HOW DOES A PARALEGAL DIFFER FROM A LEGAL SECRETARY?
Generally, paralegals do more professional work, similar to work done by attorneys, such as creating documents, interviewing witnesses and clients, and conducting research, all under attorney supervision. Sometimes job responsibilities are identical for legal secretaries and paralegals, the only difference being the title. Some in the field claim the best way to get a paralegal job is by first “learning the ropes” as a legal secretary. Other former secretaries say they had to change firms to get recognition as a paralegal. The paralegals may have to convince an attorney that making coffee, typing and photocopying are not the best uses of their skills. The paralegal does less clerical work and may not be expected to be an expert typist or word processor, but may have to do some of this just as some attorneys do. Salaries of paralegals and legal secretaries may not differ either, but generally the paralegal has greater potential for earnings.
