Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- US jobs
- 392,880
- Median wage
- $62,890 a year
- Job family
- Legal
Can agents do the work of paralegals and legal assistants?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Legal: Some tasks (first measured in the last 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: Legal Research Bench, 55.3% of tasks completed.
65% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 36%Prepare legal or regulatory documentsMeasured
- 23%Consult legal materials or public recordsMeasured
- 11%Discuss legal matters with clients, disputants, or legal professionals or staffNot measured
- 7%Direct legal activitiesNot measured
- 6%Research laws, precedents, or other legal dataMeasured
- 5%Present information in legal proceedingsNot measured
- 4%Perform administrative or clerical activitiesNot measured
- 4%Perform court-related or other legal administrative activitiesNot measured
Benchmarks for this occupation
These benchmarks name this occupation in their job mapping.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in legal, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- 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.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- File pleadings with court clerks.
- Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
- Call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.
- Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.
- Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.
- Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.
Other job titles for this occupation (26)
Immigration Paralegal · Law Associate · Legal Analyst · Legal Assistant · Legal Clerk · Legal Processing Assistant · Litigation Paralegal · Paralegal · Paralegal Specialist · Real Estate Paralegal · Certified Paralegal · Contract Preparer · Contracts Specialist · Corporate Legal Assistant · Corporate Paralegal · Document Processor · Estate Planning Paralegal · Family Law Paralegal · Intellectual Property Paralegal · Legal Aide · Litigation Legal Assistant · Paralegal Assistant · Personal Injury Paralegal · Principal Law Clerk · Summer Associate · Trademark Paralegal