Also known as legal assistants, paralegals provide crucial administrative support in law firms, DA offices, and private practices. They help research, organize, and document legal briefs, contracts and other legal materials used in cases and negotiations. In short they are the backbone of any law firm, and their duties may differ depending on the needs of the employers. Despite these unique responsibilities, paralegals are forbidden from other legal duties like representing clients in the courtroom or giving any sort of legal counsel. – Find Paralegal Schools

Educational Requirements for Paralegals
Most people in this field usually complete a paralegal program offered by community colleges and universities. Others, who already possess a bachelors or associates degree in an unrelated field, might opt for a certification course in paralegal training. Close to a thousand colleges and law schools across the US offer comprehensive paralegal training courses that range from 2 year associate degrees to full fledged college degrees. Such training programs also include invaluable on-the-job training in the form of internships with a law firm or a public attorney’s office. Law firms may also hire graduates with no legal experience and train them on the job, while others prefer to promote legal secretaries who have extensive experience in legal practices. – Find Paralegal Schools

Salary Potential for Paralegals
The job market for paralegals is expected to grow faster than the national average for most other occupations. The popular trend in many corporations is to develop in house legal teams that include paralegals who handle many of the jobs previously handled solely by lawyers. This will boost employment opportunities for paralegals. Those with expertise in niche legal areas like tax, patents, medical practice, and bankruptcy will often have more career options. Salaries tend to depend on the size of the employer and level of experience. The average median salary of paralegals in 2004 was $40K. – Find Paralegal Schools

Source: US Department of Labor

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