Paralegals and Legal Assistants

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Duties

Generally, paralegals and legal assistants:

• Conduct an investigation to learn more about a situation.
• Read relevant statutes, rules, and legal publications.
• Maintain files on paper or computers.
• Organizing evidence and other legal documents is part of case preparation.
• Write or summarize reports to assist attorneys.
• You can draft legal documents like contracts and mortgages.
• Assemble official declarations like affidavits.
• During a trial, you could help your lawyer by handling exhibits, taking notes, or reviewing trial transcripts.
• Legal papers to be displayed before the court or opposing counsel
• Plan interviews, meetings, and depositions with clients, witnesses, and attorneys.
• Assistants help prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate board meetings.

Paralegals rely on computer software and technological advances to keep track of the ever-increasing volume of paperwork and data generated during a case. Many paralegals use software to organize and search for documents by keywords or subject matter. Paralegals who perform these tasks should be familiar with electronic database administration and the latest electronic discovery technologies. In a lawsuit or investigation, "electronic discovery" refers to all electronic materials acquired by the parties. This category may include emails, data, papers, and accounting databases.

The tasks of paralegals can vary greatly depending on their specialization. Paralegals and legal assistants include:

Paralegals at corporations are frequently asked to help with employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock-option plans, and annual financial reports. Corporate paralegals can help keep up with new legal needs by monitoring and reviewing government rules.

A litigation paralegal assists in research, gathers and organizes evidence, and drafts settlement agreements. Many courtroom paralegals also help organize exhibits and documents and set up computers and other technology.

Paralegals may specialize in personal injury, criminal law, employee benefits, intellectual property, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, or real estate.

The size of the law firm may also influence the tasks assigned to each employee.

A small law firm paralegal's duties are likely to be more varied. Paralegals help lawyers with case strategy by evaluating and organizing documents, as well as writing reports. If a lawyer decides to sue a client, a paralegal may help prepare the court paperwork.

It's rare for paralegals in big firms to work on just one aspect of a case rather than the whole thing. Paralegals cannot represent clients; they may only analyze legal documents for internal use, keep reference files, research for attorneys, or gather and arrange evidence for hearings. Eventually, a paralegal's duties may become more complex.

Paralegals are paid by the client, whereas other legal support workers are paid by the firm.

Clients and third-party suppliers may regularly interact with paralegals. Expert paralegals may also manage team projects and assign tasks to other paralegals.

Education

There are several ways to become a paralegal, each with pros and cons. Associate's degrees in paralegal studies are a common route for applicants.

Many jobs require or prefer a bachelor's degree. Because few colleges offer paralegal studies bachelor's degrees, most applicants already have a bachelor's degree in another field and have completed an American Bar Association-approved paralegal education program. Popular study areas include sociology, business, and security and protection.

Courses in corporate law and international law are common in paralegal and law and legal studies bachelor's degree programs. Most paralegal certificate programs require a bachelor's degree in a related field.

Employers may hire and train graduates who have no prior legal experience or training.

Licenses and certifications

A paralegal certification program is not required, but some employers prefer candidates who have completed it.

Several national and local paralegal organizations award paralegal certificates to students who pass exams. Other organizations offer optional certifications to paralegals who meet specific experience and academic requirements.

Important traits

Effective communication skills Paralegals must be able to record and present research to their attorney supervisors in order to be effective.

knowledge of computers Paralegals must be able to use computers for legal research and litigation support. Software is also used to organize and manage important documents.

Interaction with others. A successful paralegal can establish strong relationships with clients and other professionals. They must be able to put their clients at ease when they reveal personal information.

Self-management ability. Paralegals frequently manage multiple cases at once. They must be adaptable to constantly changing deadlines.

Investigative skills. Paralegals help lawyers prepare cases by gathering information about the case and researching relevant laws and regulations.

Pay

The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $61,010 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,990.

Job Projections

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 1 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.