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Average Salary & Job Outlook
Paralegal Median wages (2009) $ 61,000 annually
U.S. Minimum Wage
$10,712 Annually
The median annual salary for a paralegal or legal assistant was $61,000 including bonuses in 2009. Because these positions are in high demand and because of their competitive nature, salaries are expected to increase yearly. Salaries usually depend on the kind of education and experience the paralegal has. The type and size of employer and job location also affect the salary of a paralegal and legal assistant.
Employment for paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow much faster than average over the next ten years. Law firms are hiring more paralegals and legal assistants to free up lawyers time and many companies are creating internal legal departments to lower costs.
If you're interested in law and how our legal system works, read on to find out how you can find a lucrative career after completing your paralegal degree. You'll learn about some exciting, new paralegal courses, in addition to discovering the ways that paralegals can influence important court cases.
What are the benefits of getting your paralegal degree? If you are wondering how a paralegal career is a good career choice for you, read on! You'll learn all about several cutting-edge paralegal schools and programs that will help to increase your job prospects.
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What are paralegals and legal assistants?
If you’re fascinated by the legal system,
or like research, a well paying career as a paralegal
or legal assistant may be a good choice for you.
Paralegals do everything a lawyer does, short of
practicing law; that is setting legal fees, giving
legal advice and presenting cases in court. Because paralegals and legal assistants
have so many responsibilities, it is important for them to get a paralegal education before starting in the work field.
What do paralegals and legal assistants
do?
Paralegals and legal assistants responsibilities
will vary depending on the type of company they work
for. Most 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.
Duties
of a paralegal or legal assistant include:
- 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
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