Top Ten Skills Needed To Be a Paralegal
These are the top ten skills needed to become a paralegal.
1. Legal Knowledge
Most paralegals amass their vast array of legal knowledge through education and work experience. An associates or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies can help paralegals learn legal knowledge.
2. Communication Skills
Paralegals often communicate with a wide array of individuals to include attorneys, legal secretaries, clients, expert witnesses, judges, and other professionals involved in the judicial process. Excellent communication skills are essential.
3. Writing Skills
Paralegals assist lawyers in writing many legal documents to include summons, complaints, correspondence, deposition questions, briefs, and many other materials. Paralegals need to have the ability to write concisely and clearly.
4. Computer Skills
Paralegals need to understand many computer programs and feel comfortable navigating spread sheets, databases, word processing programs, e-mail accounts, and the internet.
5. Investigation Skills
Paralegals need investigation skills to conduct factual investigations, to interview witnesses, to perform site inspections, and gather material evidence. Knowledge of interview techniques is also highly valuable.
6. Organizational Skills
Paralegals need organizational skills to keep track of all the people to meet with, keep track of the mounds of legal paperwork, and also help the lawyer keep track of his or her schedule.
7. Research Skills
Paralegals will need to be able to perform online research, medical research, legal research, and non-legal research.
8. Attention to Detail
Paralegals have to ensure that every document they produce is perfect, ensure that signatures are on all the necessary documents, and focus on all the details that legal work requires.
9. Analytical Thinking Skills
Paralegals have to analyze legal documents, evidence, correspondence, medical records, and many other documents. Analytical thinking skills are essential
10. Clerical Skills
Paralegals often perform clerical tasks early in their career before being given a lot of legal responsibility. So it’s important that paralegals can perform basic clerical tasks such as filing, keeping a calendar, writing correspondence, and making copies to prepare for more demanding opportunities.
In conclusion, the paralegal field is challenging and exciting. According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia online, the median salary for paralegals is $67,600. For those interested in becoming a paralegal an associates or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is usually the best educational path for entry into this interesting field.
