Legal Assistant

What Does a Paralegal Do?

Paralegals work with lawyers to prepare affidavits, legal correspondence, and file organization for court and trial cases. They work in many areas of law: corporate, criminal, real estate, government, family law, immigration, labor, employment, and others.

Paralegals are often required to meet tight deadlines and work at law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other law environments.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree is necessary
• Bachelor’s degree may be necessary
• Certification with Certified Paralegals (CP) and Certified Legal Assistants (CLA) is helpful
• State certification may be necessary

Schools for Paralegals

Online training is available in this field. Click here for a list of schools that offer certifications by state.

Tip

There are many different areas and specialties in the field of law. Try to find a specialty to match your interests and goals.

Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth in this career is expected to increase by 12% from 2018 and 2028.

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