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While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. In fact, paralegals—also called legal assistants—are continuing to assume a growing range of tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers.
One of a paralegal’s most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases.
If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the case:
- draft pleadings and motions
- obtain affidavits
- assist during trials
- organize and track case documents
- draft contracts
Some paralegals coordinate the activities of other law office employees and maintain financial office records.
How long will it take?
The most common way to become a paralegal is through a community college program that leads to an associate degree. At Amarillo College, you can earn such a degree in about two years.
How much can you earn?
Earnings of paralegals and legal assistants vary greatly. Salaries depend on education, training, experience, the type and size of employer, and the geographic location of the job. In general, 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. In 2006, full-time wage-and-salary paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings of $43,040.
Where can you work?
Private law firms employ a full 70% of paralegals and legal assistants. Most of the remainder work for corporate legal departments and various levels of government. A small number of paralegals own their own businesses and work as freelance legal assistants.
AC can help you get there!
