Paralegals and Legal Assistants

What Does a Paralegals and Legal Assistants Do?

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
• 2Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
• 3Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
• 4Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
• 5Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
• 6Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.

Required Skills

• Writing
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• a la mode WinTOTAL
• AbacusNext HotDocs
• Adobe Acrobat
• American LegalNet USCourtForms
• Appligent Citation FDFMerge
• Blumbeg Drafting Libraries
• Bowne JFS Litigator's Notebook
• Bridgeway eCounsel
• Case analysis software
• CaseSoft DepPrep

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary