| Are you interested in legal work, but not law school? | | | | · Most paralegals have at least an associate's |
| Many people want to a career in law, but not | | | | degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree |
| everyone is interested in committing to numerous | | | | coupled with a certificate in paralegal studies. |
| years in school. Paralegals, also known as legal | | | | · The Bureau of Labor Statistics project that |
| assistants are one of the fastest growing careers in | | | | this field will grow faster than average, as employers |
| the legal field. | | | | try to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform |
| The American Bar Association (ABA) defines the role | | | | tasks formerly carried out by lawyers. |
| of a paralegal or legal assistant as an individual that is | | | | · Formally trained paralegals will have the |
| capable by education, training or work experience | | | | best employment opportunities. |
| who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, | | | | Nearly all paralegals have earned an associate's or |
| corporation, governmental agency or other entity | | | | bachelor's degree. The most common paralegal |
| who performs specifically delegated substantive legal | | | | programs are associate's degree programs offered at |
| work for which a lawyer is responsible. | | | | community colleges or specialized schools. These |
| What do Paralegals Do? | | | | programs are usually completed in 2 years. There are |
| Paralegals help lawyers prepare for cases, trials and | | | | also certificate programs and online paralegal |
| meetings. They assist attorneys by analyzing and | | | | programs. Another common method of entry to this |
| organizing information, investigate facts, and even | | | | field for those who already have a college degree is |
| prepare written reports. Their duties can also include | | | | through a program that leads to a certification in |
| researching legal documents, finding witnesses, | | | | paralegal studies. |
| getting affidavits, and tracking case files. In addition, | | | | Financial Rewards of a Paralegal Career |
| paralegals also draft legal documents and contracts. | | | | Paralegals earn an average of 39,130 per year. The |
| Paralegal Facts | | | | middle 50 percent earned between $31,040 and |
| · Approximately 70% of paralegals work for | | | | $49,950. The top 10 percent earned more than |
| law firms. Others work in corporate legal | | | | $61,390. Paralegals working for the federal |
| departments and government agencies. | | | | government earned some of the higher salaries. |