Paralegals and Legal Assistants
At a glance
- Median Salary$48,431
- Local Jobs497
Entry-Level Education
Associate's Degree
Occupation Profile
Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system. Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements. Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits. Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case. 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.
By the Numbers
Median annual earnings$48,431
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationLocal Jobs497
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationEntry-level educationAssociate's Degree
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation
Daily Tasks
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
- 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.
- File pleadings with court clerk.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
Occupational Skills
What skills are necessary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants career?
Hard Skills
- Billing
- Docketing (Court)
- Law Practice Management Software
- Lawsuits
- Legal Depositions
- Legal Discovery
- Legal Hearings
- Legal Pleadings
- Personal Injury Law
- Trial Preparation
Soft Skills
- Communications
- Customer Service
- Detail Oriented
- Filing
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Multilingualism
- Spanish Language
- Writing
Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.
Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.
Educational Programs
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Del Mar College
| Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
| Credit | AAS Degree, Cert | 60/30 | Some | Yes |
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