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Become a Government Paralegal - Land a Job in the Legal Industry

published March 25, 2023

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( 94 votes, average: 4.7 out of 5)
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Summary

Paralegals play a vital role in the government. Employed in a wide variety of roles and organizations, paralegals help government organizations efficiently provide services, manage legal matters, and enforce regulations. Paralegal roles in the government enable the law to be upheld and ensure the public receives equitable treatment.

Paralegals can work in government organizations such as the Department of Justice, local and state governments, the Department of Transportation, the Postal Service, and the military. Their duties vary by organization and may include research, preparing reports and documents, drafting analyses and court documents, and providing administrative support.

A paralegal in a government organization can work as a litigation specialist, administrative support specialist, policy specialist, or investigator. Litigation specialists handle legal matters related to state and federal court proceedings, investigations, and compliance with statutes, regulations, and court orders. Administrative support specialists provide administrative services, handle discovery tasks, and assist with document management. Policy specialists analyze and interpret statutes and regulations, draft legal documents, and provide legal advice to government agencies. Investigators collect and assess evidence, interview witnesses, and write reports.

In order to be a successful paralegal in the government, it is important to understand the legal system, be familiar with filing procedures, and be able to interact with various people. It is also important to understand how to search legal databases and how to conduct legal research.

The qualifications to become a paralegal in the government may vary by agency, but most require an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or certificate in paralegal studies. Additionally, most organizations require that paralegals pass an exam and have a minimum number of years of work experience.

Paralegals in the government are highly sought after as they provide invaluable services. They help with filing, researching and preparing documents, drafting legal briefs, conducting interviews, and providing advice and counsel. They also help to ensure organizations adhere to laws and regulations, protect rights, and provide equitable solutions. Paralegals are an important part of the government and play a crucial role in upholding the law.

Paralegals working in government roles provide invaluable services that are essential for the efficient and effective operations of organizations. They work in a variety of roles such as litigation specialist, administrative support specialist, policy specialist, and investigator. The qualifications to become a paralegal in the government may vary by agency, but most require an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or certificate in paralegal studies, as well as passing an exam and having a minimum number of years of work experience. Paralegals in the government play a key role in upholding the law, protecting rights, and providing equitable solutions.
 

Paralegals in Government: A Growing Trend in Legal Employment

Paralegals and legal assistants are becoming an increasingly important part of the legal profession. As government regulations related to legal services become more complicated, paralegals are needed to assist with the increasingly challenging legal tasks. The use of paralegals in government appears to be accelerating and has become an important part of how legal services are delivered in the public sector.

Federal, state and local governments are now relying on paralegals to help with a variety of tasks, ranging from analyzing statutes and regulations to filing legal documents. Paralegals play a critical role in the public sector by providing legal research, analysis and assistance in the administration of laws. Paralegals in government are also working on paperwork related to criminal cases, civil lawsuits, administrative hearings and other government proceedings.

Paralegals in government play an important role in the public sector, as their expertise is often necessary to ensure compliance with the myriad of laws and regulations that govern the government. This expertise also helps government agencies to ensure that the services they provide are provided in a timely, cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the cost savings that can be seen when paralegals are utilized in the public sector is beneficial to taxpayers.

The need for paralegals in government is increasing due to new laws and regulations being passed on a regular basis. As new laws are passed, the need for knowing how to interpret and apply them is crucial. Paralegals in government are often the go-to person for interpretations and applications of these laws.

As the demand for paralegals in government increases, the need for qualified professionals is growing. In order to be considered for a job as a paralegal in the public sector, most employers require that applicants possess specific skills and experience. Such skills include proficiency with legal research, understanding of the court system, and knowledge of legal terminology. Additionally, paralegals must have the ability to be organized, detail-oriented and able to work quickly and efficiently.

The United States Department of Justice is listed as the federal government's largest employer of paralegals. Indeed, the official government job-search website (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/) reveals several current DOJ openings across the country, with widely varying salaries and experience requirements.
 
Paralegals in Government

Lauren Kaplan, a paralegal with the Department of Justice in the Eastern District of New York, Criminal Division, Narcotics Section, found her first government job through the website. She applied six years ago for a legal secretary position after some experience as a secretary/paralegal at a private company. After three years in the government, Ms. Kaplan received a merit promotion to paralegal and now enjoys working with six attorneys on discovery matters and trial preparation.

The Department of Justice also has various civil sections that employ paralegals. People applying for positions within the DOJ may not know which unit they will be placed in until they are offered a position. Responsibilities vary by the unit, but Ms. Kaplan stated that she does very little research or writing. Most of her work is assisting attorneys with paperwork and correspondence, copying files, and preparing exhibits for trial. Despite long hours and occasional stress, Ms. Kaplan says she enjoys her job for several reasons. "Working for the government provides good experience. So far, it's a secure job. And, it's exciting to be a part of the prosecution process."

Amber Glascock, a paralegal with the DOJ in the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Office, Criminal Division, Appellate Section, has a similar history but a much different job. Ms. Glascock started with the DOJ when she heard about a legal secretary position in 1991; about four years later, she was promoted--first to paralegal assistant and eventually to paralegal specialist. Her work focuses on research and writing appellate briefs and motions. She and one other paralegal specialist in the appellate section handle about 1,400 active cases for the district.

Ms. Glascock noted that a degree of competition exists for promotion to paralegal specialist positions, since there are only four positions in the entire criminal division of her office and three in the civil division. Still, she believes the best way to become a government paralegal is to start as a government legal secretary. She noted that access to information about job openings is much improved in recent years with the use of the website.

The Social Security Administration and the Department of Transportation also employ large numbers of paralegals. Most government positions involve paper applications, interviews, and background investigations. Paralegals receive a lockstep salary and annual cost-of-living increase according to a government "general schedule," with a promotion every year to a certain point and then an annual incremental raise. The starting salary for an entry-level paralegal in the Department of Justice is about $35,500. Entry-level applicants typically need a college degree and one year of relevant work experience. However, Ms. Kaplan noted that in the past two years, she has seen a focus on hiring people who plan to go to law school or are already attending law school in the evening.

State governments generally have similar hiring procedures and basic salary structures. At the state level, most court systems employ non-attorneys to cover a vast array of duties. However, titles for job responsibilities that include paralegal-type functions may range from "stenographer" to "clerk."

Information compiled by the National Association of Legal Assistants indicates that government pay scales are slightly higher than private firm pay scales for paralegals. As of 2000, the annual average salary for a paralegal was $38,000. Bureau of Labor information indicates that as of 2002, median annual salaries were $53, 770 for a federal government paralegal, $36,030 for a local government paralegal, and $34,750 for a state government paralegal.

Ms. Glascock highly recommends work as a government paralegal to anyone looking for a challenge and looking to "give back to the community and feel like you are making a difference." She raved, "It's the most interesting job I've ever had."

published March 25, 2023

( 94 votes, average: 4.7 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.