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 to them by lawyers. They perform many of the same duties as lawyers, but without legal jurisdiction.

Some tasks include helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials and corporate meetings. Paralegals also investigate facts for cases and make sure 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%

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

carrying out duties considered to be practice of the law

• The average annual salary is $53,000 [1].

• In order to become a paralegal, you must particpate in

a training program from a college that either leads to an

associate’s degree or certificate in paralegal studies.

• Jobs as a paralegal are projected to increase 22% in

the next six years, which is much faster than average

compared to all other occupations [2].

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.

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

$29.132-$39.209

Less than 1 year

1–4 years 5–9 years 10–19 years 20 years or more

$31,157-$44,237

$38,273-$52,918

$41,423-$59,760

$43,877-$63,972

Average Earnings by Experience [8]

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.