About the Paralegal Profession

A paralegal, also referred to as a legal assistant, is a person who assists an attorney in his legal work. Although paralegals do not have a Juris Doctor degree like a lawyer, it is necessary for them to be trained in the legal system. A formal education is not required; however, a paralegal usually has an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in a related field. Although the salary for the position varies and they are often to required to work long hours, paralegals often make a good living with full benefits.

Employment

The majority of legal assistants work for private law firms. They are also commonly employed by corporations or by the government. A small number of paralegals own their own business or do freelance legal work.

Function

Paralegals perform a variety of duties. There are certain tasks that only an attorney is legally permitted to perform. For example, paralegals are not allowed to give legal advice to a client. However, a paralegal is often employed to help an attorney perform preparatory work and research. For instance, she might be asked to research a case at the law library, to organize the facts of the case and draft a document to advise the attorney on how the case should proceed. She might also help an attorney prepare for hearings and trials or draft specific documents such as mortgages and contracts. As they gain experience, paralegals tend to take on more responsibility and expand their range of assignments.

Education

Although there is no formal education required to become a legal assistant, most successful candidates have some kind of certification in the field. Many have an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. A student majoring in paralegal studies would take classes similar to law students, such as civil procedure, legal research, writing and case analysis and litigation. They might also take on a legal internship for college credit.

Salary

The salary for paralegals varies significantly by region, experience, education and employer. According to the United States Department of Labor, as of 2006, the median salary for a legal assistant was $43,040, including benefits, for a full-time position. The highest-paid employees worked for the federal government or corporations, while the lowest paid worked for state governments. As in many areas of employment, paralegals tend to earn more in larger cities. In 2006, the highest-paid legal assistants made more than $67,000 per year.

Potential

A career as a paralegal can lead to many opportunities. Some paralegals eventually use the legal experience they have gained to go on to law school and become an attorney. Others are able to take on more responsibility as they gain experience, increasing their salary and benefits over time. Also, according to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, the outlook for paralegals in the future is bright, as jobs in the field are projected to grow at a faster than average rate compared to other careers.