Paralegals are a vital member of many Wisconsin law firms and play an important role in the legal profession. Angela Gonzalez, a
State Bar of Wisconsin Certified Paralegal™ (SBWCP), shares her insights on the value of paralegals and how certification enhances the quality of service provided to attorneys and clients.
Gonzalez highlights the key skills that distinguish a great paralegal – anticipating attorney and client needs, managing substantive legal tasks, and maintaining strong organizational and analytical skills. She also discusses the voluntary nature of Wisconsin’s paralegal certification, emphasizing how it elevates professionalism and fosters a stronger legal team.
Gonzalez shares practical advice for paralegals seeking certification, including strategies for advocating for employer support, the importance of CLE opportunities, and the role of firm leadership in fostering a culture of professional development.
Gonzalez’s message is clear: certification is a pathway for paralegals to strengthen their skills, enhance their confidence, and solidify their role as essential members of the legal team.
More About the Certified Paralegal Program: SBWCP
The
State Bar of Wisconsin Certified Paralegal (SBWCP) program provides a benchmark to ensure paralegal competency and enhance the quality of the legal services they provide.
Endorsed by the Paralegal Association of Wisconsin, the SBWCP™ credential publicly recognizes Wisconsin’s most highly qualified paralegals, able to perform substantive legal work under the direction of a licensed lawyer.
The program is voluntary. To be certified, all paralegal program applicants must:
meet the program’s education requirements through degrees and/or CLE credits;
have a minimum of 2000-4000 hours of substantive work experience as a paralegal (hours vary based on qualifying educational requirements);
confirm and attest to not engage in the unlicensed practice of law; and
consent to a criminal history background check.
To maintain their certification, SBWCPs must meet the program’s employment practice and education requirements, including 15 hours of continuing legal education every two years, with at least 3 ethics and professional responsibility credits.
The new
SBWCP General Certification Test is an additional opportunity for certified paralegals to further distinguish themselves within SBWCP program. The exam assesses paralegals’ substantive knowledge and practical skills across key areas of Wisconsin law, including real estate, family law, estate planning and probate, and more.
For more information about the State Bar of Wisconsin Certified Paralegal program, call the State Bar at (800) 728-7788 or visit
wisbar.org/paralegal.
