If you’re interested in an entry-level career in the legal profession, you may be wondering about the differences between a paralegal vs. legal assistant.
Both paralegals and legal assistants provide essential support services for lawyers and their clients. But paralegals tend to interact more directly with clients and conduct extensive research for cases, whereas legal assistants focus on secretarial tasks.
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This article closely examines the difference between a legal assistant and paralegal so you can choose the right career path for you.
What’s the Difference Between a Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant?
Paralegals and legal assistants have different duties, educational requirements, and skills. Paralegals directly help lawyers prepare cases for trial. Typical duties for this position include drafting legal documents, gathering client information, and preparing opening and closing arguments for lawyers to read during trials.
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Paralegals typically have an associates or bachelors degree, and many professionals also complete optional certifications. By contrast, legal assistants handle administrative tasks like preparing files and scheduling client meetings. This career doesn’t typically require a degree, though many law firms provide on-the-job training. Some people use the terms paralegal and legal assistant interchangeably, but they’re distinct career paths.
What Is a Paralegal?
A paralegal is a legal professional who provides behind-the-scenes services for attorneys and their clients. Lawyers can delegate a broad range of tasks to paralegals, but they ultimately retain legal responsibility for their paralegals’ work.
As a result, paralegals typically have a college education and work under close supervision from lawyers to ensure that they complete legal tasks accurately. Paralegals serve as liaisons who help clients and their lawyers communicate. They’re also responsible for drafting documents and handling legal processes.
For example, paralegals can interview witnesses in preparation for a criminal trial and gather evidence that lawyers can use in court. They can’t offer legal advice or sign certain documents, though.
What Is a Legal Assistant?
A legal assistant is a professional who performs customer service and secretarial duties for lawyers. They ensure that law firms and other legal organizations function smoothly by handling administrative tasks. For example, their daily responsibilities may include scheduling meetings with clients, booking flights and hotels for lawyers, preparing paperwork, and billing clients.
A lawyer’s assistant doesn’t need advanced legal knowledge or a degree, but many professionals in this field have completed some college and received training from their employers. Also, they typically have strong communication, data entry, and organizational skills.
Key Differences Between Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of legal organizations. They work closely with lawyers and other staff to meet clients’ needs and handle legal processes. But there are several significant differences between these careers.
- Education Requirements
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Salary and Job Outlook
- Skills
- Experience
- Certifications
- Case Preparation
- Client Contact
Although there may be some crossover between paralegal and legal assistant careers, there are some important distinctions to consider. To help you determine the right training to pursue, check out the key differences of each of these careers.
Legal Assistant vs. Paralegal: Education Requirements
If you want to work in the legal field without going to law school, you might consider a career as a paralegal or a legal assistant.
These roles have lower educational requirements than becoming a lawyer, though paralegals typically need more education and training than legal assistants.
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Paralegal?
Most paralegal positions require at least an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. This degree usually consists of at least 60 credit hours, and most full-time students complete their studies in 2 years. Coursework generally covers subjects like contract law, interviewing techniques, legal terminology, and research skills.
Many law firms, though, require paralegals to have a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field like criminal justice. Students who major in these fields may take classes on civil litigation, criminal procedure, law office technology, and legal ethics. Generally, learners who enroll full-time in a bachelor’s program graduate in 4 years.
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Additionally, many paralegals demonstrate their expertise by completing professional certifications. For example, the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP) certification demonstrates mastery of legal concepts and analytical skills.
Similarly, the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. certifies professionals who have at least 5 years of experience and stay up-to-date with the field by completing continuing education courses.
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Legal Assistant?
You don’t need a specific credential or college degree to become a legal assistant. This job is an entry-level position that doesn’t require legal knowledge or specialized technical skills.
While there are no formal educational requirements for legal assistants, most law firms prefer hiring people with a high school diploma or GED. People with these credentials often have basic administrative skills like coordinating schedules and inputting data in spreadsheets.
Additionally, many legal assistants strengthen their administrative skills and gain industry-specific knowledge by earning an associates degree in paralegal studies or legal studies. Full-time students frequently complete an associate’s in legal studies in 2 years.
Coursework for this degree often covers foundational legal approaches, procedures, and theories. Students can also explore different types of law, like criminal and real estate law.
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant: Roles and Responsibilities
The difference between paralegal and legal assistant responsibilities depends on several factors, including the employer’s preferences and the company.
In small law firms, legal professionals can wear many hats, so the line between a paralegal and legal assistant may sometimes be blurry. Larger companies may have a stricter division of responsibilities between roles. Here are the primary responsibilities usually associated with each position.
