How to Become a Paralegal

A paralegal is a person who performs legal work.

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They assist an attorney with the attorney’s duties.

Most of the time, they have formal legal training.

They’re not a licensed attorney, and they can’t appear in court.

However, they can assist an attorney with many of their duties.

A lawyer can use a paralegal’s work as their own.

A paralegal performs many of the functions of a lawyer in order to make the attorney’s work more manageable.

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They also handle some of the less complicated office tasks so that the attorney can focus on the big picture.

What Does a Paralegal Do?

Attorneys rely on their paralegals to make their practice manageable.

Paralegals perform complicated legal research, and they draft legal briefs and memoranda.

They write complaints and respond to motions from the opposing party.

Paralegals interact with clients and the courts.

Depending on the needs of the attorney they work for, they might also help the attorney with routine office tasks like stocking supplies, scheduling, and office management.paralegal

Paralegals Benefit Both Attorneys and Clients

Paralegals perform an important service in a law firm.

They handle matters that the attorney can handle, and they help the attorneys manage their cases and schedules.

However, the law firm typically charges a lower rate to the client for a paralegal’s services than they charge for an attorney’s services.

Using a paralegal for routine work can help keep the costs down for the client.

In addition to keeping legal services affordable, a paralegal can free an attorney up to take on more cases.

When they have someone to do some of the legal work and draft routine documents, they can spend their time working on complex matters and appearing in court.

This can ultimately result in more billable hours for the attorney, a larger practice, and larger profit margins.

Steps to Becoming a Paralegal

Step 1 – Do the best you can in your high school English classes
Step 2 – Graduate from high school
Step 3 – Attend a College paralegal program
Step 4 – Complete an internship
Step 5 – Create a great resume with examples of your work
Step 6 – Apply for jobs

Step 1 – Do The Best You Can in Your High School English Classes

O’Net OnLine reports that paralegals rely heavily on their English skills.

They draft documents that go to the courts.

Busy attorneys must rely on their paralegals to draft documents that are worthy of filing in court.

Paralegals must know the parts of speech, sentence construction, and spelling.

Paralegals also must know how to read laws and rules and apply them effectively.

The reading and writing that you learn in high school English can provide a solid foundation for the skills that you need to become a great paralegal.

Step 2 – Graduate From High School

To become a paralegal, you must graduate from high school.

Most states don’t have an official requirement that you must graduate from high school, however, as a practical matter, anyone wanting to become a paralegal should treat their high school diploma as a must.

In addition to needing to put the high school diploma on your resume, you also need the skills that you learned in high school.

In high school, you learn math skills that help you run an office.

You learn communication skills that you depend on to interact with clients and manage the attorney’s schedule and court appearances.

A high school diploma is critical to showing employers that you have the skills you need to do your job well.

Step 3 – Attend a College Paralegal Program

The vast majority of paralegals get some kind of formal legal training.

They attend a paralegal school in order to learn the specific skills that they need for their work.

They graduate from paralegal school with the skills and the pedigree to successfully work in the profession.

The requirements to attend a paralegal school vary depending on the school.

You need to have a high school diploma, complete an application, and submit proof of your grades.

You may need to take the SAT or the ACT test.

Some schools have a relatively open admissions policy.

They’ll admit anyone who meets their minimum requirements.

Other schools are selective.

You might need to have great grades and a competitive standardized test score.

You might graduate from paralegal school with a certificate of completion, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies.

The higher the level of your degree, the more in-depth training you have for your career.

In addition, the more advanced your degree, the stronger it looks on a resume.

A bachelor’s degree is a great plus when it comes to impressing a potential employer.

In college, you fine-tune your writing skills.

You become familiar with popular research databases like Lexis and Westlaw.

You’ll learn legal terms and court rules.

Some classes might help you learn how to run a business and use office software.

Your formal education should give you the skills you need to launch your career and the confidence that you need in order to arrive at your first day at work feeling prepared.

Step 4 – Complete an Internship

Doing an internship is a great way to build your resume, gain practical experience, and spend time with a potential employer.

Even though you’ll learn a great deal in college, there’s no substitute for real-world experience.

In a learning capacity, you’ll be able to see how a law firm handles all of the aspects of representing a client.

You’ll get to test drive a legal specialty to see if it’s right for you.

