legal departments, and various government offices. In these organi-
zations, they can work in many different areas of the law, including
litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee
benefits, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration,
family law, and real estate. As the law becomes more complex, para-
legals become more specialized. Within specialties, functions are
often broken down further. For example, paralegals specializing in
labor law may concentrate exclusively on employee benefits. In small
and medium-size law firms, duties are often more general.
The tasks of paralegals differ widely according to the type of
organization for which they work. The duties of paralegals who
work in the public sector usually vary by agency. In general, litiga-
tion paralegals analyze legal material for internal use, maintain ref-
erence files, conduct research for attorneys, and collect and analyze
evidence for agency hearings. They may prepare informative or
explanatory material on laws, agency regulations, and agency poli-
cy for general use by the agency and the public. Paralegals
PARALEGALS AND LEGAL ASSISTANTS employed in community legal-service projects help the poor, the
Lawyers delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. In fact, aged, and others who are in need of legal assistance. They file
paralegals—also called legal assistants—are continuing to assume a forms, conduct research, prepare documents, and, when authorized
growing range of tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same by law, may represent clients at administrative hearings.
tasks as lawyers. In fact, paralegal is projected to be one of the Paralegals who work for law firms sometimes work very long
fastest growing occupations in the U.S. through the next ten years. hours when under pressure to meet deadlines.
Employment will grow much faster than average, as employers and There are several ways to become a paralegal. The most com-
clients try to reduce legal costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks mon is through a community college paralegal program that leads to
once done by lawyers. Nevertheless, paralegals are explicitly prohib- an associate degree. Another common method of entry, mainly for
ited from carrying out duties considered to be the practice of law, those who already have a college degree, is earning a certificate in
such as setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases paralegal studies. A small number of schools offer a bachelor’s and
in court. master’s degree in paralegal studies. Finally, some employers train
Paralegal education can vary from two months to four years. paralegals on the job.
Certification is not required, but it will increase job prospects. Most Associate and bachelor’s degree programs usually combine
entrants have an associate degree in paralegal studies, or a bache- paralegal training with courses in other academic subjects.
lor’s degree coupled with a certificate in paralegal studies. Certificate programs vary significantly, with some only taking a few
One of a paralegal’s most important tasks is helping lawyers months to complete. Most certificate programs provide intensive
prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. paralegal training for individuals who already hold college degrees.
Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all rel- Although most employers do not require certification, earning
evant information is considered. They also identify appropriate it may offer advantages in the labor market. There are various cer-
laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are tification programs from a few different professional paralegal
relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the organizations. Certification generally involves a combination of edu-
information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys cation, experience and testing.
use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide Any training program usually includes courses in legal research
to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the and the legal applications of computers. Many paralegal training
legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be
filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist
attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and
track files of all important case documents and make
them available and easily accessible to attorneys.
In addition to this preparatory work, paralegals
perform a number of other functions. For example,
they help draft contracts, mortgages, and separation
agreements. They also may assist in preparing tax
returns, establishing trust funds, and planning
estates. Some paralegals coordinate the activities of
other law office employees and maintain financial
office records. Paralegals frequently use computer
databases to retrieve, organize, and index various
materials.
Paralegals are found in all types of organiza-
tions, but most are employed by law firms, corporate
S A L U D O S 32 H I S P A N O S
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