Employment Spot

Paralegal Jobs

Many paralegals find work to be rewarding and interesting. Paralegals come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. For example, some recent college graduates work as paralegals as they seek to learn whether working as a lawyer would be for them. Other recent college graduates work as paralegals temporarily to earn money and build their resumes. Law firms also employ paralegal veterans who have made a career of the profession. Approximately 70 percent of paralegals work for law firms. The remainder often works for corporate legal departments or the government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegal employment is expected to grow “much faster than average” through 2014, as employers attempt to save on costs. Paralegals will be given work traditionally assigned to lawyers. The paralegals with the best chance of receiving a paralegal job will have experience and a degree.

A degree is required to work as a paralegal. Some paralegal jobs require a bachelor’s degree, while others require an associate’s degree. As the duties of paralegals increase in the coming years, paralegals with more education and training will have a better chance at receiving one of these positions. An education is needed to work as a paralegal due to the complexity and experience needed to perform the following tasks, some or all of which may be required of the job. Here are some of the tasks required of paralegals, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Help lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials and meetings.
• Investigate the facts of cases.
• Identify relevant laws, judicial decisions, legal articles and any other materials that relate to cases.
• Prepare written reports for attorneys about research.
• Assist lawyers in preparing legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions.
• Draft contracts, mortgages, separation agreements and instruments of trust.
• Prepare tax returns and estates.
• Coordinate the activities of other law office employees and maintain financial office records.
• Work in many different areas of the law, including litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law and real estate.
•  Assist attorneys with employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock-option plans and employee benefit plans
• Prepare and file annual financial reports, maintain corporate minutes’ record resolutions and prepare forms to secure loans for the corporation.
• Monitor and review government regulations to ensure that a corporation is aware of new requirements and is operating within the law.
• Oversee team projects and serve as a communication link between the team and the corporation.
• Analyze legal material for internal use, maintain reference files, conduct research for attorneys and collect and analyze evidence for agency hearings.
• Prepare informative or explanatory material on laws, agency regulations and agency policy for general use by the agency and the public.
• Help the poor, the aged, and others who are in need of legal assistance.
• May represent clients at administrative hearings.

Paralegals must be familiar with computers and have technical knowledge about how to use data software effectively. The Internet and certain software programs are now essential in legal research. Paralegals use computer databases frequently in their work. Many paralegals work to update corporate databases with scanned images, bills or other documents. If paralegals have not acquired these skills or this knowledge through experience or their previous education, they should ask their employers about additional training to keep abreast of recent advancements in technology and database systems.

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