This article was updated on April 2020
Paralegal Job Description
If you wish to pursue a career in the law but don’t want to be a solicitor, becoming a paralegal is a great alternative. In simple terms, a paralegal is deemed to be a legal professional but does not have the formal qualifications necessary to be classified as a solicitor.
You will perform research on behalf of solicitors in a firm while also carrying out clerical and office management duties such as setting up appointments with clients. If you want to enter the world of law but would rather not be at the frontline, keep reading for detailed Paralegal job description.
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Typical Duties Of A Paralegal
You will specialise in one area of the law (such as probate or family law) where you will perform a wide range of legal work. The level of responsibility you will assume depends on your position within the firm. For instance, the typical daily activities of junior paralegals would involve:
- Performing research for solicitors.
- Preparing legal documents.
- General office tasks such as filing and word processing.
As you gain more experience, your day-to-day tasks might include:
- Taking statements from witnesses.
- Providing clients with quotes.
- Attending court.
- Giving clients legal information.
- Helping solicitors to prepare for their court cases; this might involve assisting them with opening & closing arguments or helping with motions or court pleas.
- Giving applications to judges.
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Paralegal Salary
For 2020, depending on work experience a Paralegal / Legal Executive in Dublin can expect to earn €40,000-€70,000 per annum. In the rest of the country the range is €35,000-€45,000 per year.
If you want to know the 2020 Salary range for Legal professions you can check this article.
Life As A Paralegal
In a full-time paralegal role you will work standard office hours during weekdays for the most part but there may be occasions where you are asked to perform overtime. Some firms require paralegals to work on a shift basis which could mean weekend work and longer hours.
You will work from an office but will go to court and attend meetings from time to time. This means travelling during the work day.
Benefits Of Being A Paralegal
One of the great advantages of becoming a paralegal is that you are involved with the legal system without the need for endless hours of study associated with becoming a solicitor. There is little chance of you getting bored because the work is varied; you will face new challenges with regularity. It is also a fantastic job if you enjoy helping people.
Downsided Of Being A Paralegal
There will be occasions where you have several cases ‘on the go’ at once; this can be extremely stressful.
It is not a role for someone who likes working on a small number of tasks; paralegals must have the ability to adapt because one workday could involve filing and answering phones in the morning before switching gears and interviewing witnesses in the afternoon.
A combination of stress and long working hours can be physically taxing.
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Skills To Succeed As A Paralegal
If you wish to become a paralegal you need to be the epitome of professionalism at all times. As well as dressing the part, you must also exude an air of confidence. You could be called into court at any time so you can’t appear in crumpled pants and a coffee-stained shirt! Other important skills include:
- The ability to read and process large amounts of information.
- Exceptional organisation skills.
- The capacity to work well under pressure.
- Patience and tact are required because you will be handling sensitive and confidential data.
- A high level of attention to detail.
- Exemplary written and oral communication skills.
- Problem solving and negotiation skills.
Paralegal Career Path
Although you can forge a career as a paralegal if you have a diploma or degree in any subject, employers favour candidates with a degree in:
- Law
- Accounting
- Business
- Finance
A number of firms provide on-the-job training which might include:
- Case Management Systems
- Company Procedures
- Legal Secretarial Training
- Administration Procedures
- Detailed Training on a Specific Branch of the Law
There are a number of institutions in Ireland that offer the opportunity for distance learning. This means you can gain work experience while also boosting your employability with the relevant qualifications.
An example of such a course is the International Career Institute (ICI) which offers paralegal courses that cover a wide range of topics within the legal field. You can earn a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma. You can learn more by going to the ICI website.
As paralegals tend to specialise in a specific branch of the law, there are a wide range of courses on offer. Just make sure the qualifications available are accredited by the professional bodies in your chosen sector.
You have quite a few choices when it comes to picking a sector including:
- Law Firms
- Local Government
- The Police
- The Courts
- Private Organisations
Once you have gained enough experience and have undertaken further study, it is possible to become a legal executive or a solicitor.
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