Erin Brockovich may not have fit the textbook definition of a paralegal when she spearheaded the case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company, but she certainly got people to view the work many paralegals do through a more interesting lens.
And she did it when she was pushing 40—proving that a successful midlife pivot to a paralegal career is quite possible.
If you’re feeling like paralegal life could be right for you, this article shows you how to get there, how much time you’ll need, and what you can expect once you arrive.
What Exactly Is a Paralegal?
Paralegals are everywhere. More than 345,000 paralegals and legal assistants are employed in the United States, with a workforce that is 83% female and median age of 43.9 years.
A paralegal supports lawyers or legal organizations by handling a range of specific legal tasks, all under the supervision of an attorney. The paralegal role can be gained through education, training, or work experience.
Paralegals frequently perform the heavy lifting on:
- Client intake
- Legal research
- Legal document drafting
- Case file organization
- Client correspondence
- Trial preparation and much more
The scope of tasks paralegals fulfill is as wide as it is essential, earning paralegals a reputation as the backbone of law firms.
Very often paralegals are the first point of client contact. They also play a critical role as legal researchers, help prepare materials for trial, and coordinate with courts and opposing counsel.
On the flip side, paralegals cannot give legal advice, take depositions, make decisions on behalf of clients, or represent clients in court. Those responsibilities remain with attorneys.
Behind the scenes, paralegals help law firms run smoothly. They perform routine tasks at a lower cost than attorneys and enable lawyers to focus on more complex, billable work.
Paralegal Specialties that Match Your Interests
Paralegal work spans a variety of practice areas, making it easy to find a niche that aligns with your passions. If you’re drawn to advocacy; family law, criminal law, or immigration law could be a perfect fit.
For those with a business mindset, intellectual property or corporate law offer engaging and lucrative paths. The entertainment industry also needs paralegals who can handle media contracts and intellectual property work.
What’s It Really Like?
Being a paralegal is all about balancing research, organization, and communication, making it an ideal role for those who enjoy problem-solving.
On any given day a paralegal may assist with court filings, interview clients and witnesses, or search for evidence in legal databases.
To find out what personal characteristics are a plus for this role, we turned to veteran paralegal Rod Cardinale, Jr., executive advisor and past president of Legal Professionals Inc. (LPI).
Cardinale, who returned to school to earn a paralegal certificate later in life as the single father of two young children, has worked for 18 years as a paralegal. He is now a senior paralegal and office manager at a small Northern California law firm that specializes in estate planning, trust administration, and probate.
“If you have the ability to multitask and change gears rapidly—and often—that’s a plus,” Cardinale says, underscoring the need to keep up with a law office’s fast pace.
“Attention to detail is a really important characteristic to succeed as a paralegal, as well as organizational skills and being a great communicator,” Cardinale says.
Also on his list of must-have personal characteristics are superior time management skills, ability to collaborate with a team, and patience.
Reflecting on his own role as a paralegal, Cardinale describes it as “different from most.”
“I do everything from drafting the estate plans and court petitions, to meeting with clients and ensuring the other employees have the tools they need to succeed. I also do the billing and financials and am the only notary public in the office,” Cardinale says.
Why Becoming a Paralegal is a Smart Midlife Move
If you’re middle-aged and feeling stuck in your current career, unfulfilled, or see threats to your current industry, becoming a paralegal can be a wise choice. Here’s why:
- Competitive Salaries and Benefits
Paralegal salaries have increased in every single state over the last five years. Furthermore, they typically offer benefits such as health insurance and paid leave. - Faster Path to What You Want
Certificate programs often take less than a year to complete, allowing you to pivot quickly. - Flexible Work Options
Paralegal jobs can be full-time, part-time, or contract positions. Some paralegals even start their own businesses. - Job Security
The California court system is the largest in the United States, so there’s consistent demand for paralegals. - Room to Grow
Starting as an entry-level paralegal opens doors to higher-level roles. Here’s a look at the typical advancement path:
| Entry-Level Paralegal | Document review, filing, and organizing case materials under supervision of senior paralegals or attorneys. |
| Mid-Level Paralegal | More complex tasks such as legal research and preparing trial materials independently. |
| Senior Paralegal | Manage large cases, supervise junior paralegals, assist attorneys with complex work. |
| Paralegal Supervisor | Supervise a paralegal team, coordinate work with attorneys, help hire and train paralegals. |
| Managing Paralegal | Oversee multiple teams. Set processes, mentor staff, and manage the most complex cases. |
From Classroom to Courtroom
If you want to open the door to becoming a paralegal but don’t want to plod through a four-year bachelor’s degree program, you’re in luck. Two-year associate degree programs are in plentiful supply from brick-and-mortar community colleges, in addition to accelerated 18-month options.
Certificate programs are even faster.
