Career as a Paralegal: Legal Assistant

A PARALEGAL IS A LAWYER'S RIGHT hand. Although paralegals cannot represent clients in court, paralegals do much of the same important legal work that lawyers do. Much of this work involves reading and writing - researching case histories, drafting subpoenas, analyzing court testimonies, or writing wills. There are also opportunities to interact with a wide range of people. Paralegals are often the first point of contact for clients. They also interview witnesses, attend court cases, communicate with police officers and judges, and negotiate with other law offices.

Some people may consider the detail-oriented work mundane, but most paralegals find the world of the law exciting. It is loaded with opportunity with a wide variety of legal areas to choose from. Lawyers specialize in fields such as criminal, environmental, family, medical, corporate, and international law. Paralegals are needed in all of these same areas. Whatever your interests are, there is surely a career path to match.

Getting started in this career is relatively easy. Although paralegals are involved in much of the legal process, they do not hold a law degree. Some paralegals have no more than a high school diploma. The majority, however, have an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or a certificate in paralegal studies. There are many programs available across the country that offer paralegal training that can help you fulfill the education requirements where you want to pursue your career.

The pay for paralegals is good, especially when one takes into account the modest education required. The average yearly income is around $50,000, although salaries can jump to as high as $75,000 with experience or when working for a large firm in a metropolitan area.

This is a great time to pursue a career as a paralegal. The job outlook is exceptional with employment growing by as much as 30 percent. If you want to build a career in the legal field, but do not want to invest the time and money to become a lawyer, consider paralegal work. The pay is good, the jobs are plentiful, and you can get started in a short period of time.