Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Paralegals And Legal Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Central Piedmont Community College, Guilford Technical Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and CFCC.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Meredith College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Durham Technical Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Halifax Community College, and Wilson Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Wilson Community College, South Piedmont Community College, Davidson County Community College, and Western Piedmont Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Central Carolina Community College, Meredith College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Central Piedmont Community College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Meredith College.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Meredith College, Halifax Community College, South Piedmont Community College, and Central Carolina Community College.
Working as a Paralegal or Legal Assistant in North Carolina
Paralegals, or legal assistants, perform many tasks to support lawyers, including researching legal precedent, preparing legal documents and investigating facts. They may handle quite a few of the same tasks as the lawyers they work for, but their employers are ultimately responsible for the outcome of their work. Read a detailed Paralegal / Legal Assistant job description and schools overview.
The State of North Carolina does not regulate the practices of paralegals / legal assistants. Voluntary certification through the North Carolina Bar Association - Paralegal Division can provide a career advantage.
The North Carolina Paralegal Association, Asheville Area Paralegal Association, Guilford Paralegal Association and Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association are organizations with resources for professional development.
Major Industries
Most paralegals / legal assistants in North Carolina work for:
- Law Firms
- Public and Private Corporations
- State and Local Government
- Self-employed
Major Employers
A few representative major employers of paralegals / legal assistants in North Carolina include:
- New Breed, Incorporated (Legal Services)
- North Carolina Department of Justice (Legal Services - State Government)
- Moore and Van Allen, PLLC (Legal Services)
- City of Kinston (Legal Services - City Government)
- Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge and Rice (Legal Services)
- Kennedy Covington Lobdell and Hickman, LLP (Legal Services)
- Parker, Poe, Adams, and Bernstein (Legal Services)
- Smith Moore LLP (Legal Services)
- Robinson, Bradshaw and Hinson, PA (Legal Services)
- Poyner and Spruill LLP (Legal Services)
- Legal Aid of North Carolina Incorporated (Legal Services - State Government)
- Smith Helms Mulliss and Moore, LLP (Legal Services)
- The Law Firm of Hutchens Senter and Britton PA (Legal Services)
- Brock and Scott, PLLC (Legal Services)
- Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey and Leonard, LLP
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Cape Fear Community College • Wilmington, NC
Studying Paralegal Studies (completion in 2006)
• 7/2/2011
"I would recommend CFCC's program to anyone who wanted a solid educational foundation. Again, I learned so much in the 2-year program, that I would never consider one of the 6 or 8-week classes."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The location and convenience are great. The cost is minimal, comparatively speaking, and provides a quick return on investment. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | CFCC is one of the few community colleges in the state to offer a 2-year program in paralegal studies. I think going this route was much better than a 6- or 8-week 'seminar style' program. |
| Program Quality | 7 | This program is a 2-year curriculum, which is practically like going to law school. The community college structure allowed for focus on the necessary studies while allowing for evening and online courses. |
| Instruction | 9 | All of the instructors were either retired attorneys or were teaching classes in the evenings. This allowed us a look into how our days will go once we are in the field. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The studies were difficult, and we ended up being very well prepared after graduation. The research classes and the bankruptcy course were challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I enjoyed the mix between the two. Having an internship as a requirement helped greatly, as well as field trips to the courthouse to do research and watch trials. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Nearly every concession was made for non-traditional students. As a student who worked odd hours, I was able to complete my studies with no difficulty. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The school's library had as much, if not more, than most law firms in the way of research capabilities and law library resources. Unfortunately, we did not have the online databases that most firms have access to now. |
| Social Life | 5 | I'm sure that for a community college, it was average. I did not participate in much, as I was a nontraditional student. |
| Placement Services | 3 | There was a booklet of local law firms, but no way other than our internship to try and land a position. I even got a phone call a year after graduation asking me whether I was able to find a job, since no one else in my graduating class did. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I haven't been involved in anything alumni-related, and have received no requests for joining an association. This may be because of the structure of the community college system. |
Cape Fear Community College • Wilmington, NC
Studying Paralegal Studies (completion in 2009)
• 8/11/2011
"It helped to make me a successful legal assistant. I was extremely satisfied with all that my school had to offer and I would recommend it to anyone!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school is very organized and up to date. The staff members are all friendly and knowledgeable in their fields. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | A lot of people were interested in the program. All of my classes were full and it seems like more and more people are trying to go to CFCC to get enrolled in the program. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The professors were really helpful and explained everything step-by-step. The atmosphere was very friendly as well. |
