By Jamy J. Sullivan, JD, Executive Director, Legal Practice Group, Robert HalfAs the legal field grows and transforms under the influence of technology and digitized workplaces, career opportunities are expanding for paralegals and legal assistants.Both roles are crucial and in high demand in legal settings. Paralegals — who typically have formal education and certification — generally perform more substantive legal work, while legal assistants primarily handle administrative tasks to support the legal team, but responsibilities have continued to expand.The legal world is constantly evolving, and legal professionals need to adapt, innovate, and welcome new opportunities and tools. The digitization of the legal profession has enabled legal workplaces to optimize efficiencies by scanning documents, utilizing cloud-based storage and accessing online databases.Digital tools have made the legal field more efficient, productive and precise, from case management and e-discovery to researching laws and creating documents. But rather than replacing paralegals and legal assistants, new technology is expanding their horizons, because it now requires a more advanced mix of technical and interpersonal skills. These changes will continue and become even more embedded in paralegal and legal assistant roles, leading to more career opportunities than we see in many other fields today.According to Robert Half’s Demand for Skill Talent report, in 2023, paralegals and legal assistants saw annual unemployment rates lower than average at 3.2%. Paralegals across all levels of experience were highly sought after, from junior roles to senior positions demanding over seven years of experience.
In the last five years, law firms and legal departments have increased their number of hybrid positions — roles that combine traditional paralegal and legal assistant responsibilities with other duties to cut costs and improve efficiency. Examples of hybrid job duties include compiling case-relevant materials, managing schedules, conducting research, drafting and organizing documents, and providing litigation support. This shift has created more multifaceted roles and broader skill sets for paralegals and legal assistants.The hybrid model helps employers by reducing costs and increasing productivity. And it provides growth opportunities for professionals. By embracing hybrid roles, they can take on more substantive work, enhancing their marketability and career prospects.
One trend gaining momentum is the emergence of Limited Licensed Legal Paraprofessional programs. These programs create a new tier of legal services at a lower price point, which offers the social benefit of bringing lower-cost services to people who need them.In several states, these paraprofessionals can take on legal work related to family law, debt collection, landlord-tenant disputes and other limited jurisdiction civil matters. States like New Hampshire, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Arizona and Minnesota have approved or implemented such programs, with others considering similar initiatives.California stands out as the only state currently regulating paralegals, requiring specific educational and experiential qualifications. Paralegals in California must complete an accredited certification program or have three years of training under an attorney’s supervision. They must also meet continuing education requirements. While not all states have such regulations, hiring managers may use California’s standards as a guideline.
Legal professionals at every level must be rigorous about investing in their professional development. To stay competitive, look to develop a mix of technical and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual collaboration tools like MS Teams and Zoom, and legal research platforms such as LexisNexis, Westlaw and Casemaker may be essential. Familiarity with legal and productivity applications for smartphones and tablets is also increasingly important, given the role of digital evidence in court cases.In addition to technical skills, strong interpersonal skills are highly valued. Employers seek candidates who can communicate effectively with clients, court systems and vendors. Motivation, empathy, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork and conflict resolution are crucial for success in this field. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has a new leadership program called Lead, which focuses on developing these soft skills and capabilities.Professional development should also include continuing legal education (CLE) through virtual or in-person workshops, webinars and conferences offered by organizations like NALA. Certification programs such as NALA’s Certified Paralegal exam and advanced certifications demonstrate proven expertise and commitment to professional growth.Learn more about taking your legal career to the next level.
Paralegals interested in alternative or non-traditional career paths can explore roles in legal operations, compliance, contract management, litigation consulting, and more. Legal operations is an especially fast-growing field focused on improving efficiencies and processes within legal departments. Transitioning to legal operations roles requires skills in budgeting, records management, data analysis and leadership.Making a successful career transition means accessing your transferrable skills, conducting informational interviews and leveraging professional networks. You may also consider working with a recruiter to get market insights and job leads.Ready to advance your career? Keep three simple practices in mind:Stay informed about emerging trendsEngage in continuous learningEmbrace emerging technologyWith the right skills and mindset, paralegals and legal assistants can make the investment of a lifetime right now — in yourself. The rewards will come quickly and can last the length of your career.Listen to The Legal Report by Robert Half podcast, hosted by Jamy Sullivan on the Legal Talk Network.
