What fields do paralegals work in?

Asked by: Mr. Dave Champlin Jr.  |  Last update: December 27, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (19 votes)

The different fields for paralegals to work in
  • Government. Whether employed by local, state, or federal government law offices, government paralegals are the types of paralegals who assist government legal counsel. ...
  • Family practice. ...
  • Criminal Law. ...
  • Divorce. ...
  • Real estate. ...
  • Legal staffing recruiter.

What type of paralegal gets paid the most?

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 is the career path of a paralegal?

Career advancement and development look different for each Paralegal. For you, advancement might occur within your current law office. For others, advancement may be transitioning into a postsecondary educator position, attending law school to become an attorney, or joining a governmental agency.

What type of paralegal is most in demand?

11 Types of Paralegals That Are In Demand
  • Bankruptcy Paralegal. ...
  • Family Law Paralegal. ...
  • Intellectual Property Paralegal. ...
  • Litigation Paralegal. ...
  • Real Estate Paralegal. ...
  • Immigration Paralegal. ...
  • Personal Injury Paralegal. ...
  • Take the First Step to Becoming a Paralegal in California.

What industry are paralegals in?

Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all types of organizations, but most work for law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. They usually work full time, and some may have to work more than 40 hours a week to meet deadlines.

How to Enter the Paralegal Field: The Basics... Firms, Training, & Types of jobs

42 related questions found

Are most paralegals female?

77.6% of all Paralegals are women, while 22.4% are men. The average age of an employed Paralegal is 45 years old. The most common ethnicity of Paralegals is White (65.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.3%) and Black or African American (8.9%).

How much do paralegals make?

According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), legal assistants/paralegals earn an average salary of $56,610 per year ($27.22 per hour). Average pay will vary based on the state in which you are employed, the education you've earned and level of experience in the field.

What are the pros and cons of being a paralegal?

Pros and Cons of Being a Paralegal
  • Pro: Training. If the legal business calls to you, but years of law school and the bar exam don't, then being a paralegal may be a great alternative. ...
  • Con: Salary. ...
  • Pro: Less Debt. ...
  • Con: Job Stability. ...
  • Pro: More Job Opportunities. ...
  • Pro: Freedom. ...
  • Con: Juggling. ...
  • Con: Time.

How much do top paralegals make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2019 median pay for paralegals and legal assistants was $51,740 per year. The highest 10% earned more than $82,000.

Is a paralegal a legal professional?

A paralegal works in a legal office, and is generally responsible for performing certain legal work on behalf of a lawyer or attorney. Paralegals, essentially, are legal assistants.

Is being a paralegal worth it?

The highest 10 percent of paralegals earned an annual salary of $82,500 or more in 2019, according to the BLS. Apart from being financially rewarded for your performance and experience, as a paralegal, you may gain value by focusing your expertise in specific niches, such as patent law or tax codes.

How do I advance my career as a paralegal?

The good news is there are many ways to advance your career that don't require returning to school or sitting for a certification exam.
  1. Online Networking. ...
  2. Join local and national paralegal organizations. ...
  3. Volunteer. ...
  4. Read blogs, articles, and case summaries. ...
  5. CLE materials. ...
  6. Move to another city. ...
  7. Change industries.

How do I become a paralegal without a law degree?

Employers are looking for candidates that have at least six months of work experience in the law sector. You can gain this experience by completing an internship, work placement, or volunteering in pro bono cases. Part-time paralegal positions are available to law students, helping them to gain legal experience.

What area of law do paralegals make the most money?

Law Firm Paralegals

While it only takes an associate's degree to get into the paralegal field, it will typically take more than that to get a high paying job. One area where paralegals can make a good salary is the corporate law field.

Where do the highest paid paralegals work?

Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for paralegals.
  • New York average paralegal salary: $58,750.
  • Colorado average paralegal salary: $58,350.
  • New Jersey average paralegal salary: $58,260.
  • Nevada average paralegal salary: $57,600.
  • Delaware average paralegal salary: $57,290.

How can paralegals make extra money?

Paralegal Side Gigs
  1. Write Articles About Paralegal Topics and More. Businesses are always looking for writers. ...
  2. Start a YouTube Channel or a Podcast Show. ...
  3. Create an Online Course. ...
  4. Teach a Course at a Local Paralegal School or an Online Paralegal School. ...
  5. Be an Affiliate.

Is paralegal stressful?

Being a paralegal is stressful, and paralegal burnout is real. Paralegals work notoriously long hours, and their tasks include everything from office management to doing case research and preparing and editing legal contracts and documents. Paralegal's tasks have a direct impact on the outcomes of matters and cases.

Are Legal Assistants in demand?

The future for legal assistants is bright. There is generally a higher demand for legal assistants in larger cities, where the rate of pay is also higher. Assistants specializing in the legal field have better employment prospects than assistants without a specialty.

Why are paralegals unhappy?

Lack of Elevation: Not Much Room for Growth- Paralegals are overworked and underpaid. We take on immense stress and it would be good if the money could match. You may say most fields deal with stress.

What do paralegals do on a daily basis?

The range of their role varies daily between assisting attorneys during trials, organizing case files, preparing trial notes, performing legal research, preparing legal briefs and sometimes conducting client and witness interviews.

Is a paralegal a good job for an introvert?

Paralegal. Being a paralegal isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind when you're asked to think about fun jobs, but there are aspects of the work that are perfectly suited to introverts. While an attorney may enjoy trying to connect with the jury in a courtroom, introverts prefer to look purely at the facts.

How much do paralegals make as compared to lawyers?

The 2020 median annual salary for lawyers was $126,930, which is more than double the $52,920 median salary for paralegals, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This difference in pay is substantial, but it is also only part of the equation.

Are there male law clerks?

I came across a recent article which stated that just under 23% of the paralegal profession are male. While I am keenly aware that this is a widely female-dominated arena, it was still a bit shocking to see that extensive of a gap.

What gender are paralegals?

82% of paralegals are female and 18% are male.