If the employer can’t hire you at the end of your internship, they might refer you to other attorneys who are hiring.

They might also provide a reference or a letter of recommendation.

Step 5 – Create a Great Resume with Examples of Your Work

When you apply for a job, you need to have a great application package.

Because paralegal work is skilled work, the attorneys you might work with want to see and evaluate your work.

You need a few examples of legal documents that you’ve drafted.

You can get examples from your schoolwork or from your internship.

Step 6 – Apply for Jobs

It’s time to send out applications.

Take the time to consider what kind of employment you want.

If you have a preferred legal specialty, you can narrow your search.

Think about any geographic limitations that you have on where you can work.

Be sure to tell family and friends that you’re looking for a job.

Remember that small firms might have hiring practices that are somewhat informal.

You might need to look on multiple websites or even in the local newspaper to find job postings.

Work Environment for Paralegals

Paralegals work in an office setting.

However, they might also have to drive documents to the court.

They might occasionally go to court with an attorney in order to assist them with matters or take notes.

Paralegals usually arrive at the office in the morning and stay there for the day.

They spend a lot of time sitting, but they might also have to file paperwork.

They also spend a lot of time interacting with clients in person, on the phone, and through email.

Legal cases are often highly emotional.

Paralegals can expect clients to occasionally be upset.

Paralegals must have the patience to handle these situations, and they must learn how to manage their own emotions as they handle difficult situations for their clients.

Jobs for Paralegals

Paralegals work throughout the United States.

They work at large firms in large cities, and they work in very small towns.

Part-time work may be available depending on the needs of the employer.

A paralegal may work for the same employer for many years.

Some paralegals also work for the court systems.

They assist judges with research and case management.

In small court systems, a paralegal might also serve as a court recorder.

Key Skills Required for Paralegals

O*Net OnLine says that the following skills are critical for success as a paralegal:

  • Software – Paralegals should be confident with case research, word processing, business, and client management.
  • Troubleshooting skills – A paralegal might have to fix the printer or reboot the phone network.
  • An understanding of law and government – You must know where to file legal documents and how to comply with applicable court rules.
  • Customer service – You’re often the first person that a new client sees. You may have more interaction with the clients on a regular basis than the attorney.
  • Listening – You can’t solve client needs unless you can understand them in detail.
  • Speaking – You need to make phone calls and speak with a variety of individuals including court personnel.
  • Writing – Paralegals draft legal documents. They’re often critically important to the client’s case.
  • Vision – Expect to spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer screen and poring over legal documents.
  • Management – You’re an attorney’s right hand. You need to be able to help the attorneys manage their time effectively and keep track of appointments.
  • Sitting for long periods of time – When you’re working on something important, you’ll spend a lot of time sitting behind a desk.

How to Choose a School

You should base your choice of paralegal school on your specific needs and goals.

if you’re able to earn a degree from a reputable school, it can help you advance your career options.

If you need to stay close to home, you might choose your local community college.

Your budget, your needs, and your goals should all play a role in choosing the right school for you.

Job Growth and Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegal jobs are going to increase by as much as 15 percent in the next 10 years which is much higher than average growth for other jobs.

There are approximately 285,600 paralegals in the United States.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that paralegals make an average of $49,500 per year.

The exact amount varies widely by the size of the law firm and the size of the city.

A paralegal may or may not receive benefits from their employer.