What Does a Paralegal Do?
Paralegals provide research assistance and technical support for attorneys. They handle many routine and time-consuming tasks so that lawyers can focus on providing legal advice and attending trials.
A paralegal can’t counsel clients or file certain legally binding documents, like depositions. They can handle many tasks that don’t require a law degree, such as:
- Collecting relevant evidence
- Continually updating their employer’s library of legal books and journals
- Drafting affidavits, wills, and other legal documents for lawyers to review and edit
- Finding and gathering information from witnesses
- Presenting exhibits in court
- Researching topics like laws and legal precedents
- Sending updates to clients
- Taking notes during legal proceedings
- Writing documents that don’t contain legal advice, like emails and memos
Many of these tasks require strong critical thinking, research, and writing skills.
What Does a Legal Assistant Do?
Legal assistant responsibilities usually center on essential secretarial tasks. These professionals are front-line customer service workers who often staff the front desks of law offices. They also handle basic administrative tasks for lawyers.
A legal assistant’s daily routine often includes duties like these:
- Answering and returning phone calls
- Conducting basic legal research
- Decorating the law firm offices
- Maintaining databases with client information
- Proofreading correspondence for paralegals and lawyers
- Relaying messages from clients to lawyers
- Reminding lawyers and paralegals of upcoming deadlines and meetings
- Reserving accommodations and flights for traveling lawyers
- Scheduling meetings between clients, paralegals, and attorneys
- Taking minutes during meetings and trials
These professionals often pay close attention to detail and have good time management skills.
Legal Assistant vs. Paralegal: Salary and Job Outlook
Legal assistants and paralegals can pursue similar but distinct career paths in the legal profession and other industries. These occupations have different job outlooks and salaries, so it’s beneficial to research each career’s financial prospects before you settle on a career path.
How Much Do Paralegals Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for paralegals is $59,200. But the average salary can vary widely due to factors like employer and geographic region. For instance, data from the BLS shows that the median salary for paralegals who work for the federal government is $72,300, while state governments pay a median of $50,320.
Over the next ten years, the BLS anticipates that the demand for paralegals will increase by a faster-than-average rate of 14%. Approximately 45,800 jobs will open each year during this period. Some paralegals use their industry expertise and research skills to become legal writers. Writers and authors have a median salary of $73,150 and are expected to see 4% job growth over the next ten years.
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Additionally, some professionals apply their legal knowledge and skills as arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators. These positions have a median salary of $64,030, and the number of available positions will likely grow by 6% over the next decade.
How Much Do Legal Assistants Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that legal support workers have a median salary of $58,820. A legal assistant’s skills can also translate to a career as a legal secretary or administrative assistant.
The median salary for these professionals is $48,780. With most making between $31,240 and $81,400 each year. Additionally, some legal assistants become court reporters and simultaneous captioners. The median salary for this career is $63,560, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates steady growth for this profession.
Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers are other entry-level professionals who may work for law firms. The median salary for these positions is $47,310.
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant: Skills
Because paralegals and legal assistants both support lawyers and clients, these careers have some overlapping skills. They also have distinct responsibilities, though, that often require different abilities.
Essential skills for a paralegal include:
- Attention to detail
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Document management
- Empathy
- Ethical decision-making
- Knowledge of court procedures and laws
- Interviewing
- Legal research
- Litigation
- Oral communication
- Proficiency with legal software for drafting reports and storing client information
- Written communication
A legal assistant typically has these abilities:
- Ability to use office management software
- Data entry
- Interpersonal communication
- Invoicing
- Notetaking
- Organizing paperwork
- Problem-solving
- Scheduling
- Time management
Both careers also require frequent client interactions, so strong customer service skills are an asset.
Legal Assistant vs. Paralegal: Experience
Depending on the company and job duties, the level of experience required for legal assistants and paralegals can vary. Generally, a job for a legal assistant is considered an entry-level position. Many legal assistants have these basic qualifications:
- 0 to 2 years of experience in the legal profession
- A high school diploma or GED
- In some cases, an associate’s degree in criminal justice, legal studies, or paralegal studies
By contrast, employers often seek paralegals who have previous experience as legal assistants or legal interns. Here are a few popular requirements for paralegal positions:
- 3 to 5 years of experience in the legal industry
- An associate or bachelor’s degree in legal studies or paralegal studies
- An internship in a law firm
- Relevant certifications
Many law professionals begin their careers as legal administrative assistants and advance to the position of paralegal as they gain experience and education.
