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Paralegals: A Profession in Demand

Paralegals serve a vital role in the nation’s legal system, assisting attorneys by drafting documents, collecting supporting materials, performing initial investigations and generally assisting in the preparation of legal cases. Paralegals engage in a great deal of research, identifying precedents and previous judicial decisions that may have a material effect on their cases. Additionally, many paralegals are responsible for retrieving police and other public records and obtaining affidavits from relevant witnesses. Paralegal professionals typically are employed by law firms or government offices and are employed by both civil and criminal lawyers.
A thorough grounding in legal terminology and solid computer skills are necessary in order to succeed in the paralegal profession. Paralegals must be able to read and understand complex legal documents and perform research on a number of proprietary and non-proprietary databases in order to collect information on precedents, regulations, statutes, and legal decisions; additionally, many modern law offices use sophisticated scanning software to download information and compile reports. The duties of paralegal professionals vary considerably depending upon what field of law they practice; paralegals in the real estate industry, for instance, must be familiar with all varieties of mortgage documents, liens, and property deeds and will be called upon to draft and examine such documents frequently. A keen attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the relevant field of law are essential traits for paralegals.

Specialized training is required in order to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to find work as a paralegal; typically, this involves coursework at the university level that offers an overview of legal procedure, terminology, and documentation. Educational options include a two-year associate’s degree, an advanced certification for those who already hold a degree in another area of study, or a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. Coursework usually focuses on a broad spectrum of legal topics, including civil litigation, criminal law, torts, contracts, finance law, legal terminology and formatting, legal research methodology, and ethical standards. After graduation, paralegal students can seek employment immediately or undergo an internship with a large law firm or government agency.

Paralegals work in all fields of law, and in environments ranging from high-level government agencies to small store-front legal offices. Depending on geographic area and qualifications, most paralegals will find their skills in demand and well-compensated; the median salary for paralegals in 2009 was over $60,000. Employment prospects for paralegals are bright, with demand expected to grow in coming years.

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