Legal and Paralegal Schools

Paralegals and legal assistants are important parts of today's justice system! They often help lawyers in a number of ways, by researching precedents and investigating the facts of a case, preparing written reports, and helping prepare legal arguments, drafts or motions to be filed in the court. They also draft contracts, mortgages, separation agreements and other legal documents. They may be responsible for running the law office. If you have a detail-orientated mind and enjoy researching and analyzing, training for a career as a Paralegal or legal assistant might be the perfect choice!

Salary Information

The salary of legal assistants and paralegals can vary greatly, depending on education, experience and the exact nature of the firm they work for. Usually paralegals or legal assistants who work for large law firms or for the federal government earn significantly more than those who work for a small law firm, although many paralegals or legal assistants receive bonuses in addition to their salaries. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual earnings, including bonuses, for paralegals and legal assistants was $39,130 in May of 2004. The middle 50 percent earn between $31,040 and $49,950, with the bottom 10 percent earning less than $25,360 and the top 10 percent earning more than $61,390.

Education Requirements

While there are several paths that legal assistants and paralegals can use to train for their careers, the most common is through a formal paralegal program, community college, certification program or specialized school. The better paralegal schools often offer career placement services and may include internship possibilities. American Bar Association-approved programs may enhance career opportunities. Voluntary certification can also offer advantages.

Growth Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities for legal assistants and paralegals are expected to grow much faster than average through 2014. This means that employment is expected to increase 27 percent or more during that time period, with a number of job openings available to qualified and educated applicants.

A paralegal or legal assistant career can be a fascinating and rewarding experience for someone with a detail-oriented mind who enjoys research and is able to analyze information and present it to others. Job opportunities should be high, as the demand continues to increase and paralegals and legal assistants continue to take on more responsibilities.