Paralegal Jobs in Austin, Texas

A paralegal is a professional trained to assist lawyers in various legal capacities. Paralegal duties mainly fall into a broad range of substantive legal work. They conduct factual and legal research, draft legal documents, work with clients, and manage cases. Paralegals may work in teams with one or more lawyers, paralegals, and legal secretaries. Paralegals help gather and manage large amounts of data to assist the lawyer to produce better quality work. In Texas, a paralegal should preferably have a specialty certification conferred by TBLS; OR a CLA/CP certification conferred by NALA; OR a PACE certification conferred by NFPA; OR a Bachelor's or higher degree in any field with 1+ year of experience performing substantive legal work under the direct supervision of a duly licensed attorney AND completion of 15 hours of Continuing Legal Education within that year; OR a certificate of completion from an ABA-approved program of education and training for paralegals; OR a certificate of completion from a paralegal program administered by any college or university accredited or approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its equivalent in another state. According to the data (May 2007) provided by the Occupational Employment Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, the annual mean wage of a paralegal in Austin is $50,670.