What does a paralegal's schedule look like?

Asked by: Eriberto Dare  |  Last update: August 24, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (5 votes)

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 is the schedule of a paralegal?

Most paralegals work a 40-hour week, although long hours are sometimes required to meet court-imposed deadlines. Longer hours—sometimes as much as 90 hours per week—are usually the norm...

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.

What type of scheduling will a paralegal perform?

Schedule Meetings and Depositions

Meetings and depositions are the lifeblood of legal proceedings, and paralegals are depended upon to schedule both types of tasks. “Paralegals will also have more client contact, and they are often involved in initial client interviews and follow-up meetings with clients,” Gulley says.

How many hours should a paralegal bill a day?

Depending on the firm, a paralegal may be expected to generate between 800 and 2,000 billable hours per year. For paralegals close to the 1,800/2,000 billable hours per year threshold, and allowing for vacation time and holidays, this equates to at least 37 billable hours per work week.

What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Paralegal

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Do paralegals have flexible hours?

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 get paid by the hour?

Hourly pay is common for contract or temporary paralegal positions as well because it offers more flexibility for firms to change their hours based on need. Some paralegals may be paid performance bonuses if the work they turn in is exceptionally good.

What are four things that a paralegal Cannot do?

Canon 1 – A paralegal must not: (a) engage in, encourage, or contribute to any act which could constitute the unauthorized practice of law; (b) establish attorney-client relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice, or represent a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that court or agency; ...

How to calendar as a paralegal?

Best practices for calendaring litigation deadlines

Use a centralized calendar: Maintain a centralized calendar that includes all important deadlines for each case you are working on. This will help you have a clear overview of all upcoming deadlines and avoid any conflicts or overlaps.

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.

Are paralegals in demand right now?

Demand for Paralegals by Region

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.

What paralegals make the most money?

Here are the 30 highest paying paralegal jobs:
  1. Paralegal Manager. $104,775. ...
  2. Legal Project Manager. $87,375. ...
  3. Intellectual Property Paralegal. $86,800. ...
  4. Nurse Paralegal. $82,687. ...
  5. Employment and Labor Law Paralegal. $80,685. ...
  6. Government Paralegal. $78,478. ...
  7. Senior Paralegal. $69,995. ...
  8. Corporate Paralegal. $66,134.

What does a paralegals day look like?

Depending on which area of the law they work in, paralegals may be expected to draft, organize, and manage a variety of legal documents, ranging from dockets, briefs, pleadings, and appeals to wills, contracts, billing records, and real estate closing statements.

Do paralegals have a good work-life balance?

Job Satisfaction in the Paralegal Profession

The work-life balance in this profession is often more achievable than in other legal roles, providing individuals with the opportunity to pursue a challenging career without sacrificing personal time.

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.

What is the work schedule for a paralegal?

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.

How stressful is a paralegal job?

Paralegals often work long hours and may experience high levels of stress. They may have to work overtime to meet deadlines, and they may have to deal with difficult clients or complex legal issues. Your ability to work late into the evening or even on weekends may be put to the test as a paralegal!

What are the daily tasks of a paralegal?

Paralegals and legal assistants typically do the following:
  • Investigate and gather the facts of a case.
  • Research laws, regulations, and legal articles that are relevant to a case.
  • Gather, organize, and maintain legal documents.
  • Draft correspondence and legal documents, such as confirmation letters and contracts.

Are paralegals becoming obsolete?

While operational systems will evolve, paralegals do not need to fear for their jobs. Instead, they can thrive by embracing new technologies, adapting to innovative AI, and leveraging their unique human skills to help clients.

What are the cons of being a paralegal?

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.

What is unethical for a paralegal?

These Rules state that a paralegal shall not: · Enter into the attorney-client relationship; · Negotiate fees with a client; · Appear in court on behalf of a client; and/or · Give legal advice In other words, the Unauthorized Practice of Law or “UPL”. UPL is described in more detail below.

Do paralegals sit in the courtroom?

Paralegals may be in a courtroom with the attorney but may not represent clients in a court hearing. Paralegals may not initiate an attorney/client relationship because they are not attorneys. Paralegals may not provide legal advice to a client.

What benefits do paralegals get?

Benefits of Becoming a Paralegal
  • It Offers You Career Longevity. ...
  • It Will Pay You Well. ...
  • It Sticks to a (Mostly) Predictable Work Schedule. ...
  • It Offers You the Prestige of Professional Certification. ...
  • It Provides You Recognition and Advancement. ...
  • It Offers You the Potential to Be Your Own Boss.

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.