How to become a Paralegal
Overview
Support lawyers with research, document preparation, and case management so legal advice is built on organised facts.
Firms and in-house teams face cost pressure to bill lawyer time at lawyer rates; paralegals handle the work that needs legal judgement but not a law licence.
What AI changes
What AI accelerates
Document review, legal research, standard form generation.
What stays human
Case strategy, witness preparation, organising complex discovery, reading between lines of deposition transcripts.
AI automates document review, litigation holds, and basic legal research; your ability to organise a discovery file, interview witnesses, and spot the fact pattern the AI missed grows more valuable.
Day to day
Draft discovery requests, organise document productions, prepare contracts, file court documents, manage case calendars, support lawyers in meetings and closings.
Core skills
- Written communication
- Contract drafting & review
- Critical thinking
Tools
- iManage / NetDocuments
- PACER
- Westlaw
- Relativity
How to get in
Entry routes
- From a legal assistant role
- From a paralegal certificate programme
Certifications
- NALA CP (Certified Paralegal)
- ABA-Approved Paralegal Certificate
Seniority ladder
| Level | Title | Experience | Focus | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Junior Paralegal | 0–2 yrs | Document management, filings, administrative support | Entry of the US band |
| Mid | Paralegal | 3–6 yrs | Case management, discovery support, draft preparation | Around the role median |
| Senior | Senior Paralegal | 7–10 yrs | Complex cases, team coordination, specialisation (IP/ litigation) | Upper half of the US band |
Where it can lead
Progresses to
- Senior Paralegal
- Paralegal Manager
Pivots to
- Contract Manager
- Legal Operations
- Compliance Analyst
Pay (US)
USD 39,710
USD 61,010
USD 98,990
Outlook
US Paralegals and Legal Assistants employment is projected to grow 0% (2024–34) — Little or no change.
Prove it
No proof tasks available for this role yet.
Interview prep
Interview prep not yet available for this role.
Your path into Paralegal
See how your experience lines up — skill gaps, salary fit, and a personalised seniority match. No invented claims, just your real career mapped against this role.
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