About Legal and Paralegal Careers

Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks that support the legal system, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents. People choose legal and paralegal careers for various reasons. Some enjoy knowing they are an integral part of promoting justice for all by upholding the law. Others have a desire to assist people in need of legal representation, or those in the public eye that have been taken advantage of.

Some people even have dreams of becoming an attorney, and maybe one day becoming a judge himself or herself—dreams that are easier to fulfill by beginning with one of the many legal and paralegal degrees that can be pursued. Many prominent industry professionals have openly shared how their own pursuits of entry-level clerical legal and paralegal careers helped prepare them for eventual success in both law school and the courtroom.

Legal and paralegal degrees are extremely flexible and overlap a variety of industries. The skills requires to succeed in legal and paralegal careers involve being meticulous with paperwork, being prompt, handling stress effectively, and working with a diverse array of people. Because of this, people with legal and paralegal degrees work in all types of organizations—including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. Because of the increasing demand for employees with these skill sets, legal and paralegal careers are projected to grow by almost 20% over the next 10 years. .

Most legal and paralegal careers require at least an associate’s degree and/or a certificate in paralegal studies. However, some careers also require a bachelor’s degree—and many opportunities for advancement, including becoming an attorney, require additional schooling and certifications. If you have a passion for law and order, and you enjoy helping ensure liberty and justice for all, then one of the many stable and rewarding legal and paralegal careers are perfect for you.