The American Bar Association defines a paralegal, or legal assistant, as a person qualified by education or training "who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible." As the public demand for legal solutions grows, paralegals are increasingly necessary to streamline the workflow in law offices.

While not authorized to give legal advice, a paralegal is responsible for a wide range of functions. Among other things, a paralegal will be the primary contact for clients, do legal research, draft legal documents, and will seek out and interview potential witnesses. While specific duties vary depending upon where they are employed, very often, the work of the paralegal determines how an attorney will handle a particular case.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2004 paralegals enjoyed a 70% employment rate and an average yearly income of $39,000. Overall, the profession will grow faster than average through 2014, with trained paralegals having the best opportunities for employment. Fill out our simple form to find Paralegal schools in your area, and begin your journey into the exciting and fast-paced world of legal assisting.