There’s something undeniably intriguing about the legal world. There’s a sense of power and importance when you work in a field guiding the rules of society. After all, decisions in courtrooms can change millions of lives, and the mountains of paperwork legal offices generate add up to very real consequences.
You might be interested in this field, but the seven-plus years of education and training it takes to become an attorney may seem like a heavy commitment. A career as a paralegal sounds interesting, but like any good legal mind, you want to do your research first.
What is a paralegal, exactly? And how does someone get into this career?
We connected with paralegal pros and dug into the numbers to find out exactly what the paralegal profession entails. Pay attention to this insider insight to help you decide whether this career is right for you.
What is a paralegal, anyway?
Paralegals are typically employed by a lawyer or law firm, acting as a jack-of-all-trades for their respective employer. They may assist with administrative duties, case prep and any other elements that help ensure a law office runs smoothly. “My paralegal is my right hand,” says Elizabeth Ricci, Esq. “A good paralegal is vital to the success of any law practice.”
Ricci adds that her paralegal maintains her calendar, keeps clients informed of the status of their cases and performs legal work under her direction. Paralegals tend to have a hand in several aspects of the business, toeing the line between legal secretary and entry-level lawyer, depending on the practice and the paralegal’s experience.
What are some common paralegal job duties?
Though paralegal duties tend to vary depending on work setting—working directly for a corporation or in law firm—and firm size, you can likely count on these duties in most job descriptions:
- Interacting with clients: Helping interview clients, gathering details of a case or touching base to schedule appointments.
- Research and writing: Fact-checking, conducting research and writing reports on your findings.
- Assisting with case preparation: Gathering evidence, proofreading or taking notes during the trial.
In small firms, paralegals may find themselves assisting in nearly every aspect of a case from filing lawsuits, to assisting in court and scheduling depositions and meetings. However, in large firms, paralegals may be assigned to a specific phase of an individual case—like gathering research or collecting and organizing evidence.
Paralegals can also specialize in certain areas of law and go deep into niche areas of expertise. Check out “8 Types of Paralegals Who Specialize in Different Fields of Law” for a look at some of those options.
Where do paralegals work?
Most paralegals (nearly 75 percent) work in law firms, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 Law firms specialize in many areas including personal injury, international, family, estate planning and intellectual property law.
Paralegals in law firms do the vast majority of their work within the office setting, but at times they may travel to do research or assist during a trial. This type of work is often fast-paced with tight deadlines that may require paralegals to work more than 40 hours a week, but it varies depending on the law firm.
There are two primary legal sectors paralegals work in: corporate and litigation. Corporate paralegals often work for in-house legal departments within large companies—assisting with employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock-option plans and keeping tabs on government regulations. Many companies opt for in-house legal staff, instead of hiring outside law firms to help them lower costs.
On the other hand, litigation paralegals work wherever there is legal action to be taken, often organizing evidence, getting documents from clients, doing research and prepping for trials—including making logistical arrangements. These types of paralegals often work for law firms and make up the majority of the paralegal workforce.