What does a Paralegal do?
Paralegals support Attorneys in law firms by gathering, organizing and preparing various documents and files for court cases. They may also regularly meet with attorneys, clients or other legal professionals to gather helpful details about upcoming court cases. Paralegals will prepare other legal documents, like wills, contracts, briefs, appeals and pleadings.
They’ll perform investigations to fact-check information for different cases by searching through public records and other resources provided by clients. Paralegals are also in charge of coordinating deliveries of subpoenas and other important legal documents. During the hearings, they’ll call on witnesses to testify.
Paralegal skills and qualifications
This section should contain the skills and qualifications you envision in a successful candidate. Mention the education and training requirements for your position. Include any specific skills and certifications you are looking for. You may also include personality and attitudinal traits required to excel in the job.
Examples of Paralegal skills and qualifications:
- Certification or associate’s degree in paralegal studies (bachelor’s degree is preferred)
- A minimum experience of two years in a paralegal role
- Investigative mind and strong research skills
- Working knowledge legal database software
- Experience in preparing legal reports
- Excellent communication and time management skills
Paralegal salary expectations
A Paralegal makes an average of $50,550 per year. Salary may depend on level of experience, education and the geographical location.
Paralegal salary expectations
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Common salary:
65279.67 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
19000.00 -137000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Paralegal education and training requirements
Most organizations or law firms require Paralegal candidates to have at least a certification or an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. You may also hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field, but an industry-recognized paralegal certificate is desirable. Most of the Paralegal professionals get their training on the job rather than in a classroom setting. You may consider giving additional training to selected candidates in the specific duties your company’s position entails. Some states may require Paralegals to obtain a license or register with the designated authority.
Paralegal experience requirements
Paralegals must have excellent understanding of legal procedures and terminology. They should have good communication skills and be well-versed in documentation and reporting. Except for entry-level positions, you may want the successful Paralegal candidate to have a minimum of two to three years of experience. Since a Paralegal’s area of operation is quite broad and can consist of many different areas, you should look for a candidate with some experience related to your specific industry. Additionally, experience in office administration is highly helpful for Paralegal positions.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this Paralegal job description template isn’t what you’re looking for, see our job descriptions for related positions:
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