Paralegals were introduced in the 1960s as a means of improving access to legal services by delegating appropriate legal work to specially trained non-lawyers working under the supervision of attorneys.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are over 10,000 paralegal positions in the Chicago metro area. The average wage for paralegals in Chicago is $65,450 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Paralegals work in law firms, corporations, banks, insurance and real estate agencies, title companies, courts, and government offices.

Disclaimer: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as authorized by law.

Unlike lawyers, paralegals are not licensed or regulated by any government entity. They may apply for jobs in any state. Some states offer voluntary certification or registration programs for paralegals.

Employers in the Chicago area prefer paralegals with a bachelor’s degree and a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved paralegal program.

Loyola offers customized paralegal certificates, providing students with the high-level skills in demand in 21^st century sophisticated legal practices:

• Litigation Practice Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Corporate Practice Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Litigation & Corporate Practice Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies (a customized curriculum approved by the Director)

Paralegal job titles and job responsibilities vary widely. Some examples are provided in the descriptions of the certificate options.

Contact us with any further questions on our ABA approved program and how to become a paralegal at Loyola.