What Is the Pay Rate and Description of a Paralegal?
Also known as legal assistants, paralegals are central to the efficiency and productiveness of lawyers, corporations and government organizations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, seven out of ten paralegals work for law firms. And though the type of work they handle might vary depending on where they work, paralegals perform similar tasks in each business sector.
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Description
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Paralegals prepare lawyers for meetings, closings, hearings and trials. They perform research on the facts of the case and help to identify appropriate laws and judicial decisions that may pertain to them. They also help to prepare documents such as legal arguments and motions to be filed with the court.
Education
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An associate degree in paralegal studies is needed to become a paralegal. It's also possible to receive a certificate in paralegal studies if you already have a bachelor's degree.
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Earnings
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual earnings for a paralegal are $43,040. Paralegals who worked in larger firms and in metropolitan areas tended to earn more than those that worked for smaller firms or in rural areas.
Work Environment
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Most paralegals work in a typical office environment. They average forty hours a week and receive benefits such as health insurance, paid sick leave and vacation time.
Outlook
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The employment of paralegals will continue to grow at a much faster rate than most occupations. Firms, organizations and government are looking to hire more paralegals as a cost savings since they can now perform many of the tasks lawyers can.
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