In many cases, the terms "paralegal" and "legal assistant" are roughly synonymous – both refer to support positions that assist lawyers with tasks such as preparing for trial or conducting legal research. The two are also similar in that the hours worked by both of these legal professionals are billed to clients by private law firms. In fact, most court rules, statutes, and bar association rules define the jobs as the same.
Paralegals versus Legal Assistants
However, in some geographic areas, the two positions designate a different set of responsibilities, and consequently, different pay scales. In addition, there are different certification and credentialing programs for individuals who chose a career as a legal assistant and those who chose the paralegal career path. In these cases, the jobs are defined as follows:
Paralegals
In situations where the two job titles mean different things, paralegals tend to be more involved in the actual casework and legal research than legal assistants. Those who chose a career as a paralegal may also be tasked with the drafting of binding legal documents, which requires a certain amount of background knowledge and research. Private firms that hire paralegals often look for individuals with backgrounds in law or political science to assist with trial preparation and research.
The typical salary range for those with paralegal careers is roughly $35,000-$50,000, although this can vary based on the individual's experience and geographic location. Paralegals with some experience in the field and those who live in more metropolitan areas are likely to fall higher on the pay scale. In addition, potential paralegals can improve their earning power by completing a certification course, like the National Association of Legal Assistant's (NALA) Certified Paralegal credentialing program.
Legal Assistants
In situations where the two positions are described separately, those who chose a legal assistant career tend to handle the administrative tasks that lawyers and paralegals require. For example, a legal assistant may be responsible for keeping accurate research and trial records, or for ensuring that any court filing requirements are met. Individuals who work as legal assistants tend to come from secretarial or clerical backgrounds, as the abilities to support multiple people and maintain accurate records are essential.
Despite the difference in job duties, legal assistant salaries are very similar to paralegal salaries – perhaps because the two are so often lumped together in statistical salary calculations. Legal assistant salaries also depend on an individual's location and the exact job duties he or she will be expected to perform. Legal assistants are also able to improve their salary outlook by pursuing certifications, like the Certified Legal Assistant program that's also available through NALA.
Regardless of which job title you pursue, it's important to be aware of the demands of each position if you choose to become a paralegal. Paralegals and legal assistants often work in high-pressure situations, since most are employed by either private law firms or government agencies. However, if you are comfortable working in stressful situations, this can be a good field to consider as growth in the industry is expected to occur at nearly 22% between 2006 and 2016. Much of this growth can be attributed to the fact that private law firms are beginning to delegate tasks once done by lawyers to paralegals and legal assistants in an effort to cut costs in a sagging economy.
