What Is A Paralegal? There Is No Single Definition Of The Term But Those In The Legal Community Agree What Are The Responsibilities A Paralegal Has. What To Expect From A Paralegal JobA Paralegal Job Involves Much Of The Same Tasks That A Lawyer Must Perform. However, While Lawyers Assume The Ultimate Responsibility Of Legal Work, They May Delegate Some Of Their Work To Paralegals. This Includes Important Tasks Like Preparing For Closings, Hearings, Trials, And Corporate Meetings. Paralegal Jobs May Also Cover The Investigation Of Cases And Doing Legal Research, Including Identifying Appropriate Laws, Judicial Decisions, Legal Articles, And Other Materials Relevant To A Case. So If A Paralegal Job Is Similar To That Of An Attorneys Job, What Is The Difference Between The Two Professions? Where Does One Set The Distinction Between A Paralegal Job And Lawyer Responsibility?Indeed, The Distinction Between The Two Can Become Blurred As Paralegals Of Today Assume More And More Of The Same Tasks That Lawyers Have. Nevertheless, Stringent Measures Have Been Taken Through The Passage Of Various Legislations, Narrowly Defining The Tasks That A Paralegal May Not Do. Such Tasks Are Only Reserved For Attorneys Who Are Engaged In The Practice Of Law. Thus, A Paralegal Job Does Not Include Setting Legal Fees, Giving Legal Advice, And Presenting Cases In Court. Employment ProspectsSeven Out Of Ten Paralegals Are Currently Working For Law Firms. The Rest Works For Either The Legal Departments Of Corporations Or Government Agencies. Paralegal Jobs In A Corporate Or Government Environment Are Standardized At 40 Hours Per Week. Most Paralegal Jobs Are Year-round, But There Are A Few Firms And Offices That Hire Paralegals On A Temporary Basis, Mostly During Busy Times Of The Year. When The Workload Diminishes, These Paralegals Are Released From Employment. There Are Paralegal Jobs In Almost Every Aspect Of Business And The Legal Community. A Paralegal May Work For The Legal Team Of An Entertainment Group, Such As A Musical Band, Helping Draft Legal Documents And Handling Copyright Agreements. A Paralegal May Also Work For A Law Firm That Handles Varied Cases, From Civil Litigations To Criminal Law. Paralegal Jobs Normally Require Extensive Knowledge Of The Broad Aspects Of The Legal System. Knowledge Of Substantive Law And Procedural Law Are Particularly Valued. Work Experience Or Exposure In The Inner Workings Of The Legal System Is Also Something That Most Employers Look For, As There Are Certain Aspects In Paralegal Work That Requires Practical Knowledge That Can Only Be Received Through Actual Experience Working In The Field. Even So, The Educational Requirements For Paralegal Jobs Have Yet To Be Standardized. Many Employers Offer On The Job Training To Help Develop Skills That Are Necessary To Become A Successful Paralegal.
