9 Different Types Of Paralegals And Their Responsibilities

If you’re interested in law, you might want to consider working as a paralegal. Paralegals help lawyers manage their cases through tasks like gathering evidence and filing legal records. Because there are several types of paralegals, you can likely find a specialty that suits your interests.

In this article, we discuss nine types of paralegals and their responsibilities to help you find a career that’s right for you.

What do paralegals do?

Paralegals help lawyers with their day-to-day duties. They may assist with trial preparation by organizing evidence, preparing transcripts, and filing legal documents. Although their duties vary based on their area of specialization, a paralegal typically completes tasks like:

• Scheduling client meetings

• Conducting witness interviews

• Drafting contracts

• Completing research

• Reviewing cases

• Monitoring governmental regulations

• Developing a legal argument

9 different types of paralegals

Here are nine types of paralegals and their responsibilities:

 

1. Family law paralegal

A family law paralegal helps lawyers with cases involving situations like:

• Divorces

• Child custody disputes

• Adoption proceedings

Those in this career spend much of their time communicating directly with the client. They may provide updates on their case or gather more evidence to prepare for trial.

Family law paralegals tend to be empathetic, which helps them support families through their emotional cases. They also benefit by developing the patience to persevere through long custody proceedings. For additional support and legal guidance, a divorce attorney Phoenix can provide expert assistance in navigating these challenging situations.

2. Real estate paralegal

Many real estate paralegals assist clients with the paperwork for buying and selling real estate. Common duties for real estate paralegals include:

• Reviewing mortgages, trust letters, and statements of adjustment

• Drafting purchase and sale contracts

• Ordering certificates of title and due diligence searches

• Monitoring deadlines

• Creating a closing checklist

• Preparing closing documents

Some real estate paralegals might focus on the use of a property. For instance, if a company wanted to build a new building, a real estate paralegal could obtain the necessary permits to ensure compliance with local regulations. Other experts specialize in financing large development projects. They might help a business obtain a loan by negotiating with a bank for favorable loan terms.

3. Government paralegal

A government paralegal works for a department of a local, state or federal government. They often assist deputy public defenders or city attorneys with their cases, though they may have other responsibilities like:

• Reviewing official military correspondence

• Developing training materials for legal programs

• Presenting at educational seminars

• Reviewing government documents for compliance with existing regulations

These specialists typically must maintain a government security clearance. If you have prior experience within a certain government sector, like immigration or environmental policy, you may find it easier to begin a career as a government paralegal.

4. Intellectual property paralegal

Intellectual property (IP) paralegals specialize in trademarks and patents. They often complete tasks such as:

• Helping clients file the necessary paperwork to claim the rights to their new invention or idea.

• Monitoring the industry for copyright infringement

• Assisting the client with any lawsuits they might file regarding infringement

• Conducting research involving intellectual property law

When working for an IP attorney as a paralegal, you can expect them to assign you large amounts of research. The attorney often depends on your findings to remain aware of evolving IP law and build effective cases for their clients. Marketing experience can also help you succeed in this career, as you may work directly with marketing agencies to secure trademarks.

5. Corporate paralegal

Corporate paralegals work for an entire business rather than individual clients. A company’s internal legal department often employs these experts to assist with matters like paperwork and court proceedings. Other common duties of corporate paralegals include:

• Reviewing contracts

• Preparing corporate resolutions

• Renewing company licenses

• Drafting executive summaries

• Writing meeting minutes at corporate meetings

Another important responsibility of a corporate paralegal is to review business activities and compare them to existing regulations. This process ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

6. Immigration paralegal

Many immigration paralegals facilitate the process of immigrants becoming citizens by helping them complete naturalization forms. They might also assist with:

• Political asylum

• Business immigration matters

• Work or student visas

• Deportation

Regardless of your specialty, you can expect to do significant amounts of paperwork, review invoices and prepare petitions. You can seek employment as an immigration paralegal at a private practice, nonprofit organization, or government agency. Being bilingual might increase your job prospects, as many clients speak a language other than English.

 

7. Litigation Paralegal

Litigation paralegals usually work with a client who is suing someone. You may have to prepare for trial by handling the discovery process and interviewing witnesses. Other common responsibilities include:

• Analyzing statutes, legal articles, and constitutions

• Managing public perception of the case

• Taking notes for the lawyer in the courtroom

Most work for an attorney who specializes in a certain area of law. For instance, your lawyer might take cases that exclusively involve personal injury or bankruptcy. Regardless of the field you work in, consider refining your multitasking skills to handle several cases at once. It’s also advantageous if you can manage a fast-paced schedule to ensure you meet deadlines.

8. Estate planning and probate paralegal

As an estate planning and probate paralegal, you may be responsible for examining the financial situations of clients and writing wills. You may also meet with families when their family member dies to organize and liquidate their assets. Other duties include:

• Reviewing probate forms

• Analyzing creditor claims

• Calculating estate tax return

Estate planning and probate paralegals tend to be sensitive to their clients, which can help them support families through the grieving process. These experts also benefit from strong communication and organization skills, as well as math proficiency to reduce taxable assets for their clients.

9. Healthcare paralegal

Healthcare paralegals assist lawyers with cases involving:

• Health care laws

• Malpractice

• Nursing home negligence

• Insurance claims

It might be easier to become a healthcare paralegal if you have prior experience in the medical field. If not, consider familiarizing yourself with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and how Medicare and Medicaid work. This knowledge allows you to assist with violation investigations and act as a liaison between patients and doctors.

I hope you find this article helpful.