Paralegal Careers

Paralegal Careers

Law firms, corporate legal departments and government agencies are the largest employers of paralegals. 

Depending on their firm’s needs, paralegals often become well-versed in a specific area of the legal system. A few different paralegal specializations include:

Corporate paralegals are responsible for helping prepare employee contracts, shareholder agreements, annual financial reports and stock-option plans. They keep a close eye on government regulations and keep their corporation informed of any new legal requirements.

Litigation paralegals conduct research for attorneys, maintain documents received from clients, and retrieve and organize evidence for depositions.

Bankruptcy paralegals are often sought after by attorneys or firms that specialize in helping clients file for bankruptcy.

Employment and labor law paralegals specialize in human resource matters and labor laws that dictate how employers must treat their employees. Topics encountered often include hiring and firing, sexual harassment, workplace discrimination and workplace safety.

Estate planning paralegals assist in creating legal documents regarding individual, family and corporate assets. They may also work on conservatorships and guardianships.

Immigration paralegals assist individuals and families seeking to become citizens of the U.S. They also help secure work visas for prospective employees and represent an individual facing deportation.