More About Paralegal Careers

If you've been considering a paralegal career, stop and get an inside look at what the job entails, its earnings potential, and job prospects for the future.

What does a paralegal do?
Whether it's researching and reporting on case laws for the lawyers they work for, or assisting in the drawing up of legal documents and contracts, paralegals help carry out the law every day. The fact of the matter is paralegals really make it possible for lawyers to do their jobs effectively, as they handle much of the supportive tasks needed to litigate and work cases. Think about your favorite fictional law dramas, in which the attorney discovers some legal precedent at the last minute to save the day. In real life, it may very well be the paralegal that makes such discoveries.

When it comes to day-to-day duties, paralegals do also have to engage in some clerical tasks like filing legal papers at the courthouse, for instance. That's where organizational and strong time management skills come into play. Paralegals should also know their way around and be comfortable in an office setting, meaning having a working knowledge of how to use equipment like fax machines, copiers, computer applications, postage machines, phone systems, and more will make navigating a law office more efficient.

How much do paralegals get paid and what kinds of paralegal jobs can I get?
According to the BLS, as of May 2006, paralegals were paid as little as $38,020 for working in the state government, and as much as $56,080 for working in the federal government. Despite generally working 40-hour workweeks, many paralegals receive bonuses for the longer hours they sometimes have to work.

If you're considering a job as a paralegal, now is a good time to enter the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for paralegals and other legal assistants is expected to increase by 22 percent between the period of 2006 and 2016.

While the BLS projects that the current economic recession may negatively impact career growth in some areas, for paralegals, it can also increase demand for them thanks to the amount of companies requiring legal help with matters such as foreclosures and bankruptcies. In addition, there is also a growing need for legal services in the areas of intellectual property thanks to the growth of shared content and multimedia on the Internet; health care and elder issues due to the aging population; international law as the world of business becomes more global; and environmental law as we become more aware of making the world a greener place.

A paralegal is not limited to working in any particular area of law. They are qualified to work in litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, or real estate.

While a majority of the employment opportunities for paralegals exist in law offices, paralegals may also work for banks, insurance companies, private industry, title companies and government.

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