.jpg)
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
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.
[extra href=”#example” title=”The Organizer” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”People with this personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.”]The Organizer[/extra]
[content_band class=”toc”] [custom_headline style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h6″]Table of Contents[/custom_headline]
[/content_band]
Paralegals and Legal Assistants 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.
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- 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.
[clear]
Featured Schools
[clear]
Paralegals and Legal Assistants with little to no experience tend to make between $31400 and $38860 while the more experienced ones can earn over $65080 per year.
| Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| DC | $39 | $80,470 |
| CT | $30 | $62,760 |
| CA | $29 | $61,240 |
| WA | $29 | $60,940 |
| MA | $29 | $60,320 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Paralegal and Legal Assistant is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants are DC, CT, CA, WA and MA.
However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Paralegal and Legal Assistant is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.
[clear]
We asked other Paralegals and Legal Assistants what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
| Legal Assistant/Paralegal |
[clear]
Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Paralegal and Legal Assistant.
| [icon type=”thumbs-o-up”] PROS |
|---|
| Suitable for people who likes to follow routines |
| Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment |
| This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
| It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career. |
| [icon type=”thumbs-o-down”] CONS |
|---|
| Not suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work |
| Salary is below average |
| Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week) |
[clear]
[clear]
69% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants said they were satisfied with their job and 45% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Paralegals and legal assistants are an integral part of the legal system. These professionals support lawyers, law firms, agencies, and corporate entities by preparing legal documents, conducting legal research precedents and case investigations. Paralegals and legal assistants work in all areas of legislation, offering a form of clerical support. To become a paralegal or legal … Read More
[clear]
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..
They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
[clear]
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
| [icon type=”home”] | Summary (You are here) |
| [icon type=”list-ul”] | Job Description |
| [icon type=”dollar”] | Salary |
| [icon type=”graduation-cap”] | Requirements |
| [icon type=”heart”] | Quiz |
Related career information
Paralegals and Legal Assistants job description, Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary, Paralegals and Legal Assistants information, what is the job of a Paralegal and Legal Assistant like, pros and cons about Paralegals and Legal Assistants, colleges and universities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, is Paralegals and Legal Assistants the right career for me, careers in Law and Legal
Similar careers
Assistant Paralegal, Attorney Law Clerk, Bankruptcy Assistant, Certified Paralegal, Child Support Specialist, Closing Agent, Complex Commercial Litigation Paralegal, Contract Preparer, Contracts Specialist, Corporate Law Assistant