What does a paralegal do?

What is a Paralegal?

A paralegal assists attorneys in their legal work. These individuals play an important role in the legal field by conducting research, preparing legal documents, and providing administrative support to attorneys.

Paralegals are well-versed in legal procedures, terminology, and regulations, which enables them to analyze cases, gather relevant information, and draft legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, and briefs. They may also assist in trial preparation, organize evidence, and coordinate with clients and other professionals involved in a case. While paralegals are not licensed to practice law, their expertise and support significantly contribute to the efficient functioning of legal teams and the delivery of quality legal services.

A paralegal provides essential assistance in various legal matters. Their expertise allows attorneys to focus on their core legal responsibilities, ultimately aiding in the smooth functioning of legal processes and facilitating access to justice for clients.

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a paralegal can vary depending on the law firm, legal department, or organization they work for. However, here are some common tasks and responsibilities typically associated with the role of a paralegal:

Legal Research: Conducting research on legal issues, statutes, regulations, and case laws relevant to the cases or matters the firm is handling.
Document Drafting and Review: Assisting attorneys in drafting various legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, motions, and briefs. Also, reviewing and organizing legal documents for accuracy and completeness.
Case Management: Organizing and maintaining case files, tracking important deadlines, and coordinating with clients, courts, and other parties involved in the case.
Investigation Support: Assisting in fact-finding and investigative tasks, such as gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and conducting background checks.
Trial Preparation: Helping with trial preparation by preparing exhibits, witnesses, and trial binders. Paralegals may also attend trials to provide support to attorneys during the proceedings.
Administrative Tasks: Performing administrative duties, such as scheduling meetings, answering phone calls, managing calendars, and handling correspondence.
Legal Technology: Utilizing legal software and technology for document management, research, case tracking, and other law-related tasks.
Client Communication: Interacting with clients, answering their inquiries, and providing updates on the status of their cases.
Ethics and Confidentiality: Adhering to ethical guidelines and maintaining strict confidentiality regarding client information and privileged communications.
Specialized Tasks: In some cases, paralegals may specialize in specific areas of law, such as real estate, corporate law, intellectual property, family law, or immigration, and focus on tasks specific to those fields.

Types of Paralegals
Paralegals can specialize in various areas of law, and their roles and responsibilities can differ based on their specialization. Here are some common types of paralegals and what they do:

Litigation Paralegal: Litigation paralegals work in law firms or legal departments that handle lawsuits and disputes. They assist attorneys with trial preparation, document management, drafting pleadings, organizing exhibits, conducting legal research, and maintaining case files.
Corporate Paralegal: Corporate paralegals work in corporate legal departments or law firms that handle business matters. They assist with drafting contracts, conducting due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, preparing corporate governance documents, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
Real Estate Paralegal: Real estate paralegals work in real estate law firms or departments and assist with tasks related to property transactions. They help with title searches, drafting real estate documents, preparing closing documents, and coordinating property closings.
Family Law Paralegal: Family law paralegals work with attorneys who handle issues related to divorce, child custody, adoption, and other family matters. They assist in preparing legal documents, gathering financial information, and managing sensitive family-related cases.
Intellectual Property Paralegal: Intellectual property (IP) paralegals work with IP attorneys to protect and enforce patents, trademarks, and copyrights. They assist in filing applications, conducting IP searches, and managing intellectual property portfolios.
Immigration Paralegal: Immigration paralegals assist attorneys in handling immigration-related matters. They help with preparing visa applications, gathering supporting documents, communicating with clients, and staying updated on immigration laws and regulations.
Bankruptcy Paralegal: Bankruptcy paralegals work with attorneys who handle bankruptcy cases. They assist with document preparation, organizing financial records, and communicating with creditors and court personnel.
Environmental Law Paralegal: Environmental law paralegals assist attorneys in cases related to environmental regulations and compliance. They may conduct research on environmental laws, assist with permitting processes, and work on environmental impact assessments.
Criminal Law Paralegal: Criminal law paralegals work with criminal defense attorneys or prosecutors. They help with case research, document preparation, witness interviews, and trial preparation.
Estate Planning Paralegal: Estate planning paralegals assist attorneys in preparing wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. They may also help with probate and estate administration tasks.

Are you suited to be a paralegal?

Paralegals have distinct personalities. They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they’re conscientious and conservative.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if paralegal is one of your top career matches.

Take the free test now Learn more about the career test

What is the workplace of a Paralegal like?

