subject: Top Tips For Gaining A Job As A Paralegal [print this page] Paralegals are very involved in the day-to day tasks of a legal office. They can do everything involved in preparing for cases but are prohibited from presenting the cases in court, issuing legal advice and accepting legal cases. Specifically speaking, they help attorneys prepare for closings, hearings, trials and corporate meetings.
Most paralegals prepare for cases by conducting their research in a legal library or on their computers. In law firms, they usually have private offices and good working environments. On the other hand, those employed to the government or corporations may utilize a cubicle or shared office space. The general working environment and tasks of a paralegal are dependent on the law office.
For example, in small general practice law firms, duties will relate to client needs and may change day-to-day. General practice firms have a variety of clients wanting many legal services. On the opposite end of the spectrum, where large organizations are concerned, paralegals work in one or two defined areas such as corporate law or litigation.
Paralegal careers are a soaring field that holds a lot of promise. In 2008, private law firms employed approximately three out of four paralegals with the remainder securing jobs with the government and corporate legal departments.
Salaries are dependent on the scope of the job. It also depends on educational level, training, experience, the employer and where the job is located. For instance, a paralegal employed to a big law firm in a big city would earn more than one working in a government office in a smaller city. With reference to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals earn an average of $46,120 while those in the top ten percentile earn more than $73,000.The earning potential of paralegals increases as they garner more experience.
The demand for paralegals will rise resulting from legal employers lowering costs and maximizing efficiency by employing paralegals and legal assistants to do what younger lawyers were doing. Formally trained paralegals will have the greatest advantage in terms of income and other opportunities as competition in paralegal careers increase.
To start a paralegal career, the first steps in getting a foot in the door may be a little discouraging especially if you are "green" in the legal field. In order to give yourself the best possible chance in securing a job after school, you should make every effort to know your school's placement director. The placement director is responsible for helping you to find a job after your studies have been completed by providing information on job fairs and job openings. Networking is another option to find employment. You can join a professional organization with an active local chapter in order to increase your chances of attaining your networking goals.
