Paralegal Career Info
Successful paralegals do much more than just assist lawyers with court filings—they also come equip with professional training needed to conduct case investigations, research law, prepare documents and write contracts. Although some paralegals work with private practice attorneys who specialize in bankruptcy, criminal or civil law, others work in sectors such as business, health care, insurance and government. A wide variety of paralegal careers exist, including:
- Criminal justice law—helps attorneys defend, protect and uphold the law in criminal courts
- Contract law-- analyzes legal issues involving contracts and agreements
- Mediation – processes the resolutions or agreements between parties in conflict
Paralegal Education & Training
Becoming a paralegal does not mean passing a bar exam of completing years of law school, but most paralegals have an associate or bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Often, employers will train on the job, but coursework in law is a plus. Gaining job experience as a legal assistant or court administrator could prove beneficial to this career path.
Paralegal Salaries
In May 2008, paralegals had average yearly wages of $48,790, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but people who work for large law firms or in large cities could earn more.
Related Paralegal Careers
If becoming a paralegal doesn't feel like an exact match, other options exist. Check out related legal careers that could spark your interest, including: court clerk, court reporter, law clerk, mediator, court reporter, lawyer, title examiner, abstractor and legal support worker.
