to provide legal service support in Texas.
Learn what it takes to become a Paralegal and get the inside scoop on some of the best Paralegal schools in Dallas using our comprehensive career guide for aspiring Legal Assistants!
The Paralegal schools below offer online, on-campus, and hybrid education and training options for working and aspiring Paralegals living in the DFW area.
Paralegal Job Description – Dallas, TX
Paralegals are highly skilled legal assistants who provide hands-on support to practicing attorneys, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
While most Paralegals work under the supervision of locally licensed legal professionals, a few Paralegals work in their practices in states that legally allow independent practice for well-qualified legal support professionals.
The job duties of a Paralegal in Texas are limited to what the State Bar of Texas guidelines state and can include conducting legal research, drafting documents using the latest legal technologies and software, organizing case files, and providing direct assistance to attorneys during depositions and trials.
General Guidelines for Texas Paralegals
The guidelines for Texas Paralegals are set forth by the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Generally, Legal Assistants are authorized to carry out permissible duties that include:
- Conducting Legal Research on Behalf of Attorneys
- Drafting Legal Documents for Attorney Review
- Filing Legal Documents with Texas Courts
- Summarizing Court Depositions and Legal Records
- Conducting Client Interviews
- Organizing Legal Case Files and Evidence
Paralegal Schools in Dallas, TX
Now that you understand the permissible job duties of Dallas Paralegals, let’s dive into some of the educational requirements.
Paralegals typically begin their careers by gaining years of substantive legal experience through working for local legal professionals or by gaining the relevant educational experience and certification credentials preferred by employers.
Dallas’s best Paralegal schools offer in-person training, campus-based training, and options for Paralegal internships that prepare local Legal Assistants for taking on the challenges of supporting local legal professionals.
The Dallas-area schools below provide Paralegal education and training programs leading to Associate, Bachelor’s, and Certificate-Level credentials in Paralegal Studies.
1 Dallas College at El Centro
The University of Dallas at El Centro operates a Paralegal degree and certificate program where students can learn the fundamentals of working as legal assistants in local law firms and legal environments.
Their in-depth Associate of Applied Science program takes approximately four semesters to complete and teaches the concepts of substantive law needed to support local attorneys as they prepare for legal depositions, court cases, and filing legal documents.
Courses Offered
- Business Organizations
- Civil Litigation
- Law Office Technology
- Legal Research and Writing
- Introduction to Law and the Legal Professional
Contact Information
- Address: 1601 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, Texas - 75215
- Phone: 214-378-1500
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Arlington Career Institute
The Arlington Career Institute is a local Dallas trade school providing specialized Paralegal and Legal Assistant education.
Their Paralegal program provides web-based education and allows students up to ten months to complete the required curriculum focusing on practical education.
Program graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide support in a variety of legal environments.
Courses Offered
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Legal Document Preparation
- Legal Research
- Legal Terminology
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 East Lamar Boulevard, Arlington, Texas - 76006
- Phone: 972-647-4044
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Southern Methodist University
The Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, offered by Southern Methodist University’s Continuing and Professional Education Department, is another Dallas-based training program that teaches local legal assistants the fundamental and practical skills needed to provide hands-on support for local legal officials.
Their campus-based Paralegal Studies program meets in the evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays and takes most students around six months to complete.
Courses Offered
- Contract Law
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Technology
- Survey of Law
Contact Information
- Address: 5539 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, Texas - 75206
- Phone: 214-768-7223
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College provides ABA-approved Paralegal education leading to an Associate of Applied Sciences degree or an advanced technical certificate in Paralegal studies.
Their degree program requires successful completion of 60 credit hours, which include training on topics related to the American system, conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, conducting legal analysis, and understanding the rules of professional conduct.
The 30-credit-hour certificate programs offer similar training in a bite-sized format for those who want to enter the field in less than two years.
