What is a Paralegal?

debdee

I have been a litigation paralegal for more than 10 years and I can tell you with certainty that if you ask 15 paralegals to describe their jobs, you will get 15 different answers. I have worked in medium sized firms and presently am in a larger firm with over 300 attorneys. I spend several hours a day reviewing and summarizing documents that are electronically imaged and stored in a database. I provide assistance during jury trials by electronically presenting evidence to the jury. (Instead of showing jurors evidence on large poster boards, it has become common practice to present evidence on a large screen in the courtroom, I sit at the counsel table and operate a lap top computer that has the trial exhibits stored in it.) The opportunities in the field are endless. As for the salary, I believe the range is 40k to 80k, depending on experience level and geographic location. Check salary.com for on overview of salaries in your city/state. http://www.salary.com/

edith clarke

What does a paralegal do?

According to the US Dept of Labor: One of a paralegalâ€™s most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. Should attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys.

How do you become a Paralegal?

There are several ways to become a paralegal. The most common is through a community college paralegal program that leads to an associateâ€™s degree. The other common method of entry, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is through a program that leads to a certification in paralegal studies. A small number of schools also offer bachelorâ€™s and masterâ€™s degrees in paralegal studies. Some employers train paralegals on the job, hiring college graduates with no legal experience or promoting experienced legal secretaries. Other entrants have experience in a technical field that is useful to law firms, such as a background in tax preparation for tax and estate practice or in criminal justice, nursing, or health administration for personal injury practice.

What salary range can you get?

In May 2004, full-time wage and salary paralegals and legal assistants had average annual earnings, including bonuses, of $39,130. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,040 and $49,950. The top 10 percent earned more than $61,390, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $25,360.

Good luck!

Jimmie

go to this site and it will explain it all
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralegal

Dominicks Granny

A paralegal is person who works in the legal profession, typically as an assistant to a lawyer, and who is typically responsible for researching, analyzing, and managing the daily tasks for cases. While paralegals work closely with cases, they are limited in their duties and must be supervised by a lawyer, who will be ultimately responsible for the paralegal's work. They are found in all areas where lawyers are â€” in criminal trials, in real estate, in government, in estate planning, and so on and so on.
Education, training, and/or work experience are necessary to become a Paralegal.
Depending on where you work, and who you work for, salary ranges from a minimum of $25k per year on up to $60k per year.

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