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A paralegal assists lawyers with various tasks such as research, drafting legal documents, and organizing case files. They play a crucial role in the legal system and help lawyers to provide quality services to clients. Paralegals may work in law firms, corporations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. They must have strong analytical skills and attention to detail although they do not provide legal advice or represent clients in court.
Associate Professor of Classics, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Avg. Salary $49,943
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 14%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%
Asian 5.74%
Black or African American 9.24%
Hispanic or Latino 20.15%
Unknown 4.83%
White 59.64%
Genderfemale 77.63%
male 22.37%
Age - 47American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 47Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Pros
Chance to work on high-profile cases
Opportunity for career advancement
Exposure to different areas of law
Opportunities to work with prestigious law firms and attorneys
Increased job security due to the growing demand for paralegals
Cons
Repetitive and tedious tasks such as document review and filing
High level of responsibility without the ability to practice law
May require working outside of regular business hours or on weekends
Limited upward mobility for those without a law degree
May require working in a confrontational or emotionally charged environment
Skills | Percentages |
---|---|
Litigation | 15.11% |
Legal Research | 11.82% |
Law Firm | 8.73% |
Discovery Responses | 8.70% |
Subpoenas | 5.41% |
Paralegal certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific paralegal certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for paralegals include Certified Paralegal (CP) and Advanced Paralegal Certification (APC).
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your paralegal resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a paralegal resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Now it's time to start searching for a paralegal job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
The average Paralegal salary in the United States is $49,943 per year or $24 per hour. Paralegal salaries range between $35,000 and $70,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
The interesting cases, typing briefs and long, detailed reports.
The attorneys
Working with good people & good clients trying to help them
Like to work in good atmosphere
Learning and understanding how the Corporate world operates. I also like the stability of the work on a day to day basis.