Vermont’s paralegals are the heroes of the legal services industry, providing outstanding, unmatched support services to lawyers in a variety of settings ranging from private business to nonprofit organizations to governmental agencies and beyond. Regardless of where you decide to put down roots in Vermont and which area of law you’d like to explore, you’ll want to ensure that your resume resembles what today’s employers are looking for. In short, before you can enter this exciting profession and begin working your way up the career ladder, you’ll need to first learn how to become a paralegal in Vermont.
Vermont has no legal requirements regarding the training and education of paralegals. Those seeking to enter the profession may do so through education in paralegal studies or by acquiring on-the-job experience.
Professional Conduct Rule 5.3 does define the lawyer-paralegal relationship in Vermont. As in other states, paralegals must work under the direct supervision of a lawyer and though they may perform substantive legal work they may not practice law. Lawyers are required to provide instruction around professional matters, including ethics and confidentiality, and they must assume responsibility for the work produced by the paralegals in their employ.
Is There Paralegal Certification in Vermont?
Lawyers increasingly rely on paralegals to perform high level legal tasks and often choose to hire job candidates who come into the position with knowledge and skills. While it is possible to find positions that offer on-the-job training, increasing numbers of aspiring paralegals are finding that education makes them more competitive job candidates. Education demonstrates a commitment to the profession and basic proficiency within the field, and has the added benefit of helping prepare paralegals for voluntary national certification.
Vermont Job Statistics
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Students can earn either certificates or degrees in paralegal studies. Certificate programs are usually quicker to complete than degrees as they do not require many general education classes. Some certificate programs are open to applicants with a high school diploma. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs require that applicants have a bachelor’s degree in any field. Certificate programs offer focused coursework in paralegal studies to prepare students to begin working as paralegals. Graduates of certificate programs are called certificated paralegals.
Another option for students are degree-conferring programs which offer students both specialized courses in paralegal studies and general education courses to broaden students’ education backgrounds. Depending on the type of degree, it can take two to five years to complete. Currently, paralegal studies degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Employers, the professional paralegal organizations that offer national certification, and bar associations often prefer that paralegals complete educational programs that meet a standard level of depth and rigor. Prospective students should be aware that American Bar Association (ABA) approval of a program or institutional accreditation of the school may be required and should investigate as needed.
National Certification
Paralegals who wish to demonstrate their mastery within their field may choose to take a national certification exam. In order to sit for the exam, they must first meet eligibility requirements of education or work experience. Those who pass the national certification exam become certified paralegals. Currently there are four national exams from which to select:
- The PACE offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The PCCE 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
The Vermont Paralegal Organization (VPO) offers membership to students and practicing paralegals with the goals of promoting the paralegal profession, supporting paralegals in education and professional development, and providing opportunities for networking and community between legal professionals. Benefits of joining the VPO include a mentoring program, a job bank, support in earning national certification, access to continuing legal education (CLE) and pro bono opportunities. The VPO also monitors and keeps it member informed of issues like regulation which affecting the paralegal profession.
Affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), the VPO offers four levels of membership:
- Voting – Open to employed Vermont paralegals who meet one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies plus six months of in-house paralegal training
- Bachelor’s degree in any field, a paralegal certificate, and one year of in-house paralegal training
- Bachelor’s degree in any field plus two years of in-house paralegal training
- Associate’s degree in paralegal studies plus 18 months of in-house paralegal training
- Associate’s degree in any field, a paralegal certificate, and two years of in-house paralegal training
- Associate’s degree in any field plus 2.5 years of in-house paralegal training
- High school diploma, paralegal certificate, and three years of in-house paralegal training
- High school diploma plus five years of in-house paralegal training
- Associate – Open to any individual who meets one of the following:
- Qualifies for Active membership except for being currently employed as a paralegal
- Graduate of a paralegal program who does not otherwise meet the requirements for Voting membership
- Employed as a paralegal and does not meet the requirements for Voting membership
- Student – Open to anyone enrolled in a paralegal program that results in a degree or certificate, or an intern of such a program
- Sustaining – Open to any person or entity that supports the VPO and the paralegal profession, and who does not qualify for any other type of membership
Law Firms
Large law firms often hire entry-level paralegals. In Vermont, the majority of large law firms have offices in Burlington, Montpelier and other metropolitan areas. These law firms include:
- Gravel & Shea
- Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C.
- Bauer, Gravel, Farnham, Nuovo & Parker
- Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC
- Langrock Sperry & Wool, LLP
- Paul Frank + Collins P.C.
Important Contacts for Paralegals
- Vermont Paralegal Organization (VPO), affiliated with the NFPA
- Vermont Bar Association
- Vermont Bar Association – Standards for Paralegal Membership
- Vermont Secretary of State
- Vermont Judiciary
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.