| Paralegal |
The world of law is an extremely precise one where a minute detail can flip
an entire case up-side-down. Therefore, those in this profession must not
only have a keen mind, but also the ability to effectively communicate such
details orally and in print. So if you possess these characteristics, love
unraveling mysteries, and don't want to spend years in school, this may be
the ideal career for you.
Nature of the work
In law, lawyers are ultimately responsible for all legal work, but because of large workloads and extensive research,
they often assign many tasks to paralegals. As such, paralegals continue to gain new responsibilities and
sometimes even perform the same tasks as lawyers. However, they are restricted from performing activities
considered to be within the scope of practice of law (e.g. giving legal advice and arguing cases in court).
With the variety of jobs that may fall on a paralegal, one of the most important is helping lawyers prepare for
closings, hearings, and trials. Facts in a case must be sorted out, legal precedents or opinions need to be
consulted, and all of this must be carefully analyzed. After all materials have been synthesized, paralegals may
prepare written reports that lawyers can use to determine how to argue a case. They may also help prepare legal
arguments, draft pleadings/motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials.
Also, they may be responsible for organizing and tracking files of important cases.
Paralegals also perform many other tasks. They may help draft mortgage contracts and separation agreements;
help prepare tax returns; and maintain financial office records. Having said all this, new or inexperienced paralegals
may not see any of this; they may only be given simple tasks at first like getting the morning coffee (not really).
In general, paralegals are divided into 2 groups: corporate and litigation paralegals. Corporate paralegals help
lawyers with business details like employer benefit plans, compensation agreements, contracts, etc. Litigation
paralegals, as the name suggests, help lawyers on court cases, complete research, organize paperwork, and
prepare materials for agency and/or public use.
Work environment
Paralegals mainly work in offices and law libraries, but can be found anywhere depending on what information is
needed. Those employed by corporations and government entities typically work 40 hours a week. Those in law
firms may find themselves working very long hours when court cases and deadlines are near, even through the
night.
Education and training
There are a few different ways to become a paralegal. Community colleges offer programs that lead to associate
degrees (24 months); certificates are available to those already possessing a college degree (12 months); online
courses are available; and some employers offer on-the-job training. The American Bar Association (ABA) has
approved some 260 paralegal programs throughout the country so finding a school should pose no problem.
Common subjects covered in a paralegal curriculum include: Torts and contracts, ethics, civil litigation, criminal law,
legal research, the legal applications of computers, legal writing, and legal terminology. In addition, many programs
also offer internships in law firms, corporate legal departments, and governement agencies.
Certification and other qualifications
Though not required, attaining a certification from a national or local paralegal organization may offer one an edge
in this highly competitive market.
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has a program that leads to the use of the Certified Legal
Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. This certification lasts 5 years and requires 50 hours of
continuing education for recertification. As of Sept. 4, 2009, there were 15,652 Certified Paralegals in the country.
Registered Paralegal status is offered to paralegals with a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience
who pass an exam. This designation is given by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and
requires 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew.
Also, Californian paralegals are required to complete four hours of continuing education in either general law or a
specialized area of law.
Employment and job outlook
Paralegals and legal assistants held 263,800 jobs in 2008, most being employed by private law firms (~70 percent).
The remainder was employed by corporate legal departments, banks, insurance companies,
accounting/engineering firms, title companies, construction companies, and the government agencies (US
Department of Justice, various federal/state courts, ect). This career is projected to grow by 28 percent between
2008 and 2018, which is much faster than average; however, competition will remain high as people continue to
enter this profession. Those with formal education and advanced certificates will have the best job prospects. And
in keeping with past results, private law firms will continue to be the largest employers.
Earnings
Wages in this field depend greatly on one's education, training, experience, employer, and location. Those who
work for large firms in large cities generally make more than those working in small firms in small cities. In May
2009, full time paralegals earned an average of $50,080. The top 10 percent earned more than $75,700, and the
bottom 10 percent earned $29,800. The following table lists industries with the highest levels of employment.
an entire case up-side-down. Therefore, those in this profession must not
only have a keen mind, but also the ability to effectively communicate such
details orally and in print. So if you possess these characteristics, love
unraveling mysteries, and don't want to spend years in school, this may be
the ideal career for you.
