Paralegal job summary
A good job description starts with an attention-grabbing summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is suitable for them.
Example of a Paralegal job summary
We are a growing law firm in need of a reliable and proactive Paralegal. The Paralegal will work directly with our attorneys to prepare for upcoming cases, get involved in fact-finding projects and be responsible for developing and maintaining an index system for all case files. Our caseload is growing and the ideal candidate for this position is organized, professional, responsible, and committed to helping us meet all of our clients’ needs.
Paralegal responsibilities and duties
The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and the title of the manager the person will report to.
- Create reports for attorneys based on case specifications and attorney requests
- Work with attorneys to develop legal arguments, motions and other case filings
- Develop a case file indexing system that can be used as an active archive for all ongoing and completed cases
- Monitor changes to government guidelines or regulations and submit reports on pertinent changes
- Utilize existing files and a variety of other research resources to develop information for pending cases
Paralegal qualifications and skills
Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you expect from a successful candidate. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.
- Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies is required (Bachelor’s degree is preferred)
- Excellent communication and organization abilities
- Strong research and report-generating skills
- Industry recognized certification from organizations such as NALA or AACP
- Experience in using legal database software
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