Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 345,600 people employed as paralegals and legal assistants in the United States. The median annual salary is $52,900. Entry level employees earn approximately $32,900 per year and senior employees earn approximately $85,160 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
• Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
• Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
• Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
• 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.
• Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
• Call upon witnesses to testify at hearing.
• Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.
• Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that law library is up-to-date.
• Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.

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