Salary Information by State

State Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Alabama4,000$53,450$25.70$74,820$35,210
Alaska760$63,180$30.38$92,640$45,850
Arizona7,550$65,400$31.44$93,640$38,030
Arkansas1,460- NA -- NA -- NA -- NA -
California39,220$79,210$38.08$117,120$48,320
Colorado5,400$72,220$34.72$101,830$47,180
Connecticut4,850$71,140$34.20$96,530$48,030
Delaware1,590$71,360$34.31$102,510$47,760
District of Columbia5,340$94,290$45.33$126,940$58,080
Florida35,020$61,830$29.72$86,030$38,600
Georgia12,440$61,210$29.43$90,810$35,880
Hawaii1,170$64,250$30.89$86,240$43,760
Idaho1,720$52,980$25.47$77,540$30,240
Illinois15,780$63,340$30.45$96,030$45,540
Indiana5,550$56,480$27.15$81,850$37,440
Iowa2,520$59,610$28.66$83,700$38,180
Kansas3,050$53,310$25.63$81,380$36,210
Kentucky2,590$53,910$25.92$74,490$37,690
Louisiana4,860$53,980$25.95$79,930$35,580
Maine1,260$59,800$28.75$77,280$45,010
Maryland6,190$68,070$32.73$94,100$43,480
Massachusetts7,520$74,710$35.92$102,520$47,690
Michigan7,580$63,460$30.51$85,750$40,450
Minnesota5,650$68,410$32.89$97,230$39,790
Mississippi1,980$46,620$22.41$67,020$35,290
Missouri5,640$61,100$29.38$80,660$37,950
Montana1,130$58,310$28.03$79,800$45,720
Nebraska1,420$60,580$29.12$84,050$42,020
Nevada3,360$61,200$29.43$81,500$33,810
New Hampshire1,460$59,810$28.76$81,700$38,240
New Jersey11,440$70,380$33.84$99,210$42,920
New Mexico1,850$56,840$27.33$74,480$42,010
New York30,930$78,850$37.91$128,400$50,010
North Carolina12,160$57,860$27.82$83,880$37,650
North Dakota690$55,940$26.89$73,680$40,260
Ohio8,910$57,360$27.58$81,220$36,030
Oklahoma2,790$56,430$27.13$79,000$37,340
Oregon5,010$69,100$33.22$95,190$47,650
Pennsylvania12,530$65,940$31.70$95,260$42,570
Rhode Island1,450$70,220$33.76$94,450$49,980
South Carolina7,050$50,820$24.43$68,540$35,560
South Dakota470$59,560$28.64$75,840$44,550
Tennessee5,360$56,440$27.14$83,430$35,360
Texas28,140$63,720$30.64$97,280$37,690
Utah3,190$57,440$27.61$80,620$39,750
Vermont620$61,990$29.80$77,190$48,420
Virginia9,460$63,820$30.68$93,670$38,170
Washington7,960$75,560$36.33$107,500$47,840
West Virginia1,780$56,870$27.34$83,200$32,610
Wisconsin4,640$57,750$27.77$79,370$40,670
Wyoming400$56,870$27.34$82,400$39,000
Guam60$43,360$20.85$72,950$24,560
Puerto Rico**$39,350$18.92$58,720$23,420
Virgin Islands80$53,080$25.52$64,670$40,000

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

The top earning state in the field is District of Columbia, where the average salary is $94,290.

These are the top 10 earning states in the field:

  • District of Columbia - $94,290
  • California - $79,210
  • New York - $78,850
  • Washington - $75,560
  • Massachusetts - $74,710
  • Colorado - $72,220
  • Delaware - $71,360
  • Connecticut - $71,140
  • New Jersey - $70,380
  • Rhode Island - $70,220
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, OCC Code 23-2011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Types of Paralegals

There are different specializations  and types of Paralegals, mostly commonly including:

Why Become a Paralegal

Becoming a paralegal is a great career choice for people who like to read and write.

If you enjoy an office setting and you have people skills, you’ll enjoy the work and the work environment.

Paralegals often enjoy a stable career and the appreciation of the attorneys they work with as well as the gratitude of the clients they assist.

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Notable Resources

Chelsea Wilson

About Chelsea Wilson

Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LLM degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.

5 Responses to How to Become a Paralegal

  1. Avatar
    Richard Powell #

    As a seasoned paralegal, I can attest to the rewarding nature of this career path. It’s a fantastic way to delve into the legal world without the extensive schooling required for a lawyer.

  2. Avatar
    Jennifer Young #

    I’m currently studying to become a paralegal, and the insights shared here are invaluable. It’s reassuring to know there’s a clear roadmap to follow, especially for those of us navigating this field for the first time.

  3. Avatar
    Patricia Davis #

    Continuous learning is essential. Whether it’s staying updated on new laws or honing your technical skills, staying ahead of the curve is a must for success as a paralegal.

  4. Avatar
    Ronald Rogers #

    Attention to detail is everything in this profession. From drafting documents to conducting research, precision is non-negotiable.

  5. Avatar
    Shirley #

    To become a legal assistant, you must study law in order to be prepared to be able to legally defend yourself with the decisive laws of a certain country and state.

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