Minnesota Paralegal Schools

In 2018, there were 4,890 paralegals in Minnesota, with the majority of paralegals working in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul metro area.¹ Minnesota paralegal schools offer aspiring legal assistants targeted coursework to earn a paralegal degree and join a growing field that is predicted to gain job opportunities faster than average until 2026. The opportunities for career growth in the legal field and high salary compared to the education requirements involved makes becoming a paralegal in Minnesota a worthwhile effort.

How to Become a Paralegal in Minnesota

Minnesota does not have any state-level regulations for paralegals to become employed. Some law firms hire paralegals in Minnesota and train them on the job. However, Minnesota paralegal schools offer coursework that can increase employment prospects. All paralegals in the state, however, like in other states, must work under the supervision of a licensed attorney, and is prohibited from practicing law on their own.

Minnesota Paralegal Salary and Job Outlook

Coming in with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 3.2%, Minnesota can be a great place to launch a paralegal career.² Paralegals in the state earn an average salary of $56,880 per year.¹ The outlook for Minnesota paralegals also looks promising. The profession is expected to grow by 13.2% by 2026, which, though a little slower than in other states, is still relatively fast.³ With these statistics in mind, prospective paralegals choosing Minnesota as a place to start with a paralegal degree should have good prospects.

Minnesota Paralegal Career Interviews

• Lori Boris, President, Minnesota Paralegal Association

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in Minnesota

Hamline University: The Department of Legal Studies at Hamline University houses the paralegal certificate program, certified by the American Bar Association. The certificate is 32 credit hours with 16 of those credits dedicated to paralegal courses, all of which typically takes a year to complete. Those who pursue an internship must commit to 150 work hours within a law firm or other type of legal office. Students must also fulfill a portion of their elective requirements by completing both legal specialty courses and law-related courses.

Minnesota State University – Moorehead: The Paralegal Department at Minnesota State University Moorehead offers an American Bar Association approved Bachelor of Science in Paralegal. Areas of emphasis include commercial law, elder law and probate, and litigation. Students must complete 12 major core courses, including Principles of Accounting, Introduction to Paralegal, and Civil Procedure I. Paralegal majors can also earn one to twelve credit hours through an internship after completing two courses from their emphasis.

Top Law Firms for Paralegal Graduates in Minnesota

Faegre Baker Daniels is a global firm, one of the largest law firms in the US, and the largest law firm in Minnesota, with offices in Minneapolis. Faegre Baker Daniels is consistently ranked among the top law firms in the US and the UK in various practice areas, including M&A, food regulation, product liability, and many others. Its work culture is one of high performance, teamwork, and overall excellence, while its paralegal benefits are among the best available. Moss & Barnett is one of the top law firms in the Upper Midwest and gives its clients personalized attention paired with its full-service experience. Paralegals are deeply involved in the delivery of Moss & Barnett's legal services and work closely and directly with the firm's clients. Vogel Law Firm has Minnesota offices in Moorhead and Minneapolis, and practices primarily in commercial transactions, criminal law defense, and family law. Vogel Law Firm is regularly hiring as it expands in Minnesota and neighboring North Dakota.

Additional Resources

• Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA) – Supporting paralegals in the state of Minnesota by offering ongoing education, promoting diversity, and encouraging community service.

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm#ind
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Unemployment Rate for States: https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm
3. Projections Central: http://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm