Careers in Law: A Day in the Life of a Paralegal

If you’re thinking about becoming a paralegal, this post will give you some useful information on what exactly you will be dealing with on a daily basis. We will also look at the qualifications you should have before you start out your new career.

Education

Before you try to find work as a paralegal you should begin by attending a community college, a regular university or taking an online course. Paralegal degrees usually run for a period of two years, but some institutions offer shorter courses with more packed schedules. However, remember that large law firms usually require paralegal degrees from institutions recognized by the American Bar Association. Make sure your course focuses on document preparation, legal research and legal writing. These will form your main duties when employed.

Duties

Paralegals have to conduct very important duties including conducting client interviews, drafting pleadings, conducting legal research and attending court sessions with their attorneys as well. In some situations, you will also need to add office management duties to that list. This means that paralegals are essential in the running of law firms and helping lawyers prepare for cases.

Day to Day

A day in the life of a paralegal is often highly challenging and stressful, and involves a lot of planning to get through successfully. You will have to work with different attorneys, and hence need to learn how to multi-task naturally. Additionally you will also need to learn how to plan your day and time to accommodate deadlines and impromptu projects.

With such demanding days being a regular occurrence, you will also have to understand your body’s energy requirements and how to keep yourself nourished for optimal performance at all times i.e. in the morning during the day and at the evening.

If you can do all of the above, you can work successfully as a paralegal and advance your career. Looking for more information about finding a career in law? Check out our Careers page for more info!