Lawyer vs Paralegal: Exploring the Differences

Did you know that there are over 1.3 million lawyers in the USA? Joining the legal profession is a sure way to find a stable job that brings in good money.

However, if you are not sure what kind of legal professional you would like to be, what do you need to know? Would you like to be a lawyer or a paralegal?

Why not learn more before making your decision about the lawyer vs paralegal debate.

Basic Overview of a Lawyer’s Work

A lawyer is certified to care for clients and their cases through all court proceedings. They are conversant with the law especially in areas that they specialize in. While the law is huge and it is impossible to list everything that every type of lawyer does, a basic list of their tasks would include:

• Giving legal advice to clients
• Researching cases and evidence
• Creating legal documents including wills and contracts
• Creating legal cases on behalf of their clients in court
• Representing their clients in court as a prosecution or defense lawyer

If you are wondering whether to choose a career as a lawyer, remember the steep learning curve involved. Why not check out the site of a recognized professional company such as this company for more information.

Legal Specializations

Lawyers choose a legal aspect that they would like to work in and specialize in it. These areas could include divorce, human rights, accident compensation amongst others.

In some areas of the law, legislation is subject to change. This is especially true in tax law. A good lawyer will keep up with such changes and be able to provide up to date advice.

What Do Paralegals Do?

Paralegals follow cases through the court as lawyers do, but they do not carry the same responsibility that a lawyer would. They often assist in the preparation of documents and researching subjects or phases of the trial.

In order the qualify as a paralegal, you will need to study law and how to research accurately each step of the case that will require more research than a lawyer can handle. Paralegals will often use software to be able to research and organize this information.

Paralegal Specializations

Paralegals can increase their value by specializing in multiples disciplines or areas of the law just as a lawyer does. These could include litigation, personal injury, intellectual property, and so forth.

In time, an experienced paralegal may be called on to be the leader of a team of paralegals in particularly complex cases.

Lawyer vs Paralegal: What’s the Difference? And More Important Questions

If you are thinking of changing careers and joining the legal profession, you likely are aware of the steep learning curve involved. It takes years of study to become a proficient legal professional. By considering the points we have discussed, you now likely have an opinion on the lawyer vs paralegal debate, and which you would like to be.

If you are interested in learning more about careers and legal matters, why not check out our blog articles? We write and publish articles that we know will benefit you.