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- Paralegal Job Description – Sacramento, CA
- Paralegal Schools in Sacramento, CA
- 1 Arlington Career Institute
- 2 University of California - Davis
- 3 American River College
- 4 San Francisco State University
- 5 University of the Pacific
- 6 Campus Sacramento / MTI College
- Schools Summary Table
- Paralegal Salary in Sacramento, CA
- How to Become a Paralegal in Sacramento
- Top Paralegal Certifications
- Find Paralegal Programs by State
- Find Paralegal Programs by Metro Area
If you are thinking about starting a new career as a Paralegal or enhancing your existing legal skills to boost your career in California, this is the guide for you!
California Paralegals must adhere to the state’s strict legal guidelines and educational requirements for legal practice.
Learn what it takes to become a Paralegal in Sacramento, CA, and get the inside scoop on some of the best local Paralegals offering online, campus-based, and hybrid education programs that meet state standards in the comprehensive career guide below!
Paralegal Job Description – Sacramento, CA
California’s Paralegals are high-powered legal assistants who work side by side with practicing attorneys to interview witnesses, file legal documents, and conduct the legal research and investigations needed to support criminal and civil court cases.
Local Paralegals are limited in the scope of legal duties they can practice and must work under the supervision of a licensed practicing attorney.
California’s Legal Assistants are typically authorized to carry out permissible duties under supervision that include:
- Conducting Legal Research on Behalf of Attorneys
- Drafting Legal Documents for Attorney Review
- e-Filing and In-Person Filing of Legal Documents with California Courts
- Summarizing Court Depositions and Legal Records
- Conducting Client Interviews
- Organizing Legal Case Files and Evidence
Paralegal Schools in Sacramento, CA
The best Paralegal schools in California feature programs offering online education, in-person education, or hybrid educational options for working Paralegals and new Legal Assistants without experience.
Schools below offer entry-level Paralegal Education and Continuing Legal Education programs that ready students for practicing in the legal field and meet minimum state standards for entry-level and continuing education.
Each school has its own curriculum, instruction methods, graduation requirements, and admissions requirements.
As such, prospective students should conduct their research before enrolling to ensure they meet minimum program standards and can commit to completing mandatory graduation or completion requirements.
1 Arlington Career Institute
The Arlington Career Institute is a local Sacramento 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, California - 76006
- Phone: 972-647-4044
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of California - Davis
The Continuing and Professional Education Department at UC Davis offers a six-month web-based Paralegal certificate program.
This accredited program teaches students the fundamentals needed to support practicing attorneys inside and outside of the courtroom.
UC Paralegal Certificate enrollees gain access to a wealth of career-related resources and tools, including Westlaw and Lexis Nexis.
Courses Offered
- Contract Law for Paralegals
- Legal Ethics
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Terminology
- Tort Law for Paralegals
Contact Information
- Address: 463 California Avenue, Davis, California - 95616
- Phone: 530-757-8777
- Website: Visit School Website
3 American River College
American River College operates an American Bar Association-approved Legal Studies program that meets California standards for Paralegal education.
Their Associate degree and certificate programs educate students on the legal and professional concepts needed to gain entry-level employment.
Degree-seeking students take on a full course load that includes general education courses and core Legal Studies courses and are awarded an Associate of Science or an Associate of Applied Sciences degree upon completion.
Courses Offered
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Civil Procedures and Litigation
- Estate Planning and Probate Procedures
- Legal Studies Electives
Contact Information
- Address: 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, California - 95841
- Phone: 916-484-8011
- Website: Visit School Website
4 San Francisco State University
Sacramento-area students seeking to gain Paralegal skills through an ABA-approved program can take classes at San Francisco State University.
Their online Paralegal Studies Certificate program is designed to be completed in one year and trains students on key concepts needed to support practicing attorneys using the latest legal technologies and industry best practices.
They also offer Legal Studies electives for incoming Paralegals seeking to specialize in a specific area of law.
Courses Offered
- Field Experience in Paralegal Studies
- Legal Research and Writing
- Introduction to Civil Procedure
- Introduction to Legal Conventions
- Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California - 94132
- Phone: 4150405-7700
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of the Pacific
The University of the Pacific offers an advanced Paralegal Studies program that meets state educational standards and awards successful legal trainees a certificate of completion.
This Advanced Paralegal Studies program satisfies the requirements for Continuing Legal Education and emphasizes skills needed by working professionals.
The university provides access to online training, web-based resources, and a wealth of specialized legal training courses that include topics in criminal law, water law, tort law, and intellectual property law.
This program only accepts continuing education applicants and is not designed for entry-level Paralegal education.
Courses Offered
- Advanced Legal Research
- Bankruptcy Law
- Business Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Family Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Water Law
Contact Information
- Address: 3200 Fifth Avenue, Sacramento, California - 95871
- Phone: 209-946-2211
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Campus Sacramento / MTI College
Although MTI College has recently changed its name to Campus Sacramento, the quality of legal education and training programs offered by this local institution has not changed.
Campus Sacramento provides online access to ABA-approved California Paralegal education that leads to an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies or a Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate.
Both online programs are designed to be completed in just over forty weeks, as they lay the foundation for practicing and entry-level Paralegals to learn new skills and hone existing legal skills.
This program offers job placement services for program graduates and students.
Courses Offered
- Client Interviewing and Investigation
- Ethics
- Legal Writing and Analysis
- Introduction to the Legal Environment
- Introduction to the Paralegal Profession
Contact Information
- Address: 5221 Madison Avenue, Sacramento, California - 95481
- Phone: 888-676-2460
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arlington Career Institute |
| #2 | University of California - Davis |
| #3 | American River College |
| #4 | San Francisco State University |
| #5 | University of the Pacific |
| #6 | Campus Sacramento / MTI College |
Paralegal Salary in Sacramento, CA
Online salary data reports show that Paralegals in Sacramento earn high-paying salaries.
The average base salary for Paralegals working in the Sacramento area falls between $66,279 and $88,642 per year, at $73,819 per year.
Sacramento Paralegal salaries are typically affected by geographical work locations, employer types, and specialized degrees and national certifications.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$42.7K |
|
$68.5K |
|
$110.1K |
Average Salary in Sacramento, CA
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Sacramento | $71,300 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 290 | $64,460 | $30.99 | $98,070 | $35,010 |
| Chico, CA | 160 | $50,300 | $24.19 | $60,430 | $40,810 |
| El Centro, CA | 70 | $65,100 | $31.3 | $99,840 | $34,510 |
| Fresno, CA | 770 | $62,040 | $29.83 | $96,700 | $40,080 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 40 | $65,110 | $31.3 | $101,130 | $47,610 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 16,560 | $78,720 | $37.84 | $107,790 | $48,160 |
| Merced, CA | 60 | $57,910 | $27.84 | $83,450 | $40,350 |
| Modesto, CA | 220 | $65,410 | $31.45 | $90,580 | $46,860 |
| Napa, CA | 60 | $72,170 | $34.7 | $101,240 | $54,700 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 490 | $73,820 | $35.49 | $99,140 | $48,240 |
| Redding, CA | 130 | $58,220 | $27.99 | $84,150 | $36,390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,810 | $66,140 | $31.8 | $92,930 | $48,500 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 2,770 | $75,060 | $36.09 | $104,250 | $51,420 |
| Salinas, CA | 220 | $65,530 | $31.51 | $93,470 | $48,330 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 4,500 | $72,260 | $34.74 | $104,600 | $47,640 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 6,720 | $92,860 | $44.64 | $134,880 | $59,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,850 | $103,850 | $49.93 | $156,270 | $62,560 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 210 | $61,210 | $29.43 | $93,700 | $33,680 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 120 | $76,340 | $36.7 | $104,760 | $43,510 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 320 | $66,290 | $31.87 | $95,300 | $45,490 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 260 | $72,430 | $34.82 | $102,040 | $50,250 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 350 | $64,640 | $31.08 | $95,020 | $47,840 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 90 | $73,610 | $35.39 | $99,260 | $47,920 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 90 | $61,790 | $29.71 | $84,750 | $40,200 |
| Yuba City, CA | 30 | $63,280 | $30.42 | $92,440 | $47,390 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Paralegal in Sacramento
California has strict standards that govern paralegals.
As such, the most important step for aspiring local Paralegals to take is to ensure they have the right education that meets state standards.
#1. Meet General Education Requirements
Basic educational requirements for Paralegals include reaching the legal minimum age required by the state and completing Paralegal training programs.
Most Paralegal degree and certificate programs will require applicants to show proof of completing their high school education or earning an equivalent before being considered for admission into core professional training programs.
#2. Complete an Approved Paralegal Studies Program
California standards require incoming Paralegals to complete an ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate program that meets national standards, OR to earn a certificate or degree from an accredited post-secondary institution that meets the state’s minimum requirements.
Aspiring Paralegals can meet educational requirements by holding a Bachelor’s degree in any subject combined with at least one year of substantive law experience under the supervision of a locally licensed attorney.
The rules for California Paralegals also allow incoming professionals holding a high school diploma or GED to qualify as Paralegals by providing a minimum of three years of substantive law experience under a licensed practicing attorney.
#3. Get Paralegal Certification
While earning national Paralegal certifications is not required by all employers, many legal employers prefer to hire certified candidates.
Earning Paralegal certifications issued by top national Paralegal organizations like NALA or the NFPA demonstrates a commitment to professional education, training, and excellence in the field.
#4. Gain Practical Experience in the Legal Field
Regardless of the educational track you choose, gaining hands-on experience is typically a requirement for new Paralegals.
Many Paralegal studies and degree programs offer practical training and internship options where students learn the tricks of the trade firsthand by immersing themselves in professional legal environments, taking part in mock trials, and gaining the field experience required for legal practice and certification.
#5. Apply for Paralegal Jobs in Sacramento
Paralegal hopefuls who have met California’s minimum training and educational requirements and have not already secured employment through internships and entry-level experience can begin applying for jobs with local legal employers, including law firms, corporations with in-house legal departments, government agencies, state, federal, and municipal courts.
#6. – Complete Continuing Legal Education Requirements
The State of California and certifying Paralegal associations require working Legal Assistants to complete the minimum number of required hours of Continuing Legal Education to maintain their legal work status and certification credentials.
Continuing Legal Education requirements typically include attending a four-hour course in legal ethics, general law, or specialized law.
Top Paralegal Certifications
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 US-based Paralegals.
This national Paralegal certification requires new and continuing legal education applicants to meet the following minimum 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 is a top industry designation offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
Earning the RP designation immediately demonstrates paralegal competency to local employers who typically prefer to hire candidates with proof of substantive legal experience.
Requirements for Earning the RP Certification:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Paralegal Certificate
- Proof of the Required Number of Years or Hours of Substantive Legal Education
Find Paralegal Programs by State
- AL Alabama
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- WI Wisconsin
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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
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- 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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