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Paralegal Job Description

Paralegals, often known as legal secretaries, are responsible for many basic legal services involved with trials.  They often play an important supportive role to attorneys in accumulating important information for a case in an investigative role.  Paralegals assume a lot of legal responsibilities with the exception of dispensing legal advice, presenting trials in court, taking on cases, and setting legal fees.  While paralegals used to be seen simply as glorified secretaries, they now are responsible for much of the important tasks that attorneys do.

A Day in the Life of a Paralegal

A typical day on the job as a paralegal may include:

  • working with clients
  • conducting investigations and legal research in legal journals
  • preparing, reviewing, and summarizing legal documents
  • attending trials and hearings with attorneys
  • formulating reports
  • dictating messages in shorthand
  • formulating correspondence
  • various administrative responsibilities

Critical Paralegal Skills

Required skills for paralegals include:

  • legal research skills
  • interview skills for interviewing witnesses
  • favorable communication and writing skills including shorthand
  • the ability to work on a deadline
  • computer skills
  • a thorough understanding of legal terminology and principles
  • an analytical eye to review documents for accuracy

Paralegal Jobs

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that paralegals are among one of the top 30 growing jobs through 2018, making the paralegal career a great career choice.  Approximately 75% of paralegals are employed by law firms, while the remaining 25% are employed by government organizations and corporate legal teams.  Just as attorneys often specialize in one or more specific areas of law such as criminal, family, personal injury, real estate, immigration, or bankruptcy, paralegals can also specialize in particular areas of the law as well.

Paralegal Salary

There are many variables that will determine a paralegal’s salary, including geographic location, education, experience, demand, and employment location.  Paralegals can earn anywhere from $36,800 to $60,600 annually with an average of $47,000 yearly.  The highest paid paralegals earn upwards of $75,700 annually.

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