Paralegal vs. Lawyer: FAQs to Help You Choose Your Ideal Legal Career

When you’re interested in working within the legal system, you’ll find many career paths to consider. Depending on your job goals and other factors, you can build a career as a paralegal or work on becoming a lawyer. Which of these legal careers is right for you? While they might share some similarities, there are notable differences in the scope of work and education requirements. Learning more about both of these legal career paths can help you decide which one might be a better fit for you. Consider the following before you make this decision.

Paralegals vs. Lawyers

Paralegals and lawyers both help clients within the legal system. However, their responsibilities differ in significant ways. The amount of knowledge about the law required to work as a lawyer or a paralegal is also significantly different. Keep in mind that paralegals take on several tasks under the supervision of a lawyer, but there are limits on the type of work they do. Comparing the job duties and educational requirements for these career paths is a helpful way to determine which one you want to pursue.

Job Duties

What kinds of job duties do paralegals do?

Paralegals can do a wide range of legal tasks as part of their job. These tasks are done on behalf of the lawyer or attorney they work under. Some of the tasks paralegals handle include filing, research, and assisting lawyers with case preparation. For example, paralegals might organize and look over client files, interview clients and witnesses, and gather case information to assist lawyers. Paralegals might also keep clients updated on the status of their case, manage communication with clients, and draft legal documents.

What types of job duties do lawyers have?

Lawyers might perform some of the same tasks as paralegals, such as interviewing witnesses or communicating with clients. However, the scope of their work extends beyond these tasks. Lawyers have other duties and responsibilities that paralegals cannot do, such as providing clients with legal advice. Other duties that lawyers handle include deciding whether or not to accept client cases, setting legal fees, and representing clients in the courtroom.

Education/Certification

What kind of education do you need to become a paralegal?

Although there aren’t any formal educational requirements for paralegals at the national level, some states require them to have certification. Paralegals in some states might also be required to have a certain number of continuing legal education (CLE) training hours. Since these requirements differ from state to state, it’s best to check the requirements in your state. Although paralegals might not need to have any formal education, many do go through a degree, diploma, or certification program. For example, some paralegals earn an associate in paralegal studies or a related field. This provides them with more in-depth knowledge and training while also allowing them to learn new skills. Paralegals can also become certified through different certification programs, such as the National Federation of Paralegal Associations or the National Association of Legal Assistants.

What kind of schooling is required to become a lawyer?

Unlike paralegals, there are strict educational requirements for lawyers, including going to law school to earn at least a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and passing the state bar exam. Lawyers must pass this bar exam to begin working as practicing attorneys.

Some states have specific or additional educational requirements for lawyers. At the national level, lawyers must meet standardized requirements, including having a bachelor’s degree, to get into law school. They must also graduate from an accredited law school, pass the bar exam, take an oath, pass fitness and character evaluations in their jurisdiction, and receive a license from their state’s highest court. This education takes roughly seven years, and lawyers must keep up with ongoing training and CLE requirements to maintain their licenses.

Providing Legal Advice

Lawyers can give clients legal advice, while paralegals are not allowed to do so. Paralegals can interview clients, update them on their cases, and communicate with them about other aspects of their cases. However, they cannot provide them with any legal advice.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for paralegals and lawyers is slightly different, although both have an outlook that is expected to be higher than average from 2021 through 2031. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for paralegals from 2023 through 2033 is 1 percent, while the job outlook for lawyers from 2023 through 2033 is 5 percent.*

Can a Paralegal Represent You in Court?

No, a paralegal cannot represent you in court. If you have ever been involved in a legal case, you might already know this. Only lawyers or attorneys are allowed to represent clients in court. Paralegals play an essential role in helping lawyers prepare cases, such as gathering information, performing research, and drafting legal documents, but they aren’t allowed to represent clients in court or give them legal advice.

What Does a Paralegal Do in Court?

Paralegals can’t give legal advice or represent clients in court, but they can perform other duties. When paralegals are in the courtroom, the lawyer they work with must identify them as paralegals. This is part of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) ethical standards that lawyers must adhere to when working with paralegals. Much of the work paralegals do involves helping lawyers prepare for courtroom cases and trials, such as collecting relevant facts, writing reports for trial preparation, and obtaining formal statements as evidence. They might also be responsible for filing exhibits and other legal documents with the court.

Can a Paralegal Become a Lawyer?

What happens if you become a paralegal and decide that you want to be a lawyer? You can become a lawyer after working as a paralegal. To do so, you’ll need to go through law school and earn your JD. You’ll also need to meet the other requirements for working as a practicing attorney, including passing the state bar exam.

When you spend time working as a paralegal, you’ll already be familiar with some aspects of working in the legal field. This can give you an advantage when starting law school. However, the knowledge you gain in law school is much more in-depth. Keep in mind that law students typically need to do internships and externships before earning their degree. In some situations, having work experience as a paralegal satisfies this requirement.

Benefits of Being a Paralegal

Although you won’t be able to give legal advice, represent clients, or decide which cases to accept, there are several important benefits of being a paralegal. One of these benefits is the type of work you do. Lawyers focus on knowing the law inside and out. Their goal is to successfully defend clients in court or prosecute defendants on behalf of plaintiffs. As a paralegal, you won’t have this pressure on you. Instead, your job will involve gathering facts about the case rather than solely focusing on the law. If you enjoy doing research, being a paralegal might be more appealing than working as an attorney.

Another significant benefit of being a paralegal is that you’re not held liable if things go wrong. Attorneys are the ones who are held responsible for any errors or mistakes that affect the case or their relationship with their clients. As a paralegal, you also won’t be expected to seek clients. Lawyers are the ones who need to market their services and find clients to take on. Your responsibilities come into play once they find clients. Working as a paralegal also means you don’t have to spend many years attending school. You might only spend a few years or less earning an associate degree, while lawyers have to spend at least seven years in school earning their degree. In addition to extra time in school, this kind of education can also be expensive. As a paralegal, you won’t have to worry about paying for law school. You won’t have to meet strict standards to start working either. Paralegals don’t have to pass state bar exams or undergo character evaluations to begin working. This means you can start your career sooner and without as much stress.

Start Your Legal Journey Today

If you’re thinking of pursuing a legal career, please contact Bryant and Stratton College to get more information about our available degree and diploma programs. Our school offers a Legal Office Assistant Diploma and a Paralegal Studies Associate Degree. We can assist you in choosing the right program to fit your career goals. Both programs are offered online and in person.

*Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth