Legal Assistants, also known as Paralegal, Paralegal Assistants, legal technicians, and legal aides, apply knowledge of law and legal procedures in providing assistance to lawyers, clients, and courts. Legal Assistants may perform all tasks formerly performed solely by licensed attorneys, except giving legal advice, accepting clients, setting legal fees, presenting a case in court, and actively participating in the deposition process.

JOB DUTIES   

Legal Assistants may:

Research and analyze numerous law sources to draft briefs, motions, pleadings, appeals, contracts, and other legal documents for review, approval, and use by attorneys

Investigate the facts and relevant laws of a case to determine causes of action and to prepare the case for trial

Interview clients and obtain releases for personal information

Assist attorneys in the collection of information such as employment, medical, and other records

Obtain affidavits (sworn statements of facts) from witnesses for review and use by attorneys

Organize and maintain document files

Help to prepare tax returns and probate estates

Complete various forms, accident reports, and applications for clients

Deliver or direct the delivery of subpoenas to witnesses

Assist attorneys during trials in obtaining jury information, scheduling witnesses, and organizing exhibits and evidence

Perform computer data base searches for legal information

Attend hearings or depositions and take notes

Assist attorneys in the preparation of clients or witnesses for trial and deposition

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The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Legal Assistants may specialize in these areas:

119.267-026  PARALEGAL ASSISTANTS apply knowledge of law and legal procedures in providing assistance to lawyers, clients, and courts. Most Legal Assistants specialize in areas such as real estate, estate planning, probate court work, family law, labor law, litigation, and corporate law. Some Legal Assistants specialize even further in one particular area, such as employee benefits, rather than a broader specialty like labor law.

Legal Assistants' duties may also be performed by law school students or graduates, most commonly known as law clerks, who serve as assistants or clerks to practicing lawyers or judges.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Legal Assistants work under the supervision of attorneys, who in turn, assume responsibility for the work. Experienced Legal Assistants supervise office staff personnel in some law firms. Those employed by business firms or by government agencies may also be supervised by department heads and other administrators.

Legal Assistants spend much of their time indoors in well lighted, well ventilated places, such as offices and libraries. They may work alone or with other personnel.

Most Legal Assistants work a standard 40-hour week. They are, however, subject to more overtime than secretaries and other staff personnel. They may work long hours and be under pressure when preparing a case for trial. Legal Assistants may travel to get information and carry out duties.

Legal Assistants may be active in one or more professional association. Some Legal Assistants are members of the National Association of Legal Assistants or the Legal Assistants Association of Michigan (LAAM). They may also belong to the Michigan Bar Association (MBA).

Associations may provide accreditation for schools that train Legal Assistants. They may be a good source of information about which schools may offer the best training. It is wise to check with associations when choosing a college or associate degree program.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving business contact with people

• Activities requiring library research

• Writing reports on how others have handled the same problem

• Activities that require close attention to detail

You Should Be Able To:

• Read with understanding

• Reason and make judgments

• Understand the meanings of words and ideas associated with them

• Effectively prepare clear and well-organized legal documents

• Make decisions based on measurable information, putting feelings aside

• Work within precise limits, standards of accuracy, and under pressure

• Direct, control and plan an entire activity or activities of others

• Influence people's opinions or judgments

• Have agreeable working relationships with others

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Maintain confidentiality of information

• Write well

• Work on numerous tasks simultaneously

• Get along well with individuals who are involved in legal problems

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a lawyer asks you to take over 2/3 of his research and he planned on reading 6,432 pages, how many pages will you be responsible for?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

A consumer is anyone who buys goods or services for personal use. At one time or another, everyone is a consumer.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any research that you may have conducted.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to conduct your research so that you analyze the most important data.

In order to use the designation "Certified Legal Assistant", an Assistant must complete successfully a 2-day exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants. Certification is a voluntary professional goal. However, some employers may require it.

A few states license Legal Assistants to make non-advocacy appearances in court on behalf of the attorneys employing them. At the present time Michigan does not.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond High School) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

126 PARALEGAL TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Paralegal Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to work under the direction and supervision of an attorney. Work performed requires a knowledge of legal procedures, interpretation of legal documents, and the use of technical information.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

208 TECHNICAL & BUSINESS WRITING 

Programs in Technical and Business Writing provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in editing scientific and technical materials such as reports, briefs, and other technical publications. Employers generally look for those familiar with a wide range of topics. Individuals may also work in a business setting.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program 

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES*** 

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check the military website at http://www.myfuture.com .

 LEGAL SPECIALISTS AND COURT REPORTERS

The military has its own judicial system for prosecuting lawbreakers and handling disputes. Legal specialists and court reporters assist military lawyers and judges in the performance of legal and judicial work. They perform legal research, prepare legal documents, and record legal proceedings.

