When you think of paralegal services you might think of someone who assists an attorney, usually with clerical work. However, this would be an extremely limited view of the scope of a career in this field.
Today paralegal professionals are often the research and case development arm of a law practice. These individuals are instrumental in uncovering data that can be used to make a case for a client. They don’t argue a case before the court of offer clients legal advice, but they do perform the meaningful work of developing materials that help an attorney determine the merits of the case and arguments that may apply.
A paralegal is a researcher, investigator, case organizer and development expert. The work of a paralegal allows an attorney to represent a greater number of clients.
A Paralegal’s Pay
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics you should expect a growth in this career field of 28% through 2018. This is significantly more than many other professions with a salary that may be in line with your financial needs. The median annual salary is as follows:
Federal Executive Branch $58,540
Management of companies and enterprises $55,910
Insurance carriers $52,200
Employment services $50,050
Legal services $44,480
Degree Options
If you are intrigued with the legal profession and enjoy research then a paralegal career may be well suited to your personal interests. Some individuals who are paralegals find comfort in the work simply because they don’t have to argue cases or provide clients with advice. They simply work to gather data and help develop a case. A paralegal degree can be obtained through distance learning, which can allow you to continue work commitments while you earn a degree. This could be the advancement you need to infuse your future with possibility.
