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Career:
Paralegal Job Description
While a law degree takes seven years to complete and requires passing a
State Bar exam, those who want to work in the legal field may consider a
career as a paralegal. Paralegals do everything a lawyer does, short
of practicing law; that is setting legal fees, giving legal advice and presenting
cases in court.
The duties of a paralegal will vary depending on the type of company they
work for. Most paralegals work for law firms, corporate legal departments
and government organizations. From the company level, areas of focus
and specialties are broken down into a myriad of topics.
In general, a paralegal can expect be involved with:
- Assisting lawyers prepare for hearings, trials or corporate meetings
- Fact checking and investigation
- Researching case law
- Writing case summaries
- Preparation and organization of case research, notes and legal documents
- Drafting legal documents like mortgages, contracts and instruments of trust
Additional duties may apply depending on the specialty of the law firm. The
size of the law firm can also determine a paralegal’s job description;
with smaller and medium sized firms requiring more general knowledge and
flexibility and larger firms allowing specialties to develop.
Use of computers is an essential part of a paralegal’s job. Microsoft
Word templates are often used to draft legal documents and computer based
research of legal databases is standard.
Salary Ranges / Job Outlook for Paralegals
The demand for
paralegals is expected to strongly increase over the next decade, with the
higher paying positions remaining competitive to acquire. Law
firms are hiring more paralegals to free up lawyers time and many companies
are creating internal legal departments to lower costs.
Wages for paralegals is very good. The median annual pay rate is
$37,950 and the high and low range of the scale is $24,470 at the low end
and $61,150 at the high end.
Advancement in this career usually takes the form of increased compensation. Management
of the research staff, or clerical and paralegal department is another opportunity
for advancement. Many paralegals also seek a law degree, using their
experience and contacts to give them an advantage. Paralegals who
specialize in real estate may transfer into the title business as an examiner
or escrow officer.
Education / Getting Started
Educational requirements to gain
employment as a paralegal vary. The
most common is an associate’s degree from a career college or community
college. A four year bachelor’s degree is also available in
paralegal studies. Paralegal certifications are also available which
only take a few months to complete. Some legal secretaries, or experienced
professionals in specialty fields like accounting or nursing also obtain
work is paralegals.
The paralegal profession is not regulated by the government, but voluntary
certification can enhance your marketability to employers. A Certified
Legal Assistant and Registered Paralegal are designations to be earned by
passing a test.
Paralegal Summary
The paralegal profession offers a steady, well paying career
for people who want to work in the legal field without becoming attorneys. Paralegal
training will also give a “leg up” to those who do want to become
a lawyer as well.
