Careers Career Paths Legal Careers Best Things About Being a Paralegal Advantages to a Career as a Legal Assistant Print Career Paths Legal Careers Technology Careers Sports Careers Sales Project Management Professional Writer Music Careers Media US Military Careers Government Careers Finance Careers Fiction Writing Careers Entertainment Careers Criminology Careers Book Publishing Aviation Animal Careers Advertising Learn More By Sally Kane Sally Kane Sally A. Kane, JD. is an attorney, editor, and writer who has two decades of experience in the legal services industry and has published hundreds of career-related articles. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 11/30/19 The paralegal industry has changed significantly since the 1970s when being a legal assistant first emerged as a bona fide career. Client demands, economic necessity, and explosive growth have made paralegals a popular career choice, and there never has been a better time to be a paralegal. Eight paralegal career advantages outline several of the highlights of work in the field. 01 of 08 Rising Pay spxChrome / Getty Images Paralegal compensation has risen steadily in the past decade, despite a bump in the road in the depths of the 2009-2010 recession. As paralegals perform a broader and more complex range of tasks (paralegals even represent clients in court in certain countries and administrative tribunals), paralegal earnings continue to rise. The average paralegal salary is $50561 per year, but paralegals often make more through bonuses. Overtime hours can also add significant cash to a paralegal's paycheck. 02 of 08 Explosive Employment Outlook Daniel Laflor / Getty Images The paralegal field is one of the fastest-growing professions on the globe. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment of paralegals and legal assistants to grow 15 percent for the decade ending in 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Among the factors driving this growth is client demand for cheaper, more efficient delivery of legal services. Since hourly rates charged by attorneys typically are double or triple the rates of paralegals for the same task, law firm economics mandates the increased use of paralegals to minimize costs. As a result, a paralegal career is one of the hottest non-lawyer jobs in the legal industry. 03 of 08 Easy Career Entry Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service / Getty Images Unlike lawyers who must complete seven years of formal education and pass the bar exam to practice law, you can become a paralegal in as little as a few months of study. Moreover, paralegals do not need to attend a brick-and-mortar institution; you can obtain a . Paralegals with a bachelor's degree in legal studies or related degree or a bachelor's degree in any field and a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved paralegal program have the most employment opportunities. 04 of 08 Intellectual Challenge Prapass Pulsub / Getty Images Paralegal work is intellectually challenging and involves a range of high-level skills. The most successful paralegals are problem-solvers and innovative thinkers. Paralegals must become subject matter experts in their specialty area and master legal procedures, research, drafting, and other skills. They must stay on top of ever-changing laws and new legal trends and developments while interfacing with attorneys, opposing counsel, vendors, staff members, clients, and others. The work is varied and each day brings new challenges. 05 of 08 Rising Prestige fotostorm / Getty Images As paralegals perform more complex and challenging work, paralegal prestige is rising. Paralegals are no longer simply lawyer's assistants; they are assuming management roles in corporations, leadership roles in law firms and entrepreneurial roles in independent paralegal businesses. Over the years, paralegals have transcended the image of glorified legal secretary to become respected members of the legal team. 06 of 08 Opportunity to Help Others Cultura RM / Matelly / Getty images A career as a paralegal offers a unique opportunity to help others. These opportunities vary, depending on the paralegal's practice area. For example, personal injury paralegals help injured plaintiffs receive compensation for their losses; intellectual property paralegals help clients patent and protect their unique ideas, and family law paralegals help clients in conflict-fraught divorce and custody cases. Paralegals in the public interest sector help poor and disadvantaged segments of the population with legal issues ranging from protection from domestic abuse to assistance preparing wills. 07 of 08 Client Contact Tetra Images / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images While paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney, many paralegals have direct contact with clients. For example, paralegals interview potential clients to assess the merits of their case, prepare clients for depositions and cross-examination at trial, work with clients to gather documents and data, assist clients in preparing discovery responses and serve as the client's point of contact throughout a case or deal. In certain practice areas, such as divorce, child custody, and personal injury, paralegals "hold the client's hand" through a difficult time. For many paralegals, the informal counseling and support they provide to troubled clients are some of the most rewarding aspects of the job. 08 of 08 Shifting Legal Service Structure sturti / Getty Images In the past several years, the legal industry has seen a radical shift in the way legal services are delivered. Lawyers no longer have a monopoly on the law. New laws are opening doors for paralegals to perform a wider range of tasks than ever before, such as representing clients in administrative hearings, providing services directly to the public (such as preparing legal forms or drafting wills) and launching virtual paralegal firms that support attorneys in all practice areas. As many organizations and groups push to provide equal access to justice to underserved individuals, paralegals will serve a crucial role in keeping legal costs in check.
