Paralegal Career Guide

What Does a Paralegal Do?

Paralegals and legal assistants support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks including conducting legal research, maintaining and organizing files, drafting documents, and helping prepare for trials and hearings. They investigate case facts, research relevant laws and regulations, gather and organize legal documents, file exhibits and briefs with courts, and coordinate schedules for interviews, meetings, and depositions. Paralegals work primarily in law offices but may occasionally travel for depositions or trials.

Education & Requirements

• Typical Education: Associate's degree in paralegal studies (most common); some employers prefer bachelor's degree
• Certifications: Optional but preferred by many employers; requires passing an exam and continuing education
• Key Skills: Communication, detail orientation, interpersonal skills, organizational skills, research skills
• Experience: None required; some employers hire candidates with high school diploma and provide on-the-job training

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data):

• Median Annual Salary: $61,010
• Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,710
• Experienced (90th percentile): $98,990
• Top-Paying Industries: Federal government ($77,940), Finance and insurance ($76,960)
• Median Hourly Wage: $29.33 per hour

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034 (0% growth). Despite limited employment growth, about 39,300 openings are projected each year to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or retire. While law firms will continue to employ paralegals to help prepare legal documents, advances in technology including artificial intelligence are expected to make paralegals more efficient at research and document preparation tasks, which may limit demand for these workers.

How to Break Into This Field

1. Education: Earn an associate's degree in paralegal studies from an accredited program. Alternatively, earn a bachelor's degree in social science or business and complete a paralegal certificate program.
2. Entry-Level Roles: Apply for paralegal or legal assistant positions at law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies. Some firms hire without legal experience and provide on-the-job training.
3. Build Skills: Develop proficiency in legal research databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis), legal writing, case management software, and document organization. Strong attention to detail is critical.
4. Network: Join the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). Attend local bar association events.
5. Apply Strategically: 74% of paralegals work in legal services firms. Also consider federal/local government (each 5% of jobs) which offer higher pay. Use specialized legal job boards.

Career Path & Advancement

Paralegals typically start with routine tasks like filing documents and basic research, then advance to more complex legal work as they gain experience. Senior paralegals may specialize in areas like litigation, corporate law, intellectual property, or bankruptcy. Some become paralegal supervisors or legal office managers. With additional education, paralegals can transition to law school to become attorneys, though many prefer to remain in paralegal roles due to better work-life balance.

Pros & Cons

Related Careers

If you're interested in Paralegal, you might also consider:

• Lawyer (median $151,160, requires law degree)
• Legal Secretary (median $47,460)
• Claims Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator (median $76,790)
• Court Reporter (median $63,560)