Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals, or legal assistants, are part of a quickly growing career. Paralegals assist attorneys in law firms, legal departments, and government offices. Although paralegals perform many tasks, the attorney is ultimately responsible for all work. Some duties are explicitly prohibited.
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Job Specifics
One of the most important jobs a paralegal performs is research and investigation. Information must be collected and reviewed in order to prepare for motions, cases, hearings, and trials. Once information is analyzed, reports are prepared and submitted to the supervising attorney. Other duties include preparing legal documents, obtaining affidavits, or organizing case files. A paralegal's duties also vary due to the nature of the organization. Legal assistants who work in a professional organization may be required to handle employee contracts, review benefit plans, file financial reports, or monitor government regulations. Paralegals who work in the government sector often maintain files, research information for attorneys, or assist the poor by filing forms and preparing documents. All paralegals and legal assistants rely heavily on computer software. They use computer databases to index information so it is easy to retrieve when needed. The Internet is used heavily for legal research. Tracking billable hours is done via computer software programs.
Necessary Qualifications
Employers rarely hire employees to be trained on the job anymore. A variety of paralegal programs are available and make the candidate much more marketable to employers. Community colleges offer a two-year program resulting in an associate degree. Others choose to earn a bachelor’s degree as a paralegal. For those individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a different field, a certification program is available. It typically lasts a few months and focuses on intensive paralegal tasks. Paralegals and legal assistants are required to follow a code of ethics. They should be courteous in their frequent dealings with the public. Strong research skills are beneficial as is a background in legal terminology. Of course, written and oral communication skills are vital.
Salary and Advancement
Entry-level paralegals work under close supervision. Once they possess the necessary experience, they are given more responsibilities with less supervision. Those who work in large firms have the opportunity to supervise other legal assistants, often delegating duties to them. Some are promoted to managerial positions. However, paralegals seeking a higher salary often need to move to a new firm or organization.
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*This is a summarized article created to allow for a quick career review. For the most accurate and up-to-date information visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor website to learn more about Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
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copyright 2005
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