Hiring a paralegal professional? Need to know how and where to find the best candidates? Here is a comprehensive guide to finding the best paralegal professionals. Read on!
How to hire a paralegal professional?
What is a paralegal profession? Paralegal professionals are also known as legal assistants. Their main job role is to assist attorneys and legal professionals in the research and preparation of legal documentation. They hold specialization in areas such as real estate, bankruptcy, immigration, etc.
What is a Freelance Paralegal? A Paralegal who works independently and mostly provides paralegal services online. Attorneys need paralegals to help them with basic office and administrative tasks.
This article provides all the information you would need to hire a paralegal. It covers topics such as certifications and skills to look for in a paralegal profile, freelance paralegal rates, popular job boards, interview questions, hiring trends, etc.
Also Read: Hire Accountants | A how-to guide for beginners
Hiring market for paralegal professional
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the paralegal market is predicted to grow by 10% in the 2019 to 2029 decade. The growth rate is much faster than most of the other occupations. Paralegals with formal training and Database Management skills are going to be highly in demand.
Close to 35,300 more jobs will be created from the year 2019 to 2029. The rise in demand is owed to law firms hiring paralegals instead of lawyers to streamline their operational costs and savings. Hiring Paralegal professionals is a cost-efficient alternative.
The paralegal profession has hence been considered very promising in terms of growth for those looking for a stable career. CNN has named the paralegal profession as the top 20 best careers to enter. The five top-paying countries for a paralegal are Japan, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, United States.
While there are multiple industries where you can find a paralegal working, almost 72% of the paralegals work in the legal services industry. These are the most common industries that hire paralegal professionals,
- Nursing, Healthcare and Insurance Companies
- Government Agencies
- Title Companies and Real Estate firms
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Legal Departments of Corporate organizations
Also Read: Hire Sales Representatives | An ultimate read for best results
Top 15 recent job titles for paralegal professionals
A Paralegal professional can take up any of the below job titles based on their years of experience, specialization, job industry, area of interest, etc. You can hire paralegals for different roles by searching “paralegals near me”, “paralegal service near me”, “paralegal for hire near me” on online job portals.
1. Entry Level Paralegal Assistant
The entry-level Paralegal/Legal Assistant helps attorneys with administrative work related to legal matters such as preparing and maintaining legal documents. The average salary of an entry-level Paralegal/Legal Assistant is $58,040 per annum. To work as an entry-level Paralegal/Legal Assistant, an experience of 0 to 2 years is expected.
2. Midlevel Paralegal Assistant
The Paralegal/Legal Assistant II researches and analyses law sources. They are responsible for preparing legal documents. The average salary of a midlevel Paralegal/Legal Assistant is $67,480 per annum. To work as a midlevel Paralegal/Legal Assistant, a related experience of 2 to 4 years is expected.
3. Senior Paralegal
Senior Legal Paralegals assist attorneys with researches or due diligence. They have a strong understanding of technical legal terminology. The average salary that a Senior Paralegal earns is $79,800 per annum. A relevant experience of 4 to 7 years is typically required to work as a Senior Paralegal.
4. Paralegal Specialist
The paralegal Specialist role requires researching and analyzing several law sources. They are also responsible for the creation and administration of legal databases. The average salary of a Paralegal Specialist is $90,300 per annum. To work as a Paralegal Specialist, a minimum experience of 7 years is expected.
5. Litigation Paralegal
Litigation Paralegals assist attorneys who specialize in litigation, or settling legal disputes in court. They are also responsible to manage legal cases before, during, or after the litigation process. The average salary of a Litigation paralegal is $56,152 annually. At least one year of experience is required.
6. Probate Paralegal
Probate Paralegals work with attorneys in fulfilling the last wishes of a client as per the will, provide help with child adoption or custody case, related cases. The average salary of a Probate Paralegal is $61,927 annually. At least one year of experience is required.
7. Paralegal Assistant Team Leader
Paralegal/Legal Assistant Team Leader holds the responsibility of ensuring that the legal research is done efficiently for each case. The average salary of a Paralegal/Legal Assistant Team Leader is $45,024 per annum. Experience of 3-5 years is expected to apply for this job role.
