National
| Median wages (2008) |
$22.18 hourly, $46,120 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
238,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
84,000 additional employees |
23-2011.00 - Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Assist lawyers by researching legal precedent, investigating facts, or preparing legal documents. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Sample of reported job titles:
Paralegal, Legal Assistant, Real Estate Paralegal, Legal Analyst, Paralegal Specialist, Certified Paralegal, Immigration Paralegal, Litigation Paralegal, Corporate Paralegal, Judicial Assistant
Tasks
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
- File pleadings with court clerk.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- Call upon witnesses to testify at hearing.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
- Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that law library is up-to-date.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Notebook computers |
| Optical character recognition systems — Optical character recognition equipment |
| Personal computers |
| Scanners — Image scanners |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — a la mode WinTOTAL; Litigation support software; Uniscribe software; Wilson's Computer Applications RealEasy Appraisals |
| Data base user interface and query software — Bridgeway eCounsel; LexisNexis CodeMaster; Microsoft Access; Saga Practice Manager |
| Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat software; PDF Snake Easy Bates; Records management software; Summation Blaze |
| Information retrieval or search software — American LegalNet USCourtForms; Fastcase; FindLaw Code of Federal Regulations CFR; Thomson West FindLaw |
| Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Legal MacPac software; LexisNexis CheckCite; Microsoft Word |
