The Paralegal Field

woman carrying briefcaseYou’re interested in the law—perhaps you’re working in the field or maybe you’ve always had a fascination with our laws and how they work. Now you’re wondering what exactly is a paralegal and what do paralegals do?

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations defines a paralegal as “a person, qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work. Substantive shall mean work requiring recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.”

In other words, paralegals do similar work as lawyers, with some limitations, and thus, permit lawyers to more efficiently and profitably provide legal services. For example, paralegals are not allowed to set legal fees, give legal advice, or present cases in court.

There really is no “typical day” for a paralegal. The work is varied. As a paralegal, one of your most important tasks is helping your lawyer prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. You will investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered.

In addition, you’ll identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After analyzing and organizing the information, you may prepare written memos that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. Should attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, you may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys.

In addition to this preparatory work, paralegals perform a number of other essential functions, depending on the employer’s need. For example, you may:

  • Draft contracts, mortgages, separation agreements, and instruments of trust.
  • Assist in preparing tax returns and planning estates.
  • Coordinate the activities of other law office employees.
  • File annual financial reports.
  • Monitor and review government regulations.
  • Oversee team projects in a supervisory role.

The variety of the work is one of many reasons to pursue a career in the paralegal field.

Salaries for paralegals vary, depending on the type of employer, location, billing rates, and level of education and experience. As demand for paralegals continues to grow, so do the salary ranges. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that employment for paralegals will grow much faster than average, as employers try to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks formerly carried out by lawyers. Check out the results of the recent National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) salary survey.

Ready to stretch, specialize, and succeed? Pursue your passion for the law—become a paralegal! Contact AIPS at 800-553-2420 or take our online introductory virtual tour
Stretch. Specialize. Succeed.