 What They Do

 Legal specialists and court reporters in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Research court decisions and military regulations

• Process legal claims, appeals, and summonses to appear in court

• Interview clients and take statements

• Prepare trial request and make arrangements for courtrooms

• Maintain law libraries and trial case files

• Type claims, trial reports, pretrial agreements, and other legal documents

• Prepare military punishment and discharge orders

 Training Provided

 Job training consists of 6 to 10 weeks of instruction. Course content typically includes:

• Legal terminology and research techniques

• How to prepare legal documents

• High speed transcription

• Military judicial processes

 Helpful Attributes

 Helpful school subjects include business mathematics, typing, speech, and shorthand. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in the law and legal proceedings

• Ability to keep organized and accurate records

• Ability to listen carefully

 Special Requirements

 Some specialties require the ability to type at a rate of 25-50 words per minute.

 Physical Demands

Good hearing and clear speech are needed to record and read aloud court proceedings. A clear speaking ability is necessary to interview clients.

 Civilian Counterparts

Civilian legal specialists and court reporters work for private law firms, banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and local, state, and federal courts. They perform duties similar to military legal specialists and court reporters. Civilian legal specialists and court reporters may also be called legal assistants, clerks, paralegal assistants, and court clerks or recorders.

 Work Environment

 Legal specialists and court reporters work in military law offices and courtrooms.

 Opportunities

 After training, they work under an attorney or legal office. With experience, legal specialists and court reporters perform more demanding activities. In time, they may become supervisors of other legal specialists and court reporters.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

For experience, individuals may find part-time work as a Legal Assistant, legal secretary, or clerk with a private law firm, a governmental agency, or other employer. Postsecondary programs in paralegal technology and technical and business writing may offer co-op or internship segments through which experience may be gained. Work experience may also be obtained in military service.

 School-to-Work opportunities include:

Informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Legal Assistant employer

internships

volunteer work with a Legal Assistant employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is direct application to private law firms, civil service offices, and other employers. Assistance in finding a job may be obtained from college placement offices and the State and National Associations of Legal Assistants. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings vary depending on the employer, educational background and work experience of the Assistant, and size and locale of the community where employed. Workers in large firms in heavily populated areas earn more than those in rural areas. Some Legal Assistants work for attorneys on a fee-for-service basis as independent contractors.  

According to a national survey in mid 2009, the average salaries of legal assistants were: 

 The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $37,544 in 2008.

In the federal government, paralegal specialists began at the GS-5 level with annual earnings of $27,026 in 2009. They could advance to the GS-11 level where annual wages began at $49,544. Legal Assistant supervisors could work at the GS-13 level, with a top yearly salary of $91,801. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.  

In the Great Lakes states, that includes Michigan, the average salaries (mid 2009) of legal assistants were: 

Corporate legal departments, auto companies, insurance companies and banks tend to pay the highest salaries.

Some employers also provided annual bonuses and cost-of-living allowances to their legal assistants. Salaries tend to be higher in corporate settings but corporations often require a Bachelor's degree.

Legal Assistants employed by Michigan governmental agencies earned (2009):

Most Legal Assistants receive health, accident, and hospitalization insurance; sick days and vacation with pay; and retirement plans. Some employers also provide tuition refunds.

There is no clear-cut path of advancement for Legal Assistants. Some Assistants start as legal secretaries or clerks. As legal Assistants become experienced, their employers usually give them more responsibilities. Experienced Legal Assistants may advance through higher pay or by moving to competing law firms, offices, and organizations that offer higher pay, more benefits, or other advancement opportunities. Some experienced Legal Assistants start their own legal services firms. With ambition and several years of additional education, a few highly qualified Legal Assistants obtain law degrees and eventually become practicing attorneys.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

In 2008, there were approximately 263,800 Legal Assistants employed nationally. Employment of Legal Assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2018. About 3.1% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Legal Assistants looked like this: 

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Lawyers and other employers in the public and private sector have increasingly used the services of Legal Assistants to reduce costs and to increase efficiency.

There are approximately 4,625 Legal Assistants employed in Michigan. They worked for large and small law firms, corporate legal departments, banks, insurance companies, real estate offices, accounting firms, management consulting businesses, public defenders' and prosecutors' offices and government agencies. Still others worked for unions and for organizations involved in civil rights, consumer protection, environmental and other issues.

Employment of Legal Assistants is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 150 openings is expected annually, with 90 due to growth and 60 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. Growth is due primarily to increased use of paraprofessionals to reduce costs and increase the availability of legal services. Furthermore, the growth of legal action in such areas as consumer protection, the environment, safety, and an expected increase in prepaid legal service should spur employment opportunities. An increasing number of government and private agencies employ Legal Assistants to represent the poor, the elderly, women, and members of minority and special interest groups.

Overall, the outlook for this profession is very good. Opportunities will be best for those trained in paralegal technology. Increased use of computerized research methods and improvements in law office technologies may affect the outlook.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOY MENT OUTLOOK TO 2016   

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

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