what are the different types of paralegals

9 different types of paralegals

1. Family law paralegal. Those in this career spend much of their time communicating directly with the client. ...
2. Real estate paralegal. Many real estate paralegals assist clients with the paperwork for buying and selling real estate. ...
3. Government paralegal. ...
4. Intellectual property paralegal. ...
5. Corporate paralegal. ...
6. Immigration paralegal. ...
7. Litigation paralegal. ...

More items...

Full Answer

What are popular jobs and career options for paralegals?

• Important Facts About Paralegals
• Popular Jobs and Career Options for Paralegals. ...
• Law Clerk. ...
• Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers. ...
• Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners and Investigators. ...
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians. ...
• Education Requirements. ...

What is the typical salary for a paralegal?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported an average annual salary of $56,610, and an average hourly wage of $27.22, for the approximately 333,000 paralegals and legal assistants working in the US in 2020. 1 However, as mentioned above, paralegal salary is not only influenced by a variety of factors, but it can vary greatly.

What kinds of law can paralegals specialize in?

Types of Paralegals. There are many types of paralegals of which the aforementioned litigation paralegal is just one. Paralegals can specialize in any area of the law. Some specialize in criminal court procedures, others work with torts and suits, while some work in community affairs, public housing, and labor law.

How to find a job as a paralegal?

Resume Tips for Paralegals

• Successful research projects you’ve conducted (include results and findings you were able to make)
• Any past experience as an assistant or secretary
• Volunteer work (especially in local government or a nonprofit like Legal Aid or the ACLU)
• Involvement in your local paralegal association

More items...

What type of paralegal is most in demand?

11 Types of Paralegals That Are In DemandBankruptcy 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.More items...•

What type of paralegal makes the most money?

Here are the 30 highest paying paralegal jobs: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.More items...

Where do paralegals make the most money?

Geographic area can also have a major impact on salary. According to the BLS, the states with the highest average annual salaries for paralegals in 2020 were Washington DC at $83,330, California at $66,250, Washington at $63,050, Colorado at $62,950, and New York at $62,530.

What is the best degree for a paralegal?

In fact, most paralegals begin working with a two-year associate's degree, but career advancement, more opportunities, and higher pay, a bachelor's degree is the way to go. If you are organized, motivated, and love a high-paced work environment, a bachelor's in paralegal studies may be for you.

Is becoming 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.

Are paralegals in high demand?

Paralegals are in high demand! The types of law and legal specialty areas are diverse, and employment opportunities for paralegals are projected to grow 15% from 2016 to 2026. This is a much faster rate than the average for all other occupations.

What are the pros and cons of being a paralegal?

Pros and Cons of Being a ParalegalPro: 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.

What is the beginning salary for most paralegals?

Paralegals made a median salary of $52,920 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $67,080 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $40,640.

What can a paralegal do without an attorney?

As mentioned, a paralegal cannot give out legal advice and they do not have full authorisation to sign legal documents. A paralegal can work as a freelancer and choose to specialise which allows for an increased salary.

What do most paralegals major in?

Bachelor's Degree for Paralegals The bachelor's degree does not have to be in paralegal studies; it can be in almost any academic subject, such as English, history, political science, psychology, criminal justice, business administration or accounting.

What qualifications do paralegals need?

You'll need:to be thorough and pay attention to detail.the ability to read English.excellent verbal communication skills.excellent written communication skills.administration skills.the ability to work well with others.legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations.More items...

Whats the difference between a legal assistant and a paralegal?

A legal assistant, or litigation assistant, may perform administrative duties as well as legal tasks. A paralegal focuses more on legal duties and research to assist lawyers. Both positions require an understanding of legal terminology and procedures.

How much do top paralegals make?

Salary by Paralegal Type 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.

How can paralegals make extra money?

Paralegal Side GigsWrite Articles About Paralegal Topics and More. Businesses are always looking for writers. ... Start a YouTube Channel or a Podcast Show. ... Create an Online Course. ... Teach a Course at a Local Paralegal School or an Online Paralegal School. ... Be an Affiliate.

