A paralegal can enjoy a successful career with a stable, attractive income and extensive benefits. The job outlook and employment rate for a paralegal is higher than for other occupations resulting in the job security that most professionals hope for.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “the purpose of a paralegal, also known as a legal assistant, is to help lawyers.” A paralegal will:

• research
• look up laws and past cases
• present reports to lawyers to assist them in their cases
• follow cases
• keep track of case documents

The BLS further states: "What paralegals do depend on where they work. For example, some paralegals help to write contracts and mortgages. Some help to prepare income tax returns and other financial documents."

You can fast track your paralegal career with an associate degree or a certificate. The BLS claims that the most common method of becoming a paralegal is through a community college program. You can become certified through a program in paralegal studies, if you already have another degree. According to the BLS: "More than 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools and proprietary schools offer formal paralegal training programs."

The BLS breaks down the average annual salary for paralegals into various industries. In May 1998, paralegals earned the following median salaries relative to the industries in which they worked:

A paralegal assists attorneys in their duties by undertaking legal research, drafting important papers, and generally providing support when lawyers are trying their cases. A paralegal may also undertake such responsibilities as drawing up mortgage papers and other legal documents. However, there are a few tasks which a paralegal is not permitted to undertake.  These include setting fees, trying cases or giving legal advice.  

Types of Work-From-Home Paralegal Jobs

In general, almost any kind of paralegal position found in the corporate world can be transformed into a work-from-home position. A paralegal spends a great deal of time researching, and this research is possible from home. A paralegal may need to connect with the employing law office on a regular basis but this can usually be done through a virtual private network (VPN).  Once connected, the work-from-home paralegal has access to everything on the office computer and is able to utilize the offices’ research databases for information relevant to the attorney’s case.

A paralegal is essential to the functioning of a busy law firm. A paralegal undertakes a number of duties and responsibilities, many related to researching, analyzing and disseminating information, and lawyers depend on a paralegal in all areas of their practice including medical, criminal trials, government and estate planning. 

You must attach your résumé to a cover letter when you apply for a paralegal job. Your cover letter should stand out and attract the attention of the employing attorney. Identify the position you are applying for, how you became aware of it and why you believe you satisfy the qualifying criteria.

A paralegal is a legal professional who undertakes many of the same tasks as those of an attorney. They are, however, restricted to certain tasks because they are not licensed attorneys. For example, a paralegal is not permitted to present cases in court or give legal advice to clients. 

So, what does a paralegal do on a day-to-day basis?  This is a difficult question to answer definitively as duties and tasks vary depending on the area of the law involved, the law firm, and the type of case involved. However, the paralegal professional is, regardless of the type of law, likely to be involved in a lot of legal writing including drafting contracts and agreements. 

Examples of different types of paralegal professions and some of their duties may include the follow.

Real Estate Paralegal

Duties may include:

Over the past few years the paralegal (legal assistant) profession has become one of the fastest growing as well as becoming a profession that requires increased levels of education primarily due to the onslaught of new technology. A career as a paralegal can offer you excitement and challenges, and not only can you earn an attractive income but also satisfy your desire to aid those in need.  

A paralegal will undertake many of the essential tasks related to a legal case, and some of these tasks include:

• Reviewing past case law and judicial judgments
• Identifying appropriate and relevant laws
• Researching and gathering all pertinent information

Further, you may have to prepare documents initiating a legal case, write letters to clients, request documentation from sources, and write reports for the lawyer detailing how the case should be handled.  By enlisting a paralegal to research a case and prepare first drafts, a lawyer can charge much less than if they completed the work themselves.

According to the 'University of Washington Bothell Quantitative Skills Center', a quantitative skill is any skill that involves using or manipulating numbers. 'The Wellesley College Center for Work and Service' elaborates and qualifies the definition by stating that: “someone with computational or quantitative skill sets is skillful in performing numerical and statistical calculations to provide useful information.” Whether they are aware of it or not, every paralegal in every practice area or work environment uses quantitative skills.  

Budgeting

Budgeting is a quantitative skill used by paralegals. A budget may be for a single project or an entire office or department. For example, a paralegal may formulate and implement a budget to facilitate a large-scale document and production sweep for the benefit of a corporate client, plaintiff or defendant involved in a complex litigation case.  

Items that may need to be provided for in a project budget include:

• Labor
• Travel
• Contractual services
• Materials
• Delivery

Additional financial and statistical reports that a paralegal manager may be required to prepare, include:

Increasingly, people are looking for jobs that allow them the flexibility of working from home. Companies too are examining the work-from-home concept as it enables them to access qualified workers while decreasing the costs associated with office space.

