Paralegals and Legal Assistants
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.
At a Glance
Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns a median of $61,010/yr with +0.2% projected growth. Typical entry: Associate's degree. Top skills: Law and Government, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Project.
$61,010/yr
+0.2%
39
Associate's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (5)
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Knowledge (6)
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Abilities (10)
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Technology (15)
Work Activities (14)
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Lawyers
Legal · 207 shared skills
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Office and Administrative Support · 207 shared skills
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Office and Administrative Support · 205 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors
Business and Financial Operations · 205 shared skills
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Office and Administrative Support · 205 shared skills
Office Clerks, General
Office and Administrative Support · 204 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
Office and Administrative Support · 203 shared skills
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 202 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
Frequently Asked Questions
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