The workplace of a paralegal is typically found in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and various other legal settings. Within a law firm, paralegals often work in a professional office environment alongside attorneys and other legal professionals. They may have their own dedicated workstation or share an office space with other paralegals. The office is equipped with computers, legal software, and access to legal databases, providing essential tools for conducting legal research, managing case files, and preparing legal documents.

In a law firm, paralegals support attorneys with a wide range of tasks, including legal research, drafting legal documents, organizing evidence, and assisting in trial preparation. They work closely with attorneys to ensure that cases are well-prepared and efficiently managed. The atmosphere can be fast-paced, particularly during critical stages of ongoing cases or when approaching deadlines.

Corporate legal departments also employ paralegals to manage legal matters specific to the company's business. Here, paralegals may work within the company's offices and collaborate with other departments, such as finance and human resources. Their responsibilities may include reviewing contracts, maintaining compliance with laws and regulations, and assisting in various business transactions. Paralegals in corporate settings often have a deeper understanding of the company's industry and legal needs, allowing them to provide more targeted support.

In government agencies, paralegals support attorneys in legal matters related to regulations, enforcement actions, and policy development. They may work in government buildings and assist in researching laws, preparing legal documents, and managing case files. Government settings can offer diverse legal challenges and the opportunity to work on public-interest matters.

In non-profit organizations, paralegals contribute their legal expertise to support the organization's mission. They may work in small office environments or shared spaces, collaborating with staff on various legal tasks, such as researching laws and regulations, assisting with grant applications, and participating in legal advocacy efforts.

Regardless of the specific workplace, paralegals must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and proficient in legal research and document preparation. They are integral members of the legal team, assisting attorneys in providing quality legal services to clients or organizations they represent. The work environment for paralegals can be both challenging and rewarding, offering opportunities to work on diverse cases and contribute to the pursuit of justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paralegal vs Judicial Law Clerk

Paralegals and judicial law clerks are both important legal professionals, but they have distinct roles and responsibilities within the legal field.

A paralegal works under the supervision of attorneys in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or other legal settings. They assist attorneys with various tasks, such as conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, organizing case files, and assisting in client communication. Paralegals often have a broader scope of work and may handle multiple cases simultaneously. Their role is focused on providing support to attorneys in the delivery of legal services.

On the other hand, a judicial law clerk works directly with judges in the court system. They assist judges in researching legal issues, analyzing case law, drafting opinions or memoranda, and preparing for court proceedings. Law clerks have a narrower focus, primarily working on the cases assigned to the judge they are assisting. Their primary role is to aid the judge in decision-making and contribute to the judicial process by providing thorough legal analysis and research.

While both paralegals and judicial law clerks perform important legal tasks, the key distinction lies in their working relationships. Paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys and provide support across various legal matters, whereas judicial law clerks work directly with judges and focus on assisting with specific cases or legal issues within the court system.

See Also

Judicial Law Clerk

Pros and Cons of Being a Paralegal

Being a paralegal can be a rewarding career choice, but like any profession, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here are some of the key pros and cons of being a paralegal:

Pros:

Fulfilling Work: Paralegals often work on cases that have a real impact on people's lives. Being part of the legal process and helping clients navigate through legal issues can be highly rewarding.
Diverse Career Opportunities: Paralegals can work in various legal settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. This diversity offers opportunities for specialization and career growth.
Job Stability: The demand for paralegals is expected to remain steady as law firms and legal departments rely on paralegals to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Competitive Salary: Paralegals typically earn a competitive salary compared to other administrative roles, especially with additional education and certifications.
Intellectual Challenge: The legal field offers continuous learning and intellectual challenges, as paralegals engage in legal research, document analysis, and critical thinking.

Cons:

Stressful Workload: The legal profession can be demanding, with tight deadlines and high-pressure situations, especially during trial preparations or critical case phases.
Long Hours: Paralegals may have to work long hours, especially when deadlines approach or during trial periods.
Limited Career Advancement: While paralegals can advance in their careers, there may be limitations to how far they can progress without obtaining a law degree. Advancement opportunities may be more readily available for attorneys.
Emotional Toll: Dealing with sensitive legal matters, such as family disputes or criminal cases, can take an emotional toll on paralegals.
Limited Representation: Paralegals cannot represent clients in court or provide legal advice, which may limit their ability to have direct client interactions or argue cases in court.
Continuing Education Requirements: To maintain certifications and stay competitive, paralegals may need to invest time and money in continuing education.