8:10 AM What is a Law Clerk? What is a Paralegal? | Career Bear | ||||
OK, you’re addicted to law shows on TV – and if nothing new is on, you won’t mind watching the old Law Order episodes you now know by heart. Maybe you should consider a law career. Sure, you could apply to law school, but there are other opportunities to work in the legal system that can be equally rewarding. How about becoming a law clerk, or a paralegal? As a law clerk you have to understand the process inside out. That means you need to anticipate what the next step is and what the requirements will be so you’re always ahead of the game. Karen Goncalves A law clerk’s job is mostly administrative, relieving lawyers of routine duties and helping them with more complex legal work when needed. A paralegal has been educated to take on more legal responsibilities but still under the guidance of a lawyer. Their work touches every aspect of law from land use and expropriation to criminal, tax, entertainment law and more. A typical day might include drafting correspondence and legal documents, reviewing documents, researching, conducting client or third-party interviews, and liaising with clients, courts and other counsel. In Ontario, paralegals can now be licensed and regulated like a lawyer (by the Law Society) and can practice law within a restricted scope, appearing before certain lower level courts and administrative tribunals. They have to pass a licensing exam. Both the law clerk and unlicensed paralegal do not have to carry any liability insurance while a licensed paralegal does. There are college level programs for both law clerk and paralegal. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
SALARY EXPECTATIONS Law Clerk: $28K – $67K Paralegal: $37K – $55K CAREER TRACKING I d been doing the job as a law clerk for so long that I got itchy feet… and took the next step to becoming a licensed paralegal and now I can represent clients in court in Ontario. Karen Goncalves Law clerks often start as admin assistants in a law firm and work their way up to a law clerk position. Paralegals also start in a law firm, and in Ontario they can become a licensed paralegal as well. Law clerks, paralegals and licensed paralegals (in Ontario) could find themselves working in the legal department of a large private corporation. Others might work in smaller legal departments at banks, insurance companies, government offices and private businesses.
Published on May 7,
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