If you want a legal career without having to go spend several years in school, you should look into becoming a legal assistant, a paralegal, or a court reporter.

Legal Assistant/Paralegal

A legal assistant, or paralegal, can have a broad range of responsibilities. Lawyers mainly use them to help prepare cases for trial. They take depositions, research laws and legal precedents, and prepare written reports organizing all information relevant to a case. In a nutshell, paralegals can be responsible for anything done at a law firm that doesn't consist of practicing law, meaning, for example, they can't set legal fees, give legal advice, or present cases in court.

Most paralegals and legal assistants earn associate degrees in paralegal studies at community colleges or vocational schools.

Court Reporter

A court reporter is in charge of creating an official transcript of what is said in a courtroom proceeding. The training necessary to become a court reporter varies due to the different methods used to record testimony and other statements.

Voice writing and electronic reporting are two methods of court reporting that don't require a lot of training. Voice writers will repeat what is said in a courtroom into a mask equipped with a microphone that allows the spoken words to be transcribed automatically. Electronic reporters are responsible for making audio or video recordings of court proceedings, and then maintaining the quality of those recordings.

The most common recording method used by court reporters is stenography. Stenography involves the use of a machine that allows reporters to type several keys at once that represent symbols for certain sounds. This process allows a reporter to transcribe what is said in real time. Learning how to become a stenotypist takes on average 33 months.

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Academy of Court Reporting