Courses Offered
- Business Law
- Civil Litigation
- Introduction to Law and Legal Professions
- Legal Research
- Torts and Personal Injury Law
Contact Information
- Address: 828 West Harwood Road, Hurst, TX - 76054
- Phone: 817-515-6277
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Collin College
Collin College operates an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies training program that awards a Level 2 Certificate and Associate of Applied Sciences degree to candidates who complete all mandatory program requirements.
Their in-depth training program prepares students to pass national certification exams administered by top Paralegal associations like NALA.
Collin College maintains a variety of campus-based educational options alongside its iCollin Virtual Campus, where students can log in and take virtual immersive training courses online.
Courses Offered
- Advanced Legal Document Preparation
- Certified Paralegal Exam Review
- Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession
- Introduction to Legal Conventions
- Wills, Trusts, and Probate Administration
Contact Information
- Address: 2800 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas - 75074
- Phone: 972-881-5790
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Texas A&M University - Commerce
Dallas-based Paralegals seeking to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal studies can take coursework at Texas A&M University.
The university offers a four-year hybrid degree program that provides students with foundational, substantive, and practical legal education.
Students must complete 120-credit hours which include training int the Texas Rules of Civil Procedures, Business Law for Paralegals, and a Paralegal Internship where trainees immerse themselves in the legal profession as on the job professionals.
Courses Offered
- Business Law for Paralegals
- Constitutional Law for Paralegals
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Family Law
- Real Estate Law for Paralegals
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 West Neal Street, Commerce, Texas - 75428
- Phone: 888-868-2682
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dallas College at El Centro |
| #2 | Arlington Career Institute |
| #3 | Southern Methodist University |
| #4 | Tarrant County College |
| #5 | Collin College |
| #6 | Texas A&M University - Commerce |
Paralegal Salary in Dallas, TX
Online salary data reports show that Paralegals in Dallas earn high-paying salaries.
The average salary for Paralegals working in the DFW area falls between $61,610 and $126,291 per year at $93,951 annually.
Dallas Paralegal salaries are typically affected by geographical work locations, employer types, and specialized education, including college-level degrees and national certifications.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$42.5K |
|
$61.8K |
|
$90.1K |
Average Salary in Dallas, TX
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Dallas | $66,671 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 70 | $58,980 | $28.35 | $88,840 | $36,630 |
| Amarillo, TX | 200 | $59,990 | $28.84 | $84,760 | $37,760 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 3,470 | $72,620 | $34.91 | $122,500 | $42,000 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 260 | $60,160 | $28.92 | $81,650 | $37,230 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 300 | $45,710 | $21.97 | $70,410 | $28,420 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 220 | $59,720 | $28.71 | $89,810 | $37,520 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 550 | $56,360 | $27.1 | $82,620 | $39,100 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 8,160 | $66,580 | $32.01 | $98,710 | $46,590 |
| El Paso, TX | 640 | $50,400 | $24.23 | $71,410 | $37,690 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 7,770 | $63,640 | $30.6 | $98,320 | $38,810 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 190 | $55,650 | $26.75 | $80,000 | $36,950 |
| Laredo, TX | 110 | $63,600 | $30.58 | $102,920 | $35,630 |
| Longview, TX | 100 | $59,270 | $28.49 | $80,560 | $36,300 |
| Lubbock, TX | 300 | $51,820 | $24.91 | $76,560 | $28,080 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 760 | $40,300 | $19.37 | $60,030 | $21,230 |
| Midland, TX | 100 | $68,720 | $33.04 | $102,260 | $37,890 |
| Odessa, TX | 90 | $62,940 | $30.26 | $87,700 | $39,940 |
| San Angelo, TX | 60 | $56,090 | $26.97 | $76,940 | $36,730 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 2,070 | $61,290 | $29.47 | $86,320 | $39,710 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 90 | $53,330 | $25.64 | $78,190 | $29,810 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 70 | $54,060 | $25.99 | $71,710 | $35,730 |
| Tyler, TX | 270 | $49,770 | $23.93 | $71,830 | $30,820 |
| Waco, TX | 160 | $58,620 | $28.18 | $81,260 | $38,000 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 60 | $55,980 | $26.92 | $80,190 | $37,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Paralegal in Dallas
The first step towards becoming a Paralegal in Dallas requires getting the right education. Dallas Paralegals go through a process of completing basic educational requirements, advanced legal educational requirements, on-the-job training, and certification requirements to legally work in Texas.
