Law Association Career Toolkit
NOTICE: This page is intended for Edmonds College students and staff only. As a student-run club, we do not provide legal advice. Community members are requested to contact the Associate Director of the Student Organizations Team for all inquiries.
Certifications
Professional certifications can give you an edge in a competitve market and they also show potential employers that you are a qualified candidate.
National Organizations
Legal Research
- Westlaw (some basic certifications are offered as extra credit in LEGAL 200: Intro to Law and LEGAL 210: Legal Research & Writing)
- Lexis Nexis
eDiscovery Software
Career Websites
careers.wa.gov (Local and State Government)
iHireLegal
Indeed
LinkedIn
MyPerfectResume (Free/Low cost Resume builder)
USAJobs (Federal Government)
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering can be a great way to gain experience while also helping your community.
Consider looking into non-profit organizations that work in the area of law you are
passionate about to gain hands-on experience that you can add to your resume.
King County Bar Association
“The King County Bar Association's mission is to connect and serve our diverse legal community, promote professional and judicial excellence, engage in public policy, and increase access to justice. The King County Bar Association's Pro Bono Services program promotes social justice by establishing and managing volunteer-based, client-focused legal services programs and providing services on an equal and non-discriminatory basis for low income King County residents who would not otherwise receive legal assistance."
Volunteer Opportunities | King County Bar Association
Washington State Bar Association
"The Washington State Bar Association operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license and regulate the state’s more than 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. The WSBA both regulates legal professionals under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional organization — all without public funding.”
Volunteer Opportunities | WSBA
Sound Legal Aid
Sound Legal Aid is a nonprofit organization including a staff of non-attorneys and attorneys. Leveraging volunteer attorneys, contributors, and partner organizations, to deliver curated legal services to community members in need in underserved communities. Focusing exclusively on civil matters, offering legal education, advice, and limited representation.
Volunteer Opportunities | Sound Legal Aid
Northwest Justice Project
“Northwest Justice Project (NJP) is Washington’s largest publicly funded legal aid program. Each year NJP provides critical civil legal assistance and representation to thousands of low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education and other basic needs."
Volunteer Opportunities | Northwest Justice Project (*Not currently accepting volunteers, but they may have openings in the future)
El Centro de la Raza
"As an organization grounded in the Latino community of Washington State, it is the mission of El Centro de la Raza (The Center for People of All Races) to build the Beloved Community through unifying all racial and economic sectors; to organize, empower, and defend the basic human rights of our most vulnerable and marginalized populations; and to bring critical consciousness, justice, dignity, and equity to all the peoples of the world."
Volunteer Opportunities | El Centro de la Raza
QLaw Foundation
“At QLaw Foundation of Washington, community is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re a legal professional, law student, or community member, there are many ways to make a difference. By volunteering, joining our referral network, or making a donation, you help expand access to justice and support Washington’s LGBTQIA+ community.”
Volunteer Opportunities | QLaw Foundation
Become a Member
Becoming a member of the following organizations offers access to invaluable resources
for both new and experienced legal professionals.
American Bar Association (ABA)
The ABA is the nation's largest voluntary Legal Association. You can join the ABA for free as Paralegal students. They offer various events, newsletters, and lots of detailed information in all aspects of law.
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
"NALA has been trusted to provide exceptional continuing education and professional development designed specifically to advance paralegals and other legal professionals in their careers. NALA connects members with their peers across the nation and opens doors of knowledge and opportunity."
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
"Founded in 1974, NFPA was the first national paralegal association. Created as a non-profit federation, NFPA is an issues-driven, policy-oriented professional association directed by its membership. It is comprised of almost 25 member associations and represents over 2,000 individual members reflecting a broad range of experience, education, and diversity."
Washington State Paralegal Association (WSPA)
"WSPA is a not-for-profit professional organization formed in 1975 to support and promote the paralegal profession, and to provide a forum for addressing the paralegal needs, interests and responsibilities in the State of Washington." Membership is discounted for students!
Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (LBAW)
"LBAW's mission is to promote, support, and serve Washington's Latina/o professionals, both current and future, as well as the broader Latino community."