What is a Paralegal or Legal Assistant?
Career Description Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Paralegal or Legal Assistant Responsibilities
- Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
Skills Needed to be a Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Paralegals and Legal Assistants state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles
- Legal Assistant
- Certified Paralegal
- Paralegal
- Corporate Law Assistant
- Real Estate Paralegal
Paralegal or Legal Assistant Job Outlook
There were about 285,600 jobs for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in 2016 (in the United States).
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.6% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 41,800 new jobs for Paralegals and Legal Assistants by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 34,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Paralegals and Legal Assistants are California, Florida, and Texas.
Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
The typical yearly salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is somewhere between $31,400 and $82,050. The median salary for this occupation is $50,940.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
District of Columbia |
$80,470 |
|
Connecticut |
$62,760 |
|
California |
$61,240 |
|
Washington |
$60,940 |
|
Massachusetts |
$60,320 |
|
Alaska |
$59,140 |
|
New York |
$58,750 |
|
Colorado |
$58,350 |
|
New Jersey |
$58,260 |
|
Nevada |
$57,600 |
|
Delaware |
$57,290 |
|
Illinois |
$57,180 |
|
Minnesota |
$56,880 |
|
Texas |
$56,270 |
|
Maryland |
$55,950 |
|
Oregon |
$55,850 |
|
New Hampshire |
$54,550 |
|
Georgia |
$54,130 |
|
Missouri |
$53,110 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$52,780 |
|
Hawaii |
$52,280 |
|
Virginia |
$51,600 |
|
Rhode Island |
$50,650 |
|
Michigan |
$50,590 |
|
Vermont |
$50,570 |
|
Louisiana |
$50,540 |
|
Wisconsin |
$50,360 |
|
Florida |
$50,120 |
|
South Dakota |
$49,560 |
|
Maine |
$49,490 |
|
Nebraska |
$49,250 |
|
Ohio |
$49,200 |
|
Utah |
$49,140 |
|
Indiana |
$49,090 |
|
Tennessee |
$49,050 |
|
Arizona |
$48,370 |
|
Oklahoma |
$48,330 |
|
New Mexico |
$48,050 |
|
North Carolina |
$47,210 |
|
Iowa |
$46,990 |
|
Wyoming |
$46,770 |
|
Idaho |
$46,510 |
|
Kentucky |
$46,130 |
|
West Virginia |
$46,080 |
|
North Dakota |
$45,870 |
|
Alabama |
$45,530 |
|
South Carolina |
$45,480 |
|
Montana |
$44,330 |
|
Mississippi |
$44,300 |
|
Kansas |
$43,790 |
|
Arkansas |
$42,050 |
What Tools & Technology do Paralegals and Legal Assistants Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Paralegals and Legal Assistants:
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Google Drive
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Tax software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
How to Become a Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Are there Paralegal or Legal Assistant education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become Paralegal or Legal Assistant?
Where Paralegals and Legal Assistants Work
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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