As a litigation paralegal, your main job is to work on the paperwork for cases going to trial or involved in any legal dispute. Unlike the ordinary paralegal, you will focus solely on cases in active disputes. Your role is very important as you help bring cases to life.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about becoming a litigation paralegal, including the necessary skills, job duties, and steps to become one.
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What is a Litigation Paralegal?
A litigation paralegal assists lawyers and legal staff during the litigation process. This is the “battle in the courtroom” aspect of the law, where criminal and civil cases face off. Litigation paralegals are masters at handling the nitty-gritty of a case—everything from processing evidence to drafting documents to ensuring everything goes according to plan during trials.
A litigation paralegal handles all kinds of cases, such as:
- Civil Disputes – Disagreements between organizations, businesses, or individuals, including contract disputes or property conflicts.
- Personal Injury Cases – When an individual is harmed because someone else was negligent.
- Criminal Cases – These are cases where one defends or prosecutes a person accused of a crime, from shoplifting to felonies.
- Employment Law – Cases involving workers’ rights, discrimination, and wage claims.
A litigation paralegal performs the following tasks:
- Preparing case files, drafting legal documents, and handling evidence.
- Drafting pleadings, motions, and other legal papers.
- Assisting lawyers in preparing for trial by coordinating exhibits, reviewing evidence, and note-taking at hearings.
- Working with clients, witnesses, and experts to obtain information regarding the case.
Skills Required for a Litigation Paralegal
- Legal Research. Legal research is among the top paralegal skills you must have. You need to be proficient in researching case laws, precedents, and statutes that can affect case outcomes. Fortunately, today, tools like Westlaw and LexisNexis have made legal research a little bit easier.
- Legal Writing and Drafting. Next to research skills is writing. Your job description includes writing complaints, motions, and other documents. You need to be precise and accurate at all times. One tiny mistake, even a misused word or comma, can sabotage the entire case. A lot of firms actually require applicants to have legal research for paralegal training.
- Case Management. You will handle a lot of documents, so you need to be well-organized and able to keep track of papers, evidence, and deadlines.
- Communication Skills. Another part of your job is communicating with everyone involved in the case, including the client, attorney-in-charge, and witnesses. You need to possess strong and clear communication skills to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Attention to Detail. Reading legal documents or proofreading evidence can either win or lose a case. You must have a keen eye for details to find all the typos, ensure proper citations, and meet deadlines on time.
- Time Management. Balancing multiple cases, deadlines, and projects is just another day at the office for you. You’re constantly managing a whirlwind of tasks, which makes prioritizing effectively essential to keep everything running smoothly.
- Technology Proficiency. Litigation paralegals these days have a range of tools at their disposal. Tech-savviness will make life simpler and keep you one step ahead. Today’s widely used resources and tools are:
- legal research databases
- case management software
- document management systems
Paralegal Job Duties in Litigation
Here are the main litigation paralegal job duties:
Pre-Trial Activities:
Attention to detail can be the difference between winning and losing if you are reading over legal papers or checking evidence. Before the court day, there are a thousand-and-one things to be done, and litigation paralegals are on the front lines. Their common duties are:
- Preparation of motions, complaints, and responses.
- Taking evidence and getting ready for discovery materials—i.e., depositions, interrogatories, etc.
- Checking legal papers to make sure everything is in place.
- Preparing witnesses for trial while also assisting with depositions
Trial Support
After the trial starts, the litigation paralegal is the quarterback who coordinates everything on the ground. Tasks include:
- Making trial exhibits.
- Organization and management of documents and evidence throughout the trial.
- Note-taking at the hearings and trials.
- Guiding lawyers in preparation for trials, for instance, mock trials or strategy sessions.
Post-Trial Activities
After the trial is completed, there remains much to be accomplished. Litigation paralegals assist by:
- Post-trial motions and appeals.
- Managing client correspondence.
- Assisting with settlement negotiations and document drafting.
Paralegal Career Path and Job Outlook
For newbies, many litigation paralegals are assisted by more experienced paralegals or attorneys. They perform simple tasks such as:
- filing papers
- preparing discovery responses
- helping out with trial preparation
You can then transition into supervisory or managerial positions within your firms or choose to specialize further or pursue a career in law.
To advance, you need to earn paralegal certifications such as the NALA or NFPA to enhance your resume and enhance career opportunities. Specialization in fields such as e-discovery or intellectual property litigation can also place you ahead in a competitive job market.
Job Outlook and Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates about 37,300 paralegal and legal assistant job openings per year. Salaries for a paralegal career path vary based on location and experience. Recent BLS data shows that the median paralegal salary is $60,970. The top 75% earned $77,600, while the lowest 10% made $39,710.
How to Become a Litigation Paralegal
Educational Requirements
The minimum requirement is an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a similar field. However, some pursue a bachelor’s degree to improve their competency in the job market.
Specialized Training
You must also undergo specialized litigation paralegal training. Specific training is often hard to come by. However, training that covers civil procedure, trial preparation, and legal ethics should suffice.
Certifications and Licensing
Certifications are not always required, but they can be incredibly helpful. One of the most recommended ones to pass is the Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE) from NALA.
Gaining Experience
Experience is key. Start by seeking internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions. Getting hands-on experience in a real-world setting will give you the practical knowledge that you simply can’t get from textbooks alone.
Networking and Professional Organizations
Joining organizations like NALA or NFPA and attending networking events can help you establish and maintain connections, learn about new opportunities, and stay on top of the latest trends in litigation.
Literal Paralegal Programs
Here are the top providers of paralegal education and training:
University of California, Berkeley – Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
UC Berkeley’s certificate program in Paralegal Studies offers specialized training in litigation paralegal work. It covers essential skills such as legal writing for paralegals, research, and litigation support.
It Includes coursework in civil litigation, legal writing, trial preparation, and legal ethics. It is available online and in-person options.
George Washington University – Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
The George Washington University (GWU) offers a Paralegal Studies certificate with a focus on litigation and legal research. This focuses on practical training in legal drafting, case management, trial preparation, and litigation support. You can complete this in both online and in-person formats.
National University – Paralegal Studies Bachelor’s Degree
National University offers a fully online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies with a specialization in litigation. The program equips students with skills in litigation, legal research, and writing. This is a comprehensive legal education with courses focused on litigation procedures, civil procedure, and legal ethics.
Boston University – Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
Boston University’s Paralegal Studies Certificate Program provides a thorough foundation in litigation. It includes specialized coursework in litigation, contract law, and legal writing. This focuses on practical, hands-on legal skills, including litigation-focused subjects such as discovery, motions, and trial support.
It is available both online and on campus.
Duke University – Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
Duke’s Paralegal Studies Certificate Program is an NC Bar Qualified certificate program. This 300-hour online, self-paced course covers key paralegal skills, applicable in all 50 states with no deadlines.
Challenges in the Litigation Paralegal Field
- High-Pressure Environment: Where tight deadlines, high-stakes cases, and long hours are common, this world is very intense. Yet, if you like a fast-paced environment, you’ll be having a blast!
- Constant Learning: Laws change, procedures evolve, and technology advances. You need to stay sharp and continuously update your skills to keep up with these changes.
- Emotional Toll: Some cases can take an emotional toll. Dealing with intense situations is part of the job, and finding ways to cope is important.
Conclusion
Becoming a paralegal is not easy, but it is gratifying, especially if you love being in action. You will, however, need many skills, including legal research and writing, organization and communication. You also need to earn at least an associate degree and pair it with a certification from NALA or NFPA.
The court is waiting. So, go ahead and make that first move. The world of law awaits you!