| Instruction | 10 | They provided up to date materials. I graduated feeling very prepared to step out into the legal profession. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was very time consuming, but I accomplished it. It required a lot of thought. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I did a lot of book learning. We also had hand-on learning with typing motions. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was able to take a lot of my classes online. I was also able to take evening classes which allowed me to work during the day. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library was full of legal books to help me study. The computers were very up to date and the bathrooms were some of the most unique and up to date ones in the area. |
| Social Life | 10 | I really enjoyed going to the basketball games and rooting on my school. The pep rallies were fun to attend. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The school helped me find a job in the same town a month after I graduated. I was extremely satisfied with how quick they helped me find a job. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | They provide reunions every 10 years. I am looking forward to my reunion to meet some old friends! |
Central Piedmont Community College • Charlotte, NC
Studying Paralegal Studies (completion in 1984)
• 9/3/2011
"While I learned a great deal at the community college, it did not directly lead to employment opportunities in the paralegal field. It wasn't until after I joined the Army and became a military paralegal that I was able to find paralegal employment in the civilian sector."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | In the 27 years since I graduated, I haven't kept up with the state of the paralegal training at the school. Therefore "maybe" is the best answer that I can give. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Again, since it's been quite a while since I've graduated I haven't kept up with my school's reputation in paralegal studies. Therefore I really can't give an honest answer. |
| Program Quality | 5 | Since I graduated in 1984 my memories of any one class is sort of dim. But overall the classes were interesting, with a wide variety of topics that were covered. |
| Instruction | 4 | The quality of the instructors was inconsistent. While some good and a few were very good, there were others that were bad. One professor, when he came to class, which wasn't often, seemed to be getting over a hangover. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Having earned a Bachelor's Degree before going back to school to earn a paralegal degree, I was sort of expecting an easy time of it, considering that it was a Community College. However, the classes were challenging with a good deal of out of class work that was required. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I graduated in 1984. No computers, no medial centers, just books and lots of them. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There was a good amount of flexibility in class scheduling. Since it was a community college, most people worked either full-time, or like me, part-time. I was able to take classes both during the day and at night to accommodate my work schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | In 1984 we didn't have computer resources, just a library filled with books. But the library did have a legal section that was established for students in the paralegal program. Classroom space was good. I don't ever recall meeting with an academic advisor. Students set up study groups on an informal basis. |
| Social Life | 5 | This was a community college. There was no such thing as organized athletics or social events. The students were very serious minded and weren't interested in organized social activities even if they existed, which they didn't. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I believe that I went on one interview from the job placement service. That wasn't because I didn't want to go on more, but it was because there weren't more opportunities. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I've not had to utilize the school's alumni network. I don't know if they even have one. So, as a result I'm really not qualified to answer this question. |
Duke University • Durham, NC
Studying History, English, Markets & Management (completion in 2009)
• 10/10/2011
"I loved it. It was the only place I wanted to go and I enjoyed every minute of it."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Duke is a great college to have on a resume. People instantly respect you. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Duke has an excellent reputation in everything it does. I am proud of that. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I loved Duke and felt like they provided a top-notch education. I could have pursued any career and felt prepared. |
| Instruction | 9 | The professors cared about the students. They were well qualified in their respective fields. |
| How Difficult | 4 | I did not find it particularly challenging although many people did. I tend to be good at school work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I did both practical and classroom learning. This was helpful. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | I don't really know anything about this. Most people completed classes the traditional way. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The libraries and facilities are well maintained and new. They have a lot of money that they pour into them. |
| Social Life | 10 | Duke is amazing at athletics, particularly basketball. The school spirit is overwhelming and legendary. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I did not really use this service. They helped other people I knew, though. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Alumni are all proud of being Duke grads. They go out of their way to help. |
Davidson County Community College • Lexington, NC
Studying Paralegal Technology (completion in 2008)
• 11/13/2011
"I feel community college provided me with a closer interaction with fellow students and instructors. However, I do feel that I would have liked to experience a university as well."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel that it would be a good fit overall for the majority of folks looking to pursue a Paralegal/Legal Assistant career. However, I may suggest traveling out of the immediate area in order to find relevant work experience. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | As far as I know, they have a standard reputation for being a good school for this program in our area. There are only a handful in the entire state. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The program was very thorough in its design to teach legal research and writing skills. The biggest amount of time is dedicated to implementing a structure which you may use in "real-life" work experiences. |
