What's A Paralegal To Do?!?!
- RHONDA J. RIVERS
- Aug 14, 2024
- 2 min read
Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, are expected to have a promising career path in 2024. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that demand for paralegals will grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This is due to law offices increasingly relying on paralegals, and many openings are expected to be due to workers leaving the labor force or transferring to other occupations. The median annual wage for paralegals in May 2022 was $59,200, and the top 10% earn over $94,960. Paralegals may also receive benefits such as flexible schedules, insurance, profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, and retirement accounts.
Here are some trends that may affect paralegals in 2024:
Specialization
Paralegals who specialize in specific areas of law may be in high demand. This allows them to develop a deep understanding of the nuances of their niche, which can make them more valuable to employers and enable them to provide more targeted support.
Technological proficiency
Paralegals will need to be comfortable with a range of legal tech tools, such as case management software, e-discovery platforms, and virtual collaboration tools. They will also need to understand cybersecurity best practices and data privacy regulations to maintain client confidentiality.
Continuous learning
Paralegals will need to continuously learn to stay up to date with the latest legal developments and maintain their competitive edge. The NALA Conference & Expo offers educational sessions on a range of topics to help legal professionals stay current.
Paralegals may also need to have strong organizational ability, attention to detail, technical proficiency, strong communication skills, sound legal knowledge, the ability to multi-task, and teamwork and collaboration skills.
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