Maine’s paralegals are talented workhorses whose skills and knowledge make them invaluable members of the legal team. Whether you’re interested in a paralegal career in corporate law in a major company like J.D. Irving, Idexx Laboratories, or L.L. Bean or a position in one of Maine’s law firms like Drummond Woodsum or Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, Maine is a great place to kickstart your paralegal career or take it to the next level.
But before you start your job search, you’ll need to understand how to become a paralegal to make sure your resume reflects what today’s top lawyers are looking for.
Maine follows the standard American Bar Association definition of the role of paralegals that many other states use:
“Paralegal” and “legal assistant” mean a person, qualified by education, training or work experience, who is employed or retained by an attorney, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which an attorney is responsible.
However, while in most states this definition is used as a guideline, in Maine it is state law. This means that if people call themselves paralegals without being qualified to do so, they are breaking the law and may be fined up to $1000.00.
The Maine law does permit paralegals to enter the profession through education or on-the-job training. There are no regulations requiring registration, certification or minimum educational standards.
Is There Paralegal Certification in Maine?
As paralegals continue to grow in prominence within the legal field, higher levels of education or experience are becoming expected. Job candidates with solid educational credentials can distinguish themselves from their peers in a competitive job market. Additionally, education can help paralegals meet eligibility requirements for national certification exams. Educational options for aspiring paralegals include certificates and degrees.
Maine Job Statistics
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Certificate programs offer focused coursework in legal studies as they pertain to paralegals. Certificate programs are available as post-baccalaureate programs in which the applicant already has a degree, and as stand-alone programs in which no prior education is required. General education coursework is usually not required in a certificate program as the focus is exclusively on paralegal studies. Successful completion of a certificate program makes one a certificated paralegal. Employers and national certification examining bodies may prefer programs that are either recognized by the American Bar Association or offered by accredited institutions. Not all certificate programs meet these standards.
Degrees in paralegal studies are increasingly available. It is currently possible to earn an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree in paralegal studies. Holding a degree may offer entry-level paralegals a competitive edge in the job market. Additionally, a degree may qualify a paralegal to sit for one of the national certification exams.
National Certification
Voluntary certification is available through one of three national paralegal associations to paralegals who meet minimum education, training or work experience requirements. 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)
Each exam has different eligibility and renewal requirements.
Paralegal Associations
NALS of Maine – Offers local benefits and promotes national membership in NALS at these levels:
- Individual – Open to those engaged in work of a legal nature
- Associate – Open to those engaged in work of a legal nature such as educators, judges, and attorneys
- Students – Open to students taking at least nine semester credits from a legal-related program offered by an accredited school
- Retired – Open to those who have been a NALS-affiliated member for at least five years prior to retirement
- Life – Open to qualified individual members
- International – Open to those engaged in work of a legal nature who reside outside the US
The Maine Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) accepts paralegals, legal assistants and legal secretaries as affiliate members if their employer is a member of the MTLA. As members, paralegals receive opportunities to earn continuing legal education units (CLE) including paralegal-specific CLEs, networking, support from the MTLA, participation in Case Evaluation clinics and access to web-based MTLA resources.
Law Firms
Law firms of all sizes and specialties employ paralegals in Maine. This makes law firms a natural place to search for employment for the entry-level paralegal. Maine law firms that employ paralegals include:
- Drummond Woodsum
- Richardson, Whitman, Large & Badger
- Eaton Peabody
- Verrill Dana
- Pierce Atwood LLP
Important Contacts for Paralegals
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.