| Instruction | 8 | Unfortunately, no one can be 100% prepared for what may be asked of you in a work situation. They basically taught me how to learn on my own. Without this skill, work in the paralegal field would be virtually impossible. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Some courses were more challenging than others, such as Tort Law. This can be confusing to even well seasoned professionals. Academic challenges are necessary in this field. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was an equal amount of both learning experiences. This provided for a nice balance. Also, the instructors each had their own techniques to provide accurate lessons. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | They provide the program during 2 semesters each year. They offer the program during day and night (evening) courses. They also provide some hybrid (online) courses and lab credits. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The facilities/faculty are resourceful and necessary to the academic success of all students. I would say there is a fair amount of both on the campus. |
| Social Life | 6 | I was involved in several club/organizations within my school. They were a vital part of my success. |
| Placement Services | 5 | As stated before, I live in a small town. They have the facilities and resources available for job placement services, but the amount of jobs in my area are limited if not scarce. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I live in a small town with limited access to a lot of resources. For the most part, they are helpful in references and referrals, but the amount that you are provided with is small. |
UNC • Chapel Hill, NC
Studying Political Science & Communications (completion in 2008)
• 1/5/2012
"I had a good time and didn't come out with too much debt. The latter part was pretty crucial, especially for having gone to a top-tier school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you're in-state and are accepted you'd be crazy not to go to UNC. At in-state rates, you're not going to find a comparable degree for the price anywhere else. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I don't know off the top of my head where my departments ranks in US News, but the school as a whole has a good reputation so that probably helps a lot. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I AP'd out of almost all of my general education requirements so I only really had to deal with TAs my first year or so; most of my teachers were professors, which is rare. |
| Instruction | 7 | I mostly had professors for my classes instead of TAs. The TAs I did have were really good and all had at least their Master's finished, some were ABD. |
| How Difficult | 4 | Political Science only required 8 credits and I AP'd out of one of them. My second major, Communications was notoriously easy; athletes almost always majored in it. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We were mostly reading and writing papers, but I think that's more the nature of my major than the school as a whole. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | My last two years I never had any classes on Friday or late at night. I don't even think they had any classes offered at night, at least not for undergrads. It might be worse now due to budget cuts, but we had it good. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I can't complain about resources and facilities; three major libraries, at least as many computer labs, wireless everywhere (except dorms, which was maddening), and free printing. |
| Social Life | 10 | I was an athlete and was involved in student government and different clubs. We all partied pretty hard but kept it classy, and the basketball team won the national championship twice while I was around. |
| Placement Services | 4 | If you were majoring in anything other than business, career services pretty much couldn't do anything for you and didn't want to. Honestly my involvement in student organizations and my relationships with my professors helped me out a lot more in that department. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I haven't been too involved in the alumni club, though it's something I would like to do if I had the money. They provide career coaching and member discounts for different things, and a private dining club and stuff. |
Fayetteville Technical Community College • Fayetteville, NC
Studying Paralegal Technology (completion in 2003)
• 3/12/2012
"I would go back to FTCC anytime. I have actually considered getting an Associates in Criminal Justice - Computer Crimes from there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a very well rounded school. It offers many fields of study, from Nursing to Funeral Director. It is also a great place to start your education road for those that aren't sure about going to a four year school. They have a 2by2 plan where you can take your first two years at FTCC and transfer into a 4 year school as a junior. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | FTCC was one of only a few community colleges to offer the Paralegal Tech at the time I was there. We were number #1 in the state and had a graduation rate of 100%. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I was taught by current lawyers in my community. They provided a wealth of knowledge thru their first hand experiences. The classes were relatively small and we became a family instead of just student numbers. |
| Instruction | 10 | We had several projects that were hands on, such as preparation of trial notebooks, prep of bankruptcy filings, and classroom court mock trials. |
| How Difficult | 10 | We were taught many things that were taught to my friends who attended local law schools. I was thrilled to have a head start into my law degree. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Our instructors lectured us while in the class and assigned book reading and questions for homework. It was well balanced between the two. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | All major classes in the curriculum were face to face. The extra classes, such as English, Math, and the electives, were offered face to face, weekends, nights or online. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The library on campus housed a partial law library that did allow us to complete assignments accurately. We also had access to databases such as Lexis Nexis and WestLaw. |
| Social Life | 10 | I was President of the Paralegal Club my senior year and also held the offices of Vice President and Secretary. During my time at FTCC, I was on the SGA in the role of Paralegal Tech Representative, Secretary, and Vice President. |
| Placement Services | 10 | Our last class, usually taken in the summer, was the internship. We were placed in local law firms by our teachers and through interviews with the firms. I was placed where I am currently and I enjoy working here. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | The school was great at first with alumni support, but I haven't received anything from them in over 5 years now. Not happy about that! The teachers have not kept up with former students either. |
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