An employment paralegal is a legal expert who assists attorneys in preparing court cases that deal with employee benefit disputes and other labor issues. Professionals carefully examine union and worker claims to uncover facts and gather background information. They create detailed reports about their findings and help lawyers decide how to present cases to judges. By rigorously studying past cases and current laws, an employment paralegal ensures workers receive fair treatment at their jobs and appropriate compensation in the event of a dispute. Most employment paralegals work for large law firms and private attorneys who specialize in labor law.
The main duty of an employment paralegal is to obtain reliable facts so an attorney can present the strongest possible case in court. A professional speaks with workers who file claims, union representatives, and employers to learn about the nature of an issue. He or she finds out information about discrimination, sexual harassment, occupational injury, and wrongful termination complaints, among many other topics related to workplace relations. A paralegal is able to perform most investigation tasks and inquiries over the telephone or through e-mail, though he or she occasionally visits workplaces to better understand a case.
Strong organizational skills and computer proficiency are essential in employment paralegal jobs. It is common for a paralegal to work on many cases at a time, often for more than one attorney. He or she needs to keep track of multiple documents, forms, and claims, and be able to find and access information right away when it is requested. Most of the office work that paralegals perform is done on computers, including Internet research regarding laws, typing formal reports, and creating easy-to-understand charts and tables.
The requirements to become an employment paralegal vary between regions and law firms. New professionals who hold two-year associate's degrees in paralegal studies are preferred by most employers, though a person can also receive the training necessary to perform the job through a shorter vocational school program. Many respected national organizations offer voluntary certification exams for hopeful paralegals to help them improve their credentials and their chances of finding jobs.
A new worker typically spends several weeks or months in formal, on-the-job training by attorneys and experienced paralegals. He or she might be required to work under the supervision of established professionals for up to one year before getting the chance to take on cases independently. With experience, an employment paralegal is given more responsibilities. A paralegal who excels at his or her job may eventually be able to advance to a supervisory position within a law firm.