8. Legal Secretary
Legal Secretary plays an important role in the everyday workings of a law office. They perform secretarial tasks that are specific to the law field. The average salary of a Legal secretary is $50,302 per annum. This is an entry-level role that requires little to no experience to apply.
9. Immigration Paralegal
Immigration Paralegal usually works for government agencies or firms that focus on immigration law. They assist immigration attorneys in cases related to the citizenship process, deportation proceedings, or related matters. The average salary of an immigration paralegal is $53,321 per annum. An experience of 3-4 years is required.
10. Bankruptcy Paralegal
Bankruptcy Paralegal assists lawyers and their clients through bankruptcy proceedings. They possess a broad knowledge of bankruptcy procedures and help represent creditors and debtors. The average salary of a bankruptcy paralegal is $45,024 per annum. Experience of 3+ years is expected to apply for this job role.
11. Corporate Paralegal
A corporate Paralegal is someone who works in the legal department of a corporate organization. They specialize in corporate law matters and work under the supervision of licensed attorneys. An experience of 1-2 years is required to apply for this job role. Corporate Paralegal earns an average salary of $68,137 per annum.
12. Criminal Law Paralegal
Criminal Law Paralegals are responsible to assist criminal defense attorneys and prosecutor’s office. Their expertise lies in the area of criminal law. The average national salary for this job role is $55,020. To work as Criminal Law Paralegal a minimum of 3 years of experience is required.
13. Personal Injury Paralegal
Personal Injury Paralegal is responsible for conducting interviews, taking notes, creating detailed medical records, conducting legal research, preparing settlement proposals, etc. The average salary of a Personal Injury Paralegal is $49,459 annually. To get hired for this job role, a minimum experience of 1-2 years is required.
14. Family Law Paralegal
Family Law Paralegals assists attorney in matters related to child custody, divorce, adoption, social services, and any other issues concerning family or the law. The average salary for this job role is $62,448 annually. An experience of 1+ years is needed to work as a Family Law Paralegal.
15. Legal Assistant Manager
The legal Assistant manager is responsible for managing and monitoring a team of paralegals by assigning them cases and overlooking the work. The average salary for this job role is $106,500 annually. A supervisory experience of 1-3 years is needed to work as a Legal Assistant manager.
Also Read: Hire Game Developers | A priceless list of tips to succeed
Qualifications to look for in paralegal professional
There are no mandatory educational requirements to provide paralegal services. However, companies hiring a paralegal, prefer candidates with some sort of legal training. A paralegal professional should have completed a formal paralegal education program consisting of at least 18 semester hours of paralegal-related subjects.
Professionals should have completed either of the following programs,
- Associate’s Degree – A two-year program offered through community colleges, universities, or online. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills required for entry-level paralegal jobs.
- Bachelor’s Degree – A four-year bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is required by law firms, government legal departments, etc. A candidate with already a bachelor’s in another field can enroll in a paralegal certificate course instead.
- Master’s Degree – A Master’s degree can help get success in targeted fields such as intellectual property law, corporate law, etc.
List of Universities offering paralegal education programs,
- University of California-Santa Barbara (On-campus)
- Grand Valley State University (On-campus)
- University of California-Berkeley (On-campus/ Online)
- Duke University (Online)
- Boston University (Online)
After earning a degree, a CLA (Certified Legal Assistant) and CP(Certified Paralegal) certification provided by the National Association of Legal Assistants helps in determining and measuring a candidate’s abilities and skills. After this, a paralegal can provide online paralegal services or work for a law firm.
Also Read: Hire Software Developers | A comprehensive guide for beginners
Skills to look for in paralegal professional
Recruiters should look for the following technical and non-technical skills while looking for contract paralegal services,
- Communication skills – Good communication skills are required to interview the client, write witness statements, schedule court appointments, etc.
- Computer skills – Paralegals for hire need to have good computer skills. They must have a working knowledge of software such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, etc.
- Multi-tasking skills – Paralegals need to be experts at multi-tasking as they handle multiple cases at the same time.
- E-filing Skills – Paralegal for hire should possess this skill as most courts have moved to electronic filing system of summons, complaints, pleadings, etc.
- Online Research Skills – A paralegal is required to know software like Nexus/Lexis to find the required case file and documentation in a shorter time.