As a result, even a paralegal can work from home. If you are a stay-at-home parent and want to contribute to the family budget or continue your career, working from home as a paralegal is an attractive option. You could even work while continuing your law studies – a perfect balance. You can have the best of both worlds because working from home allows you to accomplish much around and within the home while earning an income from a challenging and satisfying career.

Legal careers encompass more than just the profession of lawyer, and there are many other career options that relate to the legal profession. This article examines paralegal careers.

The first question that springs to mind is: 'What is a paralegal?'  The answer is quite simple.  A paralegal is a legal assistant working under the guidance of a qualified legal representative.  A paralegal's job involves completing tasks relevant to a qualified lawyer's work. These tasks included legal research and investigation for a case, interpreting legal decisions, liaising with clients and lawyers, and gathering general information. A paralegal, however, is not permitted to practice law in a courtroom or charge a fee for services unless provided by the employing firm. 

To assist you in your pursuit of a paralegal career, carefully read the following seven steps.

Whether you are starting out in your professional life or contemplating a mid-life career change, you may want to consider becoming a paralegal. A career as a paralegal may expose you to a variety of opportunities and challenges resulting in personal achievement and satisfaction. Assisting a lawyer is an important role, as you are immediately decreasing the lawyer's work load by taking on many of the necessary tasks. You have the opportunity to meet and work with many engaging, interesting and competent people. 

Working as a paralegal not only improves your research skills and abilities, but also ensures that you are keeping abreast of the frequent changes and amendments to the courts and the legal system. As a paralegal it is essential that you are well-informed and aware of changes in laws and processes,  particularly those most relevant to the area of law in which your employer most often deals. 

Because a paralegal job encompasses many of the same duties as a lawyer, there are many people who, though interested in the law but not interested in attending law school, choose to become paralegals. 

A paralegal is not a licensed attorney and, therefore, is not permitted to conduct certain tasks.  However, a paralegal can learn a lot about the legal system by witnessing and experiencing the behind-the-scenes work involved in bringing a case to the courtroom.

Television and movies have dramatized the legal process, but there is far more to it than meets the eye. An enormous amount of work takes place prior to scheduling even the first court appearance. Because a paralegal is so heavily involved throughout the entire process with the law, it is necessary to have many of the same skills as a lawyer.

Working as a paralegal can be an exciting career, but as an active participant of the legal system it is important that you be the best paralegal you can possibly be. One method to assist you in achieving this goal is to ask yourself, before acting, 'What would a bad paralegal do?'  With the answer in mind, consciously do the opposite. The following are few examples of common traits of bad paralegals.

Sloppy Appearance  

When you work as a paralegal you are assigned numerous responsibilities. To reflect your respect of the responsibilities vested in you, and of your work environment, you should aspire to look your professional best. You must dress appropriately – men should wear suits and ties, and women need to wear tasteful business attire. Beyond well-kept and appropriate clothing, it is essential that you do not appear unkempt in the workplace. Unwashed hair, wrinkled clothing, unshaven faces, lice and other undesirable physical characteristics can be detrimental to your personal reputation, and may even cost you your job.  

Poor Organizational Skills

Poor organizational skills are a definite trait of a bad paralegal. A paralegal is often delegated a myriad of administrative duties including photocopying, filing and other detail-oriented tasks that require meticulous attention to detail. When delegated administrative tasks, a bad paralegal will become confused or frustrated, and when undertaking tasks that require thought and care they are careless.   

Paralegal work is vital to the functioning of any law firm, and is one of the fastest growing fields in the legal arena. 

So, what is a paralegal?  A paralegal is someone who assists a lawyer with their law practice, by usually helping with legal research and preparation of litigation documents. While a paralegal does not need to be formally qualified, it is a wonderful opportunity for someone studying law – or someone who does not want to study law but wants to work in the legal system – to enter the legal work force.

Paralegal work is varied and diverse and there are a number of available work opportunities.  Most paralegals are employed by law firms, but opportunities are also available in legal teams of government, business and non-profit corporations.

If you are considering a job as a paralegal, or if this work sounds appealing to you, the following skills and attributes will benefit you in your quest to secure a job.

Many paralegals complete an associate or certificate program in paralegal studies, but this is not actually required to enter the field. Although legal education may lead to a more desirable position or a higher salary, college students or graduates without a legal background are still capable of doing paralegal work.

It is essential that you know how to use a keyboard, fax machine, photocopier and computer and you should be proficient at using word processing programs and creating spreadsheets.  A paralegal utilizes this equipment and these programs daily to receive, disseminate and manage information, consequently, these skills are a prerequisite to finding employment.  

By signing up with a temp agency specializing in legal work, you can get hands-on experience working in a law firm. Different jobs introduce you to different aspects and areas of the law such as criminal law, real estate law or corporate law. Regardless of whether your work is entering data, organizing files or performing secretarial duties, you are gaining valuable legal experience to add to your résumé. 