Where is the best place to work as a paralegal?

For paralegals and prospective paralegals wondering where their services will get them the best pay, Online Paralegal Programs has ranked the Top 10 Cities for Paralegals....Top 10 Cities for ParalegalsSan Jose, CA. ... Washington, DC. ... Trenton, NJ. ... San Francisco, CA. ... Seattle, WA. ... Reno, NV. ... Hartford, CT. ... Dallas-Fort Worth, TX.More items...

Are paralegals well paid?

Paralegal Salaries in London Area The average salary for Paralegal is £27,627 per year in the London Area. The average additional cash compensation for a Paralegal in the London Area is £1,332, with a range from £408 - £4,350.

What is a paralegal in real estate?

Real estate paralegal. A paralegal specializing in real estate law helps clients wade through the paperwork necessary for making real estate purchases. They review and file documents, coordinate schedules and deadlines, and maintain correspondence between all parties involved in the transaction.

What is litigation paralegal?

Litigation is the process of legal action, so this type of paralegal works in the realm of law where any type of legal action is being taken. There is a wide variety of subspecialties within the litigation arena, and some popular ones are bankruptcy, personal injury, or corporate or intellectual property. Often, this type of paralegal will work with a client who is suing someone, so the work environment can be stressful and fast paced.

What is a paralegal in immigration?

Paralegals working in immigration law generally work in either a law office or at a large corporation with an immigration lawyer. They work with immigrants to organize and file various kinds of legal documents, including visa applications and petitions regarding deportation or for political asylum.

What is a government paralegal?

Government paralegal. Government paralegals perform many of the same types of duties of a typical paralegal, only their employer is a department of a federal, state or local government. The role may vary slightly depending on which government branch you work for.

What is a family law paralegal?

Family law paralegal. Family law paralegals help attorneys represent individuals in a custody dispute. They often prepare pleadings, keep files organized, send files to opposing counsel and draft correspondence to clients, attorneys and the court.

What skills do corporate paralegals need?

2. Estate planning and probate paralegal.

What is corporate paralegal?

Corporate paralegals work for an entire organization rather than a single client at a time. Paralegals working in this specialty review contracts, research regulations and look for business impropriety. Corporate paralegals ensure businesses stay on their feet and don’t break federal laws, state laws or other important rules.

What is a paralegal?

As mentioned earlier, the ABA defines a paralegal as someone “qualified by education, training or work experience.” This qualification can come through a variety of avenues and doesn’t always require formal education or certification. However, some states qualify paralegals differently or require paralegals to be certified, so be sure to check the specific rules for your jurisdiction.

What do law firms look for in a paralegal?

Beyond minimum requirements, many law firms look for paralegals with some formal education (such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree) or paralegal certification. This often means earning either a certificate of completion, which means that you’ve completed a paralegal education program. Or, law firms could also look for a paralegal certification —which refers to having completed a certification exam or meeting specified certification requirements.

What is a generalist paralegal?

Generalist paralegals might work at a smaller firm on a wide array of general paralegal tasks. There are also practice area-specific paralegals who focus on the ins and outs of a particular practice area. There are also paralegal specialists who may support lawyers and judges.

What is litigation paralegal?

Litigation paralegals are often assigned tasks required to prepare for trial—such as interviewing witnesses and overseeing discovery. Similarly, litigation paralegals may assist their supervising attorney in court at trials. Spending a lot of time in court can be exciting for some, and stressful for others—where a paralegal falls on this spectrum may determine if they choose to focus on this area of law.

Why is it important to have a paralegal for divorce?

In this area of law, it’s essential for paralegals to stay organized to ensure they handle all documents properly and schedule all appointments and court dates. In addition to a high attention to detail and aptitude for documentation, divorce paralegals also require a high level of client service, as divorce clients are often in the midst of a stressful and emotional time.

What is a paralegal in family law?

Paralegals working in family law assist lawyers who are representing clients in family law matters. These matters could include custody disputes, child adoption, and divorce cases. In family law, paralegals will often spend time drafting court documents, organizing financial documents and files, and drafting correspondence.

