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As society shifts and the need for lawyers to work faster and smarter grows, it becomes increasingly important that lawyers are able to nurture partnerships with freelance paralegals and legalassistants. For one, legalassistants focus solely on administrative work, clearing up time for lawyers to focus on other tasks.
I’ve mentioned in previous articles that 43 years ago, the profession of “paralegals” and “legalassistants” didn’t really exist. Legalsecretaries absorbed some of what is now considered paralegal responsibilities. I use this function in Outlook for my assistant so that I can keep track of completed items.
However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median annual wage for paralegals and legalassistants was $56,230 in 2021. The problem with relying on that number is that it includes legalassistants. As a litigation paralegal, you could easily spend more than 50% of your day using your legal writing skills.
The paralegals and legalassistants that exhibit strong computer and database skills, along with a strong work ethic will typically be the best candidates. It is also not uncommon that while one is enrolled in a paralegal program to hold a job as a legalassistant to gain practical real-world experience.
A paralegal is not a legalassistant or legalsecretary. The difference between the two is that a paralegal has either a certificate or associate degree providing them with the title of a paralegal whereas legalsecretaries or assistants do not. appeared first on The LegalAssistant.
The paralegals and legalassistants that exhibit strong computer and database skills, along with a strong work ethic will typically be the best candidates. It is also not uncommon that while one is enrolled in a paralegal program to hold a job as a legalassistant to gain practical real-world experience.
But you can boost your appeal by earning a recognized credential from NALA (National Association of LegalAssistants) or pursuing specialized programs through the NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). These organizations hold exams that measure your understanding of legal research, ethics, and other fundamentals.
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