1. What is a Paralegal and other Questions on Paralegal
Career Answered
The following article published on Paralegal Training and Jobs blog.
Photo by Wrote
The answer to the question, "what is a paralegal", is as complex as it is simple. Firstly, people
who practice the profession are highly skilled individuals who aid lawyers in many capacities. A
paralegal is far from being a clerk; the demands of the job are much higher and draw the
professional paralegal into very substantive legal issues.
The primary task of the paralegal is research, both factual and legal. They draft documents,
spend time with clients and have case management duties. Many paralegals have the same
skill set as a practicing attorney, but as they are not licensed they cannot provide direct service
to the public.
Does The Paralegal Works Independently?
To be a great paralegal and have a productive career, you have to be a real people person.
They are often team players, working hand in hand with the responsible attorney, the legal
secretaries and the client, the witness or unbridled court personnel. Of course, the ability to
effectively communicate is paramount. Not only must the paralegal be able to speak in plain
English to the clients, he/she needs a full and in depth understanding of the law and all of its
particular nuances. Being highly literate with computer skills is called for. All of these assets go
to answering the question, "What is a paralegal"?
What Is The Value Of a Paralegal?
The legal profession would be sorely missing an important part of the mechanism without the
paralegals. They often deliver the services equally as well as a lawyer, but at a much different
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2. rate of remuneration. With the amount of data they can accumulate to support their lawyer, they
not only ease his case load, they save the client money as well.
The lawyers works best under pressure, they are taught the skill of thinking on their feet, in the
heat of battle in the court room. The paralegal is a much more methodical individual; however,
he/she provides the date that is needed by the lawyer to effectively plead on his client's behalf.
What Type of Training is Required to Become a Paralegal?
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A paralegal is best served by having a degree in Associate in Science. This is an academic
program which is designed very much with the paralegal in mind. The program couples the
disciplines of a liberal arts degree with hard core paralegal intent. When you become a graduate
of this course of studies, you will be qualified to sit the examination given by the National
Federation of Paralegal Association, and upon graduation, practice as a registered paralegal
and use this professional designation.
This is critical to the success of the paralegal. Through continuing education, a paralegal can
perhaps find a path to law school, and then the bar. The course of studies includes contract law,
family law, probate, real estate law and an introduction to litigation and the practices of trial
conduct.
What About Paralegal Salary Average And Expectations?
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3. Photo by Cory Brown :: Austin, Texas
The paralegal salary is based on a whole host of variables. As an entry level, recent graduate,
the expected salary is about $22,000 per year. As the paralegal gains more and more
experience, and adds to his professional credentials through continued education, this wage
can be easily surmounted.
The wage of a paralegal is really not an accurate statement. As the position calls for a lot of
additional work and overtime, the premium can often equal or go beyond the wage. The
specialty of the law firm can also impact the paralegals wage. Paralegals working in firms who
specialize in intellectual property rights, mergers and acquisitions and litigation will make
considerably more than the paralegal working in a firm of lawyers who focus on family law.
What Is The Future of Paralegal Careers?
If one can believe the United States Bureau of Statistics, the paralegal profession is the sixth
fastest growing career in the country. As litigation is an every day event for many Americans,
either as the plaintiff or the respondent, the need will continue to grow. As the position grows in
importance, so does the aura of acceptability and the wage and benefit package.
As the demand grows, so does the competition from law firms for the very best. At the end of
the day, a $70,000 wage is not all that significant compared to the benefit an effective paralegal
can bring to the firm!
Original story: What is a Paralegal and other Questions on Paralegal Career Answered
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