This article will look at the ten most common paralegal jobs found. As you are about to discover a paralegal can specialize in hundreds of different aspects within the field of law.
Oil/Gas Paralegal
While gasoline hoovers around $3.45 a gallon, the United States is desperately searching for ways to curb our dependence on foreign fuel sources. The Marcellus and Utica shale deposits have been and answer to the prayers of many in the oil and natural gas industry. At no time since the days of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil has there been such a concerted effort to drill domestically. While some of these leases and land purchases might be done by Real Estate paralegals, a paralegal who specializes in leasing land, mineral rights, and other industry related items has opportunity for the next 50 years.
Estate Planning Paralegal
Paralegal jobs requiring knowledge of Probate are also known as Estate Planning paralegals. This is a legal specialty unto itself. Estate planning paralegals specialize in preparing documents in estates, wills, trusts, and other probate forms. Estate Planning Paralegals assist in the creation of legal documents. Often times, this paralegal will be working with people have assets that will be passed on to family, friends, and charity. Many times, a paralegal will help advise family members through the probate process since it is often times a new or difficult process for clients to understand. A paralegal who specializes in estate planning will draft and interpret a variety of legal documents. In many cases there are transfers of money, personal items, and other assets and liabilities.
Real Estate Paralegal
Whether real estate is hot or not, a Real Estate Paralegal will see a lot of action. For instance the large run-up in home process during the last decade and provided a boon for those who specialize in residential and commercial real estate. Some of the most important aspects of this career include researching title information on properties, deeds of trusts, quit claim deeds, and similar documents. A Real Estate paralegal’s job includes understanding the closing process and much of the administrative process that is associated with property including closings, transfer of assets, and other miscellaneous work associated with this legal niche. Real estate paralegals will also be privy to client’s financial records, and other personal information. As a result, it is important to understand the importance of client confidentiality.
Insurance Paralegal
Paralegal jobs that require Insurance paralegals work almost exclusively with insurance companies, for insurance companies, or those who file suit against insurance companies. Often times an insurance paralegal will work in cases of fraud, questionable denial of claims for and against insurance companies. As an insurance paralegal there is often a high sense of reward associated with claims. Most insurance paralegals work within the framework of a law firm, or an insurance company. Some work for hospitals and even large medical practices. Insurance paralegals must be able to look at policies, and understand more complex portions of policies. In some instances, a paralegal will even assist someone through the claims process until there is resolution.
Employment Law Paralegal
A paralegal who specializes in Employment Law is an interesting niche. This area has seen rapid growth due to a number of workplace oriented lawsuits. Cases involving matters from hiring to firing employees often crosses the desk of an employment paralegal. Other interesting cases include all types of discrimination cases, issues between unions and management, work place safety and compliance, and one of the common cases, sexual harassment. Not only will an Employment Law paralegal deal with Federal laws, but there are also a variety of state statues which are involved as well.
Patent Paralegal
If you have ever caught an episode of Shark Tank, or any other shows which feature inventions, ideas or other intellectual property, then a Patent Paralegal is something that should make good sense. Many people look at inventions or believe their ideas have a specific application. The key is to protect those ideas. Many paralegals perform patent searches to determine if an idea is original, and also helps people fill out the necessary paperwork be ensure the idea does not infringe on any other patents or violations. This specialty area will require additional coursework and certifications in patent law. For some, it can be a confusing and extremely complex area. Therefore, patent paralegal tend to have a higher rate of compensation. It is a high degree of knowledge that requires specialty training.
Bankruptcy Paralegal
With a 9% unemployment average throughout the United States, and economic uncertainty for years to come, and changes to healthcare, there is no doubt that paralegals who specialize in bankruptcy will have employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Paralegals that have bankruptcy experience are in high demand throughout the United States. A paralegal who specializes in this area will perform such tasks as: different types of bankruptcy filings, and the process of bankruptcy. Some paralegals may even receive additional training in the area of business bankruptcies since such a high number tend to fail as well.
Immigration Paralegal
Paralegal jobs that require specialization in immigration could also be a part of the next legal boom. There is an estimated 20-30 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. If and when Congress acts (and it will be sooner than later), there will be a phenomenal opportunity for anyone who has experience in the immigration process. America has been the land of opportunity for millions. The American Dream even under the cloudy skies of recession, still shine throughout the world. Many people would rather come to America, than to live out there days in a repressive economic or political system. A paralegal who is bilingual is often a key to success in this area. Particularly, Spanish-speaking paralegals however, a friend works for a law firm specializing in Iranian immigration to the United States.
Nurse Paralegal
Damage is the basis of any lawsuit. There is a natural marriage between law and medicine. That is why a nurse with paralegal training enjoys a specialty niche that can be financially rewarding. A nurse paralegal will assist with cases from bodily injuries, accidents, nursing home care, and even death. A nurse paralegal must understand the importance of medical records, medical terminology, and other medical matters.
As you can see there are many different paralegal jobs. By no means is this list exhaustive however it will give individuals interested in becoming a paralegal a chance to see the many different types of specialties within the profession.