<p>How does one go about getting work at a law firm before going to law school? Certification as a paralegal? Or what?</p>
<p>Family connections, networking with alumni, applying directly.</p>
<p>Graduates of good colleges like Smith generally get these jobs without any paralegal training. At my firm, they started as “project assistants” and could climb into paralegal positions after a year or two if they chose to stay. Many left for law school after 1-3 years.</p>