What is a Paralegal? How to Become One

If you like courtroom drama series or movies, you may have heard the word ” Paralegal “. In this blog, we are going to talk about what is a paralegal, what skills you need to become one, career opportunities, how long it takes to become one, salary, and many more.

What is a Paralegal

A paralegal is a professional who supports lawyers in the practice of law. Unlike lawyers, who are licensed to practice law and represent clients in legal proceedings, paralegals are not licensed to practice law. However, they play a vital role in the legal system by performing a variety of tasks that help lawyers to prepare cases and represent clients effectively.

They are educated in the principles of law and the legal system, and they possess a strong understanding of legal terminology, procedures, and documents. They use this knowledge to conduct legal research, gather and organize evidence, and draft legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, and briefs. They may also assist with trial preparation, including organizing exhibits and witness lists and helping to prepare attorneys for court proceedings.

In addition to their technical skills, they must also possess strong communication and organizational abilities. They often work closely with clients, answering their questions and explaining legal concepts and procedures. They must also be able to work effectively with lawyers and other legal professionals, as well as with support staff such as legal secretaries and clerks.

They may work in a variety of settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. They may specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, family law, or corporate law. Some paralegals are self-employed and work as independent contractors, providing their services to a variety of clients on a project-by-project basis.

In conclusion, it is a highly skilled and valuable member of the legal team who plays a vital role in the practice of law. Through their knowledge, expertise, and dedication, they help to ensure that the legal system operates efficiently and effectively.

What Does a Paralegal Do?

Paralegals typically perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers in the practice of law. Some of the tasks that they may be responsible for include:

• Conducting legal research: They may be responsible for researching and analyzing legal issues and cases, both to assist with specific cases and to help lawyers stay up-to-date on legal developments.
• Drafting legal documents: They may be responsible for drafting a wide range of legal documents, including contracts, pleadings, briefs, and other documents.
• Assisting with trial preparation: They may help to prepare for trials by organizing exhibits and witness lists, preparing attorneys for court proceedings, and assisting with other trial-related tasks.
• Communicating with clients: They may be responsible for communicating with clients and answering their questions about legal issues and procedures.
• Managing case files: They may be responsible for maintaining and organizing case files, including tracking deadlines, scheduling appointments, and ensuring that necessary documents are available when needed.
• Providing general support to lawyers: They may perform a wide range of other tasks to support lawyers, including scheduling appointments, managing calendars, and handling administrative tasks.

What Skills Do You Need to Become a Paralegal?

To become a paralegal, you will need to possess a range of skills, both technical and personal. Some of the skills that may be useful for a paralegal to have include:

• Knowledge of legal principles and procedures: They should have a strong understanding of the legal system, including legal terminology, procedures, and documents.
• Research skills: They are often responsible for conducting legal research, so it is important to have strong research skills and be comfortable with using online databases and other resources to gather information.
• Writing skills: They are often responsible for drafting legal documents, so strong writing skills are essential.
• Attention to detail: They must be detail-oriented in order to accurately and thoroughly complete their tasks.
• Organizational skills: They may be responsible for managing case files and other legal documents, so strong organizational skills are important.
• Communication skills: They may work with clients, lawyers, and other legal professionals, so excellent communication skills are essential.
• Interpersonal skills: A paralegal should be able to work effectively with a wide range of people and be able to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Computer skills: They may be required to use a variety of computer programs, such as word processing and spreadsheet software, to complete their tasks.

How To Become a Paralegal?

Becoming a paralegal is a rewarding career path for those interested in the legal field who want to make a difference but may not want to become a lawyer.

To become one, there are several steps you can take:

Earn a bachelor’s degree

While it is not necessarily required to have a bachelor’s degree to become a paralegal, earning one can be beneficial and may improve your career prospects. A bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as criminal justice or political science, can provide a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will be useful in your career as a paralegal.

Complete a paralegal education program

In order to become one, you will need to complete a paralegal education program. These programs are typically offered at colleges and universities and may be available at the associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree level.

Gain Practical Experience

While in school or after completing your education, you may want to gain practical experience in the field. This could include interning or working as a legal assistant, which can provide valuable hands-on experience and help you to build your skills and knowledge.

