The effective practice of law requires a team of conscientious, competent professionals. A critical member of that team is the paralegal, who plays a vital role in the legal system by completing essential legal tasks that ensure the delivery of quality legal services to the client. A paralegal’s primary role is to provide support to attorneys.
Paralegals may work specifically with one lawyer or a group of attorneys. The work that paralegals do varies based on the size and practice area of the firm at which they are employed, but commonly includes meeting with clients, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, researching case law and legal precedents, drafting documents, pleadings, and correspondence with clients and the court.
The paralegal field is growing and offers opportunities in many different areas of concentration. A paralegal can work in a variety of legal fields, finding success with corporate firms, private firms or in the public arena. Much like attorneys, paralegals can choose a certain type of law, which can determine the type of work they will do on a regular basis.
A litigation paralegal, for example, may prepare clients for trial, interview witnesses, research legal precedents pertinent to a case, and must have a wide knowledge of the court rules and evidentiary issues. A paralegal degree does offers opportunities outside the legal field, including in real estate, hospitals, nonprofits and health care systems.
Success
communication skills, a willingness to learn computer software applications and attention to detail are important attributes to succeed as a paralegal. You should have good people skills, be an independent worker and have a high degree of personal integrity.
Career
The paralegal profession has been a growth occupation for the past 25 years.
“Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects." — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