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant: Certifications
You don’t need professional certifications to secure employment as a paralegal or lawyer’s assistant, but these credentials may enable you to gain new knowledge and skills.
Here are two popular certifications for paralegals:
- Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP): This certificate is offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants and demonstrates your commitment to the paralegal field. You’re required to complete approximately 20 hours of continuing education coursework to earn the ACP.
- Professional Paralegal (PP): The National Association for Legal Support Professionals awards this certificate to paralegals who meet strict educational requirements and pass a four-part exam.
Legal assistants can pursue certifications like these:
- Accredited Legal Professional (ALP): You’re required to pass a three-part assessment on business tasks, legal terminology, and law office policies to get this credential.
- Professional Legal Secretary / Certified Legal Professional (PLS / CLP): A lawyer’s assistant can earn this certification by passing a four-part exam that assesses office skills and legal knowledge.
These professional certifications highlight your expertise and willingness to learn, which might increase your marketability as a job candidate.
Legal Assistant vs. Paralegal: Case Preparation
Lawyers delegate many parts of case preparation to legal support staff. Another critical difference between a legal assistant and a paralegal is each professional’s role in this process.
Paralegals often have these case preparation responsibilities:
- Compiling and displaying exhibits for the court
- Filing appeals
- Finding similar cases
- Obtaining cell phone records, video footage, and other evidence
- Researching relevant codes, laws, and statutes
- Summarizing interviews and testimonies
- Tracking down witnesses
- Writing arguments and statements for lawyers to use in court
Legal assistants typically have a less hands-on role in case preparation. Their duties may include:
- Locating and organizing files
- Printing documents
- Scheduling meetings between attorneys, clients, paralegals, and opposing counsels
If you want to play a direct role in case preparation, you might consider a career as a paralegal.
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant: Client Contact
Both paralegals and legal assistants interact with clients regularly, but the degree of contact can vary based on factors like the law firm’s size and the number of staff.
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Legal assistants generally have less direct contact with clients because they focus on taking care of administrative tasks for attorneys. Here are a few customer-oriented tasks that legal assistants may perform:
- Answering the phone
- Emailing contracts and other paperwork
- Relaying messages between attorneys, clients, and paralegals
- Scheduling client meetings for lawyers and paralegals
- Screening potential clients to ensure the law firm can meet their needs
Paralegals usually interact with clients more extensively and may have duties like these:
- Explaining legal documents and procedures to clients
- Helping clients complete paperwork
- Gathering information and paperwork from customers
- Sending customers regular updates about the status of their case
Your preferred amount of customer contact can help you decide between these two career paths.
Do Paralegals Go to Law School?
Most paralegals do not go to law school because a Juris Doctor degree isn’t required for this career path. Law firms often prefer to hire paralegals with an associates or bachelors degree in paralegal studies or a related field.
An academic program allows students to expand their knowledge of business law, corporate law, ethics, legal research, and other relevant subjects. Also, they can develop valuable skills like legal writing and problem-solving that can be useful for a paralegal career.
Can Paralegals Give Legal Advices?
Paralegals don’t have law degrees and don’t sit for the bar exam. As a result, it’s illegal and unethical for them to provide explicit or implicit legal advice.
Paralegals can share factual information about laws and legal procedures, though, as long as clients can’t assume they’re providing legal counsel. For example, a paralegal can explain the steps they would take to file an appeal, but they can’t recommend that the client appeal or make predictions about the outcome of said appeal.
What Can a Paralegal Do Without an Attorney?
Paralegals can execute many tasks without the presence of an attorney, but there are a few limitations to their powers.
A paralegal can handle these responsibilities on their own:
- Analyzing documents and data
- Conducting legal research
- Meeting with clients, as long as they don’t offer legal advice
- Networking with other industry professionals
- Observing hearings and trials
- Preparing and filing legal documents like complaints and subpoenas
- Taking statements from witnesses
- Updating files
On the other hand, only an attorney can perform these actions:
- Providing legal advice
- Representing clients in court
- Signing plea deals
- Taking depositions
Despite these constraints, paralegals still play an integral role in case preparation and legal proceedings.
Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant – Which Is Right for You?
At first glance, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a paralegal and legal assistant, but these two careers have distinct goals, responsibilities, and levels of involvement in case preparation.
A career as a legal assistant or secretary can be a useful entry point for the legal industry. These professionals primarily handle administrative tasks but can also start learning legal terminology and operations. Alternatively, you could gain hands-on experience researching cases as a paralegal.
You can explore these legal professions more by looking into accredited schools that offer online degrees in legal and paralegal studies.