Obtain Certification

While certification is not required to become a paralegal, it can be beneficial and may improve your career prospects. There are several organizations that offer certification, such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). To become certified, you will typically need to meet certain education and experience requirements and pass an exam.

Consider Specializing

Paralegals may choose to specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, family law, or corporate law. Specializing can help you to develop expertise in a specific area and may improve your career prospects.

In conclusion, becoming this requires a combination of education and practical experience. By completing a paralegal education program, gaining practical experience, and possibly obtaining certification, you can build the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this rewarding career.

Types of Paralegal

There are several types of paralegals, depending on the area of law in which they specialize and the setting in which they work. Some common types of paralegals include:

• Litigation paralegals: They work with attorneys to prepare for trials and other legal proceedings. They may be responsible for organizing exhibits and witness lists, drafting pleadings and other legal documents, and assisting with research and case preparation.
• Corporate paralegals: They work for businesses or other organizations and assist with legal issues related to corporate governance, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Real estate paralegals: They assist with legal issues related to the buying, selling, and leasing of real estate. They may be responsible for preparing documents such as deeds, mortgages, and leases, as well as conducting title searches and preparing closing documents.
• Estate planning paralegals: They assist with legal issues related to estate planning and probate. They may be responsible for preparing documents such as wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents, as well as assisting with probate proceedings.
• Immigration paralegals: They assist with legal issues related to immigration, such as helping clients to apply for visas and citizenship. They may be responsible for preparing and filing immigration documents and assisting with research and case preparation.
• Family law paralegals: They assist with legal issues related to family matters, such as divorce, child custody, and adoption. They may be responsible for preparing documents and assisting with case preparation.

Differences Between a Paralegal and a Lawyer

There are several key differences between paralegals and lawyers:

• Education: In order to become a lawyer, one must earn a law degree (JD) and pass a bar exam. To become a paralegal, one typically needs to complete a postsecondary paralegal education program, although some may also have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Scope of practice: Lawyers are licensed to practice law and represent clients in legal proceedings, while paralegals are not licensed to practice law. Paralegals assist lawyers with legal work, but they do not have the authority to represent clients in court or provide legal advice.
• Job duties: Lawyers have a wider scope of practice than paralegals and may be responsible for a wide range of legal tasks, including representing clients in court, negotiating settlements, and providing legal advice. Paralegals typically assist lawyers with these tasks and may be responsible for conducting legal research, drafting documents, and assisting with trial preparation, among other duties.
• Compensation: Lawyers generally earn higher salaries than paralegals, although the specific salaries of both professions can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and specialty.
• Career prospects: While both paralegals and lawyers may advance in their careers, the opportunities for advancement may be greater for lawyers. For example, paralegals may be able to advance to supervisory or management positions, but they may not be able to become partners in a law firm or hold other high-level positions that are typically only open to lawyers.

Paralegal Salary

The salary of a paralegal can vary depending on factors such as location, level of experience, education, and specialty. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $53,910 as of May 2020. The top 10% earned more than $82,050 per year, while the bottom 10% earned less than $32,960 per year.

Those who work in law firms tend to earn higher salaries than those who work in other settings, such as corporate legal departments or government agencies. Those who specialize in a particular area of law, such as patent law or real estate law, may also earn higher salaries. In addition, someone with advanced degrees or certifications may have better job prospects and may earn higher salaries.

It is worth noting that the BLS wage data does not include self-employed, who may earn different salaries depending on their clients and the terms of their contracts.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Paralegal?

The length of time it takes to become a paralegal can vary depending on the level of education you pursue and the type of program you enroll in. Some may be able to enter the field with just a certificate or associate’s degree, which can typically be completed in two years or less. Others may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related field, which can take four years to complete.

Some education programs offer accelerated options that allow students to complete their studies in a shorter time frame. For example, some programs may offer evening or weekend classes, or they may offer online courses that allow students to complete their studies at their own pace.

It is worth noting that in addition to completing an education program, some may also choose to gain practical experience by interning or working as a legal assistants. This can help them to build their skills and knowledge and may improve their career prospects.