What does a paralegal do? [the basics]
Basically, they work with a legal team to keep things organized and running smoothly as their attorneys represent clients.
A paralegal’s day could include conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and doing important legwork. They track down answers, contact outside organizations, schedule conversations with clients and more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals support the legal system by assisting attorneys, organizing case files and legal documents, preparing trial notes, performing legal research, preparing legal briefs and sometimes conducting client and witness interviews.1
A typical paralegal or legal assistant is usually required to:
- Collaborate with other legal professionals at private law firms and government agencies
- Conduct client interviews to gather essential information
- Review legal material and share insights with attorneys
- Draft legal documents for administrative hearings and court proceedings
- Keep clients informed on case progress and field their questions
- Draft settlement agreements and other legal documents
- Draft letters and memos to communicate with opposing counsel
- Conduct legal research to help attorneys gather pertinent information and stay updated on relevant laws and regulations
- Coordinate with government agencies to obtain necessary permits, licenses, and other required documentation
- Schedule meetings, court dates, and appointments, keeping attorneys and clients informed of important dates and deadlines
The above list is just a snapshot; paralegals and legal assistants – depending on the law firms that work with – often have other specific tasks. For example, paralegals in corporate legal departments might help draft a company policy for sick leave.
(If you’re interested in corporate law, check out What Does a Corporate Paralegal Do? It’s a very different type of legal environment).
Or if you work in family law, you might establish communications with your local department of human services or help clients navigate the legal process to file for divorce.
What does a paralegal really do? [beyond the job description]
If you’re still interested in paralegal studies, you should know those basic job tasks can look way different from workplace to workplace. There are so many types of paralegals and types of law to consider. And ultimately, law firms rely on paralegals in different ways as well—depending on where they have needs and gaps in expertise.
Get a better picture of what paralegals do by hearing from paralegals and attorneys themselves.
As a paralegal, you need to…
1. Be good at learning
“Most paralegal jobs require paralegals to work on contracts, real estate, civil lawsuits and other legal needs,” says Kirk Olson, attorney and instructor at Rasmussen University.
“One case may require multiple areas of law. For instance, a divorce often requires a paralegal to obtain and review real estate, pension, insurance, business and estate planning documents, not just child custody studies.” Whatever students take on in their paralegal education programs, there will always be so much more to learn.
On top of that, the law changes constantly. Anyone who wants to practice law needs to be adaptable enough to learn and change with it.
2. Keep track of every little detail
“There is no room for error in tracking deadlines and working with court scheduling,” says Kevin Queenan of The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. “Mentoring legal assistants, I hear the same issue every time: I did not know you meant that detail oriented!”
The legal field is famously a stickler for the rules–this is where those rules are made! You have to dot every “i” and cross every “t”.
Miniscule mistakes can have big consequences in the legal world, according to Queenan. Having a bad day won’t cut it as an excuse if your mistake costs the firm a case, or worse, accusations of malpractice.
Beyond that, paralegals and legal assistants who take initiative to follow up on research ideas can be worth their weight in gold to law firms. “We are suing a major manufacturer, and my legal assistant found several articles that were helpful to our lack of warning claims,” Queenan says. “The information was free!”
3. Enjoy variety—or enjoy repetition
Paralegals and legal assistants can take jobs in corporate legal departments with varied daily tasks and experiences if that is what they are looking for.
“In a general civil practice… the legal assistant may be answering discovery [requests] one day and driving out to meet a new client the next day,” Queenan says.
Paralegals working in smaller law firms might take on a broader range of tasks to keep things running smoothly—which means every day might look different than the last.
But some paralegal roles are way more repetitive.
“For those who like more structure or repetition, there are law practices involving cookie-cutter lawsuits and issues,” Queenan says, explaining that in some places, you might draft the same kind of legal document over and over.
“I talked to a legal assistant yesterday, and her last position involved filing 1,000 credit card lawsuits per month,” Queenan explains. If you like stable, predictable work, there are certainly legal roles that fit the bill.
4. Have strong moral fiber
You might picture working in an office full of driven individuals who want to help their clients fix injustices. But unfortunately, it isn’t always like that.
“Not all attorneys are nice, and not all attorneys are ethical,” says Rasmussen University Justice Studies instructor Julia Gordon. “Be aware of your ethical rules and guidelines.”
Paralegals might find themselves in situations that distress their conscience. You have to have a strong backbone to be able to stick to your principles, even if that means conflict with your law firm or your attorney. “Never compromise your integrity,” Gordon says. “Nothing is worth losing your self-respect over.”
5. Stay professional under pressure
Every branch of law is different. But some environments can definitely come with high tension and high emotional stakes for clients and even their attorneys.
Paralegals who work in community legal service programs, for example, might see a fair share of cases where clients deal with heartbreaking odds and the legal team professionals are there out of genuine passion for the community.
Paralegals working in immigration law might communicate with clients whose homes and ability to be with their families are on the line. Paralegals in family law might work with clients arguing over child custody. And of course, in criminal law, you might also work on cases where someone’s literal life hangs in the balance.
Communicating clearly and professionally, even if a client is panicking or reacting with anger, is extremely important. “You have your clients’ lives in your hands,” Gordon says. “Treat the position with the highest reverence.”
6. Catch errors and manage processes
“Lawyers hire paralegals because a good paralegal will find flaws in documents and assist with billing and other detailed functions that keep a law office working,” Olson says. “A good paralegal is a ‘deadline cop’ who keeps the law firm on track.”
“Finding and warning of a deadline that others missed may prevent a loss of a client’s case and may save a $10,000 deductible in a lawyer’s malpractice claim,” Olson says.
All that detail-checking includes spelling and grammar. Olson says paralegals and legal assistants often correct citation mistakes, grammar errors and other inaccuracies.
When you start working for an employer, Olson suggests asking for examples of finished case files to see samples of what completed and professional work looks like for that firm. “And be assertive. If something does not look right, insist that it be explained or fixed.”
7. Develop fluency with computers and new software
Most of the research and writing paralegals do will take place on a computer. Proficiency with computer programs is important, as well as the ability to learn and navigate new systems.
“A person considering becoming a legal assistant should take the highest level of available training on Word®, WordPerfect® and Westlaw®,” Queenan says. “A technologically proficient paralegal will wow their lawyers more often and command a higher salary and raises.”
Paralegals and legal assistants have options for getting started
One positive for prospective paralegals is that there’s no “one true path” to working in this field. While some states may require professional certification, there’s a variety of educational paths you can take to finding paralegal work. It is important to check the education and work experience requirements required by the state and employer you hope to work for.
