What They Do
Paralegals and legal assistants support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks, such as maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.
Duties
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
- Obtain affidavits and other formal statements that may be used as evidence in court
- Help lawyers during trials with tasks such as handling exhibits, taking notes, or reviewing trial transcripts
- File exhibits, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents with the appropriate court, government agency, or opposing counsel
- Call clients, witnesses, lawyers, and others to schedule interviews, meetings, and depositions
Paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and other proceedings. For example, they may conduct legal research, write reports and other documents, and file materials related to trials or cases.
Specific duties for paralegals and legal assistants may vary depending on the area, such as bankruptcy or intellectual property, or type of law in which they work. For example, in litigation, paralegals and legal assistants may help lawyers to prepare for trial, such as by researching case law and drafting documents, and to coordinate trial logistics, including by transporting exhibits to the courtroom and setting up equipment.
Paralegals’ and legal assistants’ roles also may vary based on the size of the firm that employs them. In small firms, for example, they may work on all aspects of a case from beginning to end. In larger firms, they may work on a particular phase of a case, such as helping to prepare witnesses for deposition or trial.
Work Environment
Paralegals and legal assistants held about 376,200 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of paralegals and legal assistants were as follows:
| Legal services | 74% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 5 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 5 |
| Finance and insurance | 3 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 3 |
Paralegals and legal assistants often work on teams with attorneys and other legal support staff.
Paralegals and legal assistants work primarily in offices. Occasional travel may be required, such as to accompany attorneys to depositions or trials.
Their work may be stressful because it can be fast paced, and they may be required to work on multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
Work Schedules
Most paralegals and legal assistants work full time.
How to Become One
Paralegals and legal assistants typically need an associate’s degree or certificate in paralegal studies to enter the occupation. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree; others may consider candidates who have a high school diploma and experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $61,010 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to decline 0 percent from 2024 to 2034.
Despite declining employment, about 39,300 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.