Specializations within the Legal Field

Most people who are interested in becoming a paralegal are unaware that after they receive their certification they will have a wide variety of specializations to choose from. Similar to the medical field, law has many specific niches that need lawyers and paralegals who are experts in that area. Below is a quick overview of some of the most popular paralegal careers and a quick description of what each entails. Although it's not vital to know which specialization you would like to make a career out of before you gain certification, it is something you can start considering now simply so you know what your options are.

Litigation Paralegal:
· Interview witnesses
· Analyze legal documents
· Investigate facts
· Perform legal and factual research
· Draft pleadings, legal memoranda and briefs
· Obtain and manage information to assist in trial preparation
· Assist at trail
· Aid in preparing appeals

Probate Paralegal:
· Interview clients
· Arrange for collection
Most people who are interested in becoming a paralegal are unaware that after they receive their certification they will have a wide variety of specializations to choose from. Similar to the medical field, law has many specific niches that need lawyers and paralegals who are experts in that area. Below is a quick overview of some of the most popular paralegal careers and a quick description of what each entails. Although it's not vital to know which specialization you would like to make a career out of before you gain certification, it is something you can start considering now simply so you know what your options are.

Litigation Paralegal:

· Interview witnesses
· Analyze legal documents
· Investigate facts
· Perform legal and factual research
· Draft pleadings, legal memoranda and briefs
· Obtain and manage information to assist in trial preparation
· Assist at trail
· Aid in preparing appeals

Probate Paralegal:

· Interview clients
· Arrange for collection
· Value and transfer assets
· Administer estate accounts
· Analyze the best treatment of assets and distribution to obtain the greatest tax benefit
· Prepare tax returns

Corporate Paralegal:

· Draft agreements and employee benefits plans
· Fulfill securities reporting requirements
· Conduct patent and trademark searches

Real Estate Paralegal:

· Draft transaction documents
· Prepare for closings
· Research title and administrative processes involved in land and environmental use

Government Paralegal:

· Work for Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department, or the White House
· Collect and evaluate evidence
· Conduct hearings
· Draft proposed legislation
· Answer inquires about federal laws and regulations
· Employment Law Paralegal
· Draft employee policy and procedures manuals
· Help facilitate positions in organized labor campaigns
· Prepare position papers, complaints and affidavits in discrimination cases
· Perform work similar to litigation paralegals

Paralegals in Legal Service Programs:

· Work as a counselor or advocate and obtain government benefits for clients
· Maintain own case load
· Total responsibility from initial client interview through client representation at various administrative agency proceedings

Source:http://www.paralegals.org/Choice/whatis.html