- Teamwork – Paralegals are required to work in a team as they have to collaborate with clients, senior attorneys, fellow paralegals, etc
- Professionalism – To succeed in the field of paralegal services, a professional and ethical set of skills is a must.
- Document Management – Find Paralegal candidates who are proficient in document management systems. These systems make sorting, sharing, and storing of files easier.
- Detail Oriented – Paralegal professionals should great attention to detail for various day-to-day processes
- Web Conferencing – Web conferencing is a great tool to know as it helps in taking depositions or host meetings online.
Also Read: Hire Bookkeepers | A complete guide
Certifications to look for in paralegal professional
Paralegal certification programs are conducted both online and in-person. Paralegals wanted to work professionally should get additional certifications to add to their resume. We have listed down some of the certifications that recruiters should look for while looking for freelance paralegals for hire,
1. Paralegal Online Program by Duke University – The paralegal course by Duke Univesity is suitable for those who are looking for a career change and transition into the paralegal profession.
Estimated cost: $6,995
Course Duration: 300 hours
Course Format: Online
2. Paralegal Certificate Program by the University of California – During this program, a candidate will gain the necessary legal knowledge and administrative skills to land a Paralegal job.
Estimated cost: $7,970
Course Duration: 6 months to 1 year
Course Format: Online
3. Paralegal Studies Certificate by Brighton College – This certificate program makes you eligible to sit for the National Association for Legal Assistants Certification Exam after completion.
Estimated cost: $4,745
Course Duration: 1 year
Course Format: Online
4. Paralegal Studies Certificate by American National University – This program provides students a broad understanding of core legal areas including terminology useful in understanding legal documents.
Estimated cost:$12,160
Course Duration: 8 months
Course Format: Online
5. Paralegal Certificate Program by Rasmussen College – Perfect for candidates who already have a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree. The course provides the core legal knowledge and skills to get started as a Paralegal.
Estimated cost: $10,425
Course Duration: minimum 8 months
Course Format: Online
Also Read: Hire Database Administrator | Know before you start
Rate per hour of paralegal professional
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median pay of a freelance legal assistant is $24.87 per hour. The freelance paralegal fees can vary based on different factors such as educational qualifications, certifications, additional skills, job location, etc.
New York offers the highest salary for Paralegals in the U.S. As per Salary.com, the average rate of independent paralegal services is $28 per hour. The typical salary range of self employed Paralegals falls between $25 and $32.
In the United Kingdom, an entry-level paralegal salary starts from £25,000 for permanent roles. An independent paralegal salary starts at £16 per hour. The average salary range for paralegal contractor professionals working in law firms and in-house roles is £28,000 – £32,000 per annum. Independent Paralegal services in language-dependent roles are paid higher and can earn up to £30 per hour.
In India, Independent paralegal fees for freelance paralegal services are INR 245 for an hour. The average pay for professional paralegal services is INR 510,480 per year. Asian market offers cheap paralegal services without compromising the quality. If recruiters need paralegal services at pocket-friendly prices then outsourcing from Asia is a good option.
Also Read: Hire Database Engineer | A how-to guide for beginners
Top 10 job boards to find the best paralegal professional
Most recruiters wonder how to find a paralegal suited for their requirements. You can post your job requirements on multiple job boards and hire legal assistants. These online websites will help to find full-time paralegals and independent paralegals. The top 10 job boards for recruiters looking for a paralegal are,
- FindLaw
- LawCrossing
- unremot.com
- Indeed
- CareerBuilder
- LawJobs
- LawMatch
- Legal staff
- National Association for Law Placement
- BCG Attorney Search
You will find options such as “find a paralegal near me”, “independent paralegal services near me”, “paralegal services near me”, “ paralegal near me” to help you hire local paralegal services. Freelance paralegal phone numbers located near you can be found for immediate assistance.