A paralegal is a professional who assists lawyers with their administrative tasks. It is a highly respected and well paid profession. 

People who wish to pursue a career as a paralegal should begin by acquiring a formal education in paralegal studies, even if it is only a basic course. Some employers may require an individual to be certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). 

Professionals who specialize in specific areas of the law can also receive advanced paralegal certification from the NALA. In general, companies may prefer an individual that has obtained a Bachelor or Masters Degree in paralegal studies. However, a paralegal can work effectively, efficiently and successfully without such a qualification. What one lacks in academic qualifications can be made up with experience.  

The term 'paralegal' refers to a person who assists lawyers and attorneys with their legal work, but who is not a lawyer. A paralegal is considered part of a legal team, and as such a paralegal’s duties include:

• Numerous administrative duties
• Research work
• Investigating facts
• Interviewing witnesses

A paralegal is entrusted with many responsibilities and must be able to work in high-pressure environments. The work usually consists of assigned tasks with deadlines – and as such, the job can be as arduous and stressful as that of the attorneys. An out-of-place document, or a fact, that is not carefully researched, can have a serious effect on the attorney’s preparation and even on the case itself. A paralegal cannot present a case in a court of law, nor are they even permitted to give legal advice as these duties fall directly under the practice of law.

A paralegal assists and supports lawyers in a number of ways by:

• Organizing and managing the reams of paperwork generated in a law office
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the office so that it runs smoothly
• Helping to draft documents
• Interviewing witnesses

A paralegal is employed by lawyers, corporations and government agencies. While a college degree is usually considered sufficient education to become a paralegal, courses do exist to train and certify a paralegal. It is estimated by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations that 84 percent of paralegals have some formal paralegal training or education. A paralegal can specialize in a number of different fields, such as labor movement organizations or medical law.

A diverse range of specific paralegal jobs are available:

It is important as a paralegal that you seek and find work that is most suitable for you. You need to check the listed job qualifications and assess whether you possess the skills and attributes required. 

The key to a successful career as a paralegal is to complete the tasks assigned to you efficiently, effectively and to the best of your ability. Your success depends on the support of the lawyer you are assisting so when you provide good quality work you are augmenting that support.

A common job qualification consists of at least one of three following possibilities:

Have you ever considered pursuing a career in the legal field and doing paralegal work?  If so, you are not alone. Lucrative careers as a paralegal are sought and pursued by a record number of people. A paralegal is highly sought after, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates this demand will continue through to 2020.

This article will address the following questions:

• What is a paralegal?
• What are the daily activities of a paralegal?
• What kind of salary should I expect as a paralegal?
• What degrees or credentials are required to be a paralegal?

A paralegals is sometimes referred to as a legal secretary or a legal assistant. However, a paralegal is a more specialized position than a secretary or an executive assistant, as you must have a knowledge base of law.  

A paralegal assists attorneys with a variety of tasks in private law firms, corporate law departments and government agencies. Through the work a paralegal is privy to a plethora of private, confidential and sometimes sensitive information that could affect the lives and livelihoods of countless people. Because of this, a paralegal must, at all times, maintain ethical standards. Codes of ethics to guide a paralegal are provided by The National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the National Association of Legal Assistants. 

Competence

A paralegal who achieves and maintains competency in the profession, understands the ethics involved in the industry and operates in an appropriate manner. A paralegal achieves competency by obtaining a quality education, usually in a program that is designated as “American Bar Association Approved”. A competent paralegal always strives to do the best work possible and further maintains competency by staying abreast of changes in the law, practices and ethics in the legal field.  

Supervision

While a paralegal often works independently, an attorney must supervise and ultimately be responsible for the work produced. Because their names are attached to it, most attorneys will actively supervise their paralegals' work. However, there are occasions when a paralegal must seek out appropriate supervision to maintain high ethical standards.

A common misconception among people, who do not know the field, is that a paralegal's role in a law office consists mainly of menial duties. Anyone who thinks this has obviously never done any paralegal work and probably does not know anyone who has worked in the field. A paralegal’s role is best described as one of assisting the supervisory lawyer. There are, however, a myriad of responsibilities and duties that fall under that job description. A paralegal's main objective is always to lighten the workload of the attorney. As such, a paralegal is often assigned necessary and appropriate tasks and not worthless duties that the lawyers are uninterested in doing themselves.

A paralegal plays an important role in the legal process beyond maintaining and efficiently running the law office. While this may be an important part of a paralegal's role, it is not the only part.  A paralegal routinely undertakes work and responsibilities that are crucial to the success of an attorney. To consider a paralegal as nothing more than a glorified assistant is both unjust and untrue.