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Pursing a Career as a Paralegal: Types of Paralegals
There are many specializations you can pursue as a paralegal, including immigration, family law, criminal defense, and tax law. Learn what these careers involve.
Becoming a paralegal opens up vast opportunities as a legal professional. Paralegals play an important role in helping attorneys and legal teams serve their clients. They conduct legal research, prepare case documents, manage client files, and communicate with clients. These functions help keep legal processes organized and operating smoothly.
A career as a paralegal can also offer opportunities for professional growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals generally receive an annual salary of $62,890. Keep in mind that average salaries depend on multiple factors, including the state you’re in, years of experience, and the company you’re employed with. The number of job openings for paralegals stands at around 40,800 per year.
As you gain experience, you may choose to explore specialized areas of law, such as immigration, estate planning, or tax law.
Whether you're just beginning to explore the legal field or planning your next career move, understanding the different paralegal career paths can help you take the next step toward your goals. Let's explore some of the opportunities available.
1. Criminal Defense Law
Criminal defense paralegals play an important role in supporting attorneys who represent individuals facing criminal charges. In this role, you conduct legal research, review evidence, prepare legal documents, and organize case files. You may also help draft motions and briefs, coordinate witness interviews, and prepare materials for court hearings and trials.
An associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies can help you build a foundation for pursuing opportunities in criminal defense law, although some employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree. Coursework in criminal law, criminal procedure, legal research, and evidence can help you develop relevant knowledge and skills. With the right education and qualifications, you may pursue opportunities with private criminal defense law firms, public defender offices, and nonprofit legal aid organizations.
2. Family Law
Family law paralegals support attorneys who handle legal matters affecting individuals and families, including divorce, child custody, and adoption. In this role, you prepare legal documents, conduct research, organize financial records, and communicate with clients throughout the legal process. You may also assist with gathering evidence, preparing court filings, and organizing case materials for hearings and trials.
An associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies can be a starting point for pursuing opportunities in family law, although some aspiring professionals may decide to pursue bachelor's degree instead. Coursework in family law, legal research, civil procedure, and legal documentation can help you build the knowledge and skills needed to support attorneys in this field. Potential work settings include family law firms, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and government agencies that handle family-related legal matters.
3. Personal Injury Law
Personal injury paralegals assist attorneys who represent individuals seeking compensation for injuries caused by accidents, negligence, or other incidents. You gather medical records, organize evidence, prepare legal documents, and communicate with clients and insurance companies. You may also help track medical expenses, coordinate witness interviews, and prepare case materials for settlement negotiations or trials.
An associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies can help you develop critical skills for pursuing opportunities in personal injury law, although some employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree. Coursework in personal injury law, civil litigation, legal research, and tort law can help you strengthen your understanding of legal processes and procedures. With relevant education and qualifications, you may explore opportunities with personal injury law firms, insurance companies, and corporate legal departments.
4. Tax Law
Tax law experts support attorneys who assist individuals and businesses with tax-related legal matters, financial disputes, and regulatory compliance. You conduct legal research, review financial records, prepare legal documents, and assist with tax-related filings. You may also help organize documentation for audits, research federal and state tax regulations, and prepare case materials for tax disputes or legal proceedings.
An associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies can help you establish a foundation for pursuing opportunities in tax law. Coursework in tax law, business law, legal research, and accounting can help you develop knowledge and skills relevant to this field. Potential work settings include tax law firms, corporate legal departments, accounting firms, and government agencies.
5. Real Estate Law
Real estate paralegals help attorneys navigate legal matters involving residential and commercial properties, from buying and selling to leases and property disputes. They review purchase agreements, research property titles, prepare closing documents, and coordinate communication between parties. They may also assist with foreclosures, zoning disputes, and mortgage documentation.
An associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies is a common starting point, but a bachelor’s may push your career even further. Coursework in real estate law, contracts, and property transactions can help you prepare for opportunities with real estate law firms, corporate legal departments, and real estate financing organizations.
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6. Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property paralegals support attorneys in protecting creative works, inventions, and brands through patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Their work includes conducting legal research, preparing trademark applications, organizing patent documents, and tracking filing deadlines. They may also maintain intellectual property records and assist with infringement disputes.
An associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies can help you get started. Additional training in intellectual property law can help you build knowledge of patents, trademarks, and copyrights as you prepare to pursue opportunities with law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.
7. Litigation
Litigation paralegals play an important role in helping attorneys prepare for civil lawsuits and other court proceedings. They organize evidence, prepare legal documents, coordinate witness interviews, and assist with discovery, the process of exchanging information between parties. As cases move forward, they may also prepare trial exhibits, manage court filings, and organize materials for hearings and trials.
Many litigation paralegals begin with an associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies, but a bachelor’s degree can also be an option for certain positions. Coursework in civil litigation, legal research, and court procedures can help you develop skills for opportunities with private law firms, corporate legal departments, and government legal offices.
8. Corporate Law
Corporate paralegals help attorneys manage the legal matters that come with running a business, including contracts, regulatory compliance, and corporate transactions. Their responsibilities include preparing contracts, reviewing legal documents, maintaining corporate records, and assisting with business formation. They may also help organize documentation for mergers, acquisitions, and other major business transactions.
An associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies can provide a strong foundation, with some positions calling for a bachelor's degree. Coursework in business law, contracts, and corporate regulations can help you prepare to pursue opportunities in corporate legal departments, business law firms, and financial institutions.
9. Immigration Law
Immigration paralegals assist attorneys in helping individuals and families navigate legal processes involving visas, permanent residency, citizenship, and immigration proceedings. They prepare immigration forms, gather supporting documents, conduct legal research, and communicate with clients about application requirements. They may also organize case files and help attorneys prepare documentation for immigration hearings.
Educational pathways into immigration law commonly include an associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies, with a bachelor's degree offering an additional option. Additional training in immigration law, federal procedures, and legal documentation, along with multilingual communication skills, can help you prepare for opportunities with immigration law firms, nonprofit legal aid organizations, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.
10. Estate Planning and Probate
Estate planning and probate paralegals help attorneys guide individuals and families through legal matters involving wills, trusts, inheritance, and estate administration. They prepare estate planning documents, gather financial records, organize asset inventories, and assist with probate court filings. They may also help coordinate documents related to managing estates and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
You can begin preparing for this specialty with an associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies, though a bachelor's degree may open up opportunities to positions with additional educational requirements. Coursework in estate planning, probate procedures, and trust law can help you build knowledge for opportunities with private law firms, estate and trust practices, and legal departments within financial institutions.
Educational Programs for Paralegals
To become a paralegal, you should enroll in a program that offers an extensive curriculum, hands-on legal experience, and a flexible learning environment. Fortunately, Herzing’s legal studies programs meet these essentials:
- Associate of Legal Studies: Herzing’s 60-credit Associate of Science in Legal Studies program can be completed in an average of 20 months. Through online courses in legal research and writing, civil litigation, criminal law, and legal ethics, you'll develop practical skills in legal documentation, case preparation, and legal technology. Our program can help you build a strong foundation to pursue entry-level paralegal and legal assistant opportunities.
- Bachelor of Legal Studies: Herzing’s 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program can be completed in an average of 36 months. You'll explore advanced topics such as intellectual property law, corporate law, estate planning, and civil litigation while strengthening your legal research through hands-on learning opportunities. You’ll build a foundation for future opportunities in senior legal support, compliance, and other related fields.
Get Started on Your Paralegal Career
If you’re not currently enrolled in a paralegal program, now is the perfect time to get started. Regardless of which specialty you pursue, now is the time to earn a legal studies degree so you can pursue a path as a legal professional.