Paralegal Studies

PARALEGALS

1. What do paralegals do?

While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals, often called legal assistants. While paralegals are not allowed to complete some legal duties by law (e.g. setting legal fees, giving legal advice, presenting cases in court, etc.), they are able to perform many of the same tasks of lawyers.

Paralegals can investigate the facts of cases to ensure all relevant information is considered; conduct legal research on relevant statutes, cases, and secondary sources of law such as legal journals; help attorneys prepare legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trial; and meet with clients, witnesses, experts, and other parties involved in a case. Some paralegals are also involved in the administration of the law office they work in and the maintenance of financial office records.

It is important to keep in mind that though all of the things listed above are things that paralegals can do, what the responsibilities and tasks a paralegal will be assigned by an attorney depend largely on the attorney and the firm. Some attorneys and firms delegate much more than others.

2. In what settings can a paralegal work?

Paralegals can be found in all types of organizations but generally work in law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices.

3. Do paralegals specialize in certain types of law?

As the legal field has become more complex, paralegals have become more specialized. For example, some paralegals specialize in medical malpractice while others specialize in labor law. How specialized the work of a paralegal is depends largely on the setting the paralegal works in. If the paralegal works at a large firm where they are assigned to a specific department and team of attorneys, they are more likely to specialize. If a paralegal works in a smaller firm, they are more likely to work in many areas of the law.

4. What is an average work schedule like for paralegals?

Paralegals generally work a standard 40 hour work week. However, paralegals who work for law firms might have to work longer hours if they are involved in a trial or an especially intense project.

5. How much do paralegals make?

In 2002, the average salary for a paralegal nationwide was $37,950 with a range of salaries between $24,000-$60,000 depending on the geographical location of the job and the type of organization the paralegal was employed by.

6. What is the current demand for paralegals?

The U.S. Department of Labor has predicted that the demand for paralegals through the years 2012 will grow faster than average as law offices try to reduce costs by assigning paralegals tasks formerly carried out by lawyers.

7. What are the qualifications for becoming a paralegal?

There are several ways to become a paralegal. First, you can attend a community college that offers a paralegal program as an associate’s degree, which will generally take 2 years. Second, for those who already have a college degree, you can take a certification program that leads to a certification in paralegal studies, which will generally take only a few months. Third, a small handful of schools offer a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, while some even offer master’s degrees in paralegal studies. Fourth, some employers train paralegals on the job by hiring college graduates or high school students with no legal experience or by promoting legal secretaries.

Formal paralegal training is offered by approximately 600 colleges, universities, law schools, and proprietary schools. Approximately 250 of the 600 programs are ABA (American Bar Association) certified. Though many employers do not require one to have graduate from an ABA certified paralegal program, it can enhance one’s employment opportunities by giving an applicant an “edge” when applying or by allowing an applicant to apply for those jobs where the employer does require ABA-certified training.

Admissions requirements into these formal programs vary greatly. Some require certain college courses or a bachelor’s degree while others will accept people right out of high school.

In selecting a program, prospective students should look at whether the school offers internships, which can give students valuable experience and allow them to find a job after graduation more easily and whether the school has a career placement program.

8. Does BYU offer a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies?

No. BYU does not offer a degree in paralegal studies. However, UVSC offers an associate’s degree in paralegal studies.

9. How can I find out more information about becoming a paralegal?

Check out the following websites:

www.abanet.org (Standing Committee on Legal Assistants, American Bar Association)

www.nala.org (National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.)

www.paralegals.org (National Federation of Paralegal Associations)

www.aafpe.org (American Association for Paralegal Education)

Information for this handout compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm (visited June 22, 2005).