| Ask almost any attorney which employee is most | | | | work deemed to be the practice of law, such as |
| valuable and you'll often get the same answer: the | | | | giving legal advice or trying cases in court. However, |
| paralegal. The name says it all. "Para" comes from the | | | | virtually everything else is subject to being performed |
| root meaning "alongside" and "legal" means "lawyer." | | | | by an assistant. Students enrolled in a St. Louis |
| Together they describe someone who has legal | | | | paralegal program can learn that the most common |
| knowledge and works directly alongside a lawyer, but | | | | responsibilities paralegals perform include: |
| is not formally trained as an attorney. Having | | | | Legal Research - Are there previous cases where |
| someone who possesses specialized skills and can | | | | precedents were set in favor of the client? Has all |
| offer assistance in a meaningful way is of vital | | | | relevant information been considered? Have the laws |
| importance to law firms as well as corporate legal | | | | on the books been studied in full? Attorneys depend |
| teams, government agencies and others. That may | | | | heavily on paralegals to conduct accurate research |
| be why job demand is expected to rise. | | | | for any number of reasons. |
| According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau | | | | Legal Writing and Filing - Another primary function of |
| of Labor Statistics, "Employment is projected to | | | | the paralegal is drafting and filing legal documents. |
| grow much faster than average, as employers try to | | | | Contracts, mortgages, separation agreements, trusts, |
| reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks | | | | wills, deeds, motions, pleadings, affidavits and many |
| formerly carried out by lawyers. Competition for jobs | | | | others will usually cross the paralegal's desk before |
| should continue; experienced, formally trained | | | | the lawyers. |
| paralegals should have the best employment | | | | Litigation Support - Preparing for opening statements |
| opportunities." ( This projection should hold true | | | | and closing arguments as well as witness location, |
| nationwide; so whether you live in Los Angeles or | | | | taking depositions and other tasks are often |
| Missouri, paralegal training can provide the skills | | | | performed by a qualified paralegal. |
| necessary to perform the responsibilities required. | | | | Once general studies have been completed, a |
| Those job duties will vary from organization to | | | | paralegal may choose to continue his or her education |
| organization and from city to city. For example, if | | | | by working toward any number of specialties. Labor |
| working in a corporate environment in Chicago, you | | | | law, family law, bankruptcy, real estate and others |
| might find yourself providing administrative-type | | | | might provide ways to turn this gratifying career path |
| tasks. However, you might conduct legal research or | | | | in a new direction. |
| organize a briefing if working for a law firm in St. | | | | Are you organized, self-motivated and detail |
| Louis. Paralegal program graduates have to be | | | | oriented? Do you find the law and legal processes |
| multi-talented in order to keep pace with this | | | | fascinating? Do you have strong writing and |
| demanding, yet rewarding, career: A fact that holds | | | | computer skills? Then paralegal studies may be |
| true whether working in Illinois or Missouri. | | | | satisfying for you. Check into schools in your area |
| Paralegal Training Can Prepare You For the Real | | | | that offer paralegal training. You might find a new |
| World | | | | career path that can help you achieve your career |
| It is explicitly prohibited for a paralegal to carry out | | | | goals. |