Because paralegals assist lawyers in performing practical legal tasks, it is necessary that the paralegal student become acquainted with both the theory and the practice of the law. Instruction in practical applications is so important that both the American Bar Association (ABA) and the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) include it as a part of their suggested curriculum.

Practical applications include such matters as drafting pleadings, gathering documents to respond to discovery requests, scheduling a deposition or court hearing, and arranging with a court clerk for the issuance of a subpoena. Classroom instruction provides some practice, but there is no substitute for actual work experience. A school that provides the opportunity for such experience can greatly enhance your value to the legal employer.

Paralegal education programs generally provide work experience through internships. Internships often involve working with a legal employer for an entire credit period. Many internships are flexible in terms of the number of hours required; others expect you to devote the equivalent of a full work week to an internship position. This is in addition to your responsibilities for your schoolwork, your family, and any other employment you might have. Because of this, internships are not always a practical solution for all students.

Some schools offer other means of obtaining practical experience. Job shadowing is one alternative that is more flexible than an internship. The main disadvantage of job shadowing is that it seldom offers the extent of hands-on learning that paralegal students require. Another alternative is part-time employment with a legal employer. Even working as the “office runner” gives the paralegal student exposure to the practical side of paralegal practice.

Other innovative options for the determined paralegal student include local legal aid programs that provide services to the poor; these programs are chronically understaffed. Locate a program and volunteer to screen cases, file documents, or do whatever is needed. As a volunteer, you can set your own hours and select the type of law that interests you; legal aid programs deal with criminal law, housing, divorce, bankruptcy, sexual assault, and many other areas of the law. Some schools may even give credit for this kind of volunteering.