Do paralegals have flexible hours?
Asked by: Sibyl Ferry | Last update: July 5, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (48 votes)
Some part-time paralegals may have set hours each week, while others might have a flexible schedule based on the firm or client's needs or the workload of specific cases.
Do paralegals have a flexible schedule?
Firm Size and Structure
This allows Paralegals to spend more time on substantive legal work that requires their expertise. But some Paralegals don't even work for a dedicated firm. Freelance and “Virtual” Paralegals can do contract-based work for multiple clients and have more flexible hours.
How many hours do you work as a paralegal?
A full-time paralegal typically works around 35 to 40 hours per week, while part-time hours can vary. Billing expectations: Different law firms may have different billing expectations for paralegals.
What does a paralegal's schedule look like?
Generally, paralegals can expect to work 40 hours a week or more. This may mean longer days, nights, and weekends as caseloads increase or deadlines approach. The job's flexibility allows for some scheduling leeway such as creating a part-time schedule; but, this is not typical.
What are the cons of working as a paralegal?
Paralegals enjoy job stability, good salaries, varied work, and opportunities for career growth. However, they also work long hours, experience high levels of stress, have limited job autonomy and growth potential, and have limited legal knowledge compared to attorneys.
What you need to know before becoming a Paralegal | What I wish I knew + Paralegal Advice | CrysHurt
Do paralegals have days off?
The amount and types of holidays and vacation time provided to paralegals/legal assistants vary from employer to employer. Generally, paralegals/legal assistants are entitled to the same holiday schedule as other employees in the organization, such as paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days.
Is paralegal high paying?
California average paralegal salary: $79,210. New York average paralegal salary: $78,850. Washington average paralegal salary: $75,560. Massachusetts average paralegal salary: $74,710.
What is a typical day for a paralegal?
The primary tasks that paralegal/legal assistants will be expected to master will consist of conducting legal research; knowledge management; preparing legal documents; interviewing clients; conducting case research; writing reports; and assisting with office management.
How many billable hours do paralegals work?
Law firms generally tell their paralegals how many hours they are expected to produce and the consequences of not being able to meet that number. Depending on the firm, a paralegal may be expected to generate between 800 and 2,000 billable hours per year.
Do paralegals do a lot of reading?
Reading Skills
You're going to spend a lot of time reading everything from case law to documents specific to a client, so being able to read -- and comprehend!
How old is the average paralegal?
Paralegals are everywhere. More than 345,000 paralegals and legal assistants are employed in the United States, with a workforce that is 83% female and median age of 43.9 years.
Can you make a good living as a paralegal?
Overall, the best-paying states are D.C., California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York, though of course paralegals are also in high demand in cities with lower costs of living.
How many hours is a flexible schedule?
A flex schedule allows employees to move working hours around that are different from typical business working hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. As long as the hours worked totals 40 per week, flexible hours allow employees time to do things during the day they otherwise wouldn't be able to do.
What is one thing a paralegal Cannot do?
Paralegals cannot give legal advice, make decisions on behalf of clients, or represent clients in court as they are not licensed attorneys.
Do paralegals work crazy hours?
Paralegals often experience periods of working late or during weekends, particularly when preparing for trials or meeting tight deadlines. Law firms may have fluctuating workloads, leading to occasional extended hours.
What is the typical work week for a paralegal?
Most paralegals work a 40-hour week, although long hours are sometimes required to meet court-imposed deadlines.
Do paralegals know as much as lawyers?
Lawyers are licensed to practice law and represent clients, whereas paralegals are not. This means that lawyers are typically more highly trained and better compensated than paralegals. Paralegals support lawyers by assisting with legal research, document preparation, and client communications.
Do paralegals work from home?
Working From Home as a Paralegal: a Day in the Life
One such position that's able to operate almost completely virtually is that of the paralegal. Paralegals are essential to any law firm or title insurance agency as they assist both lawyers and their clients.
How stressful is a paralegal job?
Being a Paralegal is stressful work. You have to meet deadlines and keep up with busy attorneys and their caseloads. Taking an active role in your own health and well-being is essential to succeeding in this career and overcoming stress and anxiety.
Do paralegals get paid for billable hours?
Paralegals can bill for their substantive legal work similarly to attorneys, but typically at lower hourly rates than lawyers. In fact, most paralegals bill hourly and directly to clients. Paralegals billing hourly must know how to log portions of hours worked accurately.
What paralegals make the most money?
- Paralegal Manager. $104,775. ...
- Legal Project Manager. $87,375. ...
- Intellectual Property Paralegal. $86,800. ...
- Nurse Paralegal. $82,687. ...
- Employment and Labor Law Paralegal. $80,685. ...
- Government Paralegal. $78,478. ...
- Senior Paralegal. $69,995. ...
- Corporate Paralegal. $66,134.
What are the cons of being a paralegal?
- Work Long Hours. While you may have a flexible schedule, you will still have to work long hours. ...
- A lot of Pressure. ...
- School is Required. ...
- Tedious Cases. ...
- Requires Consistent Learning. ...
- Not a lot of Acknowledgment. ...
- Plenty of Dull Tasks. ...
- Little Room for Advancement.
Do paralegals get bonuses?
The average bonus received for all parale- gals responding to the survey was $4,020, with one respondent reporting a bonus of $40K. Eighty percent of law firm respon- dents reported that they had received a bonus from their employer.
What do most paralegals major in?
Some employers prefer or require candidates to have a bachelor's degree. Many of these candidates major in a subject such as social science or business and earn a certificate in paralegal studies.