Job
description
Paralegals
are responsible for handling a variety of tasks and providing support
for the lawyers they work for. Under the direction of an attorney,
they work to resolve routine legal issues. They help lawyers to research
laws, judicial decisions, articles, treaties, and other legal documents
that can be applied to cases. They may also be responsible for preparing
written reports to assist lawyers in handling cases. Paralegals hold
an organizational role in coordinating the activities of the law office
and its employees, and also in the filing of financial records and
case documents.
Paralegals work mainly in law firms, legal departments within corporations,
and government offices. Their job duties and responsibilities will
depend mainly on the type of organization they work for. Paralegals
working in the government or for larger corporations will tend to
have a specialization, while those working in smaller firms will perform
a variety of tasks.
A
day in the life…
The majority of paralegals work in law firms, followed by corporate
legal departments, and government offices. Paralegals working in
corporations and for the government tend to work the standard 40-hour
week, while those who work for law firms will likely work longer
hours. While most work in permanent positions, some work as temps
during the busy seasons. Paralegals work mostly in offices and law
libraries, and although rare, they will travel to gather information
for cases.
Education
and training
Paralegal training is usually required in the form of either an
associate, bachelor's degree, or certification program. Employers
usually prefer that candidates have a degree from a 4-year paralegal
program, or a bachelor's degree with paralegal certification. Some
employers prefer to train paralegals on the job or promote legal
assistants to the position within the firm.
While
there are over 800 paralegal programs offered nationwide, only about
250 of these are approved by the American
Bar Association. And graduates of these approved programs will
fare better in the job market. There are three main paralegal programs.
Associate's degree programs last 2 years, bachelor's programs typically
take 4 years, and certification programs will take around three
months to complete. Paralegal programs include law courses and legal
research training, along with coursework in specialized areas of
law, as employers tend to prefer candidates with specilized training.
The
better programs will also include an internship in a law firm, organization,
or government office in order to gain real-world experience and
provide an edge when entering the job market.
Much
like lawyers, paralegals are required to keep up with the latest
laws and legal standards that may affect their area of practice
through participation in continuing legal education (CLE). This
is typically accomplished through legal education seminars and courses
designed for paralegals to maintain and expand their legal knowledge.
Pay
The following chart shows national salaries for paralegals at varying
levels.
|
Level
|
Years
of Experience
|
Median
Salary
|
|
Paralegal
I
|
0-3
|
$36,243
|
|
Paralegal II
|
2-5
|
$44,743
|
|
Paralegal
III
|
5-8
|
$49,194
|
|
Paralegal
IV
|
At
least 8
|
$61,502
|
|
Source: Salary.com, September 2003
For this month's salaries: Salary
Wizard
|
Job
outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this
field is expected to grow faster than average through 2010. Employment
will be prompted mainly by law firms and employers in general hiring
more paralegals. In the private sector, the largest employer of
paralegals, demand will grow due to increased demand for legal services
in areas such as healthcare, intellectual property, international
law, sexual harassment, and
environmental law. While in the public sector, the increasing amount
of community legal-service programs will spur employment growth,
and government agencies, consumer organizations, and courts will
be hiring an increasing number of paralegals.
However,
there will still be a high degree of competition present in this
field, as the number of paralegal program graduates and individuals
entering the field will grow significantly. Growth may also be slowed
by future recessions, with those paralegals providing similar services
as lawyers at an advantage during these times
Related
occupations
Occupations that require similar skills and knowledge in law and
legal procedures include law clerks, legal assistants, lawyers,
examiners, abstractors, claims adjustors, appraisers, and investigators.
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