The pathway to becoming a Certified Paralegal or Legal Assistant is different for each new candidate.
Aspiring candidates can typically expect to complete the following steps to become a Dallas Paralegal.
1. Meet Basic Education Requirements
Dallas Paralegals must meet basic educational requirements, which include earning a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Foundational education is required to prepare legal hopefuls for enrolling in advanced paralegal education programs.
2. Complete an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Program
Once you’ve met the primary educational requirements, the next step is to complete an ABA-approved program.
Approved programs can award degrees, diplomas, or certificates.
3. Get Paralegal Certification
Getting a Paralegal certification is an excellent way to bolster your career and ensure your chances of standing out with national and local Paralegal employers.
While national certification is not required by all employers, many employers prefer to hire certified candidates.
4. Gain Practical Experience in the Legal Field
Regardless of the educational track you choose, gaining hands-on experience in the field is typically a requirement for employment and advanced Paralegal certifications.
5. Apply for Paralegal Jobs in Dallas
Prospective candidates who have completed the required education, training, and substantive practical experience can apply for local Paralegal jobs with lawyers, government offices, and community service organizations that hire Legal Assistants.
6. Complete Continuing Education Requirements
Certified Paralegals must complete all mandatory continuing education requirements to maintain their credentials.
Top Paralegal Certifications
Aspiring Paralegals seeking local education and training options in Dallas should research programs that offer ABA-approved degrees and certificates, along with programs that provide test prep for national and local certifications.
Dallas Paralegals can also seek certification through top local and national organizations, providing credentials showing foundational Paralegal educational requirements and practical training have been met.
Paralegals holding certification credentials meet national and local standards for providing legal assistance and support.
Certified Paralegal – CP
The Certified Paralegal credential issued by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is one of the most sought-after certifications for new and working Paralegals.
This top Paralegal certification requires credential-seeking applicants to meet the following criteria:
- Applicants Must Hold a Paralegal Degree or Certificate from an ABA-approved Program.
- Applicants without ABA-approved Education must hold a Bachelor’s Degree and a Paralegal Certificate.
- Applicants without a Bachelor’s Degree Must Have a High School Diploma with a Minimum of 7 Years of Paralegal Experience.
- Applicants Must Pass the Certified Paralegal Exam
- Applicants Must Complete 50 Hours of Mandatory Continuing Education to Maintain Their Credentials.
Registered Paralegal – RP
The Registered Paralegal Certification, administered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), is another top Paralegal credential regularly sought after by job seekers and employers alike.
Earning the RP designation demonstrates paralegal efficiency and competency to local and national employers who typically prefer to hire candidates with proof of experience.
Requirements for earning the RP Certification include earning a Bachelor’s degree, a Paralegal Certificate, and proof of earning the required amount of substantive legal experience as a working Legal Assistant.
Registered Paralegals must maintain their credentials by taking part in a minimum of 12 hours of mandatory continuing legal education requirements every two years as required by the NFPA.
Find Paralegal Programs by State
- AL Alabama
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- TX Texas
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- VT Vermont
- VA Virginia
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- WV West Virginia
- WI Wisconsin
- WY Wyoming
Find Paralegal Programs by Metro Area
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Fresno, CA
- Houston, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lexington, KY
- Los Angeles, CA
- McAllen, TX
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- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
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- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Tampa, FL
- Washington, DC
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