The Careers in Legal Assisting Study Brief is a quick career primer for individuals currently exploring career entry and advancement options as a paralegal. Students interested in law who are investigating career options, administrative-level employees planning for a career change, or anyone curious about filling a key role in the legal field can find the answers to their questions in this guide. It provides a short history of the paralegal professsion and quick-reference facts helpful in evaluating career potential and suitability, including median pay, skills and experience necessary, education/training required and prospective job outlook in today's market. Also described are reasons to choose a career in legal assisting and detailed descriptions of types of paralegals, including those who specialize in family law, corporate law, immigration law, litigation, bankruptcy, real estate, estate planning and probate. Required skills and typical duties of a paralegal are spelled out along with education and training requirements, including information on available courses, degree programs, certification programs and exams. An up-to-date snapshot of reference statistics on employment trends and average earnings for legal assistants is provided.
