Paralegals and paralegals are lawyers who support the work of lawyers – both add value to a law firm. But they are not the same. Their work, of course, takes place largely behind the scenes; They cross all the T`s and perforate all the I`s so that lawyers can focus their efforts on the practice of law and paralegals can oversee the legal documentation, research and composition necessary to maintain the legal process. While paralegals certainly have a lot to offer law firms, they fulfill a different role in a law firm. Paralegals focus on substantive legal work on behalf of supervising lawyers. Conversely, although legal assistants also work on behalf of lawyers, they focus more on administrative support tasks. This distinction is more important than it seems at first glance. Law firms that don`t recognize the unique roles of paralegals may miss out on the value paralegals can bring to a law firm. A typical day for a legal assistant includes sorting and opening mail, confirming appointments, scheduling meetings, greeting clients, and dictating and writing lawyer`s correspondence. They perform the tasks necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the office and that all details, no matter how minor, are taken into account and taken into account.
The combination of your office skills and your knowledge of the law and legal system will make you an asset in the legal field. You don`t necessarily need to follow a prescribed educational path to become a legal assistant, as some law firms train in the workplace. However, you will find a nice selection of certificate programs offered by junior colleges, business schools, and career schools. The salary of a legal assistant depends on the type and size of the law firm, the experience of the person, and the location of the office. In other words, a legal assistant with fifteen years of experience working at a nationally recognized commercial law firm in downtown Manhattan will do more than a legal assistant with one year of experience for a single lawyer in a small town. Starting prices start at $13 to $14 per hour with peak rates of up to $39 per hour. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019) You can gain experience as a legal assistant by applying for internships during your school years. These opportunities can be found in local government agencies, businesses, or in any legal environment where administrative tasks need to be performed. More than a name, there is a difference between a paralegal and a paralegal.
Law firms need to understand “what a legal assistant is.” By understanding the different roles (and responsibilities that come with them), lawyers can make a more informed decision as they build their teams to grow their law firms. Paralegals generally do not require formal training beyond a high school diploma or GED. However, many are pursuing additional legal studies (e.g. a legal assistant certificate) or gaining legal training in the workplace. Legal Assistant > Paralegal > Executive Assistant > Administrative Manager The goal is to facilitate the fastest possible transition to the workforce for graduates after graduation. In 2019, 89% of our legal assistants were employed in a related field (statistics based on the latest available data). Pros: You`ll be doing tough and important work that really makes a difference (any smart lawyer knows they couldn`t do their job without a skilled legal assistant!) Now that we understand “what a legal assistant is,” we understand that most lawyers and law firms can benefit from the assistance of a legal assistant. But hiring full-time legal counsel isn`t always the best solution, especially for small businesses.
In these cases, turning to an independent or virtual legal assistant is an effective solution that allows companies to delegate routine and time-consuming support tasks to a legal assistant when needed. Do you want to have a positive impact on the lives of others? Are you interested in studying law, but don`t want to study law? Then a career as a legal assistant might be right for you! Organization: The ability to easily access data is important in a legal environment. Legal assistants should organize paper and electronic files so that they can retrieve documents as needed. Before we discuss the education, skills, and abilities you need to be a legal assistant, let`s review what is expected of a legal assistant as part of their job. While paralegals can perform many support and administrative tasks on behalf of a lawyer, paralegals are limited in what they can do. Pros: Quick training! You can become a legal assistant in less than 12 months. In addition to proper formal training, paralegals must possess certain technical skills to succeed in this industry. Some of the most important technical skills you should have are: A legal assistant may be needed to organize and prepare the files of a case. A paralegal is more likely to search for the client`s file than a legal assistant and may also need to organize the file. Due to the nature of the work, paralegals tend to be paid more than paralegals, but starting as a paralegal is a great way to become a paralegal.
Some lawyers hire assistants without legal training and train them in the workplace. However, a two- or four-year degree in paralegal studies can improve the chances of getting a job. Another option is either a high school or college diploma combined with a paralegal certificate. Both NALA and NFPA offer these certifications. If you`re considering a legal assistant, be sure to look for a candidate who has experience in areas that are particularly valuable to your law firm. The goal is to find a legal assistant who can handle tasks that are not sustainable, effective or impossible for a lawyer. The right legal assistant should help you make your practice stronger, more efficient, and more profitable. Communication: Legal assistants must have oral and written communication skills to draft legal documents and present information to lawyers.
They also often work with external firms, clients and court representatives to plan hearing dates and hearings. If you really want to succeed as a legal assistant, you need to be: What can paralegals do? While paralegals cannot practice law or provide legal advice, they may take on more law-specific tasks for lawyers. Examples include interacting with legal clients, preparing legal documents, conducting interviews, assisting with court proceedings, and more. No matter how you find a freelancer, it`s also important to make sure you have a good process to make it easier for a legal assistant to work with your business. Effective law firm processes are especially important if your legal assistant works remotely. Adding paralegals to your cloud-based practice management system makes it easy to collaborate with legal assistants, whether they`re in the office or remotely. Graduate as a paralegal. Employers are usually looking for paralegals with some level of formal training. This can range from a two-year associate degree in paralegal studies to a four-year bachelor`s degree. Not all institutions offer degrees in paralegal studies, so you can pursue a related degree such as public policy or political science. Finally, if you plan to study law, you must first obtain a bachelor`s degree. In May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that paralegals earned an average salary of $52,750, or about $25.36 per hour.
