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.
