Working as a paralegal can provide graduates with a vast knowledge base as well as a gateway to a successful career in the law. The Brooklyn Eagle said many paralegals are young men and women looking to advance up the career ladder to become full-fledged lawyers. Working as a paralegal can therefore given them a solid foundation of legal knowledge and experience, it added. However, working as a paralegal can also be a lifelong occupation that offers its members the chance to build a vast knowledge base of the workings of both their own organization and the wider legal world. According to the Department of Labor, paralegals' main duty is to help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, closings and corporate meetings. They can also be asked to check facts and identify relevant laws, legal decisions, articles and other material that could influence a case. In 2006, there were 238,000 paralegals and legal assistants working in the US. Around 70% of these professionals were employed by dedicated law firms.  |