If you’re considering a career in law, there are many job options available including multiple opportunities that don’t require you to go to law school. Show
Two sought-after positions are paralegal and legal assistants because of their positive employment outlook and earning potential. Paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual wage of $50,940, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with the highest 10 percent earning more than $82,050.* The BLS also reports that employment of paralegals and legal assistants is expected to grow 12% from 2020-2030, creating more than 41,000 new jobs by 2030.* Discover how much paralegals make on average in each U.S. state. Paralegals vs. Legal AssistantsIt can be difficult to tell the difference between paralegals and legal assistants because of some overlapping responsibilities. For instance, both positions are responsible for helping lawyers prepare for trial and conduct investigations. They both share a similar work environment with over 50% working at a legal firm or similar setting according to the BLS. Opportunities are also available at local, state and federal government facilities or in finance and insurance. Due to the need to fill paralegal and legal assistant positions, firms are starting to offer “hybrid” positions, which combine the duties of both roles and can decrease hiring costs for firms. The two positions, however, differ when it comes to individual tasks. ParalegalsParalegals, also known as lawyer’s assistants, typically work directly with a lawyer to help draft legal documents, research laws and gather evidence to use in court. They’re also responsible for filing appeals with the court or opposing counsel. Paralegals are able to specialize in a particular area of law if desired, such as family law, personal injury or criminal law. Depending on the specialty, paralegals will have slightly varied responsibilities. There are a few specific skills that can help paralegals be successful, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, litigation and legal document composition. Most of these skills are developed after a few years of experience, which is why two to five years of prior legal experience via internships or a few years working as a legal secretary is typically preferred. Legal AssistantsLegal assistants, otherwise known as legal secretaries, are the head of administrative tasks at a law firm which is why data entry and experience with Microsoft Office are important proficiencies. Day-to-day tasks include answering phones and tracking appointments, as well as looking into case facts, maintaining digital databases for accuracy and preparing legal documents like subpoenas and affidavits. This role is typically an entry-level position and is therefore a stepping stone toward other jobs in law that require additional skills, experience and education. Becoming a Paralegal or Legal AssistantBoth positions require knowledge of basic law, as well as attention to detail and strong verbal and written communication skills. Most employers require paralegals and legal assistants to have their associate degree, while other employers require a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Earning your bachelor’s degree can set you up to advance your law career later on. Herzing University offers several degree pathways in paralegal and legal assisting, including an online paralegal program and on-campus programs in Atlanta and New Orleans. These programs prepare you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed in the field. Earning your degree opens up opportunities for legal work in areas such as bankruptcy, copyrighting, criminal law, labor law, and more. Ready to take the first step to become a paralegal or legal assistant? Learn more about Herzing’s paralegal/legal assisting degree pathway. * Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2020. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
What is a legal assistant?Replacing an earlier definition published in 1986, the American Bar Association (ABA) updated its legal assistant definition to include paralegal in 1997. The current definition is as follows: “A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a
lawyer is responsible.” What is the difference between legal assistants and paralegals?Part of what drove the ABA to update its definition is because the responsibilities and qualifications for legal assistants vs. paralegals are often similar. However, popular usage of legal assistant has sometimes diverged from the definition of paralegal. In fact, some job postings for legal assistant outline responsibilities that are more closely related to the work of a legal secretary. If you’re looking for work as a paralegal, you can look at legal assistant jobs, but you will want to look closely at the job’s requirements and responsibilities to ensure that they match your interests. Here are a few quick tips for spotting the difference: Paralegal or Legal Assistant vs. Legal Secretary
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Accessed May 7, 2019 Paralegal or Legal Assistant QualificationsParalegal and legal assistant qualifications have evolved over the years due to a competitive job market — according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (accessed May 7, 2019), employment is expected to grow 15% each year through 2026. As a result, not all legal assistant jobs require advanced education, but it is increasingly common for professionals seeking these roles to earn paralegal certificates. A few more common legal assistant qualifications from the staffing service Robert Half include:
Related content: How to Become a Paralegal Regardless of the law career path you choose, attaining a combination of education and on-the-job training is often the best way to solidify your career. For example, some firms may promote a legal secretary to the role of paralegal, but it would be more difficult for them to get a similar position at another firm unless they had a paralegal certificate. Of course, the exact mix of experience and education depends on where you’re at in your career now, and where you would like to be. Take the Next Step in Your Law Career with Boston University Online Paralegal Studies Certificate ProgramBU’s flexible online Paralegal Studies Certificate Program gives students living anywhere access to expert hands-on training from a university renowned for academic excellence. Whether students have prior legal experience or are transitioning into the field, the program’s instructors and curriculum provide learners with distinct benefits and the professional know-how that today’s employers seek. Value Colleges ranks it as a Top 5 program for its focus on professional development and academic excellence. Request a BrochureTo learn more about the online Paralegal Studies Program, contact an Enrollment Advisor at (888) 700-3966 or fill out the form below to download a free brochure. Boston University respects your right to privacy. By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails and calls from a representative of Boston University, which may include the use of automated technology. Consent is needed to contact you, but is not a requirement to register or enroll. Are you enrolling from outside the U.S.? Click Here. * All fields required. Your privacy is protected. What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal document assistant?A legal document assistant (LDA) is a non-lawyer authorized to prepare legal documents for people representing themselves in legal matters. Unlike paralegals or legal assistants, who perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney, only certain types of legal services can be performed by an LDA.
What's the difference between a legal secretary and a paralegal?The roles that paralegals and legal secretaries play in the legal field have very important differences. A paralegal position is focused on supporting lawyers with substantive legal work, and a legal secretary position operates as a legal admin job, performing more clerical and administrative work.
What is the term for a legal assistant?“A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”
What type of paralegal makes the most money?Corporate Paralegal
Another of the highest-paid paralegal positions is a corporate paralegal. Corporate paralegals usually work in the legal departments of large companies.
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What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant
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