From Charleston to Morgantown to Wheeling, West Virginia’s paralegals are valuable members of the legal team who provide the support services to lawyers that ensure that legal services are delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Your path to learning how to become a paralegal in West Virginia includes earning the right education and credentials and deciding if an area of specialization like litigation or bankruptcy law is right for you.
As in other states, West Virginia lawyers’ professional conduct is governed by Rule 5.3. Under this rule, lawyers must directly supervise any nonlawyer assistants, including paralegals. Lawyers are also responsible for the professional conduct of their assistants and must offer them instruction in ethics and confidentiality.
West Virginia state law does not currently regulate paralegals, although a bill was introduced in 2010 to require state certification of paralegals. Under that bill, which did not pass but could be brought before the legislature in the future, paralegal certification would include:
- Successful completion of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) exam
- Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program
- Graduation from a paralegal studies program that is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved, and which includes at least 60 semester hours of classroom study
- Graduation from a paralegal studies program not described above, plus a minimum of six months of in-house training as a paralegal
- Special cases may be made for grandfathering in paralegals with life experience and previous employment within twenty-four months of the date of enactment of this article
Is There Paralegal Certification in West Virginia?
As paralegals become more widely utilized within the legal community and increasing numbers of states consider regulation of the profession, great numbers of prospective paralegals are choosing education as an entry-point into the field. Education can prepare a paralegal both for future employment and for taking a national certification exam. Paralegals with degrees and certificates may also stand out in a competitive job market.
West Virginia Job Statistics
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As noted in the proposed regulations above, some paralegal programs are ABA approved, offered by accredited educational institutions or both. If a paralegal plans to pursue professional development, such as national certification, program choices should be closely evaluated for ABA approval or accreditation.
Paralegal studies degree programs offer students both a broad spectrum of general education classes and focused coursework in paralegal studies. Students may earn associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees in paralegal studies. Depending on the program chosen, a degree will take between two and five years to complete.
Students who already possess bachelor’s degrees or who do not wish to earn a degree may complete a certificate program. Certificate programs can usually be completed more quickly than degree programs as they do not have many general education requirements. Certificate programs offer focused coursework in paralegal studies to prepare graduates for their new career. Those who complete a certificate program become certificated paralegals.
National Certification
National certification is sometimes earned as part of state regulation. It can also be earned by paralegals who wish to distinguish themselves among their peers and be recognized as highly competent in their field. In order to sit for a national certification exam, paralegals must meet educational or work experience requirements. Upon passing the exam, they become certified paralegals. 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 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
In the region including Charleston and Huffington, the Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia (LAPSWV) offers members opportunities for continuing legal education and professional development, a forum for exchanging ideas and networking, involvement with local charities and representation within the legal community. LAPSWV encourages its members to seek national certification through its affiliate, NALA, and has scholarships and study groups in place to support those preparing for the CLA/CP exam.
An affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the LAPSWV offers four levels of membership:
- Active – Open to anyone who meets one of the following:
- Passed NALA’s Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)/Certified Paralegal (CP) exam
- Graduate of an ABA-approved paralegal program
- Graduate of an institutionally-accredited paralegal program that includes at least 60 hours of classroom study
- Graduate of a paralegal program plus six months of in-house paralegal training
- Bachelor’s degree in any field plus six months of in-house paralegal training
- Three years of law-related experience including six months of in-house paralegal training
- Two years of in-house paralegal training
- Provisional – Open to employed paralegals who do not qualify for Active membership
- Student – Open to full-time students enrolled in a paralegal studies program who are in good standing
- Sustaining – Open to any individual or entity who promotes the use of paralegals
The West Virginia Bar Association has a Paralegal Division with the goals of furthering professional development, offering continuing legal education (CLE) and promoting good fellowship between members of the legal community. The Paralegal Division regularly offers CLE through seminars, meetings and workshops.
Law Firms in
Many paralegals in West Virginia are employed by large law firms. These firms include:
- Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
- Dinsmor & Shohl
- Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott
- Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso, PLLC
- Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC
- Bailey & Glasser LLP
- Bailey & Wyant, PLLC
- Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP
- Campbell Woods PLLC
- Farmer Cline Campbell Arnold
- Huddleston Bolen LLP
- Jackson Kelly PLLC
- Jenkins Fenstermaker, PLLC
- Kay Castro & Chaney
- Lewis Glasser Casey & Rollins, PLLC
- Martin & Seibert
- McDermott & Bonenberger, P.L.L.C.
- Offutt Nord
- Phillips Gardill Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC
- Pitragallo Gordon Alfano
- Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC
- Robinson & McElwee PLLC
- Roger D. Hunter Attorney at Law
- Stephen & Johnson
- Zimmer Kunz, PLLC
Important Contacts for Paralegals
- Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia (LAPSWV), affiliated with NALA.
- The West Virginia State Bar
- The West Virginia Secretary of State
- West Virginia Judiciary
- West Virginia Legislature – Certified Legal Assistant Act (proposed)
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.