Minnesota Paralegal Schools

In 2014, Minnesota employed 5,170 paralegals, 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 gaining job opportunities faster than nearly any other sector until 2022. 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 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 the fifth-lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.7%, Minnesota paralegals earn a salary of $52,640 per year on average.^2,1 The outlook for Minnesota paralegals also looks promising. The profession is expected to grow by 10.4% by 2022, which, though a little slower than in other states, is still relatively fast.³ The Bureau of Economic Analysis, which tracks gross domestic product by state, predicts that in the area of professional and business services, which includes legal services, the state of Minnesota saw a growth of 4% between 2012 and 2013.⁴ This is a bit higher than the national average over the same time period of 3.5%.⁴ With these statistics in mind, prospective paralegals choosing Minnesota as a place to start with a paralegal degree should be satisfied.

Minnesota Paralegal Career Interviews

• Lori Boris, President, Minnesota Paralegal Association

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in Minnesota

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
4. Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov/