Don’t let Alaska fool you – despite it’s vast expanses of wide, open spaces, it’s also home to many business and organizations who employ paralegals. Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, and beyond… you’ll find plenty of reasons to settle in and learn how to become a paralegal in Alaska.
Whether the intricacies of corporate law interests you, the excitement of criminal law holds your attention, or working in the low-cost legal services field sounds like a good fit, you’ll find plenty of exciting options in Alaska as a paralegal. Ashburn & Mason, Davis Wright Tremaine, Dorsey & Whitney LLP are just some of the big names operating out of Alaska. With grit, determination, and the right credentials, you can become part of Alaska’s exciting paralegal profession.
The Alaska Supreme Court’s Rule of Professional Conduct 5.3 requires that lawyers provide direct supervision to any nonlawyer assistants, including paralegals. Rule 5.3 also states that lawyers must instruct their assistants in ethics and confidentiality, and must assume responsibility for their employees’ professional conduct.
Alaska state law does not require that paralegals meet training or education requirements prior to employment. Thus, aspiring paralegals can begin their careers either by earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
Is There Paralegal Certification in Alaska?
As the profession of the paralegal becomes more prominent within the legal community, increasing numbers of aspiring paralegals are choosing education as their entry-point into a career. Paralegal studies courses are available through certificate and degree programs.
Both associate and bachelor’s degrees can be earned in paralegal studies. Degree programs offer students both specialized courses in their field and general education courses to introduce students a broader spectrum of learning. Degree programs usually take two to five years to complete.
Alaska Job Statistics
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Certificate programs usually take less time to complete than degree programs because they do not require many general education courses. Some certificate programs do not require applicants to have any previous higher education. Others, called post-baccalaureate certificate programs, require that applicants have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in any subject. These programs offer coursework exclusively in paralegal studies to prepare graduates for their new career.
With any educational program, it is important to research whether or not the program is offered by an accredited school or is approved by the American Bar Association. Employers and bar associations may desire that the certificate or degree meets certain standards. Additionally, if a paralegal is considering national certification, accreditation or ABA-approval may make qualifying to take the certification exam easier.
National Certification
Paralegals who earn educational certificates are called certificated paralegals. Paralegals that meet educational or work experience requirements and also pass a national certification exam are called certified paralegals. National certification is one way for paralegals to demonstrate their command of their field, gain the esteem of their colleagues, and further the advancement of the paralegal profession. Currently the three professional organizations offer four national exams from which to select:
- The PACE offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The PCC also offered by National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The CLA/CP offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- The PP offered by the Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
Paralegal Associations
Alaska has three active professional paralegal associations.
In Anchorage, the Alaska Paralegal Association (APP), an affiliate of the NFPA, offers continuing education, a job bank, networking opportunities and current information about the profession to its members. It also helps members prepare for national certification through the PACE/PCC exams.
The AAP is also working towards voluntary paralegal certification within Alaska.
Alaska Association of Paralegals (AAP) – Offers five classes of membership:
- Full Membership – Open to any employed paralegal
- Associate Membership – Open to anyone interested in the paralegal profession
- Student Membership – Open to any full-time student who is not employed as a paralegal
- Sustaining Membership – Open to any group, association, law firm, corporation, institution, or person interested in supporting the AAP
- Government Membership – Open to any employee of a city, state, federal, or military branch of government
NALS of Anchorage represents not only legal secretaries, but any legal support staff including paralegals. NALS of Anchorage offers continuing legal education, support for those seeking to become nationally certified, and networking opportunities. NALS’ focus is on increasing the professionalism of legal support workers and helping their members increase their skill level.
Fairbanks is home to the furthest north affiliate of NALA, the Fairbanks Association of Legal Assistants (FALA). FALA’s goals include organizing continuing education hours for its members, promoting professional development, supporting members who wish to become nationally certified though the CLA/CP exam, and establishing good working relationship with other legal groups in the interior of Alaska. FALA also offers social activities, scholarships, and advocacy for the paralegal profession.
Fairbanks Association of Legal Assistants (FALA) – A National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) affiliate, FALA offers these levels of membership:
- Active, Associate, and Student Memberships require current membership in NALA
- Sustaining Memberships are offered for individuals, organizations, and institutions
Law Firms
Law firms are often a good entry-point into a career as a paralegal. Large law firms often hire paralegals in greater numbers than other employers. Alaska’s large law firms include:
- Jermain, Dunnagan & Owens. P.C.
- Cook Schuhmann & Groseclose, Inc.
- Patton Boggs LLP
- Hartig Rhodes Hoge & Lekisch, P.C. A Professional Corporation
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Perkins & Coie
- DeLisio Moran Geraghty & Zobel, P.C.
- Atkinson, Conway & Gagnon, Inc.
- Baxter Bruce & Sullivan P.C.
- Burr Pease Kurtz
- Stoel Rives LLP
- Manley & Brautigam, P.C.
- Durrell Law Group, P.C.
- Tindall Bennett & Shoup, P.C.
- Law Offices of Janet L Bolvin
Important Contacts for Paralegals
- Alaska Bar Association
- Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
- Alaska Court System
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.