Legal Support Workers: Job Description, Examples, and Education
What is a Legal Support Worker?
Legal support workers, all other, are professionals who provide assistance to attorneys, judges, and legal teams in a variety of settings. This occupational category includes positions such as paralegals, legal assistants, court reporters, law clerks, and title examiners, among others. Legal support workers perform a range of duties that require strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Examples of Legal Support Jobs
Some examples of legal support jobs include:
- Paralegal
- Legal Assistant
- Court Reporter
- Title Examiner
- Law Clerk
- Judicial Assistant
- Legal Administrator
- Legal Researcher
- Claims Adjuster
- Arbitrator
Education and Training
Education and training requirements vary depending on the specific legal support job. Generally, legal support workers need at least a high school diploma and some post-secondary education or training in a related field. Some legal support jobs may also require a bachelor’s degree, particularly in fields such as paralegal studies or legal studies. Many legal support workers also complete professional certification programs to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.
Progression between Levels
Legal support workers can progress between levels by gaining experience and pursuing additional education or training. For example, a legal assistant may become a paralegal by completing a paralegal certification program or earning a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. Similarly, a paralegal may become a legal administrator or legal research by gaining experience and pursuing additional education or training in those areas.
Getting into the Field
If you’re new to the legal support field, there are several ways to get started. Some legal support jobs, such as court reporter or claims adjuster, require specific training or certification. Other jobs, such as legal assistant or law clerk, may require some post-secondary education in a related field. Consider reaching out to local law firms, government agencies, or other organizations to learn about job openings or opportunities for internships or apprenticeships.
Legal support workers, all other, refers to a broad category of legal support personnel who perform a variety of tasks related to legal proceedings, such as preparing documents, coordinating meetings, and conducting research. This occupation can be found in law firms, government agencies, and corporations.
According to the salary data provided, the US national average salary for legal support workers, all other, is $59,841.60 per year for non-union workers at all levels. This is slightly higher than the national average for all occupations, which is $51,960 per year.
It should be noted that salary data can vary based on various factors, including geography, level of experience, and industry. Below are two geographies where legal support workers, all other, are best paid and least paid on average:
Best paid:
1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA Metropolitan Area: Average annual salary of $73,420
2. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Area: Average annual salary of $69,330
Least paid:
1. Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC Metropolitan Area: Average annual salary of $37,340
2. Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Area: Average annual salary of $38,550
The impact of unions on this occupation can be significant. Unionization can lead to collective bargaining, which can result in higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions for legal support workers. However, unionization rates vary by industry and geography, and not all legal support workers are represented by unions. Thus, the effects of unionization may not be equal across all legal support workers.
