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Paralegals

(D.O.T.  119.267-022 and -026)

Nature of the Work

Not all legal work requires a law degree.  Lawyers are often
assisted in their work by paralegals also called legal assistants
who perform many of the same tasks as lawyers, except for those
tasks considered to be the practice of law.

   Paralegals work directly under the supervision of lawyers.  Although
the lawyers assume responsibility for the legal work, they often
delegate to paralegals many of the tasks they perform as lawyers.
Paralegals are prohibited from setting legal fees, giving legal
advice, or presenting a case in court.

   Paralegals generally do background work for lawyers.  To help
prepare cases for trial, paralegals investigate the facts of cases
to make sure that all relevant information is uncovered.  Paralegals
may conduct legal research to identify the appropriate laws,
judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that may be
relevant to clients' cases.  After organizing and analyzing all the
information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys
use to decide how cases should be handled.  Should attorneys decide
to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare
the legal arguments, draft pleadings to be filed with the court,
obtain affidavits, and assist the attorneys during trials.
Paralegals also keep files of all documents and correspondence
important to cases.

   Besides litigation, paralegals may also work in areas such as
bankruptcy, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits, patent
and copyright law, and real estate.  They help draft documents such
as contracts, mortgages, separation agreements, and trust
instruments.  They may help prepare tax returns and plan estates.
Some paralegals coordinate the activities of the other law office
employees and keep the financial records for the office.

   Paralegals who work for corporations help attorneys with such
matters as employee contracts, shareholder agreements, stock option
plans, and employee benefit plans.  They may help prepare and file
annual financial reports, maintain corporate minute books and
resolutions, and help secure loans for the corporation.  Paralegals
may also review government regulations to make sure that the
corporation operates within the law.

   The duties of paralegals who work in government vary depending on
the type of agency that employs them.  Generally, paralegals in
government analyze legal material for internal use, maintain
reference files, conduct research for attorneys, collect and analyze
evidence for agency hearings, and prepare informative or explanatory
material on the law, agency regulations, and agency policy for
general use by the agency and the public.

   Paralegals employed in community legal service projects help the
poor, the aged, and other persons in need of legal aid.  They file
forms, conduct research, and prepare documents.  When authorized by
law, they may represent clients at administrative hearings.

   Some paralegals, usually those in small and medium-sized law firms,
have varied duties.  One day the paralegal may do research on
judicial decisions on improper police arrests and the next day may
help prepare a mortgage contract.  This requires a general knowledge
of many areas of the law.

   Some paralegals who work for large law firms, government agencies,
and corporations, specialize in one area of the law.  Some
specialties are real estate, estate planning, family law, labor law,
litigation, and corporate law.  Even within specialties, functions
often are broken down further so that paralegals may deal with one
narrow area of the specialty.  For example, paralegals who
specialize in labor law may deal exclusively with employee benefits.

   A growing number of paralegals are using computers in their work.
Computer software packages are increasingly used to search legal
literature stored in the computer and identify legal texts relevant
to a specific subject.  In litigation that involves many supporting
documents, paralegals may use computers to organize and index the
material.  Paralegals may also use computer software packages to
perform tax computations and explore the consequences of possible
tax strategies for clients.

   Paralegals may have to consult with clients to gather relevant
information for court cases.

Working Conditions

Paralegals do most of their work at desks in offices and law
libraries.  Occasionally, they travel to gather information and
perform other duties.

   Paralegals employed by corporations and government work a standard
40-hour week.  Although most paralegals work year round, some are
temporarily employed during busy times of the year then released
when work diminishes.  Paralegals who work for law firms sometimes
work very long hours when they are under pressure to meet deadlines.
Some law firms reward such loyalty with bonuses and additional time
off.

   Paralegals handle many routine assignments, particularly when they
are inexperienced.  Some find that these assignments offer little
challenge and become frustrated with their duties.  However,
paralegals usually assume more responsible and varied tasks as they
gain experience.  Furthermore, as new laws and judicial
interpretations emerge, paralegals are exposed to many new legal
problems that make their work more interesting and challenging.