What is intellectual property paralegal?

Intellectual property paralegals complete tasks like communicating with clients, conducting research, and drafting applications.

What is the best way to specialize in paralegal?

For example, you may focus your paralegal degree program on civil litigation by taking electives in this area of law and then seeking out an internship with a law firm that specializes in these kinds of cases.

What is paralegal specialization?

Paralegal specialization is not about being boxed into a specific area of law; rather, it’s about broadening your skillset. So, while you may have a specific interest or expertise in a specific area of law, you are still undoubtedly a generalist, capable of taking on any project in any area of law your employer is likely to put on your desk.

How to become a specialty paralegal?

For example, you can focus the electives in an associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies on your area (s) of interest. Although an entry-level paralegal studies program is focused on producing generalists, you can always take advantage of electives to specialize your course of study.

What is the role of a paralegal?

Paralegals in smaller firms and one-man law practices often serve as the sole paralegal on staff or as part of a small team, so by the very nature of the practice their role will be as general as it needs to be to work cases for every client that walks through the door.

What is appellate law?

Appellate. Appellate courts and the lawyers who work in them oversee the process of appealing lower court decisions. In appellate law, you may work for an attorney or law firm that deals with appeals in either state or federal courts, for civil or criminal cases.

Do paralegals need to specialize?

You don’t have to always seek out specialization. In many cases, specialization will find you. Ask seasoned paralegals why they specialized and they’ll likely tell you it happened organically, simply because of who they landed their first job with.

Is there a legal specialty?

There are as many legal specialties to choose from as there are areas of law, and in some cases, there are even a variety of niche specialties within an area of law. Some of the more popular areas of specialization are:

How many different paralegal specialties are there?

Let us introduce you to 8 different paralegal specialties to help keep you informed of your career. Browse this list to see which options might align with your skills and interests.

What is a paralegal in real estate?

Real estate paralegal. A paralegal specializing in real estate law helps clients wade through the stacks of paperwork necessary for making real estate purchases. They review and file documents, coordinate schedules and deadlines, and maintain correspondence between all parties involved in the transaction.

What does a paralegal do in court?

They might spend quite a bit of time in a courtroom as well. When a major business goes bankrupt and the media gets ahold of the story, litigation paralegals assist litigation lawyers in helping control the public perception of the case and finding the evidence needed to defeat the opposing party in court.

What skills do corporate paralegals need?

2. Estate planning and probate paralegal.

What is IP paralegal?

Intellectual property (IP) paralegals work heavily with trademarks and patents. They can work in law offices, government organizations or for large corporations. They specialize in cases involving trademark infringement, patent and copyright applications and intellectual property matters.

What is litigation paralegal?

This is one of the most popular paralegal specialties. Litigation is the process of legal action, so this type of paralegal works in the realm of law where any type of legal action is being taken . There is a wide variety of sub specialties within the litigation arena, and some popular ones are bankruptcy, personal injury or corporate or intellectual property. Often this type of paralegal will work with a client who is suing someone, so the work environment can be stressful and fast-paced.

What is a government paralegal?

Government paralegal. Government paralegals perform many of the same types of duties of a typical paralegal, only their employer is a department of a federal, state or local government. The role may vary slightly depending on which government branch you work for.

Certain State Bar Certification

While a paralegal may be certificated after completing a program from their educational institute, these differ from the certifications received after the fact. Certain State Bars such as Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas do offer a certification to paralegals.

Certification Agencies

Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) To qualify for the ALP designation a paralegal must meet certain criteria that include passing an exam. There are three possible paths to take for the ALP exam. The first requires completion of specific business or legal courses determined by the NALS. The next is proof of twelve months of previous office work.

Specialty Certificate

This is an add-on certification for a currently designated PP or PLS. The NALS offers training in three specialty areas of law: Litigation and Civil Law, Corporate Law, and Estate and Family Law. Each of these broad areas is broken down into subcategories by the NALS with specific training in each subcategory.