Also Read: Hire Web Designers | An ultimate read for best results
Top 10 companies hiring paralegal professional and salaries offered
Companies hire both independent contractor paralegal and full-time paralegals. Some companies look for hiring local paralegals who can work at the paralegal offices or paralegal consulting firms. Here is a list of the top 10 companies hiring for paralegal roles,
- Brown & Crouppen – Brown University is a private Ivy League research university founded in 1764. Entry-level Salary: $38k- $59k yearly
- Robert Half – Robert Half International is a global human resource consulting firm accredited to be the world’s first and largest accounting and finance staffing firm. Entry-level Salary: $48k- $70k yearly
- Apex Clean Energy – Apex Clean Energy develops, constructs, and operates utility-scale wind and solar power facilities. Entry-level Salary: $40k- $68k yearly
- Winterwyman – Winterwyman is a highly erupted talent acquisition firm with only 240 employees. Entry-level Salary: $48k- $82k yearly
- Unitedhealth Group Inc. – Unitedhealth Group Inc. is an American for-profit managed health care company. Entry-level Salary: $36k- $63k yearly
- Kent Daniels & Associates – Kent Daniels & Associates is a 24/7 legal staffing company based in California. Entry-level Salary: $35k- $75k yearly
- Minnesota Environmental Partnership – Minnesota Environmental Partnership is Minnesota’s largest environmental coalition aimed at protecting Great Outdoors. Entry-level Salary: $55k- $75k yearly.
- Rimini Street – Rimini Street is a global provider of enterprise software support products and services. Entry-level Salary: $57k- $95k yearly
- Latham & Watkins LLP – Latham & Watkins LLP is an international law firm employing almost 2700 attorneys across the world. Entry-level Salary: $41k- $70k yearly
- The Intern Group – The Intern Group is the leading provider of global internship programs that offers a virtual law internship program. Entry-level Salary: $28k- $59k yearly
Also Read: Hire Content Writer | A priceless list of tips to succeed
Top 10 interview questions for paralegal professional
These interview questions are for everyone who thinks “I need a paralegal” for my firm. A recruiter should be know how to hire a paralegal and what questions to ask during the interview process. Here are ten interview questions for you to hire paralegal help,
1. Describe how you organize your day?
Rationale: To see a candidate’s organizational skills and whether they can stay focused.
Sample Answer: In my previous role as a legal assistant, I used tools like Project Management Software to stay organized and carry my tasks in time to meet deadlines.
2. What are the operational duties of a paralegal according to you?
Rationale: To see if the company aligns with the candidate’s ideas about paralegal duties.
Sample Answer: A paralegal plays an important role in the legal system. They are required to be detail-oriented and experts in utilizing technology for research and organizational purposes.
3. What steps do you take to keep yourself updated with the legal developments in your field?
Rationale: This question helps recruiters to understand if the candidate is eager to learn new things and is passionate about this career.
Sample Answer: The candidate should list out the ways in which they keep themselves up to date with the latest technology and happenings. Webinars, Conferences, Certifications, Training, Magazines are some of the ways to keep up.
4. Why did you pursue a career as a Paralegal?
Rationale: The question will help to understand what motivates the candidate.
Sample Answer: The candidate should be able to explain what made them choose this career. Their answer should reflect their passion and interest in the profession.
5. How would you rate your legal research skills?
Rationale: A paralegal’s research skills are very important hence this question will help recruiters understand their proficiency.
Sample Answer: Candidate should highlight any paralegal software such as Lexis/nexus that they have experience with or are eager to learn how to use.
6. Did you ever face a difficult client? How did you manage the situation?
Rationale: Helps recruiters to analyze the professional skills of the candidate.
Sample Answer: A paralegal should always be calm while providing paralegal assistance. The candidate should tell what steps they took to manage the situation and what was the final outcome.
7. How do you ensure the accuracy of your work?
Rationale: To assess whether the candidate is detail-oriented.
Sample Answer: The candidate should mention all the systems and processes they use to check the accuracy and completeness of their work.
8. Tell us about the time when you had to make a complex legal decision independently?
Rationale: To analyze a candidate’s decision-making ability.
Sample Answer: The ideal answer would explain how the candidate explored all the available options based on the existing facts and information available. Analyzed each of them and picked the best alternative.
9. Have you ever missed a deadline? What would you do differently to not let the situation repeat?
Rationale: To see if the candidate is capable of learning from past mistakes.
Sample Answer: The candidate’s answer should explain the situation briefly and explain the reason. What was the outcome and what steps have they been taking since to improve?
10. What skills would you bring to the firm?
Rationale: It helps recruiters see a candidate’s skill-set and their strong areas.
Sample Answer: Candidates should be able to list out all the skills they possess and how they will benefit the company.
Leave a Reply