Nature of the work
In law, lawyers are ultimately responsible for all legal work, but because of large workloads and extensive research,
they often assign many tasks to paralegals. As such, paralegals continue to gain new responsibilities and
sometimes even perform the same tasks as lawyers. However, they are restricted from performing activities
considered to be within the scope of practice of law (e.g. giving legal advice and arguing cases in court).
With the variety of jobs that may fall on a paralegal, one of the most important is helping lawyers prepare for
closings, hearings, and trials. Facts in a case must be sorted out, legal precedents or opinions need to be
consulted, and all of this must be carefully analyzed. After all materials have been synthesized, paralegals may
prepare written reports that lawyers can use to determine how to argue a case. They may also help prepare legal
arguments, draft pleadings/motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials.
Also, they may be responsible for organizing and tracking files of important cases.
Paralegals also perform many other tasks. They may help draft mortgage contracts and separation agreements;
help prepare tax returns; and maintain financial office records. Having said all this, new or inexperienced paralegals
may not see any of this; they may only be given simple tasks at first like getting the morning coffee (not really).
In general, paralegals are divided into 2 groups: corporate and litigation paralegals. Corporate paralegals help
lawyers with business details like employer benefit plans, compensation agreements, contracts, etc. Litigation
paralegals, as the name suggests, help lawyers on court cases, complete research, organize paperwork, and
prepare materials for agency and/or public use.
Work environment
Paralegals mainly work in offices and law libraries, but can be found anywhere depending on what information is
needed. Those employed by corporations and government entities typically work 40 hours a week. Those in law
firms may find themselves working very long hours when court cases and deadlines are near, even through the
night.
Education and training
There are a few different ways to become a paralegal. Community colleges offer programs that lead to associate
degrees (24 months); certificates are available to those already possessing a college degree (12 months); online
courses are available; and some employers offer on-the-job training. The American Bar Association (ABA) has
approved some 260 paralegal programs throughout the country so finding a school should pose no problem.
Common subjects covered in a paralegal curriculum include: Torts and contracts, ethics, civil litigation, criminal law,
legal research, the legal applications of computers, legal writing, and legal terminology. In addition, many programs
also offer internships in law firms, corporate legal departments, and governement agencies.
Certification and other qualifications
Though not required, attaining a certification from a national or local paralegal organization may offer one an edge
in this highly competitive market.
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has a program that leads to the use of the Certified Legal
Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. This certification lasts 5 years and requires 50 hours of
continuing education for recertification. As of Sept. 4, 2009, there were 15,652 Certified Paralegals in the country.
Registered Paralegal status is offered to paralegals with a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience
who pass an exam. This designation is given by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and
requires 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew.
Also, Californian paralegals are required to complete four hours of continuing education in either general law or a
specialized area of law.
Employment and job outlook
Paralegals and legal assistants held 263,800 jobs in 2008, most being employed by private law firms (~70 percent).
The remainder was employed by corporate legal departments, banks, insurance companies,
accounting/engineering firms, title companies, construction companies, and the government agencies (US
Department of Justice, various federal/state courts, ect). This career is projected to grow by 28 percent between
2008 and 2018, which is much faster than average; however, competition will remain high as people continue to
enter this profession. Those with formal education and advanced certificates will have the best job prospects. And
in keeping with past results, private law firms will continue to be the largest employers.
Earnings
Wages in this field depend greatly on one's education, training, experience, employer, and location. Those who
work for large firms in large cities generally make more than those working in small firms in small cities. In May
2009, full time paralegals earned an average of $50,080. The top 10 percent earned more than $75,700, and the
bottom 10 percent earned $29,800. The following table lists industries with the highest levels of employment.
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