UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS
Paralegal Studies
What is a paralegal?
paralegal (noun)
a person with specialized training who assists lawyers.
This is a common definition for the term "paralegal." It is provided by the American Heritage Dictionary. And it is demonstrative of the problem that has always faced the profession: no one seems to really know what a paralegal is! Look again at the definition: "a person with specialized training who assists lawyers."
The problem is that the above definition could apply just as easily to a secretary, runner, or other positions. It therefore does a poor job of defining the profession. So, it's time for a better definition.
paralegal (noun)
A person who, usually working under the authority of an attorney, works on behalf of a client, and who in the course of this advocacy may create legal documents, investigate relevant facts, conduct legal research, interview clients and witnesses, and perform any other tasks an attorney may perform, except that a paralegal may not give legal advice or represent in a court of law on behalf of another.
The fact that paralegals are able to perform such an incredible variety of tasks, and are trained in such advanced skills as legal research and writing, may be a surprise to you. It is a surprise to many. But it is not a surprise to most lawyers.
Lawyers today know that paralegals can be a great asset.
The outlook for the profession ...
For many years the paralegal profession has ranked among the fastest growing of all professions. In addition, surveys have established that the salaries for paralegals are increasing at an impressive rate. These trends shows no sign of abating, as indicated by the following statement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. It projects must faster than average employment growth for the profession:
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 28 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers. Paralegals are performing a wider variety of duties, making them more useful to businesses.
Demand for paralegals also is expected to grow as an expanding population increasingly requires legal services, especially in areas such as intellectual property, healthcare, international law, elder issues, criminal law, and environmental law. The growth of prepaid legal plans also should contribute to the demand for legal services.
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statisitics
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