WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.366 --> 00:00:02.866 High-stakes, high-speed, 2 00:00:02.866 --> 00:00:04.699 and—at times—high-stress, 3 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:06.166 the workings of the world of law 4 00:00:06.166 --> 00:00:07.699 are supported by the efforts of 5 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:09.933 paralegals and legal assistants. 6 00:00:09.933 --> 00:00:11.666 These law professionals help lawyers 7 00:00:11.666 --> 00:00:13.299 prepare for hearings and trials, 8 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:14.800 draft documents, 9 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:16.300 and coordinate electronic materials, 10 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:18.600 such as emails, accounting databases, 11 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:21.700 and websites related to a trial or investigation. 12 00:00:21.700 --> 00:00:24.333 They gather case facts and dig into related laws 13 00:00:24.333 --> 00:00:26.299 and regulations, write up reports, 14 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:28.300 and schedule meetings and interviews 15 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:30.800 with witnesses, lawyers, and others. 16 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:33.266 Not all paralegals work with trial lawyers … 17 00:00:33.266 --> 00:00:34.632 Corporate paralegals 18 00:00:34.633 --> 00:00:35.999 help prepare employee contracts, 19 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:38.433 shareholder agreements, and financial reports. 20 00:00:38.433 --> 00:00:40.166 They stay current with regulations 21 00:00:40.166 --> 00:00:42.299 to give up-to-date information. 22 00:00:42.300 --> 00:00:44.566 Paralegals also specialize in areas such as 23 00:00:44.566 --> 00:00:46.899 criminal law, intellectual property, 24 00:00:46.900 --> 00:00:49.066 immigration, and family law. 25 00:00:49.066 --> 00:00:51.366 Most paralegals work for law firms. 26 00:00:51.366 --> 00:00:52.832 Some are employed in government 27 00:00:52.833 --> 00:00:55.233 or the finance and insurance industries. 28 00:00:55.233 --> 00:00:56.033 In small firms, 29 00:00:56.033 --> 00:00:57.866 paralegals’ have more varied duties 30 00:00:57.866 --> 00:01:00.199 and their work lasts the duration of a case… 31 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:01.733 while in large firms, 32 00:01:01.733 --> 00:01:03.199 paralegals may focus on a 33 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:05.200 particular phase of a case. 34 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:06.600 Most paralegals and legal assistants 35 00:01:06.600 --> 00:01:08.700 work full time in an office environment, 36 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:10.666 adding overtime to meet deadlines. 37 00:01:10.666 --> 00:01:12.766 They may occasionally travel for research 38 00:01:12.766 --> 00:01:14.966 or preparation for trials. 39 00:01:14.966 --> 00:01:16.999 Most employers prefer applicants who have 40 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:19.066 an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, 41 00:01:19.066 --> 00:01:21.299 or a bachelor’s degree in another field, 42 00:01:21.300 --> 00:01:25.233 sometimes with a certificate in paralegal studies.