by Chris E.
Wittstruck, J.D.
Whether things are going well
or badly in the economy, there always seems to be plenty of legal work to go
around — often more work than lawyers can handle on their own. More and more,
attorneys rely on the services of highly trained and skilled paralegals and
legal assistants.
According to the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook
published by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics,
employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 22 percent in
the ten years leading up to 2016 — a much greater increase than predicted for
most other careers. In 2006 paralegals and legal assistants held about 238,000
jobs. Private law firms employed seven out of 10 paralegals and legal
assistants; most of the remainder worked for corporate legal departments and government
agencies.
According
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2006 full-time paralegals and legal
assistants nationally had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of
$43,040, with higher earnings in the New
York metropolitan area. Moreover, the top 10 percent
earned an annual salary of more than $65,000.
With
the exceptions of appearing in court and rendering legal advice, paralegals and
legal assistants carry out various legal services delegated and supervised by a
licensed attorney. These “lawyers’ helpers” are found at the closing tables of
major mortgage lenders, research libraries and client interview rooms of law
firms, and in just about every government office at the local, state and
federal levels.
The
paralegal is taught to think as a lawyer thinks – ascertaining fact from
fiction, assessing the importance and relevance of information, and applying
that information in the best interests of the attorney and client.
While
a paralegal does not require professional licensure, a paralegal training
program prepares the student with the knowledge and skills to become an
integral part of a legal team. The curriculum for a paralegal certificate can
often be completed in as little as six months. Evening and weekend course
offerings are typical, and internships are often available during matriculation.
Paralegals
come from every walk of life. Some choose the paralegal career path during or
after college; others train as paralegals as a precursor to law school
admission. Many new retirees – including nurses, teachers, uniformed service
members and business and labor professionals – embrace the paralegal profession
as a second career.
For information about Hofstra University’s Paralegal Studies program,
visit ce.hofstra.edu or call (516) 463-7800.
New
Hyde Park attorney Chris E. Wittstruck
coordinates Hofstra’s Paralegal Studies Program. Mr. Wittstruck is a private
practitioner, concentrating in the areas of commercial and real estate
litigation, as well as racing and gaming law.