How to Become a Paralegal After 50

1. Decide what type of  paralegal you want to be

Paralegal roles are as varied as specializations in the law. Attorneys in different legal disciplines — from criminal or real estate law to entertainment or corporate and contract law — work with paralegals. While the tasks may be similar from role to role across disciplines, Nodarse says the work culture and tasks themselves, as well as the job requirements, vary.

“A day in [my life] as a real estate, environmental and municipal law paralegal is so very different than the day in the life of personal injury paralegal, for example,” she says.  Nodarse says her work often requires sifting through various documents to conduct research. However, a personal injury paralegal may be more focused on conducting interviews with clients or witnesses and perhaps doing site visits to the location where someone was injured. Depending on the discipline, paralegals may conduct background research on individuals, review documents, look up statutes or conduct interviews. “It takes a very inquisitive mind to be a successful paralegal,” she says.

2. Get training, in or out of a classroom

In most cases, there are no formal education or licensing requirements to become a paralegal, Nodarse says. However, in California, paralegals are required to have at least one of a list of certain education and/or education and experience requirements. These may include a certificate from a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association, a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of high school diploma and three years of experience working under the supervision of a qualified California attorney as well as a letter from that attorney attesting to the individual’s qualifications. Some colleges may offer paralegal training or legal studies coursework.

Deana Waters is an associate professor and paralegal studies program coordinator at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She says that employers may have their own requirements or preferences for education or certification. She worked as a paralegal for 15 years and held a communication degree, and also graduated from a two-year paralegal degree program. “[Certification] says you are capable of a lot more than what they see on a piece of paper,” she says.

To pass the certification requirements, you must possess a range of knowledge about various areas of law, as well as the American legal system. “If you've got that certification, it shows that you're capable of learning any number of types of law,” she adds. “One of the great things about paralegal training is that it trains you to look for the details, make connections, identify patterns and manage projects.”

3. Build your network

While Elliott was attending classes to become a paralegal, her instructors recommended that she and other students join the local paralegal association. She was one of only three students in her group to do so. She volunteered with the board and her associations there helped her land her first job — during the Great Recession. “There were almost no jobs,” she recalls. But she landed interviews at both a big law firm and a small manufacturer. She accepted a job at the latter and is now a director. “I’m pretty happy with how it worked out from an entry-level position,” she says. Nodarse also recommends getting involved with local paralegal associations and volunteering as a way to build your network and learn about job openings.

4. Choose the right workplace for you

When it comes to work environments, paralegals can choose from a number of places. Of course, they’re employed by law firms. However, Nodarse says organizations that have in-house attorneys often have paralegals on staff too. Manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, insurance companies, hospitals, government agencies and other employers may all hire paralegals, so the types of work paralegals can choose are widely varied. As a paralegal for a real estate law firm, Nodarse specializes in water resources.

When considering the type of environment in which you might want to work, consider the culture of the organization, Elliott suggests. Working in litigation may offer some high-stakes courtroom drama and a faster pace, but less flexibility. But, a 2024 NALA survey revealed that 71 percent of respondents had some amount of control over their work, such as flexible hours or remote work. That is a plus for those seeking a second career.

“I’m staring at retirement in the not-so-distant future. And the thing about being able to work from home as a paralegal is that I am thinking of delaying that retirement,” Nodarse adds.

5. Bring your transferable skills

If you have experience or skills in a particular area, including finance, real estate, health care or human resources, your learning curve may be flattened significantly if you choose paralegal work in the same area, Waters says. “So, if you worked for a water company for two decades or if you worked for a department of transportation for a couple of decades, you could bring that knowledge and look in your field for something different,” she adds.

A career as a paralegal may give you a way to use the experience you’ve built and let it help you enter a new career — one that welcomes new hires who are experienced in the industry, if not necessarily in legal matters.