A day in the life of a paralegal student can be filled with an abundance of tasks, from reading up on the latest case law to researching statutes.
The best paralegal students keep up on current fields and do their homework before jumping into new assignments. As you now know, becoming a successful and efficient paralegal student can take time and effort, but it’s worth it.
What is a Paralegal?
What is a paralegal in the field of law? Paralegals are assistants to attorneys and other legal professionals. Paralegals help to conduct research, write briefs, and prepare clients for trials. They will draft agreements and contracts for clients and set up legal documents. Paralegals may even evaluate cases to determine if they will be successful in court.
What Does a Paralegal Do, Exactly?
Office Administration
Paralegals perform office duties that support lawyers and their work. They handle documents and paperwork, schedule meetings, manage finances, transfer calls, and much more. You may also be responsible for supervising clerical staff.
Document Review
Paralegal students review legal documents that attorneys submit to ensure accuracy and practicality. A paralegal typically understands the topics they review, such as due dates, deadlines, and file formats.
Research
Paralegal students research case law, statutes, and regulations that impact various legal topics. They often must also read up on how to properly apply existing laws before working on a case.
Drafting Contracts
Paralegal students must be able to draft a variety of contracts. Contracts are legal documents that outline the terms and conditions of an agreement. Paralegal students will use specific terms to adhere to state laws as they design the agreement.
Contract Review
Paralegal students review government documents for accuracy and follow up with clients to ensure their satisfaction with the final product. This is also a place to practice the art of persuasion.
Scheduling
Paralegal students monitor calendars and schedule appointments for clients, often with the assistance of secretaries or administrative assistants. Clients often ask to be set up with specific dates at specific times, so paralegals should possess good interpersonal skills.
Leasing/Rent Agreement
Paralegal students see leases as the most common type of contract they will be asked to draft. Leases are documents that outline the terms and conditions of an agreement for services or property.
What’s a Typical Day Like for Paralegals?
Though many think paralegals spend their time pouring over documents and working tirelessly with lawyers, most paralegals have a more diverse job than you might think.
Paralegals also assist clients with legal issues, acting as advocates while assisting them in searching for the best possible result. Paralegals also perform administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings. When working with attorneys on cases, paralegals often help to prepare for trials.
Challenges In The Life Of A Paralegal
Intense Focus
To succeed in a paralegal position, you need to have the ability to concentrate on difficult projects and tasks.
High-Stress Level
Paralegals are responsible for schedules, deadlines, and maintaining high-functioning teams. They often work long hours with a variety of difficult tasks. To succeed, you must have the ability to work under pressure.
Time Management
Time management is crucial for a paralegal. It will help you stay on track with your tasks and assignments.
Procedural Skills
Paralegals are responsible for preparing documents and case files. They must be prompt, organized, and detail-oriented.
Conclusion
Though you may find the daily tasks of a paralegal to be challenging, it’s worth it in the end. You’ll get to work legally and help people with their issues. That’s why it is so important to keep up with your studies and do your homework before jumping blindly into your new position. You can learn more from places like ParalegalEDU.org if you’re interested in becoming a paralegal student.