If you’re looking to jumpstart your paralegal career ASAP, these online paralegal certificate programs can be completed in less than 12 months:
- UCLA Extension (Less than 12 months.)
- San Francisco State University Paralegal Studies (2 semesters.)
- National University Paralegal Specialist Certificate (8 months.)
- University of San Diego Paralegal Program (As quickly as 4 months.)
If you’re really in a hurry:
- Boston University Online Paralegal Studies Certificate Program (Complete in 14 weeks.)
Program accreditation may matter to some paralegal employers, so check the Council on Higher Education Accreditation or U.S. Department of Education to learn whether the program you’re considering is accredited.
Likewise, if you’d like to confirm whether the program you’re interested in is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) search this directory.
If you have a high school diploma, GED, or baccalaureate degree in any subject, there are options for you as well. Learn about them here.
All About the Benjamins
Let’s get to the bottom line: What do paralegals actually earn?
Keep in mind that location, experience, and other factors wield a strong influence on earnings. For example, a typical salary for a paralegal in Tucson, Ariz., will look considerably different than the salary for a paralegal in New York City.
These figures from the Bureau of Labor spotlight the median pay nationwide for paralegals in 2023:
| Annual Pay $60,970 | Hourly Pay $29.31 |
About the Size of It
In addition to where you work and how much experience you have, law firm size also has a modulating effect on your paycheck. For example, the national average for the annual salary paralegals earn at small law firms is $54,906 while at large law firms that figure increases to $64,551.
The size of the city you work in, too, affects compensation. Not surprisingly, big cities offer the biggest salaries, as these current annual salary figures for three paralegal positions in Los Angeles show.
Size isn’t the only consideration for gauging compensation. These legal practice areas have been traditional favorites when it comes to salary and prestige:
- Large Corporate Law Firms.
- Litigation Firms Handling Class Action or High-Stakes Cases.
- Intellectual Property (IP) Law Firms.
- Entertainment and Media Law Firms.
- Corporate In-House Legal Departments.
Your own sweet spot will depend on law firm characteristics that matter the most to you.
Finding Your First Paralegal Job at 40+
Navigating the paralegal job market after age 40 can be easier if you have a clear job search strategy. Here are some tips to help you zero in on that first gig:
Focus on Networking
Networking may be new to you but there are ways to sharpen those skills and make your efforts more effective. This pro tip from Rod Cardinale may help.
Cardinale says that if you do nothing else, join a professional organization that offers the right networking opportunities. This, he says, is essential if you want to do networking right.
As an example, Cardinale says, most of the people he has hired over the past 10 years at the firm where he works came into view through LPI or the Santa Clara County Legal Professionals Association.
“I highly recommend that any newly minted paralegal of any age join LPI,” Cardinale says. “It provides a great channel for networking and making connections, which are the best tools for finding a job.”
“Remember, it’s 10% what you know and 90% who you know,” Cardinale adds.
For more information about paralegal organizations across the United States visit the National Federation of Paralegal Association, Inc, or The Paralegal Association (NALA).
Paralegal Internships
A great way to get your foot in the door for your first job is through an internship program. These programs provide hands-on experience in actual legal settings, giving you a feel for the day-to-day flow of a law office while making valuable connections.
Internships are baked into many paralegal education programs. The following sample of internships offered by several programs across the country offers more details about how they work:
Georgetown University Paralegal Studies Program (Washington, D.C.)
Duke University Continuing Studies Paralegal Certificate Program (Durham, NC)
Loyola University Chicago Institute for Paralegal Studies (Chicago, IL)
University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (Irvine, CA)
Agencies and Job Boards
After completing a paralegal certificate program, it’s smart to connect with organizations and agencies that specialize in placing new paralegals.
Staffing agencies such as Robert Half Legal and Special Counsel focus on legal professionals and may be able to help match you with temporary or permanent paralegal positions.
Likewise, organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants, American Bar Association, and state bar associations often offer job boards, career resources, and networking opportunities specifically for paralegals.
State paralegal organizations can be another source for job search information in addition to the paralegal job board at ParaLegal411.
Consider Remote and Contract Positions
If you want to boost your job hunt success even more, be open to remote or freelance roles that can be ideal for re-entering the workforce. Keep an eye on temporary or contract paralegal roles to help you build valuable industry experience.
(Paralegal) Life Begins at 40
Switching to a paralegal career in your 40s offers an attractive blend of flexibility, job security, and growth. While formal training will get you started, much of what you’ll need to know will be learned on the job.
For example, on your very first day you may be asked to manage electronic court document filings or service of process—but don’t worry, Rapid Legal has you covered.
We’ve created a library of articles that helps you absorb the vocabulary of litigation support services, understand the “why”, and get a sense of how they work.
So, are you ready to make the switch? Paralegal life begins when you say it does, so why wait?