| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials. |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Receive and place telephone calls. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Schedule and make appointments. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Draft and type office memos. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients. |
Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs Careers and Jobs
Select, Find and Prepare for Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs Careers and Jobs - all on one page
For people who want law-adjacent work without committing to law school and bar licensure. Use the tools below to see which paralegal studies roles fit your background and goals.
Paralegals support licensed attorneys and cannot practice law independently, making this a distinct career track from law school. Use the tools below to explore Paralegal Studies-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Legal Assistant, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Senior Paralegal or Compliance Specialist. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as Certified Paralegal (CP) / NALA Certification, that can help you move up the career ladder.
Here is a short Helper Video 
This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers/jobs, (2) Find Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs job listings, (3) Prepare for Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers, and (4) Provide Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs career-specific resources.
Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs, so relevant Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 127 Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.
** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job
22 Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:
| Occupations | U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) | Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs-Related Jobs |
24 Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::
| Occupations | National Median Salary | Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs-Related Jobs |
24 Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.
|
Education/Preparation Categories: 5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.) 4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree 3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree 2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always Please Scroll and Select below: |
||
| Occupations | Education/Preparation | Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs-Related Jobs |
Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 127 specific Paralegal Law Careers and Jobs job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:
Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below
Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Find Job Listings:
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Description: Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
160,400U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
126,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
-33,600 (-21%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
12,000
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Attend legal meetings, such as client interviews, hearings, or depositions, and take notes. |
| Importance: 51 (%) | Description: Submit articles and information from searches to attorneys for review and approval for use. |
| Importance: 49 (%) | Description: Review legal publications and perform database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases. |
| Importance: 35 (%) | Description: Make travel arrangements for attorneys. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information. | |
| Issue documentation or identification to customers or employees. | |
| Make travel, accommodations, or entertainment arrangements for others. | |
| Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants. | |
| Operate office equipment. | |
| Prepare business correspondence. | |
| Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance. | |
| Prepare legal documents. | |
| Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy. | |
| Provide information to coworkers. | |
| Record information about legal matters. | |
| Record information from meetings or other formal proceedings. | |
| Schedule appointments. | |
| Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information. | |
| Send information, materials or documentation. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Collect data about consumer needs or opinions. |
| Activity: Communicate with others about operational plans or activities. |
| Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance. |
| Activity: Gather information from physical or electronic sources. |
| Activity: Issue documentation. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Operate office equipment. |
| Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities. |
| Activity: Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits. |
| Activity: Prepare legal or regulatory documents. |
| Activity: Process shipments or mail. |
| Activity: Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists. |
| Activity: Provide information to guests, clients, or customers. |
| Activity: Record information about legal matters. |
| Activity: Schedule appointments. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||
| Microsoft Outlook | |||||
| Office suite software: | |||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||
| Presentation software: | |||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||
| Word processing software: | |||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||
| Accounting software: | |||||
| Intuit QuickBooks | |||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||
| Microsoft Access | |||||
| Document management software: | |||||
| Adobe Acrobat | |||||
| Process mapping and design software: | |||||
| Microsoft Visio | |||||
| General Software Tools | |||||
| Accounting software (scroll table below): | |||||
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| Analytical or scientific software: | |||||
| Litigation management software | |||||
| Billing and invoicing software: | |||||
| Billing software Thomson Reuters Elite Billing Manager | |||||
| Calendar and scheduling software: | |||||
| Aderant CompuLaw Appointment scheduling software | |||||
| Cloud-based data access and sharing software: | |||||
| Dropbox | |||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||
| A1-Law Database software Electronic adjudication management systems EAM LexisNexis Time Matters | |||||
| Document management software: | |||||
| AbacusNext HotDocs Filing system software Microsoft SharePoint Server | |||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||
| Email software IBM Lotus Notes | |||||
| Expert system software: | |||||
| Legal software | |||||
| Human resources software: | |||||
| ADP Workforce Now | |||||
| Information retrieval or search software: | |||||
| Legal research software LexisNexis Public access to electronic court records PACER Thomson Reuters Westlaw | |||||
| Internet browser software: | |||||
| Web browser software | |||||
| Project management software: | |||||
| Case management software | |||||
| Video conferencing software: | |||||
| Web conferencing software | |||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | |||||
| Web page design and editing software | |||||
| Word processing software: | |||||
| Electronic diary software Transcription software WordPerfect |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
| These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 48.1 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 17.3 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.3 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 13.2 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.0 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 52.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 21.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 19.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Certifications
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Accredited Legal Professional
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Certified Legal Professional
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Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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Legal Secretaries International Inc.
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Job Listings
| Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings |
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources
This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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