Paralegal info

Paralegal info

Who Are Paralegals?

Paralegals assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services. NALA is your one-stop shop for all things paralegal — careers, networking, courses, etc. We are committed to making sure paralegals have what they need to succeed. Throughout our site, you will find multiple resources for before and after becoming a CP.

The paralegal career began to develop in the late 1960s, when law firms and individual practitioners sought ways to improve the efficient and cost-effective delivery of legal services. Utilization of paralegals in a law firm ultimately reduces the cost to the client and frees time for attorneys.

Paralegals are qualified by education, training, or work experience and are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity to perform specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. In a law firm setting, a paralegal’s time spent on substantive legal work is often billed to clients at a lower rate than the market rate. This distinguishes paralegals from other non-lawyer staff members. As a general rule, paralegal time spent on administrative or clerical functions is not billable.

Only licensed attorneys may give legal advice to consumers of legal services, so paralegals are prohibited from doing so. The work product of the paralegal becomes the attorney’s work product. Paralegals are also prohibited from accepting a case, setting a fee, or representing a client in court (unless authorized by the court). All states require attorneys to be licensed, and most have statutes imposing penalties for those found to be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.

Private law firms are the largest employers of paralegals. Businesses, corporations, and the government are also large employers of paralegals. Paralegals work in a variety of legal practice areas, ranging from litigation and trial practice to tax, real estate transactions, and estate planning.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 8% from 2014 to 2024, as fast as average for all occupations. The terms legal assistant and paralegal are used interchangeably, much like the terms attorney and lawyer.

Paralegal Education Studies
Paralegal Education Studies

Paralegal education programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Generally, paralegals are graduates of two-year associate degree programs.

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Paralegal Resource Directory
Paralegal Resource Directory

The Paralegal Resource Directory is a quick and convenient way to find legal support services for any paralegal role. The directory includes process servers, corporation, deposition servers, and many more.

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What Do Paralegals Do?
What Do Paralegals Do?

Working under the supervision of an attorney, the paralegal’s work product is merged with the attorney work product for a client.

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Paralegal Resource Navigator
Paralegal Resource Navigator

Discover the Paralegal Resource Navigator: your premier library curated by NALA and top legal experts. Access diverse, timely resources tailored to enrich your paralegal career.

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Research and Survey Findings

NALA National Utilization & Compensation Report

About every two years, NALA conducts a national survey of paralegals. Paralegals invited to participate in this survey include members of NALA, non-members, and members of NALA affiliated associations. This inside look into the paralegal profession has produced some interesting and valuable data through the years. The report includes reviews of current findings in comparison with findings of previous surveys. Economic data is presented in terms of such factors as the size of the city, size of the firm, educational backgrounds, years of experience, and specialty area of practice.

Members can access the 2022 report by logging in to their NALA account and purchasing the Utilization & Compensation Report at no cost. Nonmembers need to log in to purchase the report. If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one.

2022 Summary of Findings or Report:

Job Analysis

The latest nationwide study of paralegal duties was conducted by NALA, and the results were reported in the Job Analysis released in January 2023. This report provides detailed information about on-the-job duties and responsibilities of paralegals and the skills needed to perform their work. Survey findings are utilized by the NALA Certifying Board to ensure the Certified Paralegal Examination focuses on the skills and knowledge required of working paralegals in today’s environment. The job analysis study is conducted approximately every six years.

Paralegal Core Competencies

Paralegals play a vital role in the legal field, providing essential support to attorneys, law firms, and legal departments. Their expertise and proficiency in various areas are crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of legal proceedings. To excel in this dynamic and demanding profession, paralegals need to develop a set of core competencies that encompass a wide range of skills and knowledge. NALA – The Paralegal Association has recognized the significance of these competencies and has created an example list under various categories, reflecting the diverse requirements of the profession. To learn more about paralegal core competencies, click here.

Wolters Kluwer x NALA

NALA and Wolters Kluwer have collaborated in a study aimed at exploring how corporate paralegals and corporate legal departments select, roll out, and leverage contract management solutions.

Legal Department Adoption of Contract Management Solutions: Perspectives From Corporate Paralegals