How to Be Paralegal - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 28, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The rise of the paralegal field has had a considerable impact on the legal industry. Paralegals are highly trained professionals who work under the supervision of a lawyer and provide important legal support services. As a result, lawyers are able to focus on more complex tasks, such as litigation and contract negotiation, rather than performing mundane tasks such as research and document preparation.

Furthermore, the cost of legal services has decreased due to the reduced need for lawyers to hire additional staff, which in turn has enabled more people to access legal assistance. paralegals have helped to create greater diversity within the legal profession by providing an entry point for those with diverse backgrounds who may not have had the opportunity to pursue a law degree.

Steps How to Become

Obtain an Undergraduate Degree. To become a paralegal, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also need to obtain an associates or bachelors degree in paralegal studies from an accredited college, university, or technical school.
Get Certified. Although certification is not required, it is highly recommended to become a paralegal. Certification shows employers that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed in the profession.
Obtain Work Experience. Most employers prefer to hire experienced paralegals. You can gain experience through internships and volunteer work.
Attend Professional Development Courses. As a paralegal, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest legal trends and developments. Attending professional development courses is an important way to do so.
Join Professional Associations. Joining professional associations is a great way to network and stay connected with other paralegals. It also provides opportunities for career advancement.
Consider Specialization. Specializing in a particular area of law can help you stand out from other paralegals and increase your value to employers. Examples of specializations include family law, intellectual property law, and criminal law.

The increasing use of technology in the workplace has had a significant effect on the way employees work. By streamlining processes and automating mundane tasks, technology has allowed businesses to become more efficient and productive. This in turn has enabled them to expand their operations, increase their profits, and create job opportunities for more people.

technology has allowed for greater collaboration between coworkers, which has helped to foster innovation and creativity. However, it has also resulted in a decrease in the need for certain types of skills, such as manual labor, which can lead to job losses and stagnant wages. Consequently, many people are now looking for ways to adapt to this new reality and develop their skills so they can remain competitive in the job market.

You may want to check Discovery Assistant, Civil Litigation Paralegal, and Maritime Law Paralegal for alternative.

Job Description

Drafting legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, and appeals
Assisting with legal research and analysis
Maintaining and organizing legal documents
Assisting attorneys with court filings and other administrative tasks
Assisting clients with various legal matters
Creating, filing, and tracking legal documents
Scheduling depositions and other legal proceedings
Negotiating settlements
Keeping attorneys and clients informed on the progress of cases
Preparing and summarizing legal documents for review

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of legal terminology, concepts, and principles
Highly organized with strong attention to detail
Strong research and writing skills
Ability to interpret laws, rulings, and regulations
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent communication skills
Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Knowledge of filing procedures and court deadlines
Experience using legal databases and other online resources

Having strong communication and interpersonal skills is essential for success as a paralegal. Effective communication involves being able to clearly and accurately explain legal concepts to clients, as well as understanding what clients are saying. Interpersonal skills are necessary for developing relationships with clients and colleagues, and for resolving conflicts that may arise.

paralegals must have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws and legal systems in their jurisdiction, as well as the ability to interpret and apply them in various contexts. An effective paralegal also needs to be highly organized, able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines. Computer literacy is another important skill, as paralegals must often use various software programs to track cases, prepare documents, and research legal precedents.

Finally, strong research skills are necessary for finding relevant case law, codes, regulations, and other legal documents. With these skills, paralegals can help attorneys provide quality legal services to their clients.

Administrative Paralegal, Pro Bono Paralegal, and Corporate Law Paralegal are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the paralegal field?
How do your skills and experience support legal research and document preparation?
What type of work do you find most rewarding in a paralegal capacity?
Describe a successful project that you completed as a paralegal.
What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them in your previous paralegal roles?
How do you stay organized when managing multiple legal tasks?
Are you familiar with the court system, filing deadlines, and other legal procedures?
How do you handle confidential information in a professional manner?
Do you have any experience with e-discovery or other technology-based legal solutions?
What do you think sets you apart from other candidates for this role?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Office Suite. The Microsoft Office Suite consists of a variety of software applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, that are used to help organize and manage documents, presentations and emails. (eg: creating a spreadsheet in Excel to track important deadlines).
Westlaw. Westlaw is an online legal research service used for accessing legal documents, case law, and other legal materials. (eg: searching for case law using Westlaw).
LexisNexis. LexisNexis is an online legal research service used to access legal documents, statutes, and other legal materials. (eg: researching state laws using LexisNexis).
Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat is software used to create, convert, and edit PDF documents. (eg: creating a fillable PDF form for a client).
Legal Drafting Software. Legal drafting software is used for drafting contracts and other legal documents. (eg: creating a template for a client contract using legal drafting software).
Case Management Software. Case management software is used to manage a paralegals tasks, deadlines, and other case-related information. (eg: setting up reminders in case management software to ensure important tasks are completed on time).

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
American Alliance of Paralegals
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
National Paralegal Association
American Bar Association
International Paralegal Management Association
National Society of Certified Paralegals
Legal Specialization Institute
National Association of Document Examiners
National Association of Legal Secretaries

We also have Contract Paralegal, Document Management Paralegal, and Medical Malpractice Paralegal jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Legal Research. The systematic investigation of legal issues in order to provide a legal opinion or advice.
Civil Law. A system of law focused on codified laws rather than court decisions.
Criminal Law. A system of laws focused on punishing those who have committed a crime.
Litigation. A type of legal dispute that involves the resolution of opposing claims after a trial.
Pleadings. Documents filed in court by each party outlining the facts of the case, the legal arguments, and any requested relief.
Discovery. The process of gathering information and evidence from the opposing party before trial.
Pretrial Motion. A request, typically made by a party to the court prior to trial, for a ruling or other relief.
Courtroom Procedure. The rules and procedures for conducting a trial in a court of law.
Document Review. The process of carefully examining documents for information relevant to a case.
Legal Writing. The practice of preparing written documents for use in legal proceedings or for providing legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Paralegal?

A Paralegal is a legal professional who provides support to attorneys by performing research, drafting documents, preparing for hearings and trials, and managing case files.

What qualifications are needed to become a Paralegal?

To become a Paralegal, individuals must typically possess at least an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a related field, and have knowledge of the legal system.

How much do Paralegals typically make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a Paralegal is $51,740.

What kind of environment do Paralegals typically work in?

Paralegals typically work in law offices, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and court offices.

What type of tasks do Paralegals typically perform?

Paralegals typically perform tasks such as conducting legal research and analysis, preparing legal documents and correspondence, interviewing witnesses and clients, overseeing document production, and gathering evidence for court proceedings.

Web Resources

Paralegal College | Center for Advanced Legal www.paralegal.edu
Paralegal Degrees, Certifications & Careers | Paralegal.edu www.paralegaledu.org
What is a Paralegal? What Does a Paralegal Do? www.paralegal-edu.org