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:www.paralegals.org/