Career Overview
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Also Known As
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Clerk
- Paralegal
- Paralegal Specialist
Alternate Job Titles
- Certified Paralegal
- Contract Preparer
- Contracts Specialist
- Corporate Legal Assistant
- Corporate Paralegal
- Document Processor
- Estate Planning Paralegal
- Family Law Paralegal
- Immigration Paralegal
- Intellectual Property Paralegal
- Law Associate
- Legal Aide
- Legal Analyst
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Clerk
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Manage attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings.
- Request, review, and summarize relevant records for the cases.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Support
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Google Docs
- Google Workspace software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Image scanners
- Laser facsimile machines
- Notebook computers
- Optical character recognition equipment
- Personal computers
- Photocopiers
- Scanners
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Sitting
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $39,710 |
| Median | $61,010 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $98,990 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 367,220
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $54,140
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $54,980
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $67,310
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,700
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,290
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.