Paralegal

How to Become a Paralegal

A Paralegal is a crucial behind-the-scenes legal assistant who works with a lawyer or attorney. Since it is very important that law firms deliver legal services in an efficient and cost effective manner, many attorneys hire paralegals to assist them with their work.

Typical Paralegal Duties:

  • Conducting client interviews
  • Assisting attorneys in court
  • Conducting legal investigations and research
  • Drafting legal documents
  • Supervising other staff members

Paralegals are, however, prohibited by state law to actually practice law without a license. This limits them from giving legal advice to a client, accepting a case, representing a client in court, or performing any other activity that would be considered practice of law.

Paralegal Education Requirements

Because a paralegal’s knowledge is specific to the legal system, proper training is required. There are different ways you can meet the qualifications to become a paralegal, and all involve going back to school in some form or another.

The most common are:

  • An associate degree in paralegal studies
  • A college degree in any field, plus six months or more of in-house training as a paralegal
  • A college degree in any field, plus a certificate in paralegal studies
  • Successful completion of the Certified Legal Assistant examination of the National Association of Legal Assistants

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations has determined that 85% of all paralegals receive some form of formal paralegal education. They also indicate that

25% of paralegals have an associate’s degree, 49% have a bachelor’s degree, and 8% have a master’s degree.

Job Outlook for Paralegals

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for paralegals is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations over the next decade, with 291,000 job openings by 2016.

This is a result of:

  • The growing demand for legal services
  • The ability for law firms to cut costs by hiring paralegals instead of additional lawyers.
  • Other types of organizations (insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, corporate legal department, and banks) are beginning to hire paralegals

Paralegal salaries typically depend on the education and experience that a paralegal brings to the job. The type of employer and the location of the job are also factors affecting salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of May 2006, full time paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of $43,040, with the middle 50 percent earning between $33,920 and $54,690.

Competition for paralegal job openings will increase. Formally trained paralegals will see the best job opportunities.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor