EVERYTHING YOU NEED

TO KNOW ABOUT
PARALEGALS AND
LEGAL ASSISTANTS
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARALEGAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANT CAREERS 2

NATURE OF WORK
Paralegals, or legal assistants as some
people call them, work under the direction
of a lawyer or lawyers in law offices.
Paralegals perform tasks that are delegated
QUICK FACTS
• Paralegals, or legal assistants, assume a large range of
tasks in legal offices. They perform many of the same
tasks as lawyers; however they are prohibited from

to them by lawyers. They perform many carrying out duties considered to be practice of the law

of the same duties as lawyers, but without • The average annual salary is $53,000 [1].
legal jurisdiction. • In order to become a paralegal, you must particpate in
a training program from a college that either leads to an
Some tasks include helping lawyers
associate’s degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
prepare for closings, hearings, trials and
corporate meetings. Paralegals also • Jobs as a paralegal are projected to increase 22% in
the next six years, which is much faster than average
investigate facts for cases and make sure
compared to all other occupations [2].
that all information pertaining to the case
is considered. Paralegals identify all laws,
regulations, similar case hearings and any
other material pertaining to the case at hand. They ensure that the lawyer has all necessary information
when dealing with a case.
Paralegals also work drafting contracts, mortgages, and separation agreements. They assist in preparing tax
returns, establishing trust funds, and planning estates. They may prepare legal arguments, draft pleadings,
and motions to be filed in court. They get affidavits, assist lawyers during trials and do anything else
lawyers need them to do. Their job is to make
lawyers’ lives more organized.
Percentage of tasks done by paralegals [3] *
Assist at a trial 79%
Court Filings 22%
Law Library Maintenance 76%
Assist with Client Contact 16%
Prepare and Attend Closings 64%
Fast Checking 14%
Deposition Summaries 59%
Document Analysis 14%
Personnel Management 53%
Calendaring Deadlines 12%
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARALEGAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANT CAREERS 3

Prepare/Attend Depositions 49% Draft Pleadings, etc… 12%

Cite Checking 49% General factual Research 11%
Train Employees 48% Case Management 5%
Client/ Witness Interviews 39% Draft Compensation 5%
Investigation 23%
*The total adds up to more than 100% because paralegals normally perform more than one task.

SPECIALTY AREAS
Paralegals usually work in a specific area of law within the organization they are employed. Some of these
specific areas of study include litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits,
intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate. Paralegals are typically
employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices. Depending on which
organization they are employed determines the tasks they perform. Tasks of some specific specialties
include [3]:
Litigation Paralegal
Interviewing witnesses
Analyzing and digesting legal document
Investigating facts
Performing legal and factual research
Drafting pleadings, legal memoranda and briefs
Keeping track of court dates and deadlines
Assisting in trial preparation and at trial
Aiding in preparing appeals
Estate Planning and Probate Paralegal
Interviewing clients
Arranging for collection
Valuing and transferring assets
Administering estate accounts
Drafting and filing state and federal tax returns
Drafting wills and other estate planning documents
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARALEGAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANT CAREERS 4

Corporate Paralegal
Drafting partnership and corporate formation documents
Maintaining corporate minute books and resolutions
Fulfilling securities reporting requirements
Helping prepare and file annual financial reports
Conducting due diligence for business transactions
Drafting shareholder agreements and stock-option plans
Monitoring and reviewing government regulations to ensure legal business operation
Conducting patent and trademark searches
Preparing for board meetings
Employment Law or Labor Law Paralegal
Drafting employee policies and employment handbooks
Drafting pleadings and affidavits in employment disputes
Investigating wrongful termination or other claims
Helping facilitate positions in organized labor campaigns
Performing work similar to litigation
paralegals when preparing for trial
Real Estate Paralegal
Drafting transaction documents
Preparing for closings
Performing due diligence
Managing and indexing transaction
documents and closing binders
Coordinating closing of escrow
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARALEGAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANT CAREERS 5

PERCENTAGE OF PARALEGALS WORKING IN EACH SPECIALTY AREA [3]*

Civil Litigation 51% Criminal 13%
Corporate 32% Workers Compensation 13%
Contracts 29% Intellectual Property 13%
Real Estate 27% Mergers & Acquisitions 11%
Personal injury 26% Employee Benefits 11%
Government 23% Mass Tort Litigation 10%
Labor Law 20% Elder Law 9%
Insurance 20% Environmental Law 9%
Trusts and Estates 19% Tax 9%
Probate 19% Securities/ Antitrust 9%
Family Law 15% Immigration 8%
Banking/Finance 14% Legislative Lobbying 6%
Bankruptcy 14% Admiralty/ Maritime 5%
Product Liability 13% Entertainment 5%
*The total adds up to more than 100% because paralegals often work in more than one specialty.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

In order to become a paralegal you must participate in a legal assistant training program that results in either
a degree or diploma. For those just out of high school, or without any previous post secondary educational
experience getting your associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is the best way to go.
For those who already have a post secondary degree, you will need to complete a training program to receive a
paralegal certificate upon completion. Getting certified only takes a few months to complete, however, training
is intense.
You can be trained or gain an education in paralegal studies from colleges, universities, law schools, and
proprietary schools. Most of these programs train you in legal research, legal applications of computers, and
offer practical experience.
It is important to complete an internship or assistantship program in order to gain valuable hands-on
experience.

JOB OUTLOOK
Jobs in legal assisting are projected to increase 22% in the next six years [2]. This is much faster than average
compared to all other occupations. Jobs in Federal, State and Local government agencies are projected to
increase which provides many job opportunities for paralegals in the future.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARALEGAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANT CAREERS 6

EARNINGS
Paralegals earn a competitive salary that varies based on education, training, experience, employer, and
location. According to indeed.com, the average annual salary for paralegals in 2009 is $53,000.
Paralegals receive great bonuses and benefits including, vacation, paid sick leave, 401(k), life insurance,
personal paid time off, dental insurance, and reimbursement for continuing legal education.

Average Earnings by Experience [8]

$43,877-

$41,423- $63,972
$38,273- $59,760
$52,918
$31,157-$44,237
$29.132-
$39.209

Less than 1–4 years 5–9 years 10–19 years 20 years or more
1 year

A more in depth look at salary by years experience [3]

EXPERIENCE LOWEST 10% AVERAGE SALARY HIGHEST 10%

0-2 years $31,194 $42,798 $56,307
2-5 years $39,287 $52,133 $65,030
5-8 years $43,388 $56,016 $70,224
8+ years $50,586 $66,576 $86,868
Paralegal Manager $56,709 $82,409 $116,795
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARALEGAL AND LEGAL ASSISTANT CAREERS 7

LINKS
American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.: http://www.aapipara.org/
American Association for Paralegal Education: http://www.aafpe.org/
National Association of Legal Assistants: http://www.nala.org/
National Association of Legal Secretaries: http://www.nals.org/
National Federation of Paralegals Associations: http://www.paralegals.org/
Standing Committee on Paralegals: http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/

REFERENCES
[1] Indeed.com, “Paralegal Legal Assistant Salaries,” [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 September
9], Available HTTP: http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=paralegal+legal+assista nt&l1=&tm=1.
[2] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
“Paralegals and Legal Assistants,” [Online document], 2008-09. [cited 2009 September 9], Available
HTTP: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm.
[3] All Criminal Justice Schools, “Hottest Paralegal Practice Areas,” [Online document], 2009.
[cited 2009 September 9], Available HTTP: http://www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com/criminal-justice-
resources/paralegal_specialties.
[4] Pay Scale, “Paralegal,” [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 September 9], Available HTTP:
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Paralegal/Salary.