In this article, we explain the roles of law clerk and paralegal and list the main distinctions between the two professions. A law clerk, alternatively called a judicial clerk or judicial law clerk, is a professional who works in legal settings to assist judges and lawyers in their legal decision making. Law clerks can work in law firms, but they typically work in courts serving as appellate law clerks who work on appeals or as trial law clerks.
Here are some common responsibilities of law clerks:. Paralegals also assist lawyers with their case preparation and research, but they typically work with lawyers, rather than judges, in law firms.
Here, they assist lawyers with various duties related to their cases. Paralegals can perform various roles and their exact responsibilities often depend on the size of the firm they work for. Related: Learn About Being a Paralegal. While law clerks and paralegals both assist more senior court officials in legal proceedings, there are significant differences between the two positions.
Here are some key areas where the professions differ:. While exact requirements can vary based on employer preferences, law clerks' educational requirements are typically more extensive than paralegals'. In contrast, most paralegal positions only require an associate's or bachelor's degree. Some firms even offer their own trainings to help high school graduates advance from legal assistant positions to become paralegals.
Paralegal training programs often take one to two years. Most law clerk and paralegal positions also differ in their experience requirements.
Paralegals may not need previous legal experience to qualify for their position, although experience and a degree in a related field are often helpful. In contrast, law clerks may apply for clerkships where they serve beneath a judge or lawyer for a year or more.
Previous experience as an intern, legal assistant or paralegal may also help law clerks qualify for positions. Both law clerks and paralegals use problem solving, research and analytical skills in their work advising and assisting lawyers and judges, but the skills related to their specific duties can vary.
Because law clerks aren't typically able to practice law unless they've passed the bar, they devote most of their time and energy to researching and aiding a judge or lawyer. Their job is to help the supervising attorney or judge research and determine legal options in a case.
They will consult journals, legal books, prior cases and even legal magazines. Responsibilities of a law clerk can differ somewhat if they work for an attorney rather than a judge, or vice versa. Many graduates from law school get their start as a law clerk with a sitting judge. A paralegal is another legal professional who works as an assistant to an attorney.
While there is no consistency in how paralegals are regulated, they generally help an attorney prepare cases and handle many of the administrative tasks involved with pursuing a claim.
One key difference between law clerks and paralegals is education. Law clerks have typically completed law school, while paralegals only have a relatively small amount of technical education in the field. Also, paralegals are confined to research and legal writing under the supervision of an attorney — they cannot provide legal advice.
However, their job is very critical to ensuring your case goes as smoothly as possible. Their job is to help the supervising attorney or judge research and determine legal options in a case. Job duties overlap for law clerks and paralegals, but the main difference between a law clerk and a paralegal is their education. Law clerks have typically completed law school, while paralegals obtain certification through a one- to two-year training program.
A good law clerk must be highly intelligent, a good writer, attendant to detail, efficient, and motivated to turn out a work product of excellence. In the practice of law in the United States, a legal secretary is a person who works in the legal profession, typically assisting lawyers.
In the 42 years I have been practicing, I have found that very few paralegals actually choose to become attorneys.
0コメント