Becoming a Paralegal

Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, work under the direction and authority of attorneys, performing work of a legal nature without engaging in actions that are restricted by law solely to attorneys.

Education, Training & Degrees for Paralegals

The training and knowledge necessary for a paralegal career can be obtained through education, work experience, or a combination of the two. Even though there are no specific educational paralegal requirements in most U.S. states for employment in the field, the trend in several states, including California, is to require certification. This paralegal requirement is usually based on a minimum number of necessary college credits and successfully passing an exam.

Many community colleges offer an associate's degree or a certificate program in the field of paralegal, and some colleges offer bachelor's and even master's degrees in Paralegal Studies. Many paralegal training programs offer an internship in which students gain practical experience by working in a private law firm or corporate legal department, or in the public defender's office, a government agency, or one of several other agencies or businesses which employ paralegals.

While employment in a paralegal position does not require a license, and certification is usually voluntary, education clearly increases one's opportunities for employment, advancement and increased salary.

Job Responsibilities and Desired Skills for Paralegals

Paralegals research, analyze and organize information in support of attorneys. They may also prepare written reports, draft documents, and perform a variety of other duties which require a general knowledge of the law. Paralegals employed by large law firms, government agencies, and corporations often specialize in one aspect of the law.

Paralegals must possess strong research and investigative skills as well as a knowledge of, and facility with, legal terminology. They must possess excellent communication skills in order to summarize and present the results of their research to the lawyer supervising them. Sound judgment is also a desired trait, as the discoveries of this research can often suggest a course of action for the lawyer, based on the recommendations of the paralegal.

Paralegals can have a wide range of responsibilities, however, they are prohibited from engaging certain activities which are considered "the practice of law." Among the legal tasks that paralegals are espressly not allowed to perform include giving legal advice, representing clients in court, and establishing charges or fees. Despite these restrictions, the definition of what functions are legitimate paralegal functions is constantly expanding. The trend is for lawyers to delegate an increasing number of responsibilities to paralegals, so the exact nature and extent of a paralegal's responsibilities will depend on the individual paralegal's mix of experience, skills, education, employment venue, and certification.

Paralegal Salary Range and Employment Outlook

In 2004, about 224,000 people were employed as paralegals. About 70 percent of these position are with private law firms, but other work is available, including positions in corporate legal departments and at all levels of government. Within the federal government, the Department of Justice is the largest employer, followed by the Social Security Administration and the Department of the Treasury. A few independent paralegals contract their services on a freelance basis.

Paralegal salary range can vary widely, depending on numerous factors including level of education and experience, location of the job, and the size of the employing firm or company. According the the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average of all paralegal salaries (including bonuses) in 2004 was about $39,130. State and local government paralegal salaries run between $35,000-38,000 per year on average, while paralegal salaries for those providing services for law firms also fall within this range, with an average of $37,870 per year. The federal government average wage is significantly higher; about $59,000 per year. The median for paralegal salaries in the private sector in the U.S. is approximately $50,000 per year, but larger law firms may pay as much as $80,000 for experienced and degreed paralegals.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts "faster than average" growth in paralegal positions over the next few years, as employers attempt to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform work currently carried out by lawyers, and due to the ever-increasing demand of legal services by the general population. Even with these increased opportunities, the BLS predicts that competition for paralegal jobs will continue.

Areas of specialization which could see significant growth over the next decade include real estate, bankruptcy, medical malpractice, product liability, intellectual property, health care, international law, elder issues, criminal law, and environmental law. In the private sector, more and more insurance companies, banks, and real estate and title insurance firms are hiring paralegals. As in any profession, candidates with experience, degrees, or formal training will have the best chances for employment and advancement.