If you are interested in becoming a paralegal, or if you are simply just curious about what they are and want to find out about what they do, this article is for you.
It is a lot of paperwork, so it requires rigor, thoroughness and a good sense of organization.
Paralegals do pretty much the same legal work that lawyers do, except that they can't give legal advice or represent a client in court. Most paralegals in Quebec assist lawyers or notaries in their legal work.
It varies depending on where and for who they work. For example, paralegals who are working for lawyers are helping them in their legal cases with their clients, so they have to get all the information they need from the client, prepare the documents to send to the opposing party or to bring to court, if applicable, do legal research in order to defend the client, etc. Paralegals who are working for notaries are also helping them in their legal work for their clients, so they sometimes have to do secretary work such as answering phone calls, taking appointments for the notary and welcoming clients in the office. They have to do legal writing such as contracts for a client.
Some paralegals work in law firms, some in notarial firms, others in courthouses, for the government or for some company. In every case, they work in an office, behind a desk, on a computer.
In Quebec, you need a Diploma of College Studies (DEC) in Paralegal Technology to become a paralegal, even though it is possible to get a job without such a diploma, since some employers decide to train their employees themselves. Paralegal Technology is a three-year program given in CEGEPS, that introduces its students to paralegal work and train them to exert at this career.
Depending on the law field and the type of employer (lawyer, notary, government, company, etc.), paralegals that just graduated can make up to $30 000,00 a year, while paralegals with a lot of experience and many years of practice can make up to $90 000,00 a year.
Paralegals don't need any additional training. Law changes every year, so they have to try to stay up to date regarding the changes in their field of law and the new proceedings, if applicable, but that's about it.
There are not really known dangers of being a paralegal. It is a pretty safe job, with many great employment opportunities. Paralegals just have to stay careful as to not give legal advice, which is a responsibility that they haven’t gained. It is reserved to lawyers and notaries.
Paralegals have to be very rigorous, meticulous, well-organized, bold and versatile in their tasks. The kind of work that they have to do is pretty complex and would require a very high-involved robot to do it, which would be pretty expensive. Considering that society is far from having such a marvelous robot on the market yet and that it would take years after their creation until they become affordable, there are near no chance that paralegals will be replaced by robots soon, to not say no chance at all.
It depends on what the paralegal prefers. The ones that work for the government have a pretty good pension fund that allows them to retire after 35 years of service or at the age of 61. Law firms, notary firms and other companies may have their own pension fund for their employees, with their own indications regarding retirement.
In conclusion, being a paralegal is to be a legal assistant, which requires doing a lot of paperwork, sitting behind a desk all day and working on a computer. There are great employment opportunities in this field and it offers an average salary. The tasks of a paralegal vary depending on the professional the paralegal assist, which gives the opportunity to the graduates of the three-year Paralegal Technology program to get a job doing what they prefer. Is there more you can wish for?
Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: research journal
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: no sources cited
Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: research journal
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: no sources cited