Employment

Paralegals held about 95,000 jobs in 1992.  Private law firms
employed the vast majority; most of the remainder worked for various
levels of government.  Paralegals are found in nearly every Federal
Government agency; the Departments of Justice, Treasury, Interior,
and Health and Human Services, and the General Services
Administration are the largest employers.  State and local
governments and publicly funded legal service projects employ
paralegals as well.  Banks, real estate development companies, and
insurance companies also employ small numbers of paralegals.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

There are several ways to enter the paralegal profession.  Employers
generally require formal paralegal training; several types of
training programs are acceptable.  However, some employers prefer to
train their paralegals on the job, promoting experienced legal
secretaries or hiring persons with college education but no legal
experience.  Other entrants have experience in a technical field
that is useful to law firms, such as a background in tax preparation
for tax and estate practice or nursing or health administration for
personal injury practice.

   Over 600 formal paralegal training programs are offered by 4-year
colleges and universities, law schools, community and junior
colleges, business schools, and proprietary schools.  In 1993, 177
programs had been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Although this approval is neither required nor sought by many
programs, graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance one's
employment opportunities.  The requirements for admission to formal
training programs vary widely.  Some require some college courses or
a bachelor's degree.  Others accept high school graduates or persons
with legal experience.  A few schools require standardized tests and
personal interviews.

   Most paralegal programs are completed in 2 years, although some take
as long as 4 years and award a bachelor's degree upon completion.
Other programs take only a few months to complete, but require a
bachelor's degree for admission.  Programs typically include a
combination of general courses on subjects such as the law and legal
research techniques, and courses that cover specialized areas of the
law, such as real estate, estate planning and probate, litigation,
family law, contracts, and criminal law.  Many employers prefer
applicants with training in a specialized area of the law.  Programs
also increasingly include courses that introduce students to the
legal applications of computers.  Many paralegal training programs
include an internship in which students gain practical experience by
working for several months in a law office, corporate legal
department, or government agency.  Experience gained in internships
is an asset when seeking a job after graduation.  Depending on the
program, graduates may receive a certificate, an associate degree,
or, in some cases, a bachelor's degree.

   The quality of paralegal training programs varies; the better
programs generally emphasize job placement.  Prospective students
should examine the experiences of recent graduates of programs in
which they are considering enrolling.

   Paralegals need not be certified, but the National Association of
Legal Assistants has established standards for voluntary
certification which require various combinations of education and
experience.  Paralegals who meet these standards are eligible to
take a 2-day examination given each year at several regional testing
centers by the Certifying Board of Legal Assistants of the National
Association of Legal Assistants.  Persons who pass this examination
may use the designation Certified Legal Assistant (CLA).  This
designation is a sign of competence in the field and may enhance
employment and advancement opportunities.

   Paralegals must be able to handle legal problems logically and
effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, their findings
and opinions to their supervising attorney.  They must understand
legal terminology and have good research and investigative skills.
Familiarity with the operation and applications of computers in
legal research and litigation support is increasingly important.
Paralegals must always stay abreast of new developments in the law
that affect their area of practice.

   Because paralegals often deal with the public, they must be
courteous and uphold the high ethical standards of the legal
profession.  A few States have established ethical guidelines that
paralegals in the State must follow.

   Experienced paralegals usually are given progressively more
responsible duties and less supervision.  In large law firms,
corporate legal departments, and government agencies, experienced
paralegals may supervise other paralegals and clerical staff and
delegate work assigned by the attorneys.  Advancement opportunities
include promotion to managerial and other law-related positions
within the firm or corporate legal department.  However, some
paralegals find it easier to move to another law firm when seeking
increased responsibility or advancement.

Job Outlook

Employment of paralegals is expected to grow much faster than the
average for all occupations through the year 2005.  Job
opportunities are expected to expand as more employers become aware
that paralegals are able to do many legal tasks for lower salaries
than lawyers.  Both law firms and other employers with legal staffs
should continue to emphasize hiring paralegals so that the cost,
availability, and efficiency of legal services can be improved.

   New jobs created by rapid employment growth will create most of the
job openings for paralegals in the future.  Other job openings will
arise as people leave the occupation.  Although the number of job
openings for paralegals is expected to increase significantly
through the year 2005, so will the number of persons pursuing this
career.  Thus, keen competition for jobs should continue as the
growing number of graduates from paralegal training programs keeps
pace with employment growth.  Still, job prospects are expected to
be favorable for graduates of highly regarded formal programs.

   Private law firms will continue to be the largest employers of
paralegals as a growing population needs more legal services.  The
growth of prepaid legal plans also should contribute to the demand
for the services of law firms.  A growing array of other
organizations, such as corporate legal departments, insurance
companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks will
also hire paralegals.

   Job opportunities for paralegals will expand even in the public
sector.  Community legal service programs which provide assistance
to the poor, the aged, minorities, and middle-income families
operate on limited budgets and will employ more paralegals to keep
expenses down and serve the most people.  Federal, State, and local
government agencies, consumer organizations, and the courts also
should continue to hire paralegals in increasing numbers.

   To a limited extent, paralegal jobs are affected by the business
cycle.  During recessions, demand declines for some discretionary
legal services, such as planning estates, drafting wills, and
handling real estate transactions.  Corporations are less inclined
to initiate litigation when falling sales and profits lead to fiscal
belt tightening.  As a result, full-time paralegals employed in
offices adversely affected by a recession may be laid off or have
their work hours reduced.  On the other hand, during recessions,
corporations and individuals are more likely to face other legal
problems, such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, and divorces, that
require legal assistance.  Furthermore, the continuous emergence of
new laws and judicial interpretations of existing laws creates new
business for lawyers and paralegals without regard to the business
cycle.

Earnings

Earnings of paralegals vary greatly.  Salaries depend on the
education, training, and experience the paralegal brings to the job,
the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the
job.  Generally, paralegals who work for large law firms or in large
metropolitan areas earn more than those who work for smaller firms
or in less populated regions.

   Paralegals had an average annual salary of about $28,300 in 1993,
according to a utilization and compensation survey by the National
Association of Legal Assistants.  Starting salaries of paralegals
averaged $23,400, while paralegals with from 6 to 10 years of
experience averaged $28,200 a year.  Salaries of paralegals with
from 11 to 15 years of experience averaged $29,800 annually,
according to the same survey.  In addition to a salary, many
paralegals received an annual bonus, which averaged $1,700 in 1993.
Employers of the majority of paralegals provided life and health
insurance benefits and contributed to a retirement plan on their
behalf.

   Paralegal Specialists hired by the Federal Government in 1993
started at about $18,000 or $23,000 a year, depending on their
training and experience.  The average annual salary of paralegals
who worked for the Federal Government in 1993 was about $37,600.

Related Occupations

Several other occupations also call for a specialized understanding
of the law and the legal system but do not require the extensive
training of a lawyer.  Some of these are abstractors, claim
examiners, compliance and enforcement inspectors, occupational
safety and health workers, patent agents, police officers, and title
examiners.

Sources of Additional Information

   General information on a career as a paralegal and a list of
paralegal training programs approved by the American Bar Association
may be purchased for $5 from:

   Standing Committee on Legal Assistants, American Bar Association,
750 North Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611.

   For information on certification of paralegals, schools that offer
training programs in a specific State, and standards and guidelines
for paralegals, contact:

   National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., 1601 South Main St.,
Suite 300, Tulsa, OK 74119.

   Information on a career as a paralegal, schools that offer training
programs, and local paralegal associations can be obtained from:

   National Federation of Paralegal Associations, P.O.  Box 33108,
Kansas City, MO 64114.

   Information on paralegal training programs may be obtained from:

   American Association for Paralegal Education, P.O.  Box 40244,
Overland Park, KS 66204.