Paralegal Overview

Answer 1

Assisting lawyers with a variety of complex issues is today’s paralegal. This professional is delegated an array of tasks that used to performed by the attorney. They usually work along side an attorney performing administrative duties that include drafting wills and agreements, filing court proceedings, researching, and often meeting with clients at the attorney’s direction.

Occasionally, paralegals may begin as legal secretaries. Over years of hard work and experience, some attorneys may promote these legal secretaries to positions as paralegals. More often, attorneys require some training after high school and paralegals are trained and educated through an accredited program of study.

Some certificated courses can be completed in as little as nine to twelve months. However, many employers require their paralegals to obtain at least an Associate’s degree and some employers require that paralegals have a Bachelor’s degree. Most accredited paralegal programs will include an internship.

As a part of the curriculum, the paralegal student will complete coursework in legal terminology, criminal justice, finance, ethics, and will receive technical training using computers loaded with legal software.

Paralegals may work for the government or for private law firms. In civil service jobs, paralegals are often called upon to conduct research and prepare reports. In some community agencies, clients may actually meet with a paralegal for an initial screening. In some instances, clients may be represented by paralegals at agency hearings.

Working in the private sector, paralegals may choose to specialize in a particular area of the law. In smaller law firms, paralegals may be called upon to perform a wider variety of duties.

Prepaid legal services have increased the demand for paralegals. The career outlook for paralegals is good, with continued growth expected to continue for several years. Since many time constraints are applied in legal cases, the paralegal can expect to work overtime. Compensation for the extended work involved may be paid in the form of overtime pay, bonuses, and vacations.

Salaries for private sector paralegals vary from state to state, with the average being approximately $38,000-$40,000 annually. State and municipally employed paralegals are competitive with the private sector. Federally employed paralegals can expect to earn around $60,000 per year.