Paralegal Schools And Jobs

About Paralegals And Legal Assistants

"Paralegal" and "Legal Assistant" are two somewhat interchangeable terms which describe individuals who are employed by attorneys or law firms to assist in the delivery of legal services. Unlike lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants are not allowed to accept legal cases, give legal advice, or represent clients in court. However, many of their regular duties are things also done by lawyers, including conducting client interviews, doing legal research, locating and interviewing witnesses, and drafting legal documents. In general, paralegals are responsible for helping lawyers prepare for trials, hearings, closings, and corporate meetings. They often prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. For cases which go to trial, paralegals help prepare the legal arguments, obtain the affidavits, draft the motions, and assist the attorney during the conduct of the trial.

Paralegals can work in many different areas of the law. Some of these areas include corporate law, criminal law, labor law, personal injury, family law, employee benefits, bankruptcy, and real estate. Many paralegals specialize in one area and some of them, particularly those who work in large law firms, concentrate exclusively on a specific aspect within a specialty. On the other hand, those who work in small and medium-size firms tend to specialize less and have a more general variety of duties.

Paralegals and Legal Assistant Responsibilities

Actual responsibilities of paralegals differ widely depending on the type of organization for which they work. A list of typical duties performed by those who work for law firms might include the following:

• drafting legal documents;
• conducting legal research;
• interviewing witnesses;
• preparing reports;
• interfacing with clients;
• investigating facts of cases;
• identifying appropriate laws and judicial decisions that relate to a case;
• helping draft legal arguments;
• obtaining affidavits;
• drafting pleas and motions to be filed with the court;
• assisting in preparation of tax returns;
• organizing and tracking case documents;
• helping draft contracts, mortgages, and separation agreements;
• assisting in establishment of trust funds and planning estates;
• coordinating activities of other law office employees;
• maintaining financial office records.

Paralegals who work for corporations often assist attorneys with employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock-option plans, and employee benefit plans. They also prepare forms to secure loans for the corporation and assist in the preparation of annual financial reports. In addition, corporate paralegals will keep abreast of changing government regulations to ensure that the corporation continues to operate within the law.

Paralegals who work in the public sector will generally review and analyze legal material pertaining to the agency, maintain files, conduct research for attorneys, and collect evidence for agency hearings. They are often called upon to prepare informative material on laws, regulations, and agency policy for use by the agency and/or the public.

Most paralegals spend the lion's share of their workday in an office or law library, often using computers to do research. On occasion, they are called upon to travel in order to gather information or to perform other duties. Typical work weeks vary widely depending on where a paralegal works. Those employed by corporations and government agencies typically work a standard 40-hour week but those who work for law firms may find themselves working long and inconvenient hours during peak times when there are deadlines that must be met.

Working conditions also differ depending on how large a firm a paralegal work for. There are certain advantages and disadvantages associated with working for both small and large firms. Small firms offer opportunities to gain experience in many different aspects of the law and work is typically done in a personal and informal environment. Large firms, on the other hand, are usually more formal, with responsibilities more limited and more narrowly defined. However, salaries tend to be higher than in smaller firms and there are generally greater opportunities for career advancement and better benefits in the larger firms.

Due to the nature of the profession, it is important that paralegals adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct at all times. Because they frequently deal with the public, paralegals should also be courteous and polite. A good knowledge of legal terminology is obviously very important, as is an aptitude for research and investigation. In addition, a working knowledge of computers helps a great deal in this profession, due to the growing use of computers to support litigation and legal research.

Employment Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL BLS) projects a much faster than average employment growth in this field as compared to other occupations over the next decade. Cost-cutting by employers of legal services will result in the hiring of more paralegals to perform tasks formerly done by lawyers. The wider variety of responsibilities being assumed by paralegals is making them an increasingly attractive option for businesses. Adding to future demand for paralegals will be an expanding population which increasingly requires legal services, especially in certain specialty areas such as intellectual property, health care, and environmental law.

Although private law firms will continue to be the largest employers of paralegals, job growth will manifest itself among other types of employers and other specialties of the field. Corporations are expected to increase their in-house legal departments and community legal service programs are expected to employ additional paralegals to minimize expenses. There will, however, be significant competition for jobs largely due to the fact that this occupation attracts many applicants. The ups and downs of the economy will affect employment to a limited extent; however, the effect may not be as pronounced as with other professions. A bad economy will slow demand for some types of discretionary legal services (e.g., estate planning, real estate transactions, and drafting wills). On the other hand, in an adverse economic climate individuals and corporations are more likely to face problems requiring legal assistance (e.g., foreclosures, bankruptcies, and divorces). In some respects, paralegals tend to fare relatively better in difficult economic conditions.

Paralegal Training, Certification, and Licensing

Although some paralegals are trained on the job, most of them pursue some type of formal educational program leading to a certificate and/or an associate or bachelor's degree. There are several such programs available today offered in a wide variety of formats and lengths by various public and private institutions including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, business colleges, and proprietary institutions. Most entrants in the field have either an associate degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in a general field of study combined with a certificate in paralegal studies. Some hold master's degrees. Degree programs typically combine paralegal training with courses in other academic subjects. Certificate programs, which usually provide intensive paralegal training for individuals who already hold college degrees, vary significantly in length but often only take a few months to complete. Hundreds of paralegal training programs are currently approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance employment opportunities.

Most paralegal training programs include courses in legal research and the applications of computers to legal work. Some programs include job placement services. Many of them also offer an internship where students gain several months of practical working experience in a private law firm, a government agency, a corporate legal department, or some other institution. Experience as an intern can be an invaluable asset in the job market after graduation.

Most states do not regulate the paralegal profession, although some states require paralegals to complete a certain amount of accredited coursework. Certification from a professional society, although not required by most employers, may give an aspiring legal assistant a significant advantage in the labor market. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) allows paralegals with various combinations of education and experience to take a two-day exam which, when passed, earns the paralegal a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. Other distinguished certifications include the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential offered by the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. and the Registered Paralegal (RP) designation offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

Resources for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

• Standing Committee on Paralegals, American Bar Association
• American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.
• American Association for Paralegal Education
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
• National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
• NALS

Major Employers of Paralegals and Legal Assistants

About 70% of all paralegals and legal assistants are employed by private law firms. A much smaller percentage is self-employed and freelance their services to attorneys or corporate legal departments. Those who fall into neither of these categories work for corporate legal departments and government agencies. The largest employer within the Federal Government is the Department of Justice, and the next-largest are the Social Security Administration and the Department of the Treasury.

Schools for Paralegals And Legal Assistants are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Paralegals And Legal Assistants by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Paralegals And Legal Assistants, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.