Paralegal

A paralegal, or a legal assistant, is primarily responsible for helping lawyers with their work. Because they work hand in hand with lawyers, many of their responsibilities are the same, although paralegals cannot try cases or give legal advice.

Typical Day as a Paralegal

Litigation paralegals typically work as part of a team to gather information for cases, to organize documents, and to communicate with clients. Legal assistants often perform the initial investigations about a case before presenting the information to the lawyer, and they will also research relevant case laws, obtain affidavits, and assist with depositions.

Paralegals who work in other areas of the law such as real estate, corporate, estate planning, and copyright law spend most of their time drafting and organizing documents, conducting research related to their field, and communicating with clients.

No matter what type of law office they work in, all paralegals spend much of their time writing reports and correspondence, and filling out paperwork. Thus, most of their day is spent working behind a desk in an office or law library. Most paralegals have a 40 hour work week, however, if an office is busy, a paralegal may be expected to stay late and work longer hours.

Pay and Job Prospects

As of 2008, the average wage for a paralegal was $47,000 per year, but those who work for large firms or in big cities have the potential to earn much more. Also, experienced and well-performing paralegals often receive higher wages for their extra skills.

The demand for paralegals is expected to increase as more people and businesses are requiring legal help. Lawyers cannot handle the added workload on their own and must hire paralegals for assistance. However, this is a popular career field as it is well-paying and professional, so even with the increased demand, new paralegals will face heavy competition when trying to get a job.

How to Become a Paralegal

If you wish to become a paralegal, the best way to distinguish yourself from the competition is by getting an education. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in law shows a potential employer that you are serious about this career and that you already have the requisite knowledge and skills needed to do the work.

There is no singular way to become a paralegal and there are many traditional and online schools that offer one, two, and even four year degrees in law or paralegal studies. Today, many students prefer attending accredited online schools because of their convenience and flexibility. Many online colleges will also recognize any previous coursework that you may have which will help you to finish your studies even faster.

If you do decide to attend an online college, make sure to find one approved by the American Bar Association. This will ensure that you are properly trained and will set you off on the right foot on your new and exciting career as a paralegal.