Information about paralegal salary

If you are interested in law but do not want to become a lawyer, the profession of paralegal is perfect for you. A paralegal is a paraprofessional. The term ‘paralegal’ is used to refer to a person who is not an attorney but who assists an attorney in law-related activities. Legal assistants are becoming more and more common in law offices and many people are considering it as a career option.

In simple words, a paralegal is an attorney’s assistant. They assist an attorney in investigating, filing paperwork, writing reports, and assisting with any other activity in which the attorney may need assistance. Paralegals generally have a great deal of knowledge of the law and legal jargon and are well versed in courtroom etiquette. They may have all the knowledge that an attorney has, but not have a law degree. As a paralegal, no matter how informed you are, you are not allowed to give any kind of legal advice and you are not allowed to practice law in any form.

There are no specific academic requirements by law that one must have to become a paralegal; However, to get an edge over the competition, you must earn a degree in paralegal studies or a degree in associated fields like criminal justice, etc. The salary of a paralegal depends on several factors. The more experience and training you get, the higher your salary. Legal assistants with specialized training may receive a higher salary. The company you work for also has an impact on the amount of money you would make. Legal assistants who work in government offices would earn less money than those who work with a company that is involved, for example, in intellectual property rights. Legal assistants are generally paid by the hour, so your salary would also depend on the amount of time you are willing to work.