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Paralegals, also called legal assistants, work at the front lines of law firms, assisting lawyers and interacting with clients. They help organize cases, complete research, compile information, and prepare for meetings, trials, closings, and hearings.
Valued in the law offices where they serve, paralegals use their specialized technical knowledge to keep proceedings running smoothly. In this guide, you can learn more about what paralegals do, how to become a paralegal, and what you need in order to excel in the field.
What Does a Paralegal Do?
Paralegals are an essential part of any functioning law firm or corporate legal department. Working with paralegals gives lawyers a chance to have another trained set of eyes on important cases and documents. A day in the life of a paralegal might involve the following tasks:
In general, paralegals are divided into two distinct types:
Corporate paralegals assist attorneys with business details like employee benefit plans, compensation agreements, contracts and more.
Litigation paralegals work with attorneys on court cases, completing research, organizing paperwork, and preparing materials for agency and public use.
Paralegals are typically found in office settings. About 71 percent of paralegals work for law firms, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most others work for corporate legal departments and government organizations. Paralegals might specialize in one field of law, including:
In larger law firms, paralegals are more likely to specialize in one type of law, or a subset of a type. Though job opportunities for paralegals are projected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations between 2008 and 2018, the BLS notes that competition for such jobs is expected to be strong.
What Are the Steps to Becoming a Paralegal?
Formal training is recommended for those who want the best job opportunities in this competitive field. Many paralegals train for the career with an associate's degree in paralegal studies, while those who already have a bachelor's degree in another field earn a certificate in paralegal studies to fulfill their training requirements.
Career training for paralegals is designed to teach you how to become a paralegal by giving you the technical skills you need to back up your interest in the legal profession. Typical coursework in a paralegal studies program includes the following topics:
Students who wish to specialize in a certain kind of law might additionally take elective courses such as elder law, corporations, immigration law, intellectual property, and more. Once you have graduated with a degree or certificate in paralegal studies, you should have the knowledge you need to enter the field with confidence.
Though certification is generally not required by employers, earning additional paralegal certification can help your chances in the most competitive job markets. The following professional organizations oversee certifications for paralegals:
The above certifications each come with different requirements from their governing bodies. Learn more about different certifications and talk to potential employers about the value of meeting additional requirements.
How to Become a Great Paralegal
Paralegals are organized, technically adept, and savvy with client communication. Because they use their skills to organize and assist, they're a valued addition to the legal profession. Great paralegals have the following qualities:
You can learn how to become a paralegal with training, but to become a great paralegal, you need to combine your natural skills and interests with career training designed to teach you the technical aspects of the profession. Applying yourself to a career training program in paralegal studies gives you the required tools.
Great paralegals often enjoy advancement, supervising and delegating assignments to other paralegals in larger firms. While the BLS reports that paralegals earned mean annual wages of $50,080 in 2009, salaries are likely to be higher for those with years of experience and a track record of good work. Paralegals working for the federal executive branch of government saw annual mean wages of $62,570 in 2009.
While no formal education program can guarantee a particular career or salary, training is often preferred by hiring managers in the field, particularly in competitive areas. Further increase your chances of becoming a paralegal by seeking out paralegal studies programs that include internships or career placement departments.
Resources for Paralegals
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