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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.

What you’d do

  • Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
  • Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
  • Investigate 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.
  • Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
  • Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
  • Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.

Skills that matter

  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Legal Assistant
  • Legal Clerk
  • Paralegal
  • Paralegal Specialist
  • Immigration Paralegal
  • Law Associate

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