Description
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Interests
- Conventional
- Investigative
- Enterprising
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Initiative
- Stress Tolerance
Tasks
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- 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.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Technology Skills
- Document management software
- Word processing software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Analytical or scientific software
Abilities
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
Skills
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Advanced Certified ParalegalCertifying Organization
National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Estate Planning Law SpecialistCertifying Organization
National Association of Estate Planners & Councils
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Realtime ReporterCertifying Organization
National Court Reporters Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal AssistantCertifying Organization
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Legal ManagerCertifying Organization
Association of Legal Administrators
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $48,426 |
| Median (50%) | $66,295 |
| High (90%) | $91,690 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $60,786 |
| Mid Level | $76,334 |
| Senior Level | $84,907 |
| Expert Level | $99,775 |
Employability
There are currently 366,200 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 370,500